SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Orioles Slugging to No. 1

1. Baltimore Orioles

Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ HOU, 3 vs. CLE

What a week for the Baltimore Orioles! Not only are the series victories over the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees awesome, but how they did it was even better. On Sunday, their offense destroyed Zack Wheeler in what became a home-run derby, and on Thursday, they hung 17 runs on the  Yankees in the series finale in the Bronx. It doesn’t get any better than that! We’ve known how great the O’s are for a while, but for myself, this week solidified their World Series chances in my mind.

Pennant Odds: +380

World Series Odds: +900

9. Minnesota Twins

Last Week’s Ranking: Not Ranked

Upcoming Games: 3 @ OAK, 3 @ ARI

Royce Lewis may be one of the best players in the MLB that no one knows about, and that’s largely due to an unfortunate injury run in recent seasons, but he’s on the field and playing elite baseball right now. He’s only appeared in 15 games this season thus far, but he’s hitting .377 and has nine home runs under his belt. Talk about sensational! Around him, Carlos Correa is putting together an All-Star caliber campaign himself, and the starting pitching staff has been respectable. We know the Minnesota Twins have struggled to find postseason success in recent seasons, but this team is starting to give off a different vibe than the rest.

Pennant Odds: +900

World Series Odds: +2000

8. Atlanta Braves

Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ NYY, 3 @ STL

The Atlanta Braves are coming off their best week in quite a while, as they’ve won six of their last seven. Some of the bats are beginning to come around, namely, Austin Riley, who is hitting .294 thus far in June. Unfortunately, Michael Harris II suffered an untimely hamstring injury, but Jarred Kelenic has filled in well for now. Still, they could use another outfielder and starting pitcher sooner rather than later if they want to catch the Phillies. A tough weekend awaits, though, as they’ll head to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees.

Pennant Odds: +450

World Series Odds: +950

7. Milwaukee Brewers

Last Week’s Ranking: 7

Upcoming Games: 3 @ SD, 3 vs. TEX

The Milwaukee Brewers keep winning ball games, and it’s hard to envision any other NL Central coming remotely close to them in the divisional race. Their offense continues to be consistent, headlined by Christian Yelich, who deserves more love in the NL MVP race, while the starting rotation gives the elite bullpen leads to hold on to. I’d love to see this Brewers team add another bat or even starting pitching depth at the deadline, but I’ll believe it when I see it with this organization.

Pennant Odds: +1200

World Series Odds: +2700

6. Seattle Mariners

Last Week’s Ranking: 6

Upcoming Games: 3 @ MIA, 3 @ TB

The Seattle Mariners continue to rack up wins and separate themselves in the AL West race. Yet, I am still waiting to see what they will do at the trade deadline before determining my official verdict on their postseason potential. This team deserves the full commitment from the front office! Get this team another elite bat! 

Pennant Odds: +600

World Series Odds: +2000

5. Cleveland Guardians

Last Week’s Ranking: 4 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. TOR, 3 @ BAL

I’m not trying to get ahead of myself here, but in recent memory, I can’t think of a more gifted volume hitter than Steven Kwan. Every at-bat you can count on this guy putting the ball in play as he is sitting on a .396 batting average through 45 games. Many were looking for Luis Arraez to chase a .400 batting average last season, but this time around, I trust Kwan much more than I did Arraez. Anyway, the Guardians closed out the week strong as they took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, but I have my eyes on their matchup next week with the Baltimore Orioles. That should be a fun one.

Pennant Odds: +900

World Series Odds: +2500

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 2 vs. LAA, 3 @ CHW

There will soon be a point in time where the Los Angeles Dodgers just put it together for a brief period of time and go on some sort of ridiculous 12-game winning streak. For now, they are too inconsistent at the plate, especially at the bottom of the order, while their starting pitching staff is still trying to find a collective rhythm. Still, we know how elite this team can be, as we’ve seen with their ridiculous comebacks this week, and we can trust that the front office will make the appropriate acquisitions at the trade deadline to fill their holes. Until then, we’ll sit back and enjoy them at their best because there is no one better when they are.

Pennant Odds: +140

World Series Odds: +270

3. Philadelphia Phillies

Last Week’s Ranking: 2 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. ARI, 3 @ DET

What in the world were the MLB schedule makers thinking by sending the Philadelphia Phillies on a week-long road trip after sending them to London for nearly a week? Some things just don’t make sense! Regardless, the Phils came out of the road trip alive despite going 2-4 against Boston and Baltimore, but they responded nicely by taking two of three from the San Diego Padres. Their upcoming schedule lightens up big time, though, as they’ll face Arizona this week before facing Detroit, Chicago (NL), and Miami. The Phils have had no issues beating bad teams, so I’ll expect nothing less in the week ahead.

Pennant Odds: +270

World Series Odds: +600

2. New York Yankees

Last Week’s Ranking: 1 (-1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ ATL, 2 @ NYM

This week wasn’t ideal for the New York Yankees as they dropped two of three to the Boston Red Sox in Fenway before losing two of three in rather embarrassing fashion to the Baltimore Orioles. Regardless, the Yankees are holding on to the best record narrowly for now, causing us to keep them at No. 2 in the rankings despite the desire to move them down to No. 3. Plus, they did get Gerrit Cole back, who pitched decently well for it being his first game back against one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups. However, a tough weekend awaits as they’ll get a hot Atlanta Braves team in the Bronx before hopping on the subway to face the New York Mets in Queens.

Pennant Odds: +200

World Series Odds: +450

1. Baltimore Orioles

Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ HOU, 3 vs. CLE

What a week for the Baltimore Orioles! Not only are the series victories over the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees awesome, but how they did it was even better. On Sunday, their offense destroyed Zack Wheeler in what became a home-run derby, and on Thursday, they hung 17 runs on the  Yankees in the series finale in the Bronx. It doesn’t get any better than that! We’ve known how great the O’s are for a while, but for myself, this week solidified their World Series chances in my mind.

Pennant Odds: +380

World Series Odds: +900