Starting Nine (Week of April 17th)
The MLB season is in full swing and it is time to update our starting nine as teams begin to take shape. Let’s take a look at the changes to our top nine after roughly ten games in the season.
Starting Nine (Week of April 17th)
#9. Texas Rangers (+1500/+4000) - If the new and improved Rangers’ starting staff can stay healthy, they could make some noise in the AL West. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#8. Houston Astros (+400/+800) - The Astros' loss of Altuve has certainly affected the day-to-day lineup at the leadoff spot. Still, no need to panic yet at 7-9. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#7. Milwaukee Brewers (+850/+2000) - The Brewers have the 3rd most wins (11) and the second-best run differential (+28) through the first three weeks. Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#6. New York Mets (+400/+800) - The Mets are 10-6 as they get set to take on the Padres in San Diego to start the week. Scherzer’s missed turn has to be a bit concerning. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#5. Minnesota Twins (+1000/+2200) - The Twins split a four-game series in the Bronx and remain atop the AL Central. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#4. New York Yankees (+400/+800) - The Yankees have leaned heavily on their top two starters, Cole and Cortes, who have combined for six of their 10 wins. They’ll need support. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#3. Toronto Blue Jays (+550/+1100) - Here come the Jays. A great everyday lineup that is starting to hum. Manoah’s slow start on the mound is a bit concerning. Last Week’s Rank: 9th
#2. Atlanta Braves (+290/+600) - Despite injuries to their everyday roster, the Braves roll on. Starters Wright and Fried have returned and the Braves appear to be the class of the NL. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#1. Tampa Bay Rays (+500/+1000) - The Rays’ streak reached 13 games before losing two straight in Toronto. They bounced back in Sunday’s finale and sit atop the league at 14-2. Last Week’s Rank: 1
AL/NL MVP Candidates:
Let’s take a look at the favorites to win the major awards in MLB as we head to the fourth week of the season.
Top-five AL MVP Candidates
#1. Shohei Ohtani (+120) - Another dominant start this week has Ohtani’s odds dropping. Last Week’s Rank: 1st
#2. Aaron Judge (+700) - The Yankees attack continues to be paced by Judge and the reigning MVP will be in the mix all season. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#3. Mike Trout (+750) - If Trout stays healthy, he’ll remain in the mix as he returns to his place among the top three in baseball. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#4. Yordan Alvarez (+1100) - Alvarez’s case for MVP will improve as the Astros continue to move up the standings. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#5. Rafael Devers (+1800) - Devers’ seven home runs are second in baseball and first in the AL. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
Top-five NL MVP Candidates
#1. Ronald Acuna (+300) - Could this be the year that Acuna’s litany of talents come together in a full, healthy season? Last Week’s Rank: 1st
#2. Trea Turner (+650) - Turner is starting to heat up just as the Phillies’ offense is doing the same. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#3. Mookie Betts (+1000) - The former AL MVP is the catalyst of the Dodgers’ offense. As they improve, so will his MVP case. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#4. Nolan Arenado (+1000) - Arenado leads the Cards in average and total bases and the power numbers will soon follow. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#5. Pete Alonso (+1300) - Alonso leads the majors in home runs and has 41 total bases for a Mets team that will certainly contend for a playoff spot. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
Top-three AL Cy Young Candidates
#1. Gerrit Cole (+400) - Cole was dominant on Sunday and is now a perfect 4-0 to start the season. Last Week’s Rank: 1st
#2. Shohei Ohtani (+500) - Could baseball’s most unique superstar win his first Cy Young this season? His early dominance puts him in the running. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#3. Jacob deGrom (+700) - deGrom seems to have found his way once again after a tough first start. If he stays healthy, he has the best stuff in the game. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
Top-three NL Cy Young Candidates
#1. Julio Urias (+700) - The bespectacled lefty could join a long list of Dodgers’ Cy Young winners after last year’s strong season. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#2. Zac Gallen (+700) - The D-Backs have started on a high note and Gallen has been front and center. He is 2-1 and striking out a career-best 10.4 per nine. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#3. Spencer Strider (+550) - Strider is 1-0 in three starts. The only concern in his Cy Young candidacy will be whether or not the Braves limit his innings this year. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle