MLB Power Rankings: Week 7
12. Minnesota Twins (20-15)
After a slow start to the season, the Twins have come storming back thanks to a 12-game win streak. It might have looked like the Twins were an afterthought in the AL Central but they are now in third place just 3 games back of first place. The offense, that got off to a terrible start, has finally started to produce.
11. Seattle Mariners (20-16)
The Mariners had a very impressive series win against the Braves last week where they allowed just a total of 8 runs in all three games. The bad news is that they scored just a total of 7 runs themselves. This is going to be a consistent issue for Seattle. If their pitching is on, it will be hard to beat them, and they will win a lot of games because of how good their arms are. However, they won’t take that next step to become a true contender until they can score consistently.
10. Texas Rangers (21-16)
The Rangers find their way back on the power rankings after winning 8 of their last 11 games. The defending champs have very similar specs as last season - a great offense and injuries on the pitching side. If/when they can get their arms healthy, this can be a great team. That being said, they are still a favorite to win this division and have a bright future.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (21-15)
Christian Yelich made his return to the lineup last week but the Brewers have lost 4 of their last 6 games, including dropping a big series against the Cubs. The pitching is a real concern for this team, as they rank 17th in team ERA. I do think that is going to catch up to them eventually and will fall out of first place soon.
8. Chicago Cubs (22-16)
The Cubs got a big series win against the Brewers last weekend and are currently tied with Milwaukee for first place in their division. They got healthier, with star outfielder Cody Bellinger and their ace, Justin Steele, returning from the IL last week. It feels like this is the team to beat in the NL Central. They are the most complete and now that they are mostly healthy, I expect them to create some space from the rest of the division in the standings.
7. Kansas City Royals (22-16)
The Royals continue to show why they should be taken seriously as playoff contenders. Bobby Witt Jr and Salvador Perez are a perfect mix of young and old in the lineup. Seth Lugo might be the most underrated pitcher in baseball.
6. Cleveland Guardians (24-13)
The Guardians got a big series win against the Tigers last weekend to keep their first place spot on top of the AL Central. They have shown great depth in both pitching and hitting all season. Steven Kwan going down with a hamstring injury will test that depth on offense over the next few weeks.
5. Atlanta Braves (21-12)
The Braves had a rough road trip, losing a series in Seattle then getting swept by the Dodgers over the weekend. They have slipped to second place in the NL East. We shouldn’t expect the Braves to be down this bad for long but right now they are not playing their best baseball.
4. New York Yankees (24-13)
After a tough series against the Orioles where they lost 3 of 4, the Yankees bounced back to sweep the Tigers over the weekend. New York ranked in the top 10 in most team pitching and hitting stats and are keeping pace with Baltimore for first place in the AL East.
3. Baltimore Orioles (23-12)
Colton Cowser was named AL Rookie of the Month in just another moment of the Orioles flexing their prospect pool muscle. They have won 7 of their last 9 games and seem to own the Yankees. That is a big advantage they need to continue to have to win this great race for first place in the AL East.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (26-12)
The Phillies continue their red hot start to the season with 11 wins in their last 12 games, including a 4-games series sweep of the Giants over the weekend. Everything is going well right now in Philly, they rank in the top 5 in MLB in team ERA, quality starts, runs, batting average, and slugging percentage. They now sit in first place in the NL East.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (26-13)
The Dodgers made a big statement with a series sweep against the Braves last weekend. They have won 8 of their last 9 games. What more can be said about Shohei Ohtani, who hit 4 home runs against Atlanta over the weekend and leads MLB in home runs, batting average, and OPS. Walker Buehler also made his return last week, a welcoming sign that the rotation is starting to get healthier.