Perhaps the San Francisco Giants' back to the future approach really is paying off.
A new regime led by franchise legend Buster Posey intent on returning the club to its strong pitching, solid defense, timely hitting and esprit de corps of their three-championship run one decade ago is seeing immediate results this season. The Giants have won their first three series, capped by a sweep of the Seattle Mariners in their first set at Oracle Park this season, and leaped 11 spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
At 8-1, the Giants are in a virtual tie with the - gulp - Los Angeles Dodgers atop the National League West, part of a divisional wrecking ball that's seen West teams other than the Colorado Rockies race out to a 29-10 record. Willy Adames, whose $182 million contract broke Posey's record as the largest in franchise history, won their home opener with a two-run walk-off single; Wilmer Flores walked the Mariners off in extra innings again on Sunday. And the club ranks atop the majors in fielding percentage and are fourth in ERA.
A familiar look in China Basin.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
- Blake Snell's barking shoulder lands him on IL, leaving club with – hmm – roughly eight rotation options.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)
- Marquee bullpen acquisition Jordan Romano struggling (2.50 WHIP, 15.75 ERA) in first five appearances.
3. New York Yankees (-1)
- Will Warren with a pair of rough starts at back of rotation.
4. San Diego Padres (-)
- Despite hitting just eight home runs, they're averaging nearly five runs a game.
5. Texas Rangers (+1)
- Kumar Rocker joins Jack Leiter in the "completed five innings" club.
6. New York Mets (+2)
- Pete Alonso starting red-hot – three homers, 11 RBI, and ninth-inning heroics are back.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
- Corbin Burnes' cutter not as sharp, hard in first two starts.
