The first MLB power rankings of July features six teams with 50+ wins making up the top six.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (55-29) | Last week: 1
The Phillies came alive offensively to salvage a four-game split with the Marlins yesterday, and they’ll need the ace staff to lead the way with Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) out until around the All-Star break. At full strength, the lineup will be even scarier with Nick Castellanos breaking out of his early-season struggles.
2. Baltimore Orioles (53-31) | Last week: 2
The Orioles haven’t been at their best since taking three consecutive series versus the Braves, Phillies, and Yankees in the middle of June, but they are tied atop the AL East and could be in the market for another big-time starting pitcher. Baltimore heads west this week to take on Seattle and Oakland.
3. New York Yankees (54-32) | Last week: 3
Losing both games in the Subway Series was a disappointment, and similar to the Orioles, New York has hit a bit of a rough patch recently—which is bound to happen in a long season. They should get back on track quickly, and Aaron Judge’s leadership shined last week amidst another MVP-level campaign.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (52-33) | Last week: 4
A showdown with the Phillies next week is one many will have circled, but Los Angeles will first look to bury the Diamondbacks in the NL West starting tomorrow, and the surging Brewers won’t be overlooked this weekend. Considering the fielding struggles of Mookie Betts (hand) at shortstop, it sounds like sure-handed veteran Miguel Rojas might remain there even when Betts returns in a few weeks.
5. Cleveland Guardians (52-30) | Last week: 5
Cleveland would have really been in good position if they were able to build on a series victory over Baltimore to begin last week, but the Royals won three-of-four games to close the gap in the AL Central. Still, the Guardians have the fewest losses in the AL and remain dominant at home (26-9 record).
6. Milwaukee Brewers (50-34) | Last week: 7 (+1)
A 5-1 week pushed Milwaukee to the 50-win mark before July, and again, a series versus the Dodgers looms this weekend. First, the Brewers will try to avoid a letdown for a trip to Colorado—where they have gone 1-5 over the past two years.
7. Atlanta Braves (46-36) | Last week: 6 (-1)
Atlanta went 3-4 last week and now have a losing record on the road (20-22)—erasing the progress made a couple of weeks ago. If they are going to make a move to catch Philadelphia in the NL East (8.0 games behind), now would be the time with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto out.
8. Minnesota Twins (47-37) | Last week: 10 (+2)
Pablo Lopez breaking out with a 14-strikeout game was mentioned in last week’s power rankings, and he built on it with a strong nine-strikeout performance in a win over Seattle. The balanced lineup as the only team in the MLB with six players to reach 15+ doubles is what makes Minnesota dangerous.
9. Seattle Mariners (47-39) | Last week: 8 (-1)
The struggles of Julio Rodriguez (six-for-48 with zero RBI and one run scored over the past 12 games) is holding back the Mariners, but the 23-year-old obviously has the talent to heat up. Seattle at least has George Kirby and Logan Gilbert on the mound to begin the series versus Baltimore.
10. Kansas City Royals (47-39) | Last week: 11 (+1)
This range features plenty of teams jockeying for position, but Kansas City—the only squad with 30 home wins in the AL—just took a four-game series over Cleveland. This week, the Royals are set up to rise further by getting the Rays at home, and then maybe they can get going on the road by taking on Colorado.
11. San Diego Padres (46-42) | Last week: 13 (+2)
12. Boston Red Sox (44-39) | Last week: 10 (-2)
13. St. Louis Cardinals (43-40) | Last week: 12 (-1)
14. Houston Astros (42-41) | Last week: 14
15. Tampa Bay Rays (42-42) | Last week: 19 (+4)
16. Arizona Diamondbacks (41-43) | Last week: 15 (-1)
17. New York Mets (40-41) | Last week: 17
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (40-43) | Last week: 20 (+2)
19. San Francisco Giants (41-44) | Last week: 24 (+5)
20. Texas Rangers (38-46) | Last week: 18 (-2)
21. Washington Nationals (39-44) | Last week: 16 (-5)
22. Cincinnati Reds (39-45) | Last week: 22
23. Chicago Cubs (39-46) | Last week: 21 (-2)
24. Toronto Blue Jays (38-45) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Detroit Tigers (38-46) | Last week: 23 (-2)
26. Los Angeles Angels (36-47) | Last week: 26
27. Miami Marlins (30-54) | Last week: 28 (+1)
28. Oakland Athletics (30-56) | Last week: 27 (-1)
29. Colorado Rockies (28-55) | Last week: 29
30. Chicago White Sox (24-62) | Last week: 30