MLB Power Rankings - Week 8
My power rankings are updated on Monday morning each week.
1. Chicago Cubs (-132) - The Cubs still have the best overall record in baseball at 29-13, however they did falter a bit this week, going just 2-4 combined at Milwaukee and San Francisco. Overall, the Cubs are just 4-7 in their past eleven games after starting the season 25-6.
2. Washington (-128) - Washington has the second best record in the National League at 27-17 after going 4-2 on the road this past week, including 2-1 in three key games in New York against the Mets. After struggling for a couple of weeks, the Nationals' strong pitching returned, allowing 2 runs or less in five of their past six games.
3. Boston (-125) - Boston went just 3-3 this past week, going 1-2 at Kansas City, however the Red Sox are still on a 10-4 run and they are tied for first place in the AL East division. Boston has the best offense in the American League with 256 runs scored (5.8 runs per game) and a .296 batting average this year.
4. San Francisco (-124) - Another strong week by the Giants, going 5-1 which included 2-1 versus the Cubs. San Francisco is now 11-1 in their past twelve games and took a four-game lead in the NL West division. However, despite their 27-19 record, they have only outscored their opponents by just 0.1 runs per game this season.
5. Baltimore (-123) - The Orioles went just 3-3 this past week, but they are still 10-4 in their past fourteen games with a 26-16 record that has them tied for first place in the AL East division. The Orioles have an explosive offense that is tied for the league lead with 63 home runs this season.
6. New York Mets (-122) - After going just 2-5 two weeks ago, the Mets bounced back with a better 4-2 week overall, however they went just 1-2 in a key three-game homestand versus the Washington Nationals in which the Mets were outscored 4-16. New York is now 25-18 on the season, but still has one of the best starting pitching rotations in the league.
7. Chicago White Sox (-121) - Chicago had their second consecutive losing week, going just 2-4. They are now just 4-8 the past two weeks after starting the season 22-10. Chicago is 26-18 overall this year and they still have a +2.5 game lead in the competitive AL Central division.
8. Pittsburgh (-120) - The Pirates went 4-2 last week, but are still just 23-19 overall this year, and three of their four wins just came against the hapless Braves. Pittsburgh is a strong offensive team as they lead the National League with a .280 batting average and are second with a .357 on-base percentage.
9. Kansas City (-119) - After a 5-13 slide, the Royals have gone 5-2 in their past seven games including an impressive 2-1 against both the Red Sox and White Sox this past week. Kansas City has been winning games with their pitching, allowing 2 runs or less in five of their past six wins.
10. St. Louis (-115) - The Cardinals went just 3-3 this past week and are only 23-21 this season. St. Louis has been surprisingly weak at home, going just 12-13. However, the Cardinals X-WL record is actually 27-17 which is based on runs scored/allowed as St. Louis is +50 runs on the season and second in the National League with 59 home runs.
11. Seattle (-113) - The Mariners remain red-hot, going 21-9 during their past thirty games after a 5-1 week. The team is only batting .248, yet they are second in the American League with 201 total runs scored (4.7 runs per game) while ranking third in home runs (59) and second in RBI (196).
12. Los Angeles Dodgers (-112) - The Dodgers needed a 17-inning victory just to finish 2-5 overall this past week. They are now just 22-23 overall and in third place in the NL West division. Pitching has been the biggest problem and Los Angeles has allowed at least 5 runs or more in six of their past eight games (2-6 SU).
13. Texas (-111) - The Rangers had an up and down week, going 0-3 at Oakland, but then 3-0 at Houston. Overall, Texas is 25-19 and just 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West division. The Rangers have been a much better team at home this season (14-7) and against RHP (19-12) than on the road (11-12) or against LHP (6-7).
14. Cleveland (-110) - After a 2-4 week, the Indians bounced back with a solid 5-2 showing this past week. Cleveland is now 22-19 and just 1.5 games out of first place in the AL Central division. The Indians are 11-6 against division opponents this season, compared to just 11-13 in all other games.
15. Detroit (-106) - After a 2-11 slide, the Tigers had a solid 5-1 week, however those wins came against the Rays (20-21) and hapless Twins (11-32). Pitching has been an issue, but Detroit still has potential on offense as they rank third in the American League with a .758 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).
