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Culture Shock

MLB Power Rankings Week 5

1. St. Louis Cardinals (Last Week #1)

The Cardinals keep No. 1 spot in my power rankings this week as they continue to roll. They took 3 out of 4 from the division rival Chicago Cubs this week but dropped 2 out of 3 to Pittsburgh this past weekend. St. Louis has not missed a beat without staff ace Adam Wainwright. Michael Wacha has stepped up nicely. He’s 5-0 with a 2.09 ERA over 38.2 innings. The Cardinals own the best record in baseball at 23-9. They’ll go on the road this week to face the struggling Cleveland Indians, then they’ll come home to face a tough Detroit Tigers team.

2. Kansas City Royals (#5)

Kansas City had another stellar week by going 4-2 and taking the division lead from the Detroit Tigers. The Royals offense is second in baseball in runs scored led by Eric Hosmer, who is enjoying his best season to date. The Royals are one of the most complete teams in baseball with a solid pitching staff, great offense, slick fielding and lock-down bullpen. Kansas City will continue its roadtrip in Arlington, Texas, this week before the Royals come home to face the AL East leading New York Yankees.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (#4)

Much like the Cardinals, the Dodgers continue to roll. The Dodgers are 8-2 in their last 10 and are currently on a three-game winning streak. The scary thing about the Dodgers is they have been this good so far, and Clayton Kershaw has not been very good ... yet. Once Kershaw gets rolling this team will be even scarier to play. The Dodgers need to shore up their bullpen a little bit, but from top to bottom they are a top-five team. They’ll host the Miami Marlins and the reeling Colorado Rockies this week at Dodger Stadium.

4. Houston Astros (#3)

The Houston Astros by far are the most surprising team in baseball. The Astros are among the best in the American League at 20-13. Who would have thought the Astros would have a five-game lead on the Angels on May 11? With the way the rest of the division has played the Astros have real shot to make the playoffs this year. Jose Altuve is playing like a MVP candidate hitting .338 and leading the league in hits. Houston took a step back this week by getting swept by the Rangers and splitting a series with the Angels. The Astros will play host to the Giants and Blue Jays this week.

5. New York Yankees (#6)

The Yankees have been a bit of a surprise to begin the year, but this team of aging veterans has played pretty nicely. Alex Rodriguez has surprised almost everyone in the early going. He recently smacked home run No. 661 to pass Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. Michael Pineda has had a great start by going 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA. Last Sunday he struck out 16 Baltimore batters in seven innings. The Bronx Bombers will look to continue their hot play, as they will go on the road to face two tough teams the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals.

6. New York Mets (#6)

7. Detroit Tigers (#2)

8. Washington Nationals (#15)

9. Minnesota Twins (#13)

10. Tampa Bay Rays (#10)

11. San Francisco Giants (#9)

12. San Diego Padres (#8)

13. Miami Marlins (#16)

14. Toronto Blue Jays (#18)

15. Chicago Cubs (#11)

16. Pittsburgh Pirates (#14)

17. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (#21)

18. Boston Red Sox (#17)

19. Seattle Mariners (#23)

20. Baltimore Orioles (#12)

21. Atlanta Braves (#19)

22. Cincinnati Reds (#20)

23. Arizona Diamondbacks (#24)

24. Chicago White Sox (#28)

25. Texas Rangers (#29)

26. Cleveland Indians (#27)

27. Philadelphia Phillies (#26)

28. Oakland A’s (#25)

29. Colorado Rockies (#23)

30. Milwaukee Brewers (#30)

Follow Bobby on Twitter @RENorell_III

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