Welcome to this year’s sixth edition of the MLB Top 10 power rankings. This week we have a new team entering the ranking for the first time. We also have a split with five NL teams and five AL teams in the top 10. As much as I wanted to change things, the top five remain the same from last week. But there is plenty of season left for things to shake up. With my rankings, I am taking into consideration the potential of teams over the course of the season, along with the current value of teams, with far more emphasis on current value. Let me know how much you agree/disagree.

*Note*: The records are before Sunday’s games

10. Boston Red Sox (21-19)

Last Week: NR

This is the first time this season the Red Sox have entered the top 10. I debated on leaving them out and putting either the Diamondbacks or Padres in instead, but the Red Sox are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, with more long term value over the course of the season than either of those teams. The Sox also have a +18 run differential on the season, which is better than the D-backs or Padres.

9. St. Louis Cardinals (22-18)

Last Week: 7

The Cardinals have hit a rough stretch in their season. They are just 2-8 in their last ten games, but I wasn’t ready to bounce them from the top 10. The fact of the matter is every team goes through rough stretches in the season so nobody should overreact unless the struggles continue. They are still a quality contender and I fully expect them to be there at the end of the season.

8. New York Yankees (23-16)

Last Week: 6

I struggled a little bit with who to put in this spot. The Yankees didn’t really deserve to be moved down two spots to eighth, but several other teams didn’t either. Overall, I just have a better feeling about the next couple of teams than I do the Yankees. The Yankees are 6-4 in their last ten and just a game and a half behind the Rays. The Rays have a much better run differential on the season though, at 33 runs better.

7. Philadelphia Phillies (22-16)

Last Week: 8

The Phillies are 6-3 since the calendar flipped over to May, so they’re playing solid ball. But this team has yet to come close to their potential. They have a three game lead over Atlanta in the NL East at the moment, but could have a much bigger lead if some of their big-time players had been performing like they are expected to. This team can really break out at any moment and if they do, they would jump up this list in a hurry.

6. Milwaukee Brewers (24-17)

Last Week: 10

The Brewers have been as high as #1 on this list this season, and as low as not ranked. After jumping back into the top 10 last week, they continue to move up the list because of their recent play. A very good team like this with long term value will climb the list faster than teams without the same long term value. The Brew Crew have won 7 of their last 8 games and will look to win the series against the red-hot Chicago Cubs tonight on Sunday night baseball. The NL Central is the best division in baseball right now and is very fun to watch.

5. Chicago Cubs (23-14)

Last Week: 5

I’m going to keep the Cubs in the 5th spot even though they’ve been the hottest team in baseball recently. The teams ahead of them just doesn’t deserve to be jumped, but if the Cubs keep it up, it won’t take long before they climb even higher. Cole Hamels is beginning to turn in some good starts which is a big plus to this team. Tonight should be a fun game between them and the Brewers for the division lead.

4. Minnesota Twins (25-13)

Last Week: 4

The Twins continue to play good ball. They’ve won 12 of their last 16, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to nobody. This is a good team, and one I picked to win the division before the season began. They can score a lot of runs and have a +53 run differential on the season. This is another team I’d like to rank a little higher, but there just isn’t any room for that right now.

3. Tampa Bay Rays (24-14)

Last Week: 3

The Rays come in at #3. They’ve been average lately at 5-5 in their last ten games, but still lead the AL East like they’ve been all year. Their +63 run differential is the best of any team in the majors, and their 116 runs given up are the least of any team in the majors (by far). Their pitching is dominant, and that starts with Blake Snell who is one of the best pitchers in the game. It does hurt that Glasnow will miss 4-6 weeks because he had been dealing.

2. Houston Astros (25-15)

Last Week: 2

7-3 in their last ten games, the Astros are continuing to do Astro-things. They’ve won four games in a row and have a +59 run differential on the season. Everyone knows they can score runs and their pitching staff is very good as well. To me, the Astros are the favorites to represent the AL in the World Series.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (26-16)

Last Week: 1

Here we are again with the Dodgers in the top spot. This is the third week in a row they have claimed it in my ranking and for good reason. They have a very dangerous offense that has put up 221 runs on the board this season so far, and have held their opponents to 174 runs on the season. The biggest thing for me is they have the experience, having appeared in back to back World Series, so they know what it takes to get their and will do anything it takes to finally win one.

Garett

MLB Top 10 Power Rankings