MLB: Power Rankings Vol. 1
10. Seattle Mariners (63-44): The Mariners likely won't win the AL West, as they trail the Houston Astros by four games, but a playoff appearance is all the organization needs. They have come oh so close to clinching a postseason bid the last two years, but have come up short. However, this year, Seattle is an impressive 19 games above .500. They have a 35-20 record at home, which is the third best home record in the American League. Seattle does have to be careful, though, because they're only one game ahead of the Oakland Athletics, who are 7-3 in their last 10 games. If the Mariners finish the season well and go on to the playoffs, it'll likely be because of guys like Jean Segura (.318 batting average) and Nelson Cruz (25 home runs).
9. Cleveland Indians (58-48): The Indians are looking to reach the playoffs for the third straight season and it looks like they're going to, barring any miracles from the Minnesota Twins or Detroit Tigers. Cleveland (+97) is the only team in the AL Central with a positive run differential, as the next closest is the Twins (-24). However, the Indians haven't exactly looked good lately. They're just 5-5 in their 10 most recent outings and have fallen to a 26-27 record on the road. It's nearly a foregone conclusion that Cleveland is going to win the division, but I'm not nearly as confident in them this year as I was the previous two years. With Corey Kluber (13-6), Francisco Lindor (126 hits), and Jose Ramirez (32 home runs), this team can still make some noise though.
8. Milwaukee Brewers (63-48): The Brewers have come out of nowhere the last two seasons to be one of the best teams in the league. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to vault them into the postseason last year. Their fortunes could change this time around, though, especially with the offseason addition of Christian Yelich (.316 batting average) who is leading the team in average and hits. Jesus Aguilar (74 runs batted in) has also been really good. Their pitching staff makes me somewhat nervous as their top starter: Jhoulys Chacin, is unproven for the most part. The schedule kicks up so the next few weeks will tell us a lot. They have series' against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs all before August 17th.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (60-49): The Diamondbacks have had kind of a strange season because they've struggled for the most part at home, going 28-26, but are nine games above .500 on the road. All of it has equated to a +66 run differential, which is a good sign for Arizona's potential postseason berth. This would be their second consecutive playoff appearance. Paul Goldschmidt has been good as usual, going for 23 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and 112 hits. All of which lead the team. Zack Grienke (12-5, 2.96 ERA), Patrick Corbin (7-4), and Zack Godley (12-6) have helped the Diamondbacks stay in contention. Arizona has series' coming up against the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds to start the month of August.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (59-48): The Phillies have had a great resurgence this year, going from one of the worst teams in the league just a few years ago, to competing for the NL East division title. Part of that is because of how well they've been playing at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are 34-18 on their home field, which is the best home record in the National League. Philadelphia has seen such a big jump in wins mainly because of the large improvement from the pitching staff (and the addition of Jake Arrieta). Three of their starters have winning records: Arrieta (9-6), Zach Eflin (7-3), and Aaron Nola (12-3). If they can keep up the winning ways then the Phillies should be able to hold of the Atlanta Braves, who are only 0.5 games back.
5. New York Yankees (68-38): The Yankees, in my opinion, top to bottom have the best talent by far in the MLB. They have a lineup that would make the 1927 Murderers Row proud. A bullpen full of wicked arms including Aroldis Chapman (29 saves), Chad Green (2.68 ERA), Dellin Betances, and recently acquired Zach Britton. I really think this team could be the best in the league, but the rotation still scares me. Luis Severino (14-4) has made himself into a true ace followed by Masahiro Tanaka (9-2) and C.C. Sabathia, show a possibly above average rotation. Sonny Gray (5.56 ERA) has not been able to show the promise that he did early on in his career. If the starting rotation comes to form, I think the Evil Empire wins their 28th title.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (60-49): The Dodgers added Manny Machado recently to try and push them to another level. They came within one game of winning the World Series last season, and they hoped Machado would be the difference this time around. According to Baseball Reference, he has two home runs, five runs batted in, and 14 hits in 12 games with the Dodgers. Los Angeles is in one of the best divisions in the league so they have to be careful not to get content being 10 games above .500. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are still in contention. Despite having a +91 run differential, the Dodgers just 28-26 at home. It's clear they desperately miss Clayton Kershaw (4-5) being completely healthy.
3. Chicago Cubs (62-45): The Cubs are tied for the best record in the National League. The only problem is the team they're tied with is in their division. The Milwaukee Brewers, similarly to last season, aren't going to bow out quietly. Chicago is going to have to pull away from them if they want to win their third straight NL Central title. The Cubs are 33-19 at home, which is one of the best in the NL, and they've compiled a +98 run differential, which is 5th most in the MLB. I think Chicago will be able to win the division and make the playoffs because they have so many experienced guys. Players like Kris Bryant (.380 OBP), Javier Baez (116 hits), and Jon Lester (12-4) just know how to win. And they should improve with the addition of Cole Hamels.
2. Houston Astros (69-41): The reigning champions have powered past their competition with a stable of starting pitchers any team in the league would be jealous of. Led by Justin Verlander (2.24 ERA), Charlie Morton (12-2), Gerrit Cole (194 strikeouts), Lance McCullers Jr., and Dallas Keuchel they have been able to continue their strong pace. They still have an offense that can put up runs at a flurry with reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Alex Bregman headlining a formidable stable of bats. They did shake up the baseball landscape by acquiring troubled former Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna. While his skills have never been in doubt, time will tell if this transaction will help or hurt the Astros' chemistry and chances of repeating.
1. Boston Red Sox (75-34): The Boston Red Sox have an offense that is impossible to ignore because of players such as Mookie Betts (.338 batting average) and J.D. Martinez (32 home runs). What really put the Boston Red Sox over the hump as the top team is the starting rotation, specifically their big horse Chris Sale (2.04 ERA). He’s the type of pitcher that could put a team on his back and take them to the playoffs single-handedly. Sale is followed in the rotation by Rick Porcello (13-4), David Price (11-6), and if healthy Drew Pomeranz. They have the makings of a World Series winning rotation. And having Craig Kimbrel (33 saves) locking down the backend of your bullpen doesn’t hurt either. This team is the favorites to win it all for now.
Photo Credit: The Boston Globe.
