SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Phillies Back on Top Again

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ AZ, 3 vs. WSH

The Philadelphia Phillies were in a nightmare scenario coming out of the All-Star break as their starting pitching was injured, their bullpen struggled, and the bats were ice cold. Those struggles became an embarrassment after they got swept at home by the New York Yankees before they got obliterated by the Seattle Mariners in the first two games of their weekend set, but in the five games since their offense has awakened en route to a 4-1 record including a series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. All it took was a Zack Wheeler gem and a ridiculous Kyle Schwarber heater to get them back on track. They have the best record in baseball once again, with a 1.5-game cushion, so they are the No. 1 team in the league once again, and we won’t think twice about it. 

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +450

9. Kansas City Royals

Last Week’s Ranking: 6 (-3)

Upcoming Games: 2 vs. STL, 3 @ MIN

The Kansas City Royals are currently narrowly holding onto the AL’s Wild Card spot by just a game and a half, but it’s hard to see them surrendering that lead as long as Bobby Witt Jr. continues to swing a scorching hot bat. On the mound, the Royals must be pleased with how their starting pitching looks, setting themselves up to be a tough out in a three-game Wild Card series. The Royals are fun, so be sure to check in on what should be a fun cross-state series with the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend.

Pennant Odds: +1700

World Series Odds: +4000

8. Arizona Diamondbacks

Last Week’s Ranking: Not Ranked

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. PHI, 3 vs. COL

The Arizona Diamondbacks' recent climb up the standings has been brushed under the rug a bit, but it doesn’t get much better than a 12-3 record over their last 15 games. Just don’t as the 13-2 Padres. Regardless, the D-Backs offense has been just as good as anyone else’s in the NL, but it’s fair not to be convinced about their starting pitching staff being able to get the job done come playoff time. 

Pennant Odds: +1300

World Series Odds: +2200

7. San Diego Padres

Last Week’s Ranking: 7

Upcoming Games: 3 @ MIA, 3 @ PIT

If you are the Philadelphia Phillies or the Los Angeles Dodgers right now, you have to be hoping that you don’t draw the San Diego Padres in a playoff series. They are dangerous, improving by the game, and look like a pure World Series contender. They have won 14 of their last 16 games, giving themselves the top NL Wild Card spot currently with a narrow lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and they’ll have every opportunity to continue to stack this weekend against the Miami Marlins.

Pennant Odds: +1000

World Series Odds: +2200

6. Milwaukee Brewers

Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. LAD

People continue to write off the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL playoff picture, often just forgetting their existence, and I don’t get it. The Brew Crew just put together their most impressive series of the season, sweeping the Atlanta Braves by outscoring them 34-12 in the process in Atlanta. Their once top-end pitching is now in Baltimore, but they continue to make it work for the first five innings before their elite comes in and closes the job. We’ll have another chance to measure them as the Los Angeles Dodgers will be coming down for a four-game series next week.

Pennant Odds: +1000

World Series Odds: +2500

5. Los Angeles Dodgers

Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. PIT, 4 @ MIL

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t in a great place right now. They have lost eight of their last 13 games and just lost a series to the Philadelphia Phillies in Dodger Stadium, giving the Phillies a 5-1 advantage on the season series. Reinforcements are on the way, with Mookie Betts set to make his return soon, but all the offense in the world won’t matter unless this pitching staff can magically appear with more playoff-caliber arms. 

Pennant Odds: +165

World Series Odds: +330

4. Cleveland Guardians

Last Week’s Ranking: 1 (-3)

Upcoming Games: 4 @ MIN, 3 vs. CHC

Things are ugly in Northeast Ohio right now. The Cleveland Guardians find themselves on a five-game losing streak, and their pitching staff has imploded, allowing seven runs per game over the losing stretch. We’ve seen plenty of contenders go into slumps in recent weeks, so maybe it’s too early to sound the alarm, but most have been waiting for their starting pitching to regress all season. Could that regression finally be here? Things won’t get much easier for the Guardians with series against the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees on the road looming over the next two weeks.

Pennant Odds: +650

World Series Odds: +1900

3. Baltimore Orioles

Last Week’s Ranking: 4 (+1)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ TB, 2 vs. WSH

As the Baltimore Orioles were eager to add starting pitching depth at the trade deadline, rumors were swirling about whether or not they would be willing to part with their prized prospect Jackson Holliday to land AL Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal, and based on the early returns, maybe the O’s were correct. Holliday has homered in three straight games entering Friday and is showing signs of why many believed he was one of the best-hitting prospects in years. Maybe the O’s still could have used an arm like Skubal - who wouldn’t - but if Holliday keeps raking their offense, it will be that much more lethal this October and down the line.

Pennant Odds: +320

World Series Odds: +750

2. New York Yankees

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. TEX, 3 @ CHW

The New York Yankees were on top of the moon last week after they swept the Philadelphia Phillies on the road with Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s bat blazing hot as they head back to the Bronx for what one would think would be an easy week against the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels, but they went just 3-3. Does anyone want to win the AL East? Both the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles have traded places in the standings, with neither team showing an ability to pull away, and the Yankees just threw away a prime opportunity to do just that this week. All of this still can’t be taken away from the fact that the Yankees are still one of the best teams in baseball, but can you blame someone if they don’t expect them to succeed in October? They have failed to rise to the occasion when it matters most in recent postseasons and have shown the same tendency this season.

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +550

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (+2)

Upcoming Games: 3 @ AZ, 3 vs. WSH

The Philadelphia Phillies were in a nightmare scenario coming out of the All-Star break as their starting pitching was injured, their bullpen struggled, and the bats were ice cold. Those struggles became an embarrassment after they got swept at home by the New York Yankees before they got obliterated by the Seattle Mariners in the first two games of their weekend set, but in the five games since their offense has awakened en route to a 4-1 record including a series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. All it took was a Zack Wheeler gem and a ridiculous Kyle Schwarber heater to get them back on track. They have the best record in baseball once again, with a 1.5-game cushion, so they are the No. 1 team in the league once again, and we won’t think twice about it. 

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +450