SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Phillies Surge Up Ladder
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
1. Atlanta Braves
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Upcoming Series: 3 @ LAD, 2 vs. BOS
The Atlanta Braves have the most explosive offense in baseball again, even without most of their usual stars not making much of an impact thus far. They just dropped an ugly series in Seattle but have the chance to make fans quickly forget about it as their much-anticipated series against the Los Angeles Dodgers begins tonight.
Pennant Odds: +165
World Series Odds: +450
10. Boston Red Sox
Last Week’s Ranking: NR
Upcoming Series: 3 @ MIN, 2 @ ATL
They have had a solid stretch. The Boston Red Sox have won eight of their last 11 games and are currently on a four-game winning streak. The Red Sox have been the forgotten team in the AL East, but as their offense has exceeded expectations and their arms have performed well, the Red Sox look primed to steal an AL playoff spot as long as they don’t collapse.
Pennant Odds: +3500
World Series Odds: +9000
9. Kansas City Royals
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Upcoming Series: 3 vs. TEX, 3 vs. MIL
It’s almost like people are waiting for the Kansas City Royals to fall apart, but all they do is keep winning games. They’ve only gone .500 across their past 12 games. Still, the upcoming series at home against the reigning champion Texas Rangers and the impressive Milwaukee Brewers will be yet another measuring stick for how legit these Royals are.
Pennant Odds: +3000
World Series Odds: +9000
8. Chicago Cubs
Last Week’s Ranking: 7 (-1)
Upcoming Series: 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. SDP
The Chicago Cubs have exceeded expectations thus far this season as their bats are hot, and their starting rotation has been consistent. Their bullpen will need reinforcements, but first, they have a pivotal series upcoming against the Milwaukee Brewers that will decide the top of the NL Central.
Pennant Odds: +1700
World Series Odds: +3500
7. Milwaukee Brewers
Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (+1)
Upcoming Series: 3 @ CHI, 3 @ KCR
The Milwaukee Brewers have themselves a solid all-around team that’s just playing good baseball. They are tied in wins with the Chicago Cubs atop the NL Central, making their upcoming series against them their most important series to date this season.
Pennant Odds: +2200
World Series Odds: +6000
6. New York Yankees
Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (-3)
Upcoming Series: 3 vs. DET, 3 vs. HOU
The New York Yankees just lost three of four games to the Orioles, cementing that they’ll have to play second fiddle to the young stars in Baltimore. We know the Yankees have reinforcements on the way, so they’ll have to stay within striking distance of the O’s for the foreseeable future.
Pennant Odds: +320
World Series Odds: +650
5. Cleveland Guardians
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Upcoming Series: 3 vs. LAA, 3 vs. DET
After their dominant start, the Cleveland Guardians got punched in the mouth as they dropped their two most recent series on the road to the Atlanta Braves and the desperate Houston Astros. Still, this team deserves all the praise for what they’ve accomplished thus far, and they have an upcoming favorable schedule to continue to stack up some wins.
Pennant Odds: +1300
World Series Odds: +3300
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week’s Ranking: 6 (+2)
Upcoming Series: 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. MIA
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won eight of their last ten, regaining their confidence after a tough stretch. They’ll need it as their upcoming series at home against the Atlanta Braves will be our chance to measure the two presumptive NL favorites against each other for the first time.
Pennant Odds: +165
World Series Odds: +320
3. Baltimore Orioles
Last Week’s Ranking: 2 (-1)
Upcoming Series: 3 @ CIN, 2 @ WSH
The Baltimore Orioles took three of four games from the New York Yankees in Camden Yards, holding the Yankees to just six runs over four games. We know how legit these young O’s are, so it will be exciting to keep watching them build a juggernaut.
Pennant Odds: +550
World Series Odds: +1200
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Last Week’s Ranking: 4 (+2)
Upcoming Series: 4 vs. SFG, 2 vs. TOR
The Philadelphia Phillies have created an absolute force, loaded on the offensive side with all their star power. More notably, they’ve assembled the best starting rotation in baseball. It will be a fun ride for this Phillies team, and the city will need every bit of it after a disappointing end for the nearby basketball team.
Pennant Odds: +600
World Series Odds: +1200
1. Atlanta Braves
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Upcoming Series: 3 @ LAD, 2 vs. BOS
The Atlanta Braves have the most explosive offense in baseball again, even without most of their usual stars not making much of an impact thus far. They just dropped an ugly series in Seattle but have the chance to make fans quickly forget about it as their much-anticipated series against the Los Angeles Dodgers begins tonight.
Pennant Odds: +165
World Series Odds: +450
10. Boston Red Sox
Last Week’s Ranking: NR
Upcoming Series: 3 @ MIN, 2 @ ATL
They have had a solid stretch. The Boston Red Sox have won eight of their last 11 games and are currently on a four-game winning streak. The Red Sox have been the forgotten team in the AL East, but as their offense has exceeded expectations and their arms have performed well, the Red Sox look primed to steal an AL playoff spot as long as they don’t collapse.
Pennant Odds: +3500
World Series Odds: +9000
