MLB: Power Rankings Vol. 4
In the two weeks since the All-Star break, a lot has changed, as the division races are beginning to get more and more competitive. Charles Post and Blake Stoll are here to give a rundown of the entire league, ranking all 30 teams for the fourth time this season, and giving in-depth looks on each franchise's season.
In our Power Rankings Vol. 1 that was released on April 30, the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals held the top spots. Power Rankings Vol. 2 premiered on June 26, and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers took over the highest rankings. July 14 saw our Power Rankings Vol. 3 release, where the Dodgers and Astros flipped the top slots. Read below to see where your team ranks right now!
POWER RANKINGS VOL. 4:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (71-31): Los Angeles has been the best team for the majority of the season, and it's nearly impossible to argue that. Cody Bellinger, the likely NL Rookie of the Year, has been a monster. And even though Clayton Kershaw is out for 4-6 weeks, he'll be back in time for the playoffs. The Dodgers are set for the regular season, they need to start making sure that they're healthy and their rotation is set going into October, which means they need to make a trade for either Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray, or Justin Verlander.
2. Houston Astros (67-34): The Astros, after failing to make the postseason in 2016, are the team to beat in the AL this year. All season long, they’ve been hot and I can only see them picking up the pace even more going down the stretch. Dallas Keuchel coming back, after being activated off the DL is key to stepping on the gas even more.
3. Washington Nationals (61-39): Washington got off to a hot start back in April, and have subsequently ran away from the division, creating a huge gap between themselves and the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. Bryce Harper, a potential NL MVP winner, has led the way, and he's somehow gotten even hotter since the All-Star break ended. The Nationals are going to win the division, by a lot, but I don't think they'll have a chance to win the World Series unless they prove the bullpen has truly improved.
4. Cleveland Indians (55-45): The Indians have won their last seven games and swept their last two series against the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays. Cleveland holds a two game lead in the division over the Kansas City Royals, who has an eight game winning streak of its own. They have an opportunity to pull away this weekend playing the last place Chicago White Sox while the Royals play the Boston Red Sox.
5. Boston Red Sox (56-47): The Red Sox hold a half game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays are three games back. David Price just got placed on the DL with the same elbow injury that has been bothering him for the majority of his career. It will be tough for the Red Sox to remain in first place in their division.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks (58-43): Arizona isn't a surprise anymore, they're the real deal, as they've proven over the course of the regular season. J.D. Martinez's addition only makes this team more dangerous, and all they had to do was give up a trio of prospects to the Detroit Tigers. The Diamondbacks had a scare when Martinez was hit by a pitch in his hand in his debut, but after taking the weekend off, he hit his first home run with the team this week.
7. Chicago Cubs (54-47): Chicago has finally come around this season, which we've been waiting for since May, and now, they're 11-2 since the All-Star break, including three straight victories against the Chicago White Sox. Wilson Contreras has been the team's best asset during July, and he's given Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo less responsibility. The Cubs will face the Milwaukee Brewers with a ton of playoff implications this weekend, and Jose Quintana and Kyle Hendricks will take the mound, among others. Chicago was No. 13 in our last rankings, and have moved up an incredible six spots in two weeks.
8. Colorado Rockies (58-45): Colorado's been up-and-down after a scorching hot start, but that start was so hot, that it really doesn't matter because they're likely to reach the postseason unless a complete implode occurs. Nolan Arenado has looked like a potential NL MVP winner. The Rockies won't win the NL West, but they don't need to, just stay 13+ games above .500 and that should do it.
9. New York Yankees (53-46): The Yankees are just a half game back of the Boston Red Sox for the division and they are on the hunt. After splitting a series with the Red Sox, New York has won eight of their last ten games. David Price just joined the DL club so this could be the opening they need. They are 2.5 games above the Tampa Bay Rays and have three games remaining in a four game series after winning in extras last night.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (54-50): Milwaukee hasn't been as good since the All-Star break happened, and as previously stated, the Chicago Cubs are the biggest benefactor. Manny Pina and Ryan Braun, however, have kept the team in playoff contention. The Brewers need to have a strong showing this weekend against the Cubs, taking at least 2-out-of-3 to stay within a game. Milwaukee was all the way up at No. 6 in our last rankings, but have plummeted four slots.
