SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Phillies Back on Top

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. MIA, 3 @ CHC

The Philadelphia Phillies are back on top of the MLB standings, winning three consecutive series simultaneously as the New York Yankees collapsed. Unfortunately, their weekend series opener against the Miami Marlins was ugly, as we saw a rare pitching implosion on Thursday night. However, there is no reason not to expect the Phils to bounce back in their home ballpark over the weekend. They are better, though, as they need to stack some wins before they face the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in back-to-back matchups beginning next week.

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +450

9. Seattle Mariners

Last Week’s Ranking: 6 (-3)

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

It has not been a good week for the Seattle Mariners, who’ve dropped three straight series, most egregiously to the Miami Marlins over the weekend. All along, we’ve praised the Mariners’ starting staff. Still, it became clear and obvious that even if the Mariners starters regress just a bit, they don’t have the offensive firepower to overcome the difference. The Mariners will benefit from being back in their own ballpark this weekend, setting up for a fun matchup with the Minnesota Twins followed by the Baltimore Orioles coming to town.

Pennant Odds: +700

World Series Odds: +1700

8. Minnesota Twins

Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ SEA, 3 vs. DET

While the Minnesota Twins are just 4-4 over their last eight games, this ballclub gives off way different vibes than teams of recent years. After years of waiting for the team to fall apart, people are confident that the Twins will bounce back after a few off-games, a powerful momentum builder. Carlos Correa is quietly having an elite season, his best as a member of the Twins, while Royce Lewis has been one of the most dominant players at the plate in his limited games this season. It’s a fun time in the Twin Cities!

Pennant Odds: +950

World Series Odds: +2300

7. Atlanta Braves

Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. SF

Leading into this week, it felt like the Atlanta Braves finally got over the hump as they were 7-2 across their last nine games heading into their series with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, none of what we saw carried over in the Midwest. The offense was mostly flat, and the starting pitching staff lacked depth as they dropped two of three games before losing a makeup game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night. They need to do everything they can to stack wins over the next two series before the Philadelphia Phillies come to town next weekend.

Pennant Odds: +360

World Series Odds: +900

6. Milwaukee Brewers

Last Week’s Ranking: 7 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. CHC, 4 @ COL

I don’t know what it is, but the Milwaukee Brewers keep doing it. When they may give off vibes that their early-season success is beginning to run out, they bounce back immediately and resiliently. They are now on a four-game winning streak after dropping three straight to the San Diego Padres last weekend. Hopefully, the organization will invest even more into this club at the trade deadline because they deserve it!

Pennant Odds: +1200

World Series Odds: +3000

5. New York Yankees

Last Week’s Ranking: 2 (-3)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ TOR, 3 vs. CIN

The New York Yankees are in an ugly rut right now, and frankly, I can’t say with confidence when I believe they’ll break out of it. They’ve gone 3-9 over their last 12 games, capped off by embarrassing losses on Wednesday and Thursday night to the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays - two teams who shouldn’t embarrass the Yankees. We’ve seen the Yankees’ best in recent months and know that injuries are a factor over these recent months, but it’s hard not to say “yikes” right now. They should be grateful that the Baltimore Orioles haven’t capitalized on the opening in the standings like they should have.

Pennant Odds: +200

World Series Odds: +450

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

Last Week’s Ranking: 4

Upcoming Games: 3 @ SF, 3 vs. ARI

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to handle business in the meantime, leading up to the expected roster changes at the trade deadline. That expectation continues to power the Dodgers to the top of the World Series odds, but on the diamond, they still are playing as such. They swept the Chicago White Sox this week in dominating fashion ahead of their weekend rivalry series with the San Francisco Giants.

Pennant Odds: +190

World Series Odds: +320

3. Baltimore Orioles

Last Week’s Ranking: 1 (-2)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. TEX, 3 @ SEA

It almost felt like the Baltimore Orioles sold their souls to take two of three from the New York Yankees. Since then, they have lost five straight to the Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians before pulling off wins on Wednesday and Thursday. We know the O’s are one of if not the best teams in all of the AL, but it was disappointing not to see them capitalize on the recent Yankees slump as they should have.

Pennant Odds: +350

World Series Odds: +900

2. Cleveland Guardians

Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. KC, 3 vs. CHW

The Cleveland Guardians found themselves on a seven-game winning streak and in sole possession of the best record in all of baseball for a brief period on Wednesday before they dropped the series finale to the Baltimore Orioles and their weekend series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Streaks don’t last forever, but overall, the Guardians continue to crush expectations as the offense continues to be nothing short of elite.

Pennant Odds: +650

World Series Odds: +2000

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. MIA, 3 @ CHC

The Philadelphia Phillies are back on top of the MLB standings, winning three consecutive series simultaneously as the New York Yankees collapsed. Unfortunately, their weekend series opener against the Miami Marlins was ugly, as we saw a rare pitching implosion on Thursday night. However, there is no reason not to expect the Phils to bounce back in their home ballpark over the weekend. They are better, though, as they need to stack some wins before they face the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in back-to-back matchups beginning next week.

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +450