MLB Team Power Rankings Update: The Twins Keep Hanging Around
Teams Ranked 10th to 1st
As usual, the top three teams are the same, but the order has changed slightly. The Astros remain at the top, but the Dodgers leap over the New York Yankees for the second spot while also becoming the first National League team to 50 wins.
| Rank | Team | nERD | Record | Playoff Odds | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Oakland Athletics | 0.29 | 34-42 | 5.4% | +1 |
| 9 | St. Louis Cardinals | 0.45 | 35-40 | 25.2% | 0 |
| 8 | Chicago Cubs | 0.46 | 39-37 | 72.2% | +2 |
| 7 | Tampa Bay Rays | 0.73 | 40-38 | 34.9% | 0 |
| 6 | Cleveland Indians | 0.94 | 40-35 | 90.9% | -1 |
| 5 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 1.11 | 49-28 | 94.9% | -1 |
| 4 | Washington Nationals | 1.12 | 45-32 | 96.8% | +2 |
| 3 | New York Yankees | 1.60 | 41-33 | 83.3% | -1 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1.93 | 51-27 | 100.0% | +1 |
| 1 | Houston Astros | 1.95 | 52-25 | 100.0% | 0 |
Biggest Rise: Washington Nationals
The Chicago Cubs have risen yet again, but we just talked about them last week, and even though we also covered the Nationals, they've at least seen their power ranking change from a negative to a positive during this time.
We talk about their bullpen issues all the time, and while they did make a move on Monday, it doesn't seem like signing Francisco Rodriguez is going to move the needle all the much. With that in mind, let's talk about some fun stuff, like their offense.
They have all the usual suspects contributing, but the sign of a good team is when there's unexpected production when it's needed most. Adam Eaton and Jayson Werth are both hurt, meaning there is an opportunity for both Michael Taylor and Brian Goodwin to play, and they've taken full advantage.
Over the past month, Goodwin has produced the third-best wRC+ (138) and wOBA (.387) on the team, while Taylor isn't far behind him (127 wRC+, .371 wOBA).
Biggest Drop: New York Yankees
This month hasn't been easy for the Yankees -- they've not only endured a seven-game losing streak, but they've also lost 10 of their last 13 contests. And despite those struggles, they're still tied with the Red Sox atop the AL East standings. Not so bad.
Everyone else has talked about Aaron Judge, but we can't resist because this dude is just a machine. It seems like he hits a home run every single night, and with a .330 batting average, 26 homers, and 59 RBI, he has a shot at winning the Triple Crown. He's also a favorite to win the AL MVP at the moment, and if he can keep up his 196 wRC+, it'd only be the third time this decade that a player has produced one that high.
The only others to do so? Bryce Harper in 2015 and Miguel Cabrera in 2013 -- and they both won MVPs for their efforts.
