MLB Power Rankings: Week 13
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (36-37)
There were a lot of teams to be considered for the 12th power ranking spot. At the time this was written, 7 teams in the NL are just 1.5 games or less back from the third wild card spot. Sitting in that spot are the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have quietly slithered their way back into contention after a slow start to the season. They have won 11 of their last 16 games. The defending NL champs are back to playing closer to the team that made the postseason last year.
11. Minnesota Twins (41-32)
The Twins have won 8 of their last games, but it helps when you’re playing the Rockies and Athletics. The good - the offense is playing well, with Carlos Correra, Ryan Jeffers, Royce Lewis, and even Carlos Santana contributing in a big way. The bad - their ace, Pablo Lopez, has not looked like the Cy Young finalist he was last year. If he can get back on track, the Twins stock might rise.
10. Boston Red Sox (39-35)
What a fantastic week it was for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, winning both series against the Phillies and Yankees! That’s a huge momentum boost that could propel them into a wild card spot. This will be an interesting team to watch at the trade deadline.
9. Atlanta Braves (40-31)
This is a tough team to read right now. The depth has just not been there this season and with all the injuries they’ve sustained, it’s hard to imagine how this season will play out.
8. Kansas City Royals (41-33)
The Royals have hit a big skid, having lost 7 of their last 9 games and sliding down to third place in the AL Central. They have had a tough schedule, playing both the Yankees and Dodgers but you would want to see this team play better against those teams if they want to take that next step into the top teams in the league.
7. Seattle Mariners (44-31)
The Mariners are running away with the AL West division. Currently 10 games up and winners of 8 of their last 9 games, Seattle is sitting pretty right now. I know I say it all the time, but this pitching staff is incredible. They currently rank 1st in MLB in WHIP and quality starts, 2nd in BAA, and 5th in ERA.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (43-29)
Since getting swept by the Phillies a couple weeks ago, the Brewers have not lost a series. For the most part, this has been one of the most consistent teams in the league. In a division where there is anything but consistency, they rise above the rest with a 6.5 game lead entering the weekend.
5. Cleveland Guardians (44-26)
Although their division lead has decreased a little, the Guardians continue to hold strong as leaders in the AL Central. Next week’s schedule will be a real test as they go on the road to Baltimore and Kansas City.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (46-29)
The big news from the Dodgers last week was the injuries to Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Betts will be out 6-8 weeks with a hand fracture after getting hit by a pitch on Sunday. Yamamoto is out several weeks with a rotator cuff strain. Both injuries will impact this team but the big picture is to get them back healthy and playing well before October.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (49-24)
The Phillies had a tough road trip last week, dropping both series against the Red Sox and Orioles. The impact of the Realmuto injury is already starting to show. They have built themselves a big division lead and this is still one of the best teams in the league but they dip in the rankings just a bit this week.
2. Baltimore Orioles (47-25)
The Orioles got a big series win against the Phillies last weekend at home. They are in the middle of a big 3-games series against the Yankees on the road. They dropped the first game but if they can get the other two, that would be a big momentum swing for Baltimore who are 2.5 games back of New York in the AL East.
1. New York Yankees (51-24)
The Yankees are back to being that team that everyone should fear. They have the best team ERA and BAA in baseball and tonight, Garrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young, makes his return to the rotation after months rehabbing an arm injury.