MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers and Yankees Clash, Blue Jays, Reds, Pirates Climb
MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers and Yankees Clash, Blue Jays, Reds, Pirates Climb0 of 13
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From the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees squaring off over the weekend to the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets clashing overseas in the London Series, it was a busy week across Major League Baseball.
However, it’s the middle of the pack in our weekly power rankings that carries the most intrigue.
All 10 teams in the No. 11 to No. 20 range in this week’s rankings are within three games of a .500 record, and the coming weeks will go a long way in determining which side of the fence they fall between buying and selling at the trade deadline on July 30.
The Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays all improved their stock from that group with strong performances last week, while the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers all slid down the rankings.
Expect plenty more shuffling in the coming weeks as more separation is created in that group.
Nos. 30-281 of 13
Ezequiel TovarKeith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
30. Chicago White Sox (17-49)
Previous Rank: 30
Last Week: 0-2 @ CHC, 2-2 vs. BOS
Star of the Week: SP Garrett Crochet (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K)
The White Sox’s losing streak had stretched to 14 games before they finally picked up a win on Friday. They remain on pace to be baseball’s first 120-loss team since the 1962 New York Mets, and they have a staggeringly awful minus-144 run differential.
29. Miami Marlins (22-43)
Previous Rank: 28
Last Week: 0-2 vs. TB, 1-2 vs. CLE
Star of the Week: 1B Josh Bell (7-for-20, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI)
The Marlins have a 1-6 record and have already been shut out three times in seven games since the calendar flipped to June. How long before they start legitimately fielding offers for Jesús Luzardo, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and others?
28. Colorado Rockies (23-42)
Previous Rank: 27
Last Week: 0-3 vs. CIN, 2-2 @ STL
Star of the Week: SS Ezequiel Tovar (8-for-30, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
Not much has gone right for the Rockies this season, but they do have one of the best left sides of the infield in baseball with Ezequiel Tovar (.812 OPS, 31 XBH, 10 HR, 28 RBI) and Ryan McMahon (.780 OPS, 21 XBH, 10 HR, 34 RBI) both making a case for the NL All-Star team.
Nos. 27-252 of 13
Luis SeverinoScott Taetsch/Getty Images
27. Los Angeles Angels (25-40)
Previous Rank: 29
Last Week: 3-0 vs. SD, 1-2 vs. HOU
Star of the Week: C Logan O’Hoppe (8-for-17, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI)
The Angels picked up their first home series win of the season and their first series sweep since July 19 last year against the New York Yankees when they took all three games from the San Diego Padres at the start of last week.
26. Oakland Athletics (26-41)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SEA, 1-2 vs. TOR
Star of the Week: SP Joey Estes (1 GS, W, 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
It was another lackluster week for the Athletics, who have regressed since hovering around the .500 mark for much of May. They managed just 11 runs in six games last week, and they are now hitting just .196/.255/.306 as a team in June.
25. New York Mets (28-36)
Previous Rank: 26
Last Week: 3-0 @ WAS, 1-1 vs. PHI in London
Star of the Week: SP Luis Severino (1 GS, W, 8.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K)
After sweeping the Nationals on the road, the Mets split with the first-place Phillies in the London Series, using a three-run, ninth-inning rally to pull out a 6-5 victory on Sunday. The Marlins and Padres await this week as they try to claw themselves back toward relevance.
Nos. 24-223 of 13
Yordan AlvarezBrian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
24. St. Louis Cardinals (31-33)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 2-2 vs. COL
Star of the Week: OF Alec Burleson (8-for-29, 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI)
The Cardinals closed out May with a 12-4 stretch that briefly pulled them back to .500 on the season, but with three straight series losses, they are again trending in the wrong direction. A trip to Wrigley Field to face the rival Chicago Cubs awaits this coming weekend.
23. Houston Astros (30-36)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: 2-1 vs. STL, 2-1 @ LAA
Star of the Week: DH Yordan Alvarez (9-for-23, 4 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI)
The Astros picked up a pair of series wins, but their week ended with a thud as Kyle Tucker landed on the injured list with a shin contusion on Friday and they blew a 7-5 lead on Sunday. Rookie Joey Loperfido was recalled from Triple-A to replace Tucker on the roster, and he hit .333/.381/.436 in 43 plate appearances with the team earlier this year.
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (31-35)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: 2-1 vs. SF, 2-2 @ SD
Star of the Week: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (9-for-26, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
The D-backs bullpen had to absorb 33.1 innings of work last week as the team attempted to navigate being without Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez and now rookie Blake Walston, who was sidelined last week with elbow inflammation.
Nos. 21-194 of 13
Jake IrvinJess Rapfogel/Getty Images
21. Washington Nationals (30-35)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 0-3 vs. NYM, 3-1 vs. ATL
Star of the Week: SP Jake Irvin (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)
The Nationals quietly rank 15th in the majors in starting pitcher ERA (4.07) this season, and the unsung trio of Trevor Williams, Jake Irvin and rookie Mitchell Parker have given the team a major unexpected boost as they continue to be a thorn in the side of contending teams.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (31-34)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: 2-0 @ MIA, 0-3 vs. BAL
Star of the Week: SP Ryan Pepiot (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K)
The Rays went 31-21 against the rest of the AL East last year en route to a 99-win season and a wild-card berth. This year, they are 10-16 against divisional foes after losing three in a row to the Orioles over the weekend and have slipped to the bottom of the standings.
19. Texas Rangers (31-34)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: 1-2 vs. DET, 1-2 vs. SF
Star of the Week: SP José Ureña (1 GS, W, 6.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K)
Still reeling from a 2-12 stretch of games in May that sent them tumbling down the standings, the Rangers have now lost seven of their last nine series after another poor showing last week. On a positive note, Max Scherzer tossed four scoreless innings in his second rehab start on Sunday as he moved closer to returning.
Nos. 18-165 of 13
TJ FriedlJeff Dean/Getty Images
18. Chicago Cubs (32-34)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: 2-0 vs. CWS, 1-3 @ CIN
Star of the Week: RP Héctor Neris (3 G, W, 2/2 SV, 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)
The Cubs were six games above .500 with a share of the NL Central lead on May 8. A month later, they were three games below .500 and facing a 7.5-game deficit in the division standings. Even a pair of dramatic wins over the crosstown rival White Sox was not enough to build any sustainable momentum.
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (31-34)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAD, 2-1 vs. MIN
Star of the Week: SP Mitch Keller (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K)
In the past month, the Pirates have picked up series wins against the Cubs, Braves, Dodgers and Twins. They might not be ready for a serious run at the postseason just yet, but there is no question this is a team trending in the right direction and there is some legitimate buzz thanks to its promising young rotation.
16. Cincinnati Reds (32-34)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: 3-0 @ COL, 3-1 vs. CHC
Star of the Week: OF TJ Friedl (7-for-23, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB)
After batting .213 as a team and averaging 3.11 runs per game in May, the Reds have come out swinging in June, upping those marks to an MLB-best .290 average and 6.22 runs per contest through nine games. A healthy TJ Friedl has provided a nice boost at the top of the lineup.
Nos. 15-136 of 13
Heliot RamosNorm Hall/Getty Images
15. Toronto Blue Jays (32-33)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: 2-2 vs. BAL, 2-1 @ OAK
Star of the Week: SP Chris Bassitt (1 GS, ND, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K)
The Blue Jays have gone 9-4 over their last 13 games to creep back toward a winning record, and while they have a lot of ground to make up in the AL East standings, relevance in the wild-card race might be enough for them to hold off on a potential fire sale.
14. Detroit Tigers (32-33)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: 2-1 @ TEX, 1-2 vs. MIL
Star of the Week: SP Tarik Skubal (2 GS, W, ND, 12.2 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 16 K)
The Tigers continued their trend of playing better baseball on the road (17-16, +12 RD) than they do at home (15-17, -18 RD) last week, and oddly enough, that was also the case last year when they went 41-40 on the road and 37-44 at home. A starting rotation that ranks 12th in the majors with a 3.76 ERA should help keep them in the wild-card conversation.
