MLB Power Rankings (May 17, 2018)

1. New York Yankees (28-12) | Last week: 1

The Yankees have won seven straight series during what could be one of their toughest stretches all season. New York hasn’t played since Sunday because of the endless rain on the East Coast, but they have the best record in the majors at 16 games over .500.

 

2. Boston Red Sox (29-14) | Last week: 2

Boston just lost a home series to the Athletics, but they remain home and have a good opportunity in a four-game series against the Orioles this weekend. The Red Sox could quickly get back into first place in the AL East.

 

3. Houston Astros (28-17) | Last week: 3

After dropping the first game of their three-game series against the Angels, the Astros bounced back with two straight wins including a complete-game shutout by Justin Verlander last night. Now they return home for series against the Indians and Giants.

 

4. Washington Nationals (24-18) | Last week: 6 (+2)

Because their series against the Yankees was suspended via the rain, the Nationals also haven’t played since Sunday—which isn’t great for them, considering they were coming off a four-game sweep of the D’Backs. Still, the Nats appear to be on track and are right up there with the Braves and Phillies in the NL East.

 

5. Los Angeles Angels (25-18) | Last week: 5

The Angels had an opportunity to take control of first place in the AL West, but the home struggles continued with two straight losses to Houston. LA is 11-14 at home this season compared to an MLB-best 14-4 on the road.

 

6. Arizona Diamondbacks (25-18) | Last week: 4 (-2)

The Diamondbacks are 1-6 since last Thursday, as they were swept by Washington and lost two of three against Milwaukee. Most concerning is that Paul Goldschmidt continues to struggle, but the Diamondbacks are still in a good position in the NL West.

 

7. Milwaukee Brewers (26-18) | Last week: 8 (+1)

They don’t lead the league in winning percentage, but the Brewers have the most wins in the National League with 26. Last night, the Brew Crew smashed four home runs to help lift them for a series win against Arizona.

 

8. Chicago Cubs (22-18) | Last week: 7 (-1)

The offense has cooled down some over the past few days, but the Cubs have a chance for a series win against the NL-leading Braves tonight. Chicago should have a battle all season long in the division.

 

9. Atlanta Braves (26-16) | Last week: 13 (+4)

Yup, the Braves have the best record in the National League through about 25% of the season. Ozzie Albeis and Ronald Acuna have been a big part of Atlanta’s success, and they are talented and confident enough that they should keep it going.

 

10. Philadelphia Phillies (24-16) | Last week: 12 (+2)

If not for the Braves early emergence as contenders, the Phillies might be the biggest story in baseball right now. They have a couple of legit aces atop the rotation, and the other starters are also pitching very well. Vince Velasquez just needs to get more consistent.

 

11. St. Louis Cardinals (23-17) | Last week: 9 (-2)

St. Louis had a couple of series splits with the Padres and Twins, but they’ll now return home to face the Phillies. In a tight National League, this four-game series is big for early in the season.

 

12. Cleveland Indians (21-21) | Last week: 10 (-2)

Trevor Bauer played stopper last night against the Tigers, throwing eight shutout innings to prevent a three-game sweep that would’ve given Detroit a share of first place in the division. Upcoming series against the Astros, then Cubs, then Astros again is tough.

 

13. Colorado Rockies (23-20) | Last week: 11 (-2)

A couple of two-game series has contributed, but the Rockies haven’t had a series win for over ten days. It’ll feel good for them if they can win three out of four against the Giants over the weekend.

 

14. Pittsburgh Pirates (25-17) | Last week: 17 (+3)

The Pirates have bounced back very well after getting swept in a four-game series against the Nats earlier this month, as they’ve gone 8-2 since then and lead the NL Central. A four-game series at home (where they are 14-6) against the Padres could get the Pirates to ten games over .500.

