MLB Power Rankings: Week 7
12. Seattle Mariners (17-20, PR: 11)
The Mariners got swept at home by the Royals last weekend, just when things were starting to look positive. Overall this team is still playing better over the last couple weeks and despite a losing record are only 2 games back of the A’s in the AL West.
11. Athletics (18-17, PR: NR)
The A’s return to the power rankings after a week's absence. They won two consecutive series against teams in their own division. That’s going to be a positive trend if they continue to take care of business against divisional opponents and they are the current leaders of the AL West.
10. Detroit Tigers (18-19, PR: 10 )
Things might start going downhill soon for the Tigers. Tarik Skubal is getting elbow surgery that will keep him out for 2-3 months. Framber Valdez just got suspended for a bush league move against the Red Sox. I am curious to see how they handle the next few weeks.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (19-17, PR: 7)
A true rollercoaster week for the Pirates, getting swept in the 4-game series by the Cardinals but then were able to pull off a sweep of the Reds. It’s not surprising seeing a bit of inconsistency from a young team but they are still in the thick of it.
8. Cincinnati Reds (20-16, PR: 8)
The Reds were on a hot streak until they got swept by the Pirates and by the time this article is released, might have gotten swept by the Cubs too. This team is very similar to the Pirates in many ways, mostly in that the roster is younger and less experienced which is going to lead to inconsistent play.
7. San Diego Padres (22-14, PR: 5)
This team continues to be an enigma. They are middle of the pack in nearly every stat and yet they are continuing to win a lot of games and keeping pace with the Dodgers in the NL West.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (19-16, PR: 6)
I still feel that this Brewers team is better than their record shows. They need to play better against teams in their own division as they are currently 5 games back and are 2-4 playing NL Central opponents.
5. Tampa Bay Rays (24-12, PR: 9)
The Rays have won 12 of their last 13 games and currently sit just one game back of the Yankees in the AL East. The pitching staff ranks top 5 in all of baseball and they rank 5th in team batting average. We might need to start taking this team seriously.
4. Chicago Cubs (24-12, PR: 4)
The Cubs are on a current 18-3 stretch and have expanded their NL Central division lead to 3.5 games. They, along with the Braves and Dodgers, are the clear elites in the National League.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (23-14, PR: 1)
The Dodgers offense has been struggling a bit lately and have lost 3 of their last 4 series. It’s a very small skid, as they are still the leaders in all of MLB with a .273 team batting average. The starting pitching continues to dominate as they look forward to hosting a NL clash of titans this weekend against the Braves.
2. New York Yankees (25-11, PR: 3)
The Yankees continue to take care of business in a weak American League. I can’t say enough about how good their pitching has been and Ben Rice is having a breakout season so far. Only slight weakness is they rank 15th in team batting average.
1. Atlanta Braves (26-11, PR: 2)
The Braves become the first team to knock the Dodgers out of the top spot in the power rankings this season. There’s currently no signs of this team slowing down. Their stars are playing like stars and they are already running away with the NL East division. Big series this weekend at Dodger Stadium should be a fun one.