13. San Francisco Giants (32-34)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: 1-2 @ ARI, 2-1 @ TEX
Star of the Week: OF Heliot Ramos (9-for-21, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI)
Heliot Ramos is putting together quite the post-hype breakout performance since he was called up from the minors on May 8, hitting .314/.405/.533 with five doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI in 121 plate appearances. The 24-year-old made four appearances on the Baseball America Top 100 prospect list, most recently prior to the 2022 season.
Nos. 12-107 of 13
Nick PivettaKevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
12. San Diego Padres (34-35)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 0-3 @ LAA, 2-2 vs. ARI
Star of the Week: OF Fernando Tatis Jr. (13-for-29, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
The Padres looked like legitimate contenders in May while going 16-11 with a plus-12 run differential, but a five-game losing streak in early June has once again dropped them below the .500 mark. They are living in that gray area between contention and non-contention that will make deciding whether to buy at the trade deadline a tough call.
11. Boston Red Sox (33-33)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 1-1 vs. ATL, 2-2 @ CWS
Star of the Week: SP Nick Pivetta (1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K)
The Red Sox face a grueling schedule during the upcoming week as they welcome the Phillies and Yankees to town, and an off day on Monday will give them a chance to line up their starting rotation. Thursday’s matchup between Tanner Houck and Aaron Nola will be must-see TV.
10. Atlanta Braves (35-28)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: 1-1 @ BOS, 1-3 @ WAS
Star of the Week: SP Max Fried (1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 13 K)
With a 9-15 record since May 14, the Braves have had some holes on the roster exposed over the past few weeks. Rookies Spencer Schwellenbach (4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER) and Hurston Waldrep (3.2 IP, 4 H, 7 ER) were both knocked around last week as they continue to search for answers at the back of the rotation.
Nos. 9-78 of 13
Brice TurangTim Warner/Getty Images
9. Minnesota Twins (34-31)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: 0-3 @ NYY, 1-2 @ PIT
Star of the Week: SP Simeon Woods Richardson (1 GS, L, 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)
The Twins lost five in a row last week and went 3-6 on their road trip against the Astros, Yankees and Pirates, falling to a season-high 8.5 games back in the AL Central standings entering play on Monday. Can a healthy Royce Lewis give the offense a much-needed boost?
8. Seattle Mariners (37-30)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: 2-1 @ OAK, 1-2 @ KC
Star of the Week: SP Bryan Woo (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)
The Mariners have a great opportunity to pad their AL West lead during the upcoming week with home series matchups against the lowly White Sox and a slumping Rangers team. They lead the majors with a 14-6 record in one-run games, and the pitching staff is good enough to carry a middling offense.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (38-27)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: 0-3 @ PHI, 2-1 @ DET
Star of the Week: 2B Brice Turang (8-for-22, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 SB)
The Brewers offense managed just two runs in three games against the Phillies, then exploded for a 10-0 victory against the Tigers on Friday. Prospect Carlos F. Rodriguez will make his MLB debut on Tuesday, and the 22-year-old has a 3.41 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 353 strikeouts in 298.2 innings over three minor league seasons.
Nos. 6-49 of 13
Ben LivelyRich Storry/Getty Images
6. Kansas City Royals (39-27)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: 1-1 @ CLE, 2-1 vs. SEA
Star of the Week: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (9-for-23, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB)
The Royals were just 18-48 at the same point in the season a year ago, and even with some potential regression they are still on track to be baseball’s most improved team in 2024. Is there a more unheralded one-two punch atop a team’s starting rotation than Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo?
5. Cleveland Guardians (42-22)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: 1-1 vs. KC, 2-1 @ MIA
Star of the Week: SP Ben Lively (1 GS, W, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
The Guardians remain the team to beat in the AL Central, and they look like legitimate postseason contenders thanks to an improved offense and their usual collection of unexpected contributors on the pitching staff. Journeyman Ben Lively has a 2.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 55.2 innings over 10 starts after signing a one-year, $750,000 deal.
4. Baltimore Orioles (42-22)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: 2-2 @ TOR, 3-0 @ TB
Star of the Week: OF Anthony Santander (8-for-27, 2 2B, 4 HR, 6 RBI)
The Orioles tallied 44 runs and slugged 18 home runs in seven games last week, and they are the first team to reach 100 homers on the season with an MLB-leading 102 long balls. A grueling stretch of the schedule awaits in the coming weeks as they face the Braves, Phillies, Yankees, Astros and Guardians over their next 15 games.
