2011 NL Power Rankings: Week 1

The NL Power Rankings to start the season.

2011 NL Power Rankings: Week 1
Team	RK	Record	Comment
	1	0-0	The Giants move into my top spot with the injuries that have struck the Phillies. Plus, they are the defending champions, so until someone else knocks them off their pedestal, they are #1.
	2	0-0	The Phillies have had injury problems and will be without Chase Utley for what's looking like the first half of the season. I have my worries about the offense, but they should win a lot of games with their pitching.
	3	0-0	I almost moved the Braves above the Phillies and I think that they're really close. The team seems well balanced and I expect them to push the Phillies all year long.
	4	0-0	The way things look right now, the playoff races should be tight. The Rockies are another good team and I think that they will challenge the Giants in the West and whoever is second will be right in the thick of the Wild Card race.
	5	0-0	Picking the leader of the Central is tough as the Brewers, Cardinals, and Reds are all pretty closely bunched. Right now, I think the Brewers are on top, but the talent level of all these teams is really close.
	6	0-0	Before Spring Training, the Cardinals were the team to beat in the Central and then Adam Wainwright went down for the season. The loss of Wainwright makes this division a toss up.
	7	0-0	The Reds played above their heads last year and I don't think they will quite live up to that again. I could be wrong, but I can't see them overcoming the Cardinals and Brewers.
	8	0-0	The starting pitching depth that they started with has diminished with injuries, but the rotation will still be the strength of the team. The question is if they will score enough runs. Right now, I don't think they will.
	9	0-0	The Cubs are interesting, but I think they're in a transition phase and this year will be something they build on for making a run at the division next year.
	10	0-0	I think the Padres will come back down to Earth with the departure of A-Gon. They will continue to be scrappy and they may surprise again. The injury to Mat Latos hurts them a lot because behind him, the rotation isn't anything spectacular.
	11	0-0	The Astros are rebuilding and are probably the fourth most talented team in their division. They are likely to have some growing pains.
	12	0-0	The Marlins are a young team with talent. I just think they will lose a bunch of games to the superior Braves and Phillies. They probably deserve to be higher and they may even surprise me this year.
	13	0-0	The Mets are cleaning house and have injury problems like always. They have a smart GM who could turn things around, but it will take a few seasons to work off the bad moves of the previous administration.
	14	0-0	The Nationals spent money like they were contenders but lets not fool ourselves. They are not good. Hey, at least Bryce Harper will be exciting when he finally gets the call.
	15	0-0	Arizona spent money to try to rebuild their horrible bullpen, so that will help them win some more games. Other than that, they're still a few pieces away from contending, but have a solid offensive nucleus to build around.
	16	0-0	Hopefully the Pirates lose less than 100 games. I am pulling for them to turn it around. I just don't know when it will be in the cards for them. Good luck.

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