Starting Nine (Week of April 17th)

Mark Ruelle

9mos ago

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.

#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

Author Profile
Mark Ruelle

Mark has been a sports fanatic since childhood. He is also an avid follower of sports analytics and has used it in his own betting analysis for over two decades. Now we have Mark on our team here at RakeTech U.S. He holds degrees in marketing, broadcasting, and English and uses this vast array of assets to dissect and analyze game matchups. Mark will provide you with a wide variety of statistics to consider and a strong opinion in each matchup that he covers. Please follow him daily for an up-to-the-minute analysis of all the important games.

Starting Nine (Week of April 17th)

Author Profile Mark Ruelle

Author Profile
Mark Ruelle