Nos. 3-110 of 13
Aaron NolaAlysa Rubin/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images
3. New York Yankees (46-21)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: 3-0 vs. MIN, 1-2 vs. LAD
Star of the Week: OF Aaron Judge (10-for-20, 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
A series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at home was enough to knock the Yankees out of the top spot, but they are undoubtedly one of baseball’s elite teams. Outfielder Juan Soto has missed the team’s last three games with forearm inflammation, though he seemingly dodged a bullet as testing revealed no structural damage.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (41-26)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: 1-2 @ PIT, 2-1 @ NYY
Star of the Week: OF Teoscar Hernández (9-for-25, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI)
The Dodgers have gone 8-4 in their last 12 games since stumbling through a season-high five-game losing streak, and taking two of three from the Yankees at Yankee Stadium has them again pushing for the No. 1 spot. Right-hander Bobby Miller made his first Triple-A rehab start on Friday, and he could return to the MLB roster later this week.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (45-20)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: 3-0 vs. MIL, 1-1 vs. NYM in London
Star of the Week: SP Aaron Nola (1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
The Phillies rode strong starts from Zack Wheeler (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER), Cristopher Sánchez (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) and Aaron Nola (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) to a series sweep over the Brewers, then split with them in the London Series. They have baseball’s best starting rotation, but the pieces have also fallen into place in the bullpen with Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman and José Alvarado regularly shortening games.
Complete Rankings11 of 13
Bryce HarperRyan Pierse/Getty Images
Complete Rankings
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. New York Yankees
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Cleveland Guardians
6. Kansas City Royals
7. Milwaukee Brewers
8. Seattle Mariners
9. Minnesota Twins
10. Atlanta Braves
11. Boston Red Sox
12. San Diego Padres
13. San Francisco Giants
14. Detroit Tigers
15. Toronto Blue Jays
16. Cincinnati Reds
17. Pittsburgh Pirates
18. Chicago Cubs
19. Texas Rangers
20. Tampa Bay Rays
21. Washington Nationals
22. Arizona Diamondbacks
23. Houston Astros
24. St. Louis Cardinals
25. New York Mets
26. Oakland Athletics
27. Los Angeles Angels
28. Colorado Rockies
29. Miami Marlins
30. Chicago White Sox
AL Award Rankings12 of 13
Luis GilLuke Hales/Getty Images
AL MVP
1. Aaron Judge, NYY
2. Bobby Witt Jr., KC
3. Gunnar Henderson, BAL
4. Juan Soto, NYY
5. Kyle Tucker, HOU
6. José Ramírez, CLE
7. Rafael Devers, BOS
8. Isaac Paredes, TB
9. Salvador Pérez, KC.
10. Yordan Alvarez, HOU
AL Cy Young
1. Luis Gil, NYY
2. Tanner Houck, BOS
3. Tarik Skubal, DET
4. Seth Lugo, KC
5. Corbin Burnes, BAL
AL Rookie of the Year
1. Luis Gil, NYY
2. Wilyer Abreu, BOS
3. Davis Schneider, TOR
*Note: Until decisive information is released to the contrary, I’m working under the assumption that Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller exceeded rookie eligibility limits in 2023 since his status is listed as such on his Baseball Reference page.
NL Award Rankings13 of 13
Ranger SuárezTim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
NL MVP
1. Shohei Ohtani, LAD
2. Mookie Betts, LAD
3. Marcell Ozuna, ATL
4. Bryce Harper, PHI
5. Jurickson Profar, SD
6. William Contreras, MIL
7. Freddie Freeman, LAD
8. Fernando Tatis Jr., SD
9. Brice Turang, MIL
10. Alec Bohm, PHI
NL Cy Young
1. Ranger Suárez, PHI
2. Shōta Imanaga, CHC
3. Zack Wheeler, PHI
4. Aaron Nola, PHI
5. Tyler Glasnow, LAD
NL Rookie of the Year
1. Shōta Imanaga, CHC
2. Masyn Winn, STL
3. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LAD
