Teams like the Braves, Phillies, and Red Sox have gotten hot, while the Angels have become the second team this season to make a change at manager after firing Joe Maddon. Where do all 30 MLB teams rank in this week’s power rankings?
1. New York Yankees (44-16) | Last week: 1
I mentioned last week the Yankees’ run differential inching closer to the Dodgers for the best in Major League Baseball, and now New York far and away ranks No. 1 in the category. Aaron Judge and company continue to smash baseballs for what looks like a juggernaut.
2. New York Mets (40-22) | Last week: 2
Mets fans have shown signs of a near meltdown (partly due to the Braves and Phillies getting hot within the division), but the team is doing well to play .500 baseball while facing a tough schedule, and they are the first NL squad to 40 wins.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (37-23) | Last week: 3
The Dodgers might be the top NL team that should be concerned after they were swept by the Giants while scoring just four runs in the three-game series. San Diego and San Fran are right behind them in the standings.
4. San Diego Padres (37-24) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Dropping two straight to the Rockies to end the week was disappointing, but the Padres had a key series victory over the Mets to start last week. Manager Bob Melvin is among a few for the Padres that were placed on the COVID list.
5. Atlanta Braves (34-27) | Last week: 10 (+5)
The defending champions are on fire right now, winning their 11th consecutive game yesterday. They’ve beaten up on subpar teams and will continue to have a nice schedule on paper, but give Atlanta credit for taking care of business.
6. Houston Astros (37-23) | Last week: 4 (-2)
While the Astros are still in a comfortable spot in a weak division, they dropped two series last week and will now face the second-place Rangers. At least the offense got going with Justin Verlander on the mound on Sunday.
7. Toronto Blue Jays (35-24) | Last week: 8 (+1)
The Jays had a strong week and will look to win their third consecutive series when they face the Orioles for four games. Toronto can’t look past Baltimore to a weekend matchup with the Yankees.
8. Minnesota Twins (35-27) | Last week: 11 (+3)
A series victory over the Rays bumps the Twins up a few spots in the power rankings. Minnesota appears to have a very favorable schedule over the next several weeks, but they’ll be on the road all this week.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (35-25) | Last week: 9
The Rays lost their series to the Twins, but they were first able to sweep the Cardinals to make for a solid seven days. Currently nine games back of the Yankees, Tampa will look to make up some ground with their three-game series starting tomorrow.
10. San Francisco Giants (33-26) | Last week: 12 (+2)
The Cardinals, Phillies, and Red Sox all could have been here at No. 10, but a sweep of the Dodgers gives the Giants the edge. Next up, San Francisco plays the Royals and the Pirates, so this is an opportunity to stay hot and push for the NL West lead.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (34-27) | Last week: 6 (-5)
12. Philadelphia Phillies (30-30) | Last week: 14 (+2)
13. Boston Red Sox (32-29) | Last week: 13
14. Milwaukee Brewers (34-28) | Last week: 7 (-7)
15. Cleveland Guardians (29-27) | Last week: 18 (+3)
16. Chicago White Sox (27-31) | Last week: 16
17. Los Angeles Angels (29-33) | Last week: 15 (-2)
18. Miami Marlins (27-31) | Last week: 23 (+5)
19. Seattle Mariners (27-33) | Last week: 19
20. Texas Rangers (28-31) | Last week: 20
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (29-33) | Last week: 21
22. Colorado Rockies (27-34) | Last week: 22
23. Baltimore Orioles (26-35) | Last week: 25 (+2)
24. Detroit Tigers (24-35) | Last week: 27 (+3)
25. Chicago Cubs (23-36) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Washington Nationals (23-39) | Last week: 26
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (24-34) | Last week: 17 (-10)
28. Cincinnati Reds (21-39) | Last week: 28
29. Kansas City Royals (20-39) | Last week: 30 (+1)
30. Oakland Athletics (21-41) | Last week: 29 (-1)