MLB Power Rankings: Week 21
10 - Oakland Athletics (72-59)
(PR: 8)
The A’s took the final two games from the Yankees this weekend which was a much needed confidence boost after losing 6 straight games. They are still just 2 games back of a playoff spot. The offense of this team is very hit and miss (pun intended). However, they do lead the majors in quality starts from their pitchers. Ultimately, this wild card race will come down to strength in pitching (Oakland) and strength in hitting (Red Sox). It will be an interesting race to watch.
9 - Boston Red Sox (75-58)
(PR: 9)
The Red Sox are holding on for dear life. The pitching really concerns me - they rank 15th in ERA, 26th in WHIP, and 28th in BAA...yikes. I would love to see this team hold on for a wild card spot along with the Yankees. Who wouldn’t wanna watch that one-game playoff? But, my confidence is dwindling with a lot of games left to play.
8 - Atlanta Braves (70-60)
(PR: NR)
The Braves find their way back to the power rankings this week. They have quietly gone on a great second half run and have found themselves on top of the NL East. Despite huge injury problems, the Braves have great depth and it’s finally starting to pay off. They should have no problem taking care of the Phillies and Mets down the stretch.
7 - Chicago White Sox (76-56)
(PR: 6)
The Whtie Sox scored 40 runs in their last 4 games last week, and believe it or not they lost one of those. After an insane 17-13 win (no, this isn’t football, still baseball) over the Cubs, they got shutout the next day. Yasmani Grandal made his return after a long absence due to a knee injury and promptly hit 2 home runs and drove in 8 in his first game back.
6 - New York Yankees (76-55)
(PR: 7)
The Yankees finally lost a couple games this weekend in Oakland after rolling off 13 in a row. They are getting monster seasons out of Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. They have put themselves in the playoff mix for now but a lot can change with a month left. New York will be battling it out with the Red Sox and A’s for the wild card.
5 - Houston Astros (78-53)
(PR: 5)
I’ll be honest - there isn’t much to say about the Astros that hasn’t already been said. I’m interested to see how many Dodger fans show up to their series in San Diego this weekend.
4 - Milwaukee Brewers (80-52)
(PR: 4)
Despite dealing with a couple of key injuries with Eduardo Escobar and Freddy Peralta, the Brewers are playing very good baseball. Their division lead is 9.5 games and they have put themselves into the conversation and contenders for favorites in the National League.
3 - Tampa Bay Rays (83-48)
(PR: 3)
There’s no doubt the Rays are the clear front runners of the AL East. They have won 7 in a row entering this week and although they have played well all season, it feels like every week they get better and better. The Yankees won 13 straight games and the Rays still extended their division lead...wow.
2 - Los Angeles Dodgers (83-49)
(PR: 2)
The Dodgers got Julio Urias and Mookie Betts back then swept the Padres. However, they failed to make any moves on the Giants after losing 2 of 3 at home to the Rockies. They will get a series against the Braves at home before traveling to San Francisco to face the Giants for the final time this season with the division title on the line.
1 - San Francisco Giants (84-47)
(PR: 1)
After a sweep of the Mets, the Giants dropped 2 of 3 from the Braves. They managed to hold on to their division lead by 2.5 games entering the week. The vets continue to get the job done for this team and as we enter the final month of the season, the Giants will face the Brewers and Dodgers this week - this could be the most important stretch of games for them all season.