It’s time to take another look at the MLB Top 10 power rankings. Last week I didn’t post a new ranking due to the shortened week after the All-Star break, so the last ranking was exactly two weeks ago. 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.

First Two Out: Milwaukee Brewers & Washington Nationals

10. Boston Red Sox (54-45)

Last Ranking: 7

This has been an interesting team this season. One week you think they’re a really good team and the next you’re not so sure. But while they’re not last year’s World Series team, they still have enough talent and experience to make yet another deep postseason run. Unless they make a serious charge though, they’ll have to win the one-game wildcard to get in because they currently sit 11 games back from their heated rival Yankees.

9. Cleveland Indians (56-41)

Last Ranking: 8

This spot almost went to the Cubs, but I decided to give it to the Indians for three reasons. First, the Cubs have better run differential on the season by +26, which is one of my favorite stats to utilize. Second, the Cubs are the hotter team as of late, although not by much. And third, the Cubs play in a better division than the Indians. With all of this being said, the Indians are still a team to watch out for and the Twins are leaving the AL Central door open for them. Once a 10 or 11 game lead, it has fallen to now just 3.

8. Chicago Cubs (54-44)

Last Ranking: 10

As stated previously, the Cubs are hot. They’ve won 9 of their last 11 games and have taken a 3-game lead in the NL Central. Also as I previously stated, this is a really good division. At All-Star break every team was within 5 games of each other, so they do a lot of beating up on each other. So right now the Cubs are the only team from the Central in my top 10, but next week they could totally fall out and the Brewers or Cardinals could be in. That’s just how entertaining that division is.

7. Tampa Bay Rays (56-45)

Last Ranking: 6

Once the #1 team on this list, the Rays have been ever-so-slowly slipping towards the bottom. But the good news is they’ve been on the list the entire season and that’s because they’re a good team. They still feature the best defense in the game, leading the majors with only 380 runs scored against them (12 runs better than the next best team). And that is extra-impressive considering they play in the AL East. Their pitching flies under the radar, but they continue to go out there and get the job done.

6. Atlanta Braves (59-41)

Last Ranking: 5

The Braves have been sitting in the 5th spot for a while now. Even though they were a really hot team for a while, there has been a log-jam at the top for much of the season. The Braves haven’t quite been the same team they were throughout the month of June and they’ve lost their last two series, which is why they fell a spot. Also I really believe they need another solid starting pitcher. But their offense is deep and dangerous, and can take them a long way.

5. Oakland Athletics (57-42)

Last Ranking: 9

The Athletics have vaulted up this list because they’ve been playing really well lately, winning 10 of their last 12 games. We knew all season they were a good team, from last season’s success, but were a little late in getting it together. But it looks like they finally have and are a very fun team to watch. I believe them and the Braves could go either way at #5 and #6, but the A’s have my slight advantage because of their +98 run differential compared to the Braves’ +45.

4. Minnesota Twins (59-38)

Last Ranking: 4

The Twins have struggled a little lately, losing 8 of their last 14. But they have been so good for so long that they’ll have to struggle a little more to lost more ground in my ranking. They still have one of the most explosive offenses in the game, with the 4th most runs scored out of any team. What was once a boring division raced has suddenly became very interesting though, with only a 3-game lead over the surging Indians.

3. Houston Astros (63-37)

Last Ranking: 3

Remaining in the 3rd spot, the Astros have won 6 of their last 10 games and four in a row. But their lead in the West is starting to dwindle down to the Athletics, now at just 5.5 games. However, the Astros are the superior team and it would be a shock if they don’t win the division and go on to win at least the ALDS. Like I’ve been saying all season, this team is stacked and experienced.

2. New York Yankees (64-33)

Last Ranking: 2

Many people have the Yankees at #1, but to me they’re still not quite there yet. Although it’s not so much as to what they’re not doing, but instead what the Dodgers are doing. It’s no secret the Yankees have a very potent lineup, possibly the most dangerous in the game. It will be interesting to see what kind of arm(s) they acquire before the trade deadline to booster a potential World Series run. It will also be interesting to see what they do over the course of the next week, on the road in Minnesota and Boston.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (66-35)

Last Ranking: 1

Once again my #1 team, the Dodgers are just too good not to be there. It feels like they have been struggling lately at 6-6 in their last 12 games, but that’s a testament to how good this team has been this season. They have the best run differential in baseball at +156, 14 runs better than 2nd place Yankees and 46 runs better than 3rd place Twins. I’ve said it before, I think they have a great mix of veterans and youth, and certainly have the star power. I expect them to get back to the World Series for the third year in a row, but finally win it this year.

Garett

MLB Top 10 Power Rankings