MLB · 1 year ago

SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Phils Continue to Dominate

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

1. Philadelphia Phillies
Last Week’s Ranking: 1

Upcoming Series: 3 vs. WSH, 3 vs. TEX

The Philadelphia Phillies continue to dominate whoever they play nightly in every facet. Their starting rotation is shoving, led by a dynamite trio of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez, while the offense is hot from top to bottom. All this success is being done without much production from Trea Turner and a cold Nick Castellanos, so once Turner returns and Castellanos wakes up, look out.

Pennant Odds: +500

World Series Odds: +1000
10. Seattle Mariners
Last Week’s Ranking: NR

Upcoming Series: 3 @ BAL, 4 @ NYY

The Seattle Mariners need much more out of their offense, namely Julio Rodriguez, if they want to be AL contenders. Luckily, they have one of the strongest starting pitching rotations in baseball, but with the upcoming series in Baltimore and the Bronx, they’ll be put to the test. If they can keep those elite offenses somewhat contained, the Mariners front office should seriously consider being huge buyers at the trade deadline to improve this offense. The AL is wide open, and the Mariners, on paper, have the pitching to compete with anyone. Why not them?

Pennant Odds: +750

World Series Odds: +1800
9. Kansas City Royals
Last Week’s Ranking: 10 (+1)

Upcoming Series: 3 vs. OAK, 3 vs. DET

The Kansas City Royals keep defying the odds and pulling off wins that no one expected them to. With a 26-19 record, the Royals are primed to return to the postseason, as a good chunk of their offensive production seems sustainable for the long haul. On the mound, this is one of the deeper staffs in the AL that doesn’t even have Cole Ragans dominating like many expected he would.

Pennant Odds: +3100

World Series Odds: +7500
8. Chicago Cubs
Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (+1)

Upcoming Series: 4 vs. PIT, 3 vs. ATL

The pitching staff has propelled the Chicago Cubs to success thus far this season, led by rookie Shota Imanaga putting himself into the NL Cy Young race. Other arms like Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon have been extremely valuable, and it will be worth watching how they perform against the Atlanta Braves again in their upcoming series.

Pennant Odds: +2000

World Series Odds: +3500
7. Milwaukee Brewers
Last Week’s Ranking: NR

Upcoming Series: 3 @ HOU, 3 @ MIA

The Milwaukee Brewers’ offense is performing at a pace no one anticipated, led by William Contreras morphing into one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters. It remains to be seen if Contreras and the rest of the Brewers’ lineup continue to exceed expectations, but for now, they’re leading the NL Central and have shown signs of letting up. Until they do, if it all, they deserve a ton of respect on any given night.

Pennant Odds: +1700

World Series Odds: +4200
6. Cleveland Guardians
Last Week’s Ranking: 7 (+1)

Upcoming Series: 3 vs. MIN, 3 vs. NYM

After underperforming against the Chicago White Sox this week, the Cleveland Guardians responded nicely by taking two of three games from the Texas Rangers. It’s hard to imagine their bats staying this hot, consistent, and clutch through all 162, but for now, the AL Central has been arguably the league’s most competitive division, and they are leading the pack decisively.

Pennant Odds: +1400

World Series Odds: 3700
5. Atlanta Braves
Last Week's Ranking: 4 (-1)

Upcoming Series: 4 vs. SDP, 3 @ CHC

Having the Atlanta Braves at five in these power rankings feels wrong. They've won six of eight, but we can't forget the Los Angeles Dodgers swept them until they string together several impressive wins against better competition. Their offense is as elite as they come, but without Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson playing near their best, they aren't at their best. Chris Sale has been phenomenal on the mound, but they need another elite arm in the mix to get on the level of the Dodgers and Phillies.

Pennant Odds: +230

World Series Odds: +460
4. Baltimore Orioles
Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (-1)

Upcoming Series: 3 vs. SEA, 3 @ STL

The Baltimore Orioles continue to accumulate wins, but they will ultimately have nothing more to prove until they face the New York Yankees later in the season. The O’s and Yankees will likely trade spots at the top of the AL for the next few months, so the young Orioles need to continue learning how to win ball games as a collective unit.

Pennant Odds: +480

World Series Odds: +1100
3. New York Yankees
Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (+2)

Upcoming Series: 3 vs. CHW, 4 vs. SEA

The New York Yankees have won four consecutive series and now lead the American League in wins after trailing the Baltimore Orioles for quite some time. The starting pitching staff has been one of the best units in baseball, all without Gerrit Cole, whose return appears imminent. If Gleyber Torres does not wake up at the plate, the Yankees should be aggressive in adding a middle infielder. The AL is there for the taking. The Yankees can’t squander this opportunity.

Pennant Odds: +270

World Series Odds: +650
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Upcoming Series: 4 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ARI

What Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts are doing at the plate atop the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup is absurd, and it’s wild that this team still sits second in the NL. After early season pitching woes, the starting staff is starting to come together entirely, and it’s fair to say that the front office is not done adding there. It remains to be seen if guys like Gavin Lux and James Outman will break out of their slump, but regardless, this team should cruise to the NLCS.

Pennant Odds: +140

World Series Odds: +290
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Last Week’s Ranking: 1

Upcoming Series: 3 vs. WSH, 3 vs. TEX

The Philadelphia Phillies continue to dominate whoever they play nightly in every facet. Their starting rotation is shoving, led by a dynamite trio of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez, while the offense is hot from top to bottom. All this success is being done without much production from Trea Turner and a cold Nick Castellanos, so once Turner returns and Castellanos wakes up, look out.

Pennant Odds: +500

World Series Odds: +1000
10. Seattle Mariners
Last Week’s Ranking: NR

Upcoming Series: 3 @ BAL, 4 @ NYY

The Seattle Mariners need much more out of their offense, namely Julio Rodriguez, if they want to be AL contenders. Luckily, they have one of the strongest starting pitching rotations in baseball, but with the upcoming series in Baltimore and the Bronx, they’ll be put to the test. If they can keep those elite offenses somewhat contained, the Mariners front office should seriously consider being huge buyers at the trade deadline to improve this offense. The AL is wide open, and the Mariners, on paper, have the pitching to compete with anyone. Why not them?

Pennant Odds: +750

World Series Odds: +1800

SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Phils Continue to Dominate

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