Your power rankings for Week 3…

1. Rays: “Tampa Bay is going to need more than luck and timely hitting”–we noted this last week, in expectation that the Rays’ success might be short-lived if they didn’t find some consistency. They have, storming to the lead in the American League East with the highest-ranked offense in baseball. The second lowest ERA in the AL isn’t too shabby either, and keeping up this level of play puts Tampa at the top of our Power Rankings.

2. Yankees: Just behind the Rays in the AL East, and just behind the Rays in our Power Rankings, New York has played up to expectations in the early goings, and will certainly keep things interesting with Tampa in what is currently baseball’s hottest fight for a divisional crown.

3. Twins: Minnesota has put up runs in bunches over the last few weeks, and their offense has gotten going at a high level, scoring the 2nd most runs in the American League. They are already pretty well ahead in the AL Central, with a 3 game lead after only a few games played.

4. Phillies: “If there is anything to worry about, it is that suspect pitching staff, which, after Roy Halladay, has a lot of questions to answer going into the season”–that was us last week, and it has proven true enough. Beyond the ace, the Phils’ pitching is pretty questionable, especially now with J.A. Happ out. But even more troubling has been the sudden fall-off of the offense after the loss of Jimmy Rollins to a moderate injury. It isn’t as if Philadelphia has dropped that many games over the last few days, but they aren’t dominating the competition as they did in the opening tests.

5. Giants: Barry Zito really showed up in game 1 and got another win the following week. Pretty good for a guy that many had considered washed up. The rest of the rotation is of course pretty promising for the Giants. Interestingly, the NL West is looking somewhat decent this year, and perhaps San Fran will have to contend with the Padres for divisional supremacy.

6. Cardinals: You would think that one of these days we’ll be able to mention the Cards’ success without talking about Albert Pujols. Not yet. He has been phenomenal to start the season, going back and forth with Philadelphia’s Chase Utley for the NL home run lead, and it looks like another good year is coming up for the Machine and his redbirds. With a stellar pitching staff to back him up, this could be the year.

7. Athletics: The As have relinquished the title of best ERA in baseball to the surging Padres but their play hasn’t slackened off too much since last week. It will be interesting to see if Oakland can keep up the pace with the rest of the top teams in the AL but they are looking good so far–Andrew Bailey has yet to give up a run.

8. Jays: Ace Roy Halladay may have headed to Philly to throw his awesome pitches there, but Toronto hasn’t let their starting staff slouch. The Blue Jays can rely on Ricky Romero to continue to impress during his burgeoning Major League career, but the ‘pen has been slightly less effective. Toronto needs to improve the offense as well.

9. Padres: Seemingly out of nowhere the Friars rattled off 8 straight wins. While it one might usually chalk these sorts of things up to luck, it’s not easy to sweep the San Francisco Giants. Somehow, San Diego has pulled into the top spot of the MLB ERA charts, and they’ll look to stay there this week.

10. Marlins: The Marlins helped the case by taking 2 out of 3 from the Philadelphia Phillies, putting up runs when necessary and showing that their hurlers can handle even the best of hitters. Still, Florida is holding at second place in the National League East and will need to string together a few more wins to earn the top spot.