 

15. Seattle Mariners (24-18) | Last week: 15

The Robinson Cano suspension is a big blow to the Mariners, and it’s unfortunate to hear about. Cano’s Hall of Fame chances are basically finished, but it’s interesting to hear people like Miguel Cabrera express anger over Cano’s suspension.

 

16. San Francisco Giants (22-22) | Last week: 16

Brandon Crawford continues to be scorching hot at the plate, as he’s hitting .464 in the month of May. However, the Giants have struggled as a team, and they need to get back on track this weekend at home against Colorado.

 

17. Toronto Blue Jays (22-21) | Last week: 18 (+1)

The Blue Jays haven’t won a series since the turn of the calendar from April to May, but they’ll host the A’s and Angels in back-to-back series. It’s still early, but the Jays need to start getting some series wins before they fall back too far in the standings.

 

18. Minnesota Twins (18-21) | Last week: 19 (+1)

The Twins were hot heading into last week’s four-game series against the Angels, but LA took three of four to put a stop to the streak. Minnesota needs to find ways to win games like they did last season.

 

19. Los Angeles Dodgers (16-26) | Last week: 14 (-5)

Miami took two straight against the Dodgers, so the preseason NL favorite and the preseason NL stooge have the same record through 42 games. This remains a stunning season for the Dodgers, who have a long way to go. They could certainly turn things around, but they need to get rolling before it’s too late.

 

20. Oakland Athletics (21-22) | Last week: 20

The A’s dropped series to the Astros and Yankees, but they bounced back with a big series win against the Red Sox. Billy Beane’s squad could become scary if they keep hanging around in contention.

 

21. Tampa Bay Rays (19-22) | Last week: 22 (+1)

After the Orioles had some hit parades against them over the weekend, the Rays bounced back with a three-game sweep of the Royals. Things will get tougher with series against the Angels and Red Sox, though.

 

22. New York Mets (20-19) | Last week: 21 (-1)

The Mets have played in only four games since last Thursday, so they haven’t made a big move one way or another in the power rankings. He missed a start over the weekend because the rain forced it to be postponed, but it’s good to see Noah Syndergaard throwing filthy pitches in his bounce-back from injury.

 

23. Detroit Tigers (19-23) | Last week: 23

The Tigers have played pretty well lately, but they couldn’t quite pull off the three-game sweep that would have given them a share of first in the NL Central. It might be a bit concerning that Miguel Cabrera doesn’t seem to be in a rush to play hurt anymore.

 

24. Texas Rangers (17-27) | Last week: 24

Bortolo Colon threw 7.2 shutout innings, and he’ll be 45 years old in several days (though he has used steroids in the past). If Colon keeps it up, he’d be a great trade piece for the Rangers.

 

25. San Diego Padres (17-27) | Last week: 25

Manuel Margot continues to hover around .200, though he did have a hit in four straight games prior to a couple nights ago. He needs to remain consistent for the Padres to emerge this season.

 

26. Miami Marlins (16-26) | Last week: 26

Not many people would have thought the Marlins would have a chance to beat the Dodgers and claim a better record in the middle of May, but Miami has been playing much better than expected—and the Dodgers have been playing a lot worse than expected.

 

27. Cincinnati Reds (15-29) | Last week: 28 (+1)

Cincinnati’s offense hasn’t been the issue over the last couple of seasons, so it’s good to see them attempt to bolster the pitching staff by adding former Mets ace Matt Harvey.

 

28. Baltimore Orioles (13-29) | Last week: 30 (+2)

The Orioles have a long road trip of 11 games coming up, so they really need to improve on their 3-16 record away from home.

 

29. Kansas City Royals (13-30) | Last week: 27 (-2)

At 13-30, the Royals are a long way off from their World Series win in 2015. Kansas City is going to need to rebuild their roster, and next month’s draft will be big for them.

 

30. Chicago White Sox (10-29) | Last week: 29 (-1)

The White Sox have only three home wins all season, which is really tough on the fans. The young talent needs some time before the team is ready to contend.