MLB Power Rankings: Week 10
12. Boston Red Sox (28-27)
Boston has been a bit inconsistent lately with wins and loses. The pitching staff that got off to an amazing start has started to dip but they still own the 3rd best team ERA in the league. The Red Sox will not be contenders for the division, as they are 8.5 games back with two juggernauts in the Yankees and Orioles ahead of them. However, a wild card spot is not out of the question. They are just 2.5 games back of the third spot.
11. San Diego Padres (30-28)
The Padres currently hold the third wild card spot in what is shaping up to be a very competitive National League race. San Diego is a very good hitting team with a top heavy pitching staff. Look for them to add some more arms at the trade deadline if they continue to hold a postseason spot.
10. Minnesota Twins (30-24)
After losing 7 straight games, the Twins have won 6 of their last 7. They currently hold the third wild card spot in the American League. The inconsistency of this team is going to be a theme all year. They don’t do anything great but aren’t terrible in any area either. It’s hard to imagine this team advancing far in the postseason if they make it at all.
9. Seattle Mariners (30-26)
The Mariners are the current leaders of the AL West. The Rangers have not been great so far but certainly have the ability to make a run and the Astros are starting to play much better after a terrible start. Seattle continues to have one of the best pitching staffs in the league and one of the worst offenses. It will be interesting to see how this division plays out the rest of the season.
8. Milwaukee Brewers (31-23)
The Brewers continue to hold on to the first place spot in the NL Central. This team is built very similar to the Padres, very good hitting and top heavy pitching. There is a very noticeable grit to this team, who seems to be involved in a benches clearing incident every week. That kind of grit seems to be working so far.
7. Atlanta Braves (31-21)
The Braves got devastating news, as the reigning NL MVP, Ronald Acuna Jr, tore his ACL and will be out the rest of the season. This comes 3 years after he injured his other ACL (that same year the Braves won the World Series). Atlanta has plenty of depth on paper to still be competitive but most of their bats have been subpar so far this season. They need their other stars to step up in Acuna’s absence.
6. Kansas City Royals (35-22)
The Royals put together a nice 8-game winning streak and are just 3.5 games back of the Guardians for first place in the AL Central. They have a comfortable lead in the second wild card position. Kansas City currently ranks 3rd in MLB in runs scored and 5th in ERA. Those kind of numbers are what great teams are made of.
5. Cleveland Guardians (37-18)
While the Royals were winning 8 straight games, the Guardians were winning 9 straight and 10 of their last 11. They continue to hold strong with the 3.5 game lead in the AL Central. Cleveland is simply great at finding ways to win games. There’s no player that particularly jumps off the stat sheet, except perhaps Jose Ramirez, but they are consistent.
4. Baltimore Orioles (34-19)
The Orioles were swept for the first time this season last week at the hands of the Cardinals. They are only 1.5 games back of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Although they have dealt with a lot of pitching injuries so far, as a team they rank 6th in ERA, 4th in WHIP, and 3rd in BAA.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (35-22)
The Dodgers bats have gone through a bit of a slump recently and went on a 5-game skid last week. Despite that, they are still 5.5 games ahead of the Giants and Padres in the NL West and rank in the top 5 in most hitting and pitching categories. The bullpen, which got off to a shaky start, has been phenomenal since and are best in baseball in ERA, WHIP, and BAA.
2. New York Yankees (37-18)
Everything is going well for the Yankees right now. On the hitting side, they rank 1st in On Base Percentage and Slugging Percentage. On the mound, they rank 1st in ERA and BAA. The pitching has been the most impressive if you consider they have done this well without their ace, and the defending AL Cy Young, Garrit Cole. Cole is scheduled to begin rehab outings within the week.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (38-18)
Despite a recent skid, losing 4 of 5. The Phillies are hands down the best team in baseball right now. At the plate - 1st in runs, 2nd in on-base, and 3rd in batting average. On the mound - 2nd in ERA and quality starts. The stars are playing like stars and they are getting above average performances from supporting players that has elevated the Phillies as the team to beat in the National League.