American League Power Rankings: April 18

Kansas City royals. 1. team. 7. The Royals went 4-3 last week, after taking three of four from the Astros, and then dropping two of three against the surprisingly competitive A’s in Oakland. The defending champions will be put to the test this week when they play the Tigers, and Orioles in Kansas City  . (8-4). Previous: 1st

Chicago White Sox. 2. team. 128. The White Sox continue to climb the American League Power Rankings this week as they move up two spots into the number two position behind only the defending champion Royals. The White Sox will head home this week to take on the Angels, and Rangers after taking four of six on last weeks road trip.. (8-4). Previous: 4th

(7-6). Previous: 2nd. Texas Rangers. 3. team. 126. The Rangers A 4-2 week for the Rangers wasn’t enough to keep them from being jumped by the surprise White Sox in this weeks power rankings. The Rangers are at home for a three game series with the Astros, before they head to Chicago to take on the White Sox on the South Side 

63. The Tigers continue to rise as they stay hot on the tails of the Royals, and White Sox in the AL Central. The tigers trail the two teams by just a half game for first place in the central division, with a big series against the Royals in Kansas City starting today.. (7-4). Previous: 4th. Detroit Tigers. 4. team

11. The Orioles continue to climb the power rankings this week, moving up four positions as they enter play today with an 8-3 record, tops in the American League. The Orioles went just 3-3 last week after opening 7-0. The Orioles will play three at home versus division rival Toronto this week before heading to Kansas City to take on the Royals. . (8-3). Previous: 10th. Baltimore Orioles. 5. team

(5-8). Previous: 3rd. Houston Astros. 6. team. 135. The Astros have stumbled out of the gate during Opening Week, after losing two out of three to both the Yankees, as well as the Brewers. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they open a series with the defending champion Kansas City Royals this week. 

(6-7). Previous: 8th. Toronto Blue Jays. 8. team. 39. The Blue Jays like the Indians had a .500 week splitting six games versus the Yankees, and Red Sox on the road. The Jays will wrap up the series with Boston this afternoon before heading to Baltimore for three.

14. The Boston Red Sox weren’t able to take advantage of a long home stand as they split six games between the Orioles, and the Blue Jays at Fenway last week. The Sox will have three more at home this week with the Rays before heading to Houston for a weekend series with the Astros.. (6-5). Previous: 9th. Boston Red Sox. 9. team

43. The Yankees dropped four spots in this week’s power rankings after dropping two of three to both the Blue Jays, and the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees will try to stop the skid this week as they will play the A’s, and Rays three times a piece at Yankee Stadium.. (5-6). Previous: 6th. New York Yankees. 10. team

21. The Tampa Bay Rays dropped two of three to the Indians last week, before ending the weekend on a high note by taking two of three from the first place White Sox at home. The Rays head to Boston to open a three game series tomorrow, before a weekend tilt in the Bronx with the Yankees. . (5-7). . Tampa Bay Rays. 11. team

The dysfunctional Angels continued to sputter last week winning just three of six, and being swept by the previously 0-9 Minnesota Twins. Things won’t get much easier for the Angels this week as they will open a four game set against the White Sox in Chicago.. (5-7). Previous: 11th. Los Angeles Angels. 12. team. 102

Previous: 14th. Seattle Mariners. 13. team. 62. The Mariners dropped two of three to the Rangers, and took two of three versus the Yankees last week. The Mariners will continue their road trip this week as they open a series with the Cleveland Indians this week before taking on the Angels this weekend.. (5-7)

14. team. 96. The A’s opened the season with a 4-3 record after the first week, but floundered this week as they won just two of six games to fall under .500 at 6-7 on the year. The A’s climbed out of the cellar in this weeks power rankings by virtue of the Twins dismal start to the 2016 season. . (6-7). Previous: 15th. Oakland Athletics

The Minnesota Twins dropped the first nine games of the season after being swept by the White Sox at home last week, before breaking into the win column with a weekend sweep of the Angels in Minneapolis. The Twins sit in last place in both our power rankings this week, as well as the entire American League.. (3-9). Previous: 14th. Minnesota Twins. 15. team. 2