As the defending AL champion with a fairly young team and explosive lineup, you might think the Rangers would enter the 2011 season as one of the favorites to repeat last year's accomplishments.
But then you have to remember the Rangers lost Cliff Lee to the Phillies and the starting rotation is kind of up in the air after No. 2 Colby Lewis.
But still, the MLB Network released its preseason power rankings this week and have the Rangers rated No. 4 in all of baseball.
The No. 1 team is no surprise, as the Phillies check in up top after signing Lee as a free agent to go with what was already possibly the best starting rotation in baseball with Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, who are all legitimate aces.
Checking in at No. 2 is the Boston Red Sox, who made a few key off-season acquisitions, most notably first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a former Rangers prospect.
One spot ahead of the Rangers is the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, who return just about everyone from last year's team and have another of the best rotations in baseball, as Rangers fans learned four months ago.
Rounding out the top 10 after Texas is the Yankees, White Sox, Brewers, Twins, Braves and Reds.
Less than a month from now, these rankings won't mean anything. Can't wait.