11. Kansas City Royals (53-47): The Royals began the season towards the bottom of the AL Central but after winning their last eight games, they find themselves just two games back from the Cleveland Indians who have a seven game winning streak of their own. They have a tough stretch coming up at the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and then vs. the Seattle Mariners, and a home-and-home with the St. Louis Cardinals.
12. Tampa Bay Rays (53-49): The Rays are three games back in the division behind the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. After losing to the Yankees in 11 innings last night, Tampa Bay looks to close out the next three games and gain some road in the division.
13. Seattle Mariners (51-52): The Mariners sit one game below .500 but 17 games behind division leading and AL best Houston Astros. The Mariners have six pitchers on the 60-day DL. If they want to make the playoffs, they will need recently acquired Erasmo Ramirez to do work and get them into a potential Wild Card slot.
14. St. Louis Cardinals (50-52): St. Louis is one of the more frustrating franchises in baseball over the last three seasons because it seems they have everything a contender needs, but just can't take the next step. Dexter Fowler has been good, but not as good as they'd hoped for after signing him in the offseason, and while Yadier Molina is a great player, it's clear he's beginning to (finally) age. The Cardinals were once the most consistent team in the MLB for a long time, but now, it's difficult for them to find any type of winning with regularity.
15. Atlanta Braves (48-52): Atlanta's campaign has actually been far better than their record shows, but it obviously won't be enough to get them a playoff spot. Freddie Freeman has been incredible, when he's been healthy, and Matt Kemp has rebounded well, which bodes well for the future. The Braves' season is lost in terms of postseason, but in terms of improvement, they've definitely made strides.
16. Minnesota Twins (49-51): The Twins sit just six games back in the AL Central, not too big of a hill to get over. It’s possible but they need to turn the boat around. In my opinion, they are having a great season. Although playing good up until the break, right now they look like the old Twins, winning just three of their last ten may have ace Ervin Santana on the trading block.
17. Texas Rangers (49-52): The Rangers are in the same seat as the Seattle Mariners in being 18 games back in the division, but they have a tougher road to the AL Wild Card. Yu Darvish and Jonathan Lucroy are on the block as the trade deadline quickly approaches. They might have to scrap the season and get something for these two rather than fight and possibly not even make the postseason and lose them for free.
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (50-52): Pittsburgh has been on fire since the mid-way point in the season, but they were so far back to begin with, that the playoffs are still unlikely. Andrew McCutchen's trade value is higher than ever, since he's begun playing even better than before, and there are multiple teams gauging Pittsburgh's interest and likelihood of dealing the All-Star. The Pirates would be better off, in my opinion, trading McCutchen right now before his productivity begins declining, and getting 3-4 prospects in return to build for the future, because let's be honest, they aren't winning a title soon.
19. New York Mets (47-52): New York has actually been good lately, which is hard to wrap my head around, because it feels so recent that everyone was acting like the team was coming apart at the seams. Yoenis Cespedes' health was a major factor in their early struggles, and now that he's settled (back) in, it seems like the squad is starting to take form. The Mets' postseason aspirations aren't impossible, but they are extremely unlikely, they'd need a lot of help and would have to win approximately 70 percent of their remaining schedule to have a chance. New York has increased four rankings, from No. 23 to No. 19.
20. Los Angeles Angels (49-54): The Angels are a conundrum - Why are they so bad? Mike Trout recently came off the DL and looks to push the team into October. The only way that will happen is through the Wild Card as they sit fourth in the division, 19 games behind the Houston Astros. Los Angeles has not been performing well at the plate and will need that to change if they want to play fall ball, which is pretty unlikely at this point.
21. Baltimore Orioles (48-53): The Orioles sit seven games back in its division. Baltimore is 6-7 since the break and have won eight of their last 20 games. This year might be a no go for Baltimore as they might lose closer Zach Britton before the deadline.
