Where Do the Houston Astros Fit in Our MLB Power Rankings?
By Jason Burke

Apr 3, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) doubles during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
126. Last season the Rangers had to deal with injuries up and down the lineup. This spring started by the team losing super-prospect Jurickson Profar and ace Yu Darvish for the season. Their rotation is comprised of a bunch of middle-of-the-rotation guys, so look for Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez to get a call early in the season once he gets some innings at Triple A. The offense should put up some runs with the returns of Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo, but it likely won’t be enough over the course of a full season. With the Houston Astros having improved, look for the Rangers to finish in the AL West cellar for a second straight year.. (0-0). Previous: --th. Texas Rangers. 25. team
17. The Braves took a step back this offseason, trading Justin Upton, Evan Gattis and Jason Heyward, but the returns should prove to be with it–just not this season. Atlanta spent some money to bring in Nick Markakis from Baltimore, along with Jonny Gomes, Alberto Callaspo, A.J. Pierzynski and Jason Grilli. They’ll add some leadership to this young team, but not much else. They have some nice pieces, but the top three teams in the division have better ones. It’s a one horse race in the NL East this year, and it’s not the 1990s.. (0-0). Previous: --th. Atlanta Braves. 24. team
team. 21. The Rays are now without their manager Joe Maddon (Cubs), their ace David Price (Tigers) and their utility man Ben Zobrist (A’s). The one thing the Rays always have plenty of is pitching. They may end up with one of the best starting rotations in baseball outside of Washington, but the big question in Tampa will be whether or not they can score some runs.. (0-0). Previous: --th. Tampa Bay Rays. 23
Previous: --th. Milwaukee Brewers. 22. team. 76. The Brewers were one of the best teams in baseball for much of 2015, but struggled down the stretch and failed to make the postseason. The team has some excellent pieces offensively in Jonathan Lucroy, Carlos Gomez, Jean Segura and Ryan Braun, while Kyle Lohse has proven to be a workhorse on the mound in recent seasons. The division may be what does this team in, however. It will be between the Brewers and Cubs for third place in the Central in 2015.. (0-0)
43. CC Sabathia is healthy! That’s the good news. The rest of the story is that he is now 34, has a spring ERA of 11.57, and is set to make $23M this season. Carlos Beltran is no spring chicken either, entering his age 38 season. Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller are a formidable pair for locking down games, and one of the two should nail down the closer spot in the early going. Alex Rodriguez is returning for his age 38 season fresh off of his year-long PED suspension and there should be absolutely no news on that front. The Bronx Bombers will miss Jeter’s presence in more ways than one in 2015.. (0-0). Previous: --th. New York Yankees. 21. team
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