MLB Power Rankings: Week 9
12 - Boston Red Sox (28-27)
(PR: NR)
Here comes Boston! After Alex Cora shaved his beard on May 10, the Red Sox have the 3rd best record in baseball. The offense finally woke up from its early season slumber and they find themselves entering the week in a wild card spot.
11 - San Francisco Giants (29-24)
(PR: 12)
The Giants are doing a good job of managing some rough waters. They aren’t the same team they were last year, not even close. With that said they are a good ball club and shouldn't be underestimated.
10 - Minnesota Twins (32-25)
(PR: 7)
Not the best look losing 4 of 5 to the Tigers but they did have a nice weekend series win against the Blue Jays. They’ll have a real test this week when they take on their kryptonite - the New York Yankees.
9 - Tampa Bay Rays (32-23)
(PR: 11)
Not much more needs to be said about the Rays. They are a no-nonsense club that gets the job done. They find themselves in the second wildcard spot sandwiched between division rivals, Toronto and Boston.
8 - St Louis Cardinals (32-24)
(PR: 8)
The Cardinals swept the Padres and took 3 of 5 games from the Cubs last week. It was a lot of games but it helped get them within a game of the slumping Brewers for the division lead. I still like this team winning the NL Central and they are on a good path.
7 - Toronto Blue Jays (33-22)
(PR: 10)
That’s much better! After a slow start to the season, sitting as low as 12 on my rankings, the Blue Jays have won 11 of their last 13 games and have claimed the top wild card spot in the AL. They’re getting production from a lot more players and they are finally looking like the team many of us thought they could be entering the season.
6 - Milwaukee Brewers (33-24)
(PR: 5)
Brewers have not been playing their best baseball as of late and their division lead is slowly shrinking. Brandon Woodruff landed on the IL with an ankle sprain. It wouldn’t surprise me if this team loses their hold on the division this week.
5 - San Diego Padres (34-22)
(PR: 6)
An up and down week for the Padres after getting swept by the Cardinals but then winning 3 of 4 from the Brewers. Tatis is getting closer and closer to his return and when he does, I think this team is gonna go on a big run.
4 - Houston Astros (36-20)
(PR: 4)
With the Angels struggling, the Astros have separated themselves in the AL West with a 9 game lead. They have had a pretty easy schedule lately and haven’t been challenged much but there’s no doubt this team is elite.
3 - New York Mets (38-20)
(PR: 3)
The Mets proved they can hang with the best last weekend with a series split with the Dodgers. I keep saying it but it needs to be said, they are doing this without deGrom and Scherzer. If that doesn’t strike fear into your soul, I’m jealous.
2 - Los Angeles Dodgers (35-19)
(PR: 1)
LA is not playing their best baseball right now. They got swept by the Pirates at home (yikes), then split a four game series with the Mets. There’s nothing of major concern but the lineup that came into the season with so much depth isn’t playing to those expectations. Yes the big three of Betts, Trea Turner, and Freeman is great but past that, guys need to do better.
1 - New York Yankees (40-15)
(PR: 2)
There’s no question the Yankees are the best team in baseball right now. They have won 7 in a row, they have a 7 game lead in the most competitive division in the league, and the best pitching staff in MLB. They’re staying healthy and have swagger. It’s hard to see this team slowing down anytime soon.