16. Toronto (-104) - Toronto went 0-3 at home versus Tampa Bay this past week, but then 3-1 at Minnesota to finish 3-4 overall. The Blue Jays remain a major underachiever this year, standing just 22-24 overall and in last place in the AL East division. They have been particularly poor in one-run games, going just 4-10 this season.
17. Miami (+100) - The Marlins went just 1-2 against both the Phillies and Nationals this past week to drop to 22-21 overall this season. Miami continues to have a weak home field, going just 9-12 at home, compared to 13-9 on the road.
18. Tampa Bay (+105) - Tampa Bay had a solid 4-2 week, despite having to play all six games on the road at Toronto and Detroit. The Rays' offense remains red-hot, scoring 58 runs in their past eight game (7.3 runs per game).
19. Colorado (+107) - The Rockies went just 2-3 this past week after a rain out on Sunday. Colorado is now 21-21 after the first seven weeks of the season, despite playing a tough schedule and going just 3-6 in close games decided by exactly one run.
20. Arizona (+110) - A solid 4-2 week for the Diamondbacks, winning both series against the Yankees and Cardinals. Arizona is still just 21-25 overall this season, and they have struggled at home going 7-17, compared to 14-8 on the road.
21. Los Angeles Angels (+112) - The Angels went 4-3 last week and are on a current 7-3 run during their past ten games after a previous 2-10 slide. The Angels have been winning games with offense, scoring 67 runs in their past eleven games (6.1 runs per game).
22. New York Yankees (+114) - New York has now had back-to-back 5-2 weeks for a current 10-4 SU winning run during their past fourteen games. The offense has still been surprisingly weak though, averaging just 3.9 runs per game this season.
23. Philadelphia (+115) - Philadelphia opened the season at 0-4, but they’ve gone 25-15 since, bringing their overall record to 25-19 on the season. However, this surprising success is likely short-lived as their offense continues to struggle. In fact, the Phillies X-WL (expected W/L record based on run differential) is just 18-26 this year.
24. Oakland (+116) - After a 3-0 sweep against Texas, the Athletics finished last week going 0-4 against the Yankees. Oakland's pitching has been getting crushed; they’ve given up 121 total runs in their last eighteen games (6.7 runs per game).
25. Milwaukee (+121) - The Brewers were just 2-4 this past week, but they played two tough opponents in the Cubs and Mets. Milwaukee will now take a major step down in class with six games versus the Braves and Reds this coming week.
26. Houston (+125) - Houston has a disappointing 17-28 mark on the season after going just 2-4 last week. The Astros have struggled on the mound, allowing 4.8 runs per game this season. They are just 2-9 against left-handed starters and only 5-10 in close games decided by exactly one run.
27. San Diego (+126) - After starting last week with three straight losses versus the Giants, the Padres almost won three straight games against the Dodgers before a tough 17-inning loss on Sunday. Overall, San Diego was 2-4 last week and they are just 19-26 this season. San Diego’s offense continues to be unpredictable as they’ve been shutout in nine games, while also scoring at least 5 runs or more sixteen other games this season.
28. Cincinnati (+128) - The Reds are coming off a winless 0-7 week after being swept by both the Indians and Mariners. After opening the season with a 5-1 record, Cincinnati has since gone 10-28 to bring their overall record to just 15-29. Their losing ways can be mainly attributed to their poor pitching which has allowed 263 total runs on the season (6.0 runs per game).
29. Atlanta (+130) - Atlanta went 2-1 against an overrated Phillies' squad to finish last week 3-4 overall. The Braves are still a terrible 12-31 overall this season, including an atrocious 2-17 at home, while going 10-14 on the road. The Braves are being outscored by an average of -1.6 runs per game this season.
30. Minnesota (+132) - The Twins had another losing week, going 1-6 overall. Minnesota is now just 11-32 which is the worst record in baseball and is five games worse than any other team in the American League. The Twins have been particularly bad on the road, going 4-19 this season. They are also just 4-17 in all games versus Central division opponents. The Twins are being outscored by an average of -1.7 runs per game this season.
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