MLB Power Rankings: Week 6
As we near the end of the second month, the power ranking picture is starting to become more clear. The NL West and AL East own the leaderboard, claiming 6 of the 10 spots. Let’s see how they fall this week.
10 - Tampa Bay Rays (23-19)
Welcome back to the power rankings Tampa Bay! It’s the same story, different year for the Rays as they have a top 10 pitching staff and bottom 10 offense. It was between them and the Yankees for this 10th spot, the Rays win for now owning a better record and run differential than New York.
9 - Oakland Athletics (25-17)
A series win against the Red Sox was impressive. However, it’s hard to understand how the A’s are winning so many games. They rank 16th and 17th in pitching and hitting respectively and own a -8 run differential. Still, they find ways to win and you gotta give them credit.
8 - Toronto Blue Jays (22-17)
This team is fun to watch when they’re hot. A 5-1 week has brought this team up into the top 10 and they have two huge series this week against Boston and Tampa Bay. Valdimir Guerrero Jr. is arguably the best hitter in baseball right now with a 1.049 OPS and 11 home runs and 30 RBIs, stud.
7 - St. Louis Cardinals (23-18)
A series win against the Brewers was good but then they got swept by the Padres. I said last week that the Padres series would prove how good they are, clearly not as good as it looked. They drop four spots this week but should still have a fairly easy time leading the NL Central.
6 - Houston Astros (24-17)
I hate talking about these guys but they have won 6 in a row and own the second best run differential in baseball. They have the 3rd best offense and are pitching well enough to win. A showdown against the division rival A’s will be a must-watch.
5 - San Francisco Giants (25-16)
The NL West leaders find themselves behind their division rivals on the power rankings. Compared to the Dodgers and Padres, they are worse in pitching, hitting, and run differential and it’s not as close as you’d think. They have a huge weekend series against the Dodgers to prove true leaders of the west.
4 - Los Angeles Dodgers (23-18)
Now, that’s better. After 5 straight series loses, they won both their series last week at home, going 4-1. The injury to Corey Seager hurts but Gavin Lux has started to heat up and the Dodgers starting pitching continues to carry this team.
3 - San Diego Padres (25-17)
The Padres pulled off a huge sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals last weekend and right now are the best of the 3 headed monster in the NL West. Yu Darvish is pitching out of his mind and leads this Padres pitching staff that owns the best team ERA in baseball.
2 - Boston Red Sox (25-17)
A 3 game losing streak led them to a 3-4 week and they lose their #1 status. However, this team is still playing great and exceeding many expectations. They have two hitters in the top 10 in OPS, JD Martinez and Xander Bogaerts. A big midweek series against the Blue Jays will be a fun one to watch.
1 - Chicago White Sox (25-15)
No question the White Sox are the best team in baseball right now. They are top 5 in both pitching and hitting and have the best run differential (+73) by a mile. Yermin Mercedes continues his breakout season with the best batting average in baseball at .364.