It’s less than two weeks into the season, but the New York Mets (7-3) and San Francisco Giants (7-2) have given reason to believe that the National League has a couple more elite teams than we thought.
Pitching has been the key for both clubs so far, with the Giants’ team 2.20 ERA through Sunday the best in the majors. Even without Jacob deGrom, the Mets starting pitching has been untouchable, posting a 1.07 ERA (6 runs in 50.1 innings) through 10 games.
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San Francisco won 107 games and the NL West last year, but entered 2022 as a big underdog behind the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets spent big this winter but faced legitimate questions after coming apart late last summer, in a tough division led by the World Series champion Atlanta Braves.
The Mets and Giants begin a four-game set on Monday at Citi Field, a series that could offer some serious momentum on either coast.
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ seven-person panel voted this week:
Rank (movement from preseason rankings)
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)
- Dodgers reel off six straight wins after losing 2022’s opening series.
2. New York Mets (+7)
- Mets starters went 6-0 with a 1.07 ERA (6 ER in 50.1 IP) through 10 games.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (–)
- Vlad Jr. (5 HR, 10 RBI in 9 games) picks up right where he left off.
4. Chicago White Sox (+1)
- Liam Hendriks saved four games in five days from April 12-16.
5. San Francisco Giants (+6)
- Giants’ 2.20 ERA through Sunday was the best in baseball.
6. Atlanta Braves (-4)
- Ozzie Albies hit four homers in 10 games to start the season.
7. Houston Astros (-1)
8. New York Yankees (–)
- Bullpen’s 1.21 ERA through nine games was the best in baseball.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (-5)
- Corey Kluber gave up just 2 ER in his first two starts (9.2 IP) for Tampa Bay.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (-4)
- Good opportunity to rack up some wins in the next few weeks vs. Pirates, Reds.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
- Nolan Arenado had 4 HR and 12 RBI in six games to start 2022.
12. Boston Red Sox (-1)
- Starting Tuesday, Boston plays seven of 10 against the Blue Jays.
13. San Diego Padres (+1)
- Lefty MacKenzie Gore impresses in long-awaited debut.
14. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)
- Seranthony Domínguez earning himself high-leverage innings in relief.
15. Seattle Mariners (–)
- Logan Gilbert’s first two starts: 11 K, 1 ER in 10 innings.
16. Los Angeles Angels (+2)
- Noah Syndergaard looked sharp (2 ER, 2 BB in 11.1 IP) in his first two starts.
17. Colorado Rockies (+8)
- Colorado’s bullpen had a 1.78 ERA (7 ER in 35.1 IP) in the team’s first eight games.
18. Detroit Tigers (-1)
- Miguel Cabrera will become seventh member of 500 HR/3,000 hit club.
19. Minnesota Twins (-3)
- Dylan Bundy provided five scoreless innings in Twins debut.
20. Cleveland Guardians (+2)
- Rookie outfielder Steven Kwan begins his career with 10 hits in 15 at-bats.
21. Chicago Cubs (–)
- Seiya Suzuki starts hot: 10-for-25 with four homers and 11 RBI in nine games
22. Kansas City Royals (-3)
- Three of Bobby Witt Jr.’s first five big-league hits went for extra bases.
23. Texas Rangers (+1)
- Reliever Brock Burke struck out 10 in his first four innings.
24. Oakland Athletics (+3)
- Daulton Jefferies (1.93 ERA in two starts) establishing himself in the rotation.
25. Miami Marlins (-2)
- Jesús Sánchez (5 XBH, 6 RBI in 7 games) following up on impressive rookie campaign.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (+3)
- Ke’Bryan Hayes’ new $70 million contract is the biggest in Pirates history.
27. Washington Nationals (-1)
- First baseman Josh Bell starts his contract year with 10 RBI in 10 games.
28. Cincinnati Reds (-8)
- Hunter Greene starts his big-league career with 13 Ks in 10.1 innings.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
- Merrill Kelly starts the year with 9.1 scoreless innings in two starts.
30. Baltimore Orioles (–)
- Cedric Mullins drove in eight of the Orioles’ first 16 runs.
