The past week around Major League Baseball included the first managerial firing (Joe Girardi of the Phillies), a Mets-Dodgers series, and the Angels dropping their 11th consecutive game—and some top-ten shuffling in the latest power rankings.
1. New York Yankees (39-15) | Last week: 2 (+1)
The Yankees are quickly back on track with a 6-0 week that pushes them to an MLB-best 39-15. New York’s run differential (+102) is inching closer to the Dodgers for the best in baseball.
2. New York Mets (37-19) | Last week: 3 (+1)
A four-game split in Los Angeles moves the Mets up to No. 2 in the power rankings. The team showed resiliency yesterday after winning in extras despite giving up their lead in the bottom of the ninth.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (35-19) | Last week: 1 (-2)
Getting swept by the Pirates to start last week was a shocker to say the least, and yesterday’s loss hurt. Manager Dave Roberts getting banned from using a position player on the mound (when the Dodgers were only down five) was an interesting situation.
4. Houston Astros (35-19) | Last week: 6 (+2)
It was another strong week for the Astros, who have had a light schedule as of late. They’ll look to start this week with some redemption versus the Mariners after dropping a series to them at the end of May.
5. San Diego Padres (33-21) | Last week: 4 (-1)
Rookie pitcher MacKenzie Gore had ten strikeouts in six innings against the Brewers in his latest start, improving to 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA while helping San Diego take three-of-four from a division leader. The Padres will now have another notable test against the Mets starting this evening.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (32-23) | Last week: 11 (+5)
The Cardinals flashed the leather and got an eventual extra-innings victory over the Cubs on Sunday Night Baseball to end a strong week. Paul Goldschmidt’s 25-game hitting streak came to an end, but he’s emerged as an obvious early NL MVP candidate.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (33-23) | Last week: 5 (-2)
The Brewers still lead the NL Central by half a game, but it was a below average week for them—they’ll now look to cool off a surging Phillies squad.
8. Toronto Blue Jays (31-22) | Last week: 8
It was an up-and-down week for the Blue Jays, first handling the White Sox with a series sweep before losing their series versus the Twins. Toronto must rack up some wins over the next ten days when they play the Royals, Tigers, and Orioles.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (31-23) | Last week: 7 (-2)
Meanwhile, the Rays have a very difficult stretch coming up, with series against the Cardinals, Twins, and Yankees. Tampa will have to hope that any outside criticism doesn’t become a distraction after a few players declined to wear LGBTQ patches on their uniforms.
10. Atlanta Braves (28-27) | Last week: 13 (+3)
Losing two straight (and the series overall) to the D-Backs was concerning, but a trip to Coors Field might have gotten the defending champions on track. They’ve now won five in a row. Ronald Acuna Jr. had four hits including a home run, along with a stolen base, in yesterday’s W.
11. Minnesota Twins (32-24) | Last week: 9 (-2)
12. San Francisco Giants (29-24) | Last week: 14 (+2)
13. Boston Red Sox (27-27) | Last week: 15 (+2)
14. Philadelphia Phillies (25-29) | Last week: 18 (+4)
15. Los Angeles Angels (27-28) | Last week: 10 (-5)
16. Chicago White Sox (25-27) | Last week: 12 (-4)
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (24-28) | Last week: 25 (+8)
18. Cleveland Guardians (24-25) | Last week: 20 (+2)
19. Seattle Mariners (24-30) | Last week: 22 (+3)
20. Texas Rangers (25-28) | Last week: 16 (-4)
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (26-29) | Last week: 19 (-2)
22. Colorado Rockies (23-31) | Last week: 17 (-5)
23. Miami Marlins (22-30) | Last week: 21 (-2)
24. Chicago Cubs (23-32) | Last week: 23 (-1)
25. Baltimore Orioles (23-33) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Washington National (21-35) | Last week: 28 (+2)
27. Detroit Tigers (21-33) | Last week: 27
28. Cincinnati Reds (18-35) | Last week: 30 (+2)
29. Oakland Athletics (20-36) | Last week: 26 (-3)
30. Kansas City Royals (17-35) | Last week: 29 (-1)