22. Miami Marlins (47-53): Miami, like the St. Louis Cardinals, are once again a disappointment, considering the talent they have on their roster. Giancarlo Stanton's 33 home runs are tied for the most in the league, and yet the team is still 47-53, and out of playoff talk. The Marlins should ride out this season and try to improve in the offseason, but if in a year from now they're in the same position, it may be time to blow things up and start over (again).
23. Toronto Blue Jays (48-54): The Blue Jays have been the disappointment of the season for me. After making it to the ALCS in 2016, the Blue Jays are not looking like a playoff team right now. Yeah, they’re only 7.5 games back in the division but they are last in it as well. It would take a lot of work and luck for them to even think about October.
24. Detroit Tigers (45-55): The Tigers are out of the playoffs at this point. They have a solid team, but they just can’t get the pitchers and the offense to both work well at the same time. Detroit has multiple players that could be moved before July 31 including Justin Verlander and Jose Iglesias.
25. San Diego Padres (44-57): San Diego is about what they were two weeks ago when we did our Power Rankings Vol. 3, and it doesn't seem like it's going to get better anytime soon. Wil Myers is virtually the only bright spot on a team full of shadows, as he has hit 20 homers and 49 runs batted in. The Padres need to improve across the board, and another October without playoff baseball is just another wake up call. San Diego was No. 25 two weeks ago and, unfortunately for them, they're still No. 25.
26. Oakland Athletics (44-58): The Athletics have no potential to make the playoffs, but could be taking a step in the right direction regarding the rebuilding phase. Sonny Gray and Yonder Alonso will likely be traded to big market AL East teams by the deadline. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are potential homes for the two and can both offer good Triple-A players.
27. Cincinnati Reds (41-61): Cincinnati has been one of the worst teams in all of baseball for the better half of the last five years and 2017 isn't any different. Joey Votto is just as good as usual, hitting .300, but it's not enough to carry his team. The Reds have a lot of work to do if they want to compete with the other four teams in the NL Central.
28. San Francisco Giants (40-63): San Francisco has their ace, Madison Bumgarner, back after a long stint on the disabled list, but it's far too late to make a run at the playoffs. Buster Posey is having a career year at the dish but it'll all be for naught, as San Francisco is selling at the deadline, attempting to trade Johnny Cueto. The Giants should be back in the swing of things next year after a down season, it shouldn't be anything to worry about in the long run.
29. Chicago White Sox (39-60): The White Sox have once again become the joke of the American League - as they are last place in the AL Central and last place in our hearts. At least they have a good farm system coming through, I guess.
30. Philadelphia Phillies (35-64): Philadelphia has been the worst team in the league for some time now, and they may not even win 60 games this season. Jeremy Hellickson, the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year, who has pitched to a 4.73 ERA in 20 starts this year, was just traded to the Baltimore Orioles. The Phillies will continue stockpiling young talent until it pays off - which is really the only thing they can do. Philadelphia was No. 30 in our last rankings as well.
CHARLES POST'S PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
AL West: Houston Astros (67-34)
AL East: Boston Red Sox (56-47)
AL Central: Cleveland Indians (55-45)
Wild Card 1: New York Yankees (53-46)
Wild Card 2: Kansas City Royals (53-47)
NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers (71-31)
NL East: Washington Nationals (61-39)
NL Central: Chicago Cubs (54-47)
Wild Card 1: Arizona Diamondbacks (58-43)
Wild Card 2: Colorado Rockies (58-45)
BLAKE STOLL'S PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
AL West: Houston Astros (67-34)
AL East: New York Yankees (53-46)
AL Central: Cleveland Indians (55-45)
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox (56-47)
AL Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays (53-49)
NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers (71-31)
NL East: Washington Nationals (61-39)
NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers (54-50)
NL Wild Card: Chicago Cubs (54-47)
NL Wild Card: Arizona Diamondbacks (58-43)
Photo Credit: CBS and Sports Illustrated.
