MLB Power Rankings: Week 12
12 - Toronto Blue Jays (40-35)
Over the past couple of weeks the Blue Jays have lost series to the Twins, Orioles, and Rangers. These are teams that they will potentially see in the postseason, if they even make it. Entering this week they are on the outside looking in.
11 - Miami Marlins (42-32)
What the Marlins are doing right now really doesn’t make any sense. But what this 2023 season has shown us so far, not making sense is the new normal. They have a -15 run differential but own the third best record in the National League and sit in the top wild card spot in the standings.
10 - Houston Astros (40-34)
The Astros got swept by the Reds over the weekend and have fallen to 3rd place in the AL West and out of a postseason spot in the wild card. This is most likely a slump but Houston already had a big slump to start the year. The postseason race is as competitive as ever this year and they can’t afford to have many more slumps.
9 - Los Angeles Angels (41-34)
The Angels are hot. Winners of 11 of their last 14 entering the week, the Halos have climbed into the second place position in the AL West and own the 3rd wild card spot. Better yet, Mike Trout is showing signs he is back to his normal self and their series win against the Rangers last week was a big sign they can compete with the best in the league.
8 - New York Yankees (40-33)
This Yankees team is frustrating. They seem to be playing with a huge lack of urgency. Aaron Judge being hurt doesn’t help but when is this team ever fully healthy? Getting swept by Boston over the weekend is a bad look, especially after the Red Sox won the series from them last week on their home field.
7 - Los Angeles Dodgers (40-33)
The Dodgers are hanging on by a thread right now. Injuries have decimated the starting pitching and the bullpen is a mess. A sweep at the hands of the Giants at home last weekend was an exclamation on the struggles going on in LA right now. They have dropped to 3rd in the division but do still have a wild card spot entering the week.
6 - San Francisco Giants (41-32)
To their credit, the Giants have looked like a legit contender not just over the past week but really over the past month. They enter the week on a 7-game win streak and have no signs of slowing down soon. This is a very well built team that can hit and pitch against the best in the league.
5 - Arizona Diamondbacks (44-30)
Arizona continues to roll and hold on to their NL West lead. The division is looking like it could be a 3-4 team race during the second half of the season and the Diamondbacks have just as good of a chance as anyone to take the crown.
4 - Baltimore Orioles (45-27)
The Orioles have been playing well all season but can’t seem to get over the hump to catch up to the Rays. They have a huge opportunity to make up some ground this week as they head to Tampa for a 2-game set.
3 - Texas Rangers (45-28)
Texas had a hiccup last week, losing a 4-game series at home to the Angels. They bounced back with a series win against the Blue Jays and still hold a solid lead in the AL West.
2 - Atlanta Braves (47-26)
The Braves are back to looking unbeatable. They have won 13 of their last 15 games and it’s hard to imagine any other team in the National League coming close to being able to get past Atlanta in the postseason.
1 - Tampa Bay Rays (51-25)
The Rays had a tough road trip, splitting a 4-game series in Oakland and losing the weekend series in San Diego. They will be back home this week to play their division foe, Baltimore then host Kansas City over the weekend.