Perhaps this is the apex.
From here, maybe it is a long tumble back into mediocracy for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are coming off consecutive 100-loss seasons and finished last or next-to-last the past five seasons.
Yet for the moment, there’s plenty to savor at PNC Park.
The Pirates are off to a 16-7 start, their best since the 1992 club of Barry Bonds and Doug Drabek and Co. won 16 of their first 22, before a seven-game NLCS loss and Bonds’ departure began a two-decade playoff slumber.
Ownership remains laser focused on operating a 21st century club at 20th century salaries, but a rogue band of homegrowns and castoffs have defied the odds thus far. Sunday, Phillies castoff Vince Velasquez had perhaps the best start of his career, striking out 10 Reds and holding them to two hits in seven shutout innings for their seventh consecutive win. Five of their 16 victories have come against the Reds, and their sweep of Boston is their lone series win against a club with a winning record.
Tuesday, the Dodgers come to town, starting a 12-game stretch that includes six against the Rays and Blue Jays. Perhaps the course will correct but for now, the Pirates are the biggest movers in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
2023 MLB PAYROLLS: Full list of every baseball team from highest to lowest
2023 MLB SALARIES: Database of every player on an opening day roster
This week’s rankings:
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It hurts losing burgeoning ace Jeffrey Springs to Tommy John surgery, but perhaps no other club is better equipped to handle it.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (+4)
10. Pittsburgh Pirates (+12)
11. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
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Below .500 every year despite a schedule loaded with Reds, Rockies, White Sox
24. Chicago White Sox (-)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Rays remain No. 1; Pirates off to surprising start