MLB · 1 year ago

SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers Finally Reach the Top

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (+4)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. TB, 3 vs. BAL

Well, it may be finally time for us to anoint the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best team in baseball. After troubles and tribulations all season, the Dodgers have finally hit their stride as they have won 10 of their last 13 games and now have Mookie Betts and Max Muncy back in their lineup. Things still aren’t so certain on the mound, and even with the insertion of Jack Flaherty, nothing will matter if Tyler Glasnow will not make it back for October. It’s still uncertain how long Glasnow will be out, but without him, it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers’ having enough pitching to be World Series favorites.

Pennant Odds: +155

World Series Odds: +320
10. Houston Astros
Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ BAL, 3 @ PHI

The Houston Astros didn’t have the most fantastic week, as they could not sweep the Chicago White Sox before dropping two of three to the Boston Red Sox. Still, in a wide-open AL playoff field, the Astros are coming together on the mound with Justin Verlander’s return and a deep arsenal of bats at the plate. No team in the AL is as proven and ready for the challenge as the Stros, so dismiss them at your peril. After taking the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night, a tough week is ahead as after their trip to Baltimore, they’ll head north to face the Philadelphia Phillies.

Pennant Odds: +430

World Series Odds: +950
9. Kansas City Royals
Last Week’s Ranking: Not Ranked

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. PHI, 4 @ CLE

The Kansas City Royals have won six of their last seven games as they continue to chip away at their AL Central deficit, now sitting just two games back of the Cleveland Guardians entering Friday’s action. Lately, seeing other bats outside of Bobby Witt Jr. get hot has been especially promising, something they’ll need to be legitimate threats come playoff time. That will need to continue, especially coming up for their weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies before hitting the road for a critical series against the Cleveland Guardians. With a good week, we could discuss the Royals as AL Central leaders this time next week.

Pennant Odds: +1400

World Series Odds: +3800
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ BOS, 3 vs. NYM

After a six-game win streak, the Arizona Diamondbacks got punched in the mouth last weekend as they got swept by the mediocre Tampa Bay Rays, but they bounced back resiliently with a sweep of the Miami Marlins. With Ketel Marte still sidelined, it’s been a by-committee approach for the rest of the D-Backs sluggers, but in particular, Corbin Carroll is amidst a much-needed resurgence at the perfect time. If he can carry a hot bat into October, who is to say the D-Backs can’t repeat as NL champs?

Pennant Odds: +1000

World Series Odds: +2100
7. San Diego Padres
Last Week’s Ranking: 6 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs NYM, 4 @ STL

The San Diego Padres have been one resilient bunch as they always seem just to figure out how to win baseball games in a new way on a nightly basis. Entering Thursday’s action, they’ve won 22 of their last 28 games, and they might have had a season-defining win on Tuesday night as they combined six runs in the seventh and eighth innings to seal a victory. Coming up, they ideally should be able to handle the New York Mets this weekend before a stretch of games against non-playoff teams start, giving the Padres every chance to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West lead.

Pennant Odds: +850

World Series Odds: +1700
6. Cleveland Guardians
Last Week’s Ranking: 2 (-4)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. TEX, 4 vs. KC

We don’t want to overreact to a rough stretch, but the Cleveland Guardians looked cooked against the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees, where they dropped five of six games. Their AL Central lead now sits at just two games, with a looming four-game series against the Kansas City Royals potentially changing the division lead. Don’t get too comfortable, Cleveland!

Pennant Odds: +600

World Series Odds: +1600
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (+5)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ OAK, 3 vs. SF

If Pat Murphy doesn’t earn Manager of the Year honors after his work with the Milwaukee Brewers this season, the MLB might as well do away with the award. Without a surefire starting rotation and an offense many considered to be talentless, the Brew Crew keeps winning games, highlighted by a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians. Their offense has continued to chug along even without Christian Yelich, as rookie Jackson Chourio has stepped up, and the bullpen has been nothing short of lights out. It remains to be seen if the Brewers can get the NL’s top seed or even a bye in the Wild Card round, but regardless, what a successful season for these Brewers. Baseball fans should be excited to see what they can do the rest of the way.

Pennant Odds: +900

World Series Odds: +2000
4. Baltimore Orioles
Last Week’s Ranking: 1 (-3)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. HOU, 3 @ LAD

We don’t want to be too reactionary with our power rankings, but that’s what the current state of baseball’s top contenders looks like. Last week, we anointed the Baltimore Orioles with the top spot, but since, they dropped series to the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets before getting smoked by the Houston Astros on Thursday. Plus, after this Astros series, they have to head out west for a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now might be a good time for those Orioles’ bats to get hot again!

Pennant Odds: +310

World Series Odds: +700
3. Philadelphia Phillies
Last Week’s Ranking: 3

Upcoming Games: 3 @ KC, 3 vs. HOU

The Philadelphia Phillies need some sort of vacation or energy boost to inject some life back into their clubhouse because this squad just doesn’t have the “it factor” they had at the beginning of the season. They don’t have much to worry about in the NL East even after dropping two of three to the Atlanta Braves this week, but they are now 1.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top NL seed, and a tough week awaits against the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros. At some point, knowing this Phillies team, things will likely just “click” back into place, but it has to speed up big time.

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +500
2. New York Yankees
Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. COL, 3 @ WAS

After an underwhelming stretch against the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, in which they went 3-3, the New York Yankees came back home to the Bronx and took two of three from the Cleveland Guardians. There is nothing else to ask of them. This week, as the Baltimore Orioles have a very tough stretch of games looming, it will be very critical for the Yankees as they’ll face the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals. This is their opportunity to give themselves a convincing AL East lead entering September, so it would be pathetic if they don’t take advantage of it.

Pennant Odds: +240

World Series Odds: +550
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (+4)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. TB, 3 vs. BAL

Well, it may be finally time for us to anoint the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best team in baseball. After troubles and tribulations all season, the Dodgers have finally hit their stride as they have won 10 of their last 13 games and now have Mookie Betts and Max Muncy back in their lineup. Things still aren’t so certain on the mound, and even with the insertion of Jack Flaherty, nothing will matter if Tyler Glasnow will not make it back for October. It’s still uncertain how long Glasnow will be out, but without him, it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers’ having enough pitching to be World Series favorites.

Pennant Odds: +155

World Series Odds: +320
10. Houston Astros
Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ BAL, 3 @ PHI

The Houston Astros didn’t have the most fantastic week, as they could not sweep the Chicago White Sox before dropping two of three to the Boston Red Sox. Still, in a wide-open AL playoff field, the Astros are coming together on the mound with Justin Verlander’s return and a deep arsenal of bats at the plate. No team in the AL is as proven and ready for the challenge as the Stros, so dismiss them at your peril. After taking the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night, a tough week is ahead as after their trip to Baltimore, they’ll head north to face the Philadelphia Phillies.

Pennant Odds: +430

World Series Odds: +950

SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers Finally Reach the Top

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