Welcome to the eighth edition of the MLB Top 10 power rankings. I didn’t release a new ranking last week, being at the Indianapolis 500 all weekend, so this is the first one in two weeks. With my ranking, I am taking into consideration the potential of teams over the course of the season, along with the current value of teams, with more emphasis on current value. Let me know how much you agree/disagree.

**Last Ranking = 2 weeks ago

10. Atlanta Braves (31-27)

Last Ranking: NR

For the first time this year, the Atlanta Braves crack the top 10 of my power rankings. It’s funny because they haven’t exactly been really hot lately and forced themselves into the top 10, but instead some of the other teams who have been in the bottom of the top 10 have been cold recently. The Braves are 5-5 in their last ten, but are four games above .500 in what is a really talented division. The NL East isn’t shaping up how anybody expected it to, but there’s no denying the amount of talent that’s in it.

9. Chicago Cubs (31-25)

Last Ranking: 6

After getting really hot for a while and climbing these rankings fast, the Cubs have cooled off recently. They’ve lost 7 of their last 9 games, but are still just 0.5 game back of the Brewers in the NL Central. Nobody should be concerned about the Cubs, as it’s just a cold stretch against some pretty good competition. They should be right in the thick of things in the Central come September.

8. Colorado Rockies (30-27)

Last Ranking: NR

I debated on putting the Brewers here and the Rockies in 7th, but gave the edge to the Brewers because of their better long-term value. The Rockies are the hotter team right now though, winning 7 games in a row and 8 of their last 10. And I don’t want to diminish their long-term value either with all the talent they feature offensively, but the Brewers have experienced post-season success recently whereas the Rockies are still looking to find theirs.

7. Milwaukee Brewers (33-26)

Last Ranking: 7

So here are the Brewers. At .500 in their last 14 games, the Brewers haven’t really stood out lately. Still, they lead the very good NL Central. And like I just mentioned, they made it all the way to the NLCS last season, so they have the experience. And still have Christian Yelich. Like I said about the Cubs, the Brewers will be right in the thick of things down the stretch in September.

6. Philadelphia Phillies (33-25)

Last Ranking: 9

With yet again another NL team, the Phillies come in at number 6. They continue to lead the NL East, and do so by 2 games over the Atlanta Braves. Like I say pretty much every week, I still believe the Phillies are nowhere close to playing to their potential. They are just .500 in their last 10 games and still waiting for some of their big names to break out. But they are a very good ball club that certainly won’t give away many games this year.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (35-21)

Last Ranking: 5

Finally an AL team on the list. The Rays are staying in the 5th spot this week, but they’ve won 8 of their last 11. They are playing good ball, but the teams ahead of them have been more impressive. The Rays win by defense and they are the only team in the majors that has yet to give up 200 runs this season. Their 180 runs given up lead MLB in front of 2nd place Houston (206 runs given up).

4. New York Yankees (38-19)

Last Ranking: 4

Also staying in the same spot this week are the New York Yankees. They have won 11 of their last 13, but I’m just not quite ready to put them ahead of any of the next three teams yet; although it’s getting very tempting. The Yankees are playing very good ball and they are doing it with some big time players still battling injuries. So they can just get better and they most likely will. They now lead the powerful AL East by 2.5 games.

3. Houston Astros (39-20)

Last Ranking: 1

Dropping from the first spot in the ranking, the Astros come in at #3 this week. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games, which is not bad at all, but the first two teams on this list have been playing better. The ‘Stros are attempting the sweep today in Oakland before they will face Seattle. Still arguably the most talented team in baseball, the Astros have to be the favorites to represent the AL in the World Series. Shout out to Justin Verlander for passing Cy Young on the all-time strikeout list yesterday as well.

2. Minnesota Twins (39-18)

Last Ranking: 3

Jumping into the top 3 for the first time this season are the Twins, and they are more than deserving. They continue to impress the baseball world by combining solid pitching with HITTING, HITTING, and more HITTING. They lead the majors in runs scored with 338, 20 more than any other team. The Twins have won 14 of their last 17 games and now lead the AL Central over the Indians by an astonishing 10.5 games. They are a very fun team to watch.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (40-19)

Last Ranking: 2

Aaaaand back in the #1 spot after falling to #2 are the Dodgers. The Los Angeles ball club just keeps on winning. Like the Twins, they’ve also won 14 of their last 17 games. The thing that separates the two clubs right now on this list is the fact that the Dodgers have had recent post-season success, with two World Series appearances in the last two years, while the Twins are looking to make their first run. The Dodgers can do it all and I expect them to continue to do it all and make it back to the World Series again. The difference is: this time they will win it.

Garett

MLB Top 10 Power Rankings