SportsGrid’s MLB Power Rankings: Phils Power Through Dodgers

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. OAK

The Philadelphia Phillies are undoubtedly the best team in baseball as they hold a 3.5-game lead for the best record in baseball over the Cleveland Guardians entering Friday’s slate. After sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers this past week, led by dominant pitching performances and heroics at the plate, especially Trea Turner, they’ll have what should be a much easier test this weekend against the Oakland Athletics. After such domination against the Dodgers, they better not take their foot off the gas pedal!

Pennant Odds:  +220

World Series Odds: +470

9. Atlanta Braves

Upcoming Games: 3 @ SD

The highlight of the past two months of Atlanta Braves’ baseball was taking two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend, but time and time again, how do we entirely by into this club? They lack reliable starting pitching depth outside their top three, and the offense is as hit or miss as they come. Reports say that the Braves want to be buyers by the deadline, but maybe they should stand pat and save their assets to truly compete with the Dodgers and Phillies when they are fully healthy next season.

Pennant Odds: +460

World Series Odds: +900

8. Milwaukee Brewers

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. WSH

The Milwaukee Brewers dropped each of their last two series as their offense production has crashed and their starting pitching staff has regressed. We’re not ready to give up on the Brewers by any means, but the St. Louis Cardinals now trail the Brewers by just five games for the NL Central lead. After trading for Aaron Civale to add to their starting rotation, it will be intriguing to monitor how the organization approaches the looming deadline.

Pennant Odds: +1200

World Series Odds: +2500

7. Boston Red Sox

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. KC

As the Orioles and Yankees steal the AL East spotlight, it’s actually been the Boston Red Sox who have been the division’s most dangerous team over the past month. Currently, they are winners of eight of their last ten games entering their weekend series with the Kansas City Royals after a strong weekend that included taking two of three from the Yankees in the Bronx. They better be big buyers as the trade deadline approaches because this team deserves it and no other team wants to run away with the AL lead.

Pennant Odds: +2000

World Series Odds: +4000

6. Minnesota Twins

Upcoming Games: 3 @ SF

The Minnesota Twins are quietly within 4.5 games of the Cleveland Guardians of the AL lead, and we certainly shouldn’t be counting them out to grab the AL’s top seed eventually. The Guardians' lack of elite starting pitching could catch up to them, and both the Yankees and Orioles have been far from elite lately. Minnesota’s roster may not jump off the page, but they are extremely well-rounded and likely enjoy stacking up wins out of the spotlight.

Pennant Odds: +750

World Series Odds: +1800

5. Los Angeles Dodgers

Upcoming Games: 3 @ DET

The Los Angeles Dodgers got swept by the Philadelphia Phillies; injuries or not, there is no way to sugarcoat it. They didn’t lead for a single inning throughout all three games, and their already struggling starting pitching staff showed no signs of being able to match up with a lineup like the Phillies in a potential playoff setting. The Dodgers do have pitching reinforcements on the way as they get healthier, but it’s hard to imagine that they don’t do everything in their power not to land the best arm on the market.

Pennant Odds: +165

World Series Odds: +300

4. New York Yankees

Upcoming Games: 3 @ BAL

No team is more eager to get to the All-Star break than the New York Yankees, given their collapse over the past month. Luckily, no one in the AL has run away with a lead amidst the Yankees’ struggles, keeping them within striking distance of the AL’s No. 1 seed. If they want to enter the break with the right mindset, there is no better way to do it than by taking care of the Orioles this weekend in Baltimore.

Pennant Odds: +250

World Series Odds: +550

3. Baltimore Orioles

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. NYY

The Baltimore Orioles just had arguably their worst series of the entire season as they were swept by the Chicago Cubs in Camden Yards where the Cubs outscored the O’s 21-2. A pivotal weekend set awaits, though, as the New York Yankees head down to Baltimore, where the Os simply need to avoid getting swept to head on to the AL East lead heading into the All-Star break. As both the Yankees and Orioles haven’t been too sharp lately, it will be a must-watch to see who comes out on top.

Pennant Odds: +300

World Series Odds: +700

2. Cleveland Guardians

Upcoming Games: 3 @ TB

The Cleveland Guardians finally got the respect they deserve on a national level as they’ll be sending five players to the All-Star Game next week in Arlington. Their bats are showing no signs of slowing down, while Emmanuel Clase has been baseball’s best reliever, often holding down the fort for a starting pitching staff that could use some additions at the trade deadline. Still, as we continue to say, get your Guardians’ futures at a great price while you can!

Pennant Odds: +600

World Series Odds: +1800

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Upcoming Games: 3 vs. OAK

The Philadelphia Phillies are undoubtedly the best team in baseball as they hold a 3.5-game lead for the best record in baseball over the Cleveland Guardians entering Friday’s slate. After sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers this past week, led by dominant pitching performances and heroics at the plate, especially Trea Turner, they’ll have what should be a much easier test this weekend against the Oakland Athletics. After such domination against the Dodgers, they better not take their foot off the gas pedal!

Pennant Odds:  +220

World Series Odds: +470