The Game Haus returns with another issue of 2017 MLB Rankings: Sizing up the Season. This past week has been an emotionally charged roller coaster in the MLB. Hall of Fame inductees and snubs have sparked debates among fans, players and writers. Old PED skeletons have spawned a number of questions about the validity of records and the integrity of players.
Worst of all, tragedy has again struck a young player with the loss of Royals’ pitcher Yordano Ventura.
Part of what makes sports great is the tremendous passion fans have around the game. These instances, while emotional, are part of the history and reality that makes this America’s past time. Fortunately, we can continue to look forward to the upcoming season and many more of the great moments that made us all fans to start.
This week we tackle 10-6 in the rankings. The big guns are coming out. While these teams may be a few pieces short of complete, look for all to compete come October. Many of these organizations were in the hunt last year and we’d expect much of the same this time around. All of these contenders have plenty of fire power on one side of the ball or the other. Time will tell if they can bring enough consistency in some of their weak areas to make a true run at the fall classic.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
2016 record: 78-83-1
The Buckos has a solid offseason, managing to hold onto Andrew McCutchen and securing Ivan Nova in their rotation. That signing along with Gerrit Cole and Tyler Glasnow’s continued development makes for a sneaky good rotation. If Pittsburgh somehow manages to get a deal done for Jose Quintana, the NL Central may have far more to bargain for than they originally intended. Pitching aside, the Pirates also sport one of the more promising outfields in the MLB. If the Pirates get even moderate contributions from their infield, expect a battle for an NL Wild Card come October.
9. San Francisco Giants
2016 record: 87-75
The big knock on the Giants last year was a lack of bullpen firepower. San Francisco certainly addressed that with the off-season acquisition of Mark Melancon. Overall, the Giants pitching has never really been their problem. Any rotation anchored by two of the best in Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto give you a great chance come postseason time. The question is whether the offense can sustain production throughout 162 games. The Dodgers and a surprise Rockies team may challenge, but the Giants should be actively contesting the top of the division at year end.
8. New York Mets
2016 record: 87-75
Widely considered the single best rotation in the majors last year, the Mets’ pitching staff returns near full force. Matt Harvey’s health is perpetually in question and New York did lose Bartolo Colon, but this rotation is outstanding regardless. With Yoenis Céspedes resigning in the off-season and Jay Bruce looking for a bounce back year, the Mets should have plenty of pop to get the job done. With this rotation and dominant closer Jeurys Familia in the bullpen, this club won’t need many runs to win games.
7. Texas Rangers
2016 record: 95-67
The first of two teams in the AL west we at The Game Haus have affectionately dubbed “The Arms Race”. The Rangers and the Astros wasted little time in securing top tier sluggers across their lineups this offseason. The Rangers have taken that crusade one step further by also bolstering their pitching with the acquisition of Tyson Ross. Assuming Ross can bounce back from his 2016 season-ending injury, he should provide needed depth to the Texas rotation. Generating back-to-back 95 win seasons is a tall order for any organization. That said, one look at the offensive ability of this lineup and you’d have to think a repeat is possible.
6. Houston Astos
2016 record: 84-78
Narrowly inching out its rival in the division, Houston is poised to unseat their “Arms Race” opponent Rangers. The acquisition of Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, and Josh Reddick add veteran power and presence to an already scary lineup. Young stars Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman continue to develop and I haven’t even mentioned perennial MVP candidate Jose Altuve. This lineup is that good. The question for Dallas Keuchel and staff is whether or not they can out-duel their divisional rivals. Both teams have the horses to win the AL West and for fans of baseball everywhere, this is the war to watch in 2017.
Link to Previous Rankings
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