MLB Power Rankings: Things getting tense in Texas
We’re excited about the unveiling of next season’s schedule. As always, there are quirks:
The rankings (records through Wednesday’s games):
1. St. Louis Cardinals (91-54; Previous: 1) – Cards scheduled to open the season April 4 in Pittsburgh with a four-game lead.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (87-58; Previous: 3) – Pirates also close season with series against Cards. Refer to rest of season as “the middle 156.”
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-61; Previous: 6) – Dodgers pleased to get schedule early so they can get a jump on reserving Angels’ limos to Dodger Stadium.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (83-62; Previous: 4) – Jays dismayed to learn that once again half of their games will be played in an entirely different country.
5. Chicago Cubs (84-61; Previous: 5) – Joe Maddon concerned about game times and their influence on players’ internal body clocks. Not to be confused with external body clocks, which they hang around their necks.
[Yahoo Fantasy Football: Still not too late to sign up for a league]
6. Kansas City Royals (85-60; Previous: 2) – Royals open against Mets in what already is being touted as a World Series rematch. By Rex Hudler.
7. New York Mets (83-63; Previous: 7) – Mets to celebrate 30th anniversary of ’86 championship with an “Everybody Point and Laugh at Bill Buckner” Night.
8. New York Yankees (80-65; Previous: 9) – Yankees bosses debating whether to retire A-Rod’s number in 2016 or 2017.
9. Texas Rangers (78-67; Previous: 10) – Rangers play Mariners on April 4, which is Square Root Day. Make note to tell outfielders it’s not Square Route Day.
10. Houston Astros (77-69; Previous: 8) – Astros to face NL Central teams for first time since leaving for American League. Hoping to lose a few pounds by then.
11. San Francisco Giants (77-69; Previous: 12) – Giants unmoved by the details, enough to know it’s an even year.
12. Minnesota Twins (75-70; Previous: 11) – Season marks 25th anniversary of club’s last championship team, when Torii Hunter was only in his third season.
13. Cleveland Indians (72-72; Previous: 16) – Indians peruse schedule, think to selves, “Maybe Sports Illustrated meant this one.”
14. Washington Nationals (75-70; Previous: 13) – Thinking maybe they got a little ahead of themselves with the midseason Matt Williams bobblehead night.
15. Los Angeles Angels (73-72; Previous: 15) – Mike Scioscia thinks league getting way ahead of itself, refuses to recognize there is a game beyond today.
16. Baltimore Orioles (71-74; Previous: 19) – Late August home-and-home series against Nationals just might give Orioles chance to try out those new beach cruisers they got for their birthday.
17. Tampa Bay Rays (70-75; Previous: 14) – Game times are still to be determined. They’ll let you know when they hear from their season ticket-holder.
18. Boston Red Sox (69-76; Previous: 20) – Already excited to see turncoat David Price pitch Patriots Day game against Blue Jays.
19. Chicago White Sox (69-75; Previous: 21) – If you look to see when the White Sox play the Cubs, that’s called a Crosstown Cup check.
20. Seattle Mariners (71-76; Previous: 22) – Robinson Cano returns to Yankee Stadium on April 15, still an emotionally taxing trip.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (69-77; Previous: 18) – D’backs think it’s unfair that league once again holds season during hottest time of year.
22. San Diego Padres (69-78; Previous: 17) – Padres scheduled to host All-Star Game on July 12. Scheduled to rename Selig Hall of Fame Plaza on July 13.
23. Detroit Tigers (67-78; Previous: 23) – Dave Dombrowski’s Red Sox go to Detroit in mid-August, at which point Dombrowski will be released from his cab to enter Comerica Park.
24. Oakland Athletics (62-84; Previous: 24) – League messes up, has A’s playing home games in Carson. A’s go along.
25. Milwaukee Brewers (62-83; Previous: 25) – Brewers a little surprised to learn the season starts two months earlier for them than it did in 2015.
26. Cincinnati Reds (61-84; Previous: 26) – Reds check Farmer’s Almanac, learn they’ll be 12 games out by July 7.
27. Miami Marlins (63-83; Previous: 29) – 2016 will be different. Seriously. They’re so close. Really. Have you seen their core? What? There’ll be bobbleheads!
28. Colorado Rockies (61-85; Previous: 28) – Rockies like to think of early open dates as snow days. Way more fun.
29. Atlanta Braves (57-89; Previous: 23) – Braves fans who watched second half will be surprised to learn club hadn’t already moved to Cobb County. But, no, one more season at Turner Field.
30. Philadelphia Phillies (56-91; Previous: 30) – Schedule arrives and Phillies’ first thought was, “Really, another one?”
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