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Phillies Highlight First TBOH MLB Power Rankings

By Matt Veasey

Apr 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) is mobbed by his team after hitting a game winning home run during the eleventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) is mobbed by his team after hitting a game winning home run during the eleventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Apr 30, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Harper (34) bats during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Nationals won 6-1. (Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 30, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Harper (34) bats during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Nationals won 6-1. (Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports) /

Don’t look back, Nats, something may be gaining on you! That would be those Mets. However, for now the Nationals are just slightly ahead. A nice 15-7 start to the season was speed-bumped this past week when the Phillies came to D.C. and swept them, but Washington isn’t going away.

Leading the way, of course, is 23-year old Bryce Harper. The right fielder is one of, if not the, top offensive threats in the game today. The reigning NL MVP is fully capable of winning another and carrying this team into contention on his own, but he won’t have to do that. The Nats robbed the Mets of 2nd baseman Daniel Murphy, and he has been a great addition.

The Nationals are still looking for the big bats of Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon, and Ryan Zimmerman to get it all together. This lineup still has another gear that it can and likely will reach, assuming health. New manager Dusty Baker has the experience to hold it all together and get them back to the postseason.

On the mound, Stephen Strasburg is looking as dominant as he ever was in he early career pre-TJ surgery. Tanner Roark, Gio Gonzalez, and 23-year old Joe Ross have also gotten off to strong starts. If Max Scherzer solves his early season woes, and he is not far off, this is the one rotation in the league that can match up with the Mets. That bodes well for this remaining a two team race all summer long…again. Great budding rivalry here.

Next: TBOH MLB POWER RANKING: #1

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