MLB Power Rankings: Week 8
10 - St. Louis Cardinals (30-24)
Previous Rank (9)
A decent week for the Cardinals, going 4-3. Continuing to lack consistency in both pitching and hitting, they rank 15th in offense and 16th in pitching have an even run differential. They are the definition of average right now.
9 - New York Mets (26-20)
Previous Rank (NR)
The Mets have been on the outside looking in with these power rankings almost all season but with a 5-1 week they have made the push to the top 10. Despite leading the league in postponed games, this Mets team has begun to find their stride after getting a lot of attention before the season began. Jacob deGrom is having a historical season, posting a 0.74 ERA through the month of May, the lowest that late into a season since 1964. Oh and he’s also hitting .450 at the dish, unreal.
8 - Houston Astros (29-24)
Previous Rank (6)
A tough 2-3 week for the Astros playing good opponents in the Dodgers and Padres. This team seems to lack a few pieces, especially on the pitching side to really be considered an elite team. But the offense will carry them and win them games. The schedule won’t get any easier as they take on the Red Sox and Blue Jays this week.
7 - Chicago Cubs (30-23)
Previous Rank (NR)
Here come the Cubbies! This may be a bit of an overreaction by ranking them this high but I have to give them credit for how well they have played lately. They have won 12 of their last 16 games and have taken over first place in the NL Central. A huge reason for this is the return of Kris Bryant to his MVP form, currently hitting .324 with 12 home runs and a 1.016 OPS.
6 - Boston Red Sox (32-21)
Previous Rank (4)
Another week, same story for the Red Sox. They have been very consistent all season and the only reason they have dipped in the standings is because other teams are on a hot streak. If they can stay this level headed through a whole 162 - they’ll find themselves in a good spot.
5 - Los Angeles Dodgers (32-22)
Previous Rank (2)
A rough 2-3 week for the boys in blue. The starting pitching really hurt them in the series against the Giants, which is very uncharacteristic. They got Cody Bellinger back and although it might take time for him to find his swing, his presence is huge for them. Max Muncy continues to have an excellent season, leading the league in OBP and is in the top 10 in nearly every offensive category.
4 - San Francisco Giants (34-20)
Previous Rank (8)
Boy, did this team really prove me wrong. After getting swept by the Dodgers at home, they won 3 of 4 in Los Angeles on their way to a 5-1 week. They just keep winning games despite pretty much everyone, myself included, underestimating them. They are top 10 in the league in both pitching and hitting and have the fourth best run differential (+69). This team might be here to stay.
3 - Tampa Bay Rays (35-20)
Previous Rank (5)
The Rays are playing out of their minds right now, winning 16 of 17 games. We really shouldn’t be surprised as this team has proven they can win without having a big payroll year after year. They almost never put the same lineup out twice which makes it hard to game plan against. The Rays don’t have any mega-star players but all 40 guys on their roster seem prepared and ready to win at the big league level.
2 - Chicago White Sox (33-21)
Previous Rank (3)
The White Sox followed getting swept by the Yankees with a 6-1 week against the Cardinals and Orioles. This team is a marvel offensively. Even when Tim Anderson and Yermin Mercedes are slumping, they have guys like Jake Lamb and Billy Hamilton step up and have great weeks. They can beat you in so many ways.
1 - San Diego Padres (34-21)
Previous Rank (1)
The Padres hold onto the top spot in the power rankings after several hard fought wins against the Brewers and Astros last week that saw them play 4 extra-inning games in a row. Trent Girsham is expected to return from the IL this week to bolster an already great offense to aid the best pitching team in baseball.