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The MLB is in full swing, pun intended, and the scales are starting to tip as we go into the second month of the season. The power balance has shifted from what the spring indicated, and some teams are picking up steam after slow starts. Here is the how we the MLB Power Rankings are rounding out so far:
The Top 5
1. Boston Red Sox (22-16)
The Red Sox were the league leaders by record entering May and for good reason. They lead the league in batting average (.264), runs batted in (171), slugging percentage (.439), on-base+slugging (.768), hits (324), and doubles (80). Those numbers are even more impressive when you factor in that the Red Sox are top ten in six pitching categories.
2. San Francisco Giants (22-14)
The Giants are nothing short of a healthy surprise this year. Boasting the best home record in the MLB (14-4) and being 10-8 against teams over .500 is a hefty accomplishment for the Bay Area club. They are also doing this while only being top 10 in three major pitching or batting categories.
3. Chicago White Sox (20-13)
The White Sox were a pre-season and Spring Training favorite and they haven’t disappointed. Chicago is riding one of the best bullpens in baseball, backed by one of the most potent offenses in baseball. The White Sox are quickly climbing the World Series favorite boards, and this is with some key injuries weakening the club.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (22-15)
After a rough start to the season, the Cardinals have caught fire. The Cards have completely flipped the NL West. After being three games out of the lead, they now own a two-game advantage and don’t seem to be looking back. The team has seemed to follow the ebb and flow of star third baseman Nolan Arenado: he struggled early but is now riding high and so is his ball club.
5. Oakland Athletics (23-15)
The A’s had a less than spectacular start to the MLB season, going on a six-game losing streak out the gate. They have since turned that around and have the league’s third best record. They would be higher but their -6 run differential leaves them in a tough spot, but they have time to improve upon that.
The Field
6. San Diego Padres (21-16)
The Padres are one of the best home-run hitting teams and that has seemed to carry over from last season. They haven’t quite played up to their potential, barely winning or splitting series to start the season, but the talent is there. This team is an outburst away from a streak and could very well be on track after winning their last two games.
7. Philadelphia Phillies (20-17)
The Phillies have a killer starting rotation, lead by the “Brothers in Arms” Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin. Even though the rest of the bullpen needs improvement, they have won five of seven and are on a roll as of late.
8. New York Yankees (20-16)
The Yankees were a disappointment at the start of the season with the bullpen seeming to still be an issue. But, they are 14-5 in their last 19 games and seem to be revving up into form. The starting rotation is starting to stabilize and as long as they play well, the Yankees will be a top five team in the MLB soon.
9. Houston Astros (20-17)
The Astros have the second best run differential in baseball at +33 and have played well thus far into the season. They have posted the best record against .500 or above teams in the MLB at 14-9 as well. This team is just hitting their stride and there is a bunch of season left to play.
10. New York Mets (18-13)
The Mets are winners of seven straight and Francisco Lindor is a big part of it. Lindor in that stretch,(.348 BA, 4 RBI, 1 HR, 5 Walks), has been nothing short of spectacular. If the others can play at least average baseball then the Mets can be a lock to win the NL East.
11. Cleveland (20-14)
The Indians are a pitching powerhouse this season but scoring is hard for this club. They have been on the business end of two no-hitters this season, and seem to struggle in the batting department. The upside is they are 10-5 in their last 15 games.
12. Milwaukee Brewers (20-17)
The Brewers looked good to start the season but dropped six in a row before a series win against the Miami Marlins. They have had some injuries this year, and Manager Craig Counsell deserves praise for his job adjusting the rotations. Catcher Manny Pina could provide some much needed help as he is slated to return.
13. Tampa Bay Rays (19-19)
The Rays should be an above .500 team, but they can’t win in Tampa. They are terrible at home, posting a 7-10 record and a -13 run differential. Their home stretch doesn’t get any easier as they welcome both New York clubs to Tropicana Field soon.
14. Los Angeles Dodgers (19-17)
The Dodgers looked like repeat favorites to start the season after a 13-2 start. They have since dropped 15 of their last 21 and looked like a shell of themselves. This team is one of the most talented in the league but it may be time to hit the panic button in Hollywood.
15. Atlanta Braves (17-19)
The Braves went 5-1 to get to .500 after a four game losing streak but injuries have hurt this team early. After dropping their last two, they hope that their MVP candidate Ronald Acuña can help right the ship. They just need to hope they can avoid the Toronto Blue Jays, who seem to have their number this year.
16. Cincinnati Reds (17-17)
The Reds were in the middle of a seven game descent that was destabilizing to say the least. After some off days they will look to press the reset button and get back on track.
17. Toronto Blue Jays (19-17)
The Blue Jays are above .500 but don’t let the record fool you. The Blue Jays have a starting pitching issue that has resulted in them using 12 different starting pitchers this year. They are 6-4 in their last 10 despite their pitching woes.
18. Kansas City Royals (16-19)
This year looked like a Cinderella run in the making for the Royals after a 15-8 start. Since then they have dropped nine of their last 10 and posted a -37 run differential. Falling from first to third in the AL Central hurts, but they could roar back with plenty of season left to play.
19. Chicago Cubs (17-17)
The Cubs are in a bind this year, but are sitting at .500 for the moment. They have won five in a row that included some clutch victories against the Dodgers. This kind of streak could kick-start some winning ways going forward.
20. Texas Rangers (18-20)
The Rangers have rattled off three series wins in a row recently and made a case to be in the top 20. With AL ROY candidate Adolis Garcia playing big, they could see a lot more success going forward.
21. Seattle Mariners (18-18)
The Mariners are in need of a jolt of energy at this point in the season after series losses to the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers. The left side of the field is batting a terrible .193, which isn’t going to win you games in today’s MLB. Reports are that Triple-A prospect Jarred Kelenic is to be called up: he could provide the spark the Mariners are looking for.
22. Los Angeles Angels (16-19)
The Angels have had ups and downs, (mostly downs) since starting 6-2. They were swept in four by the Rays only to take two of three off the Dodgers. This team has potential to be better, but will need to capture some consistency.
23. Miami Marlins (15-20)
The Marlins have been up and down this year. Injuries have plagued them, but they did post a +16 run differential against the Arizona Diamondbacks in their three game sweep. If this team gets healthy they could be dangerous entering their next stretch.
24. Washington Nationals (13-18)
After being swept by the Atlanta Braves, the Nationals suffered two debilitating walk-off defeats at the hands of the Yankees. The production of the batting and the bullpen has been less than satisfactory this year, but the Nationals have the talent to bounce back.
25. Arizona Diamondbacks (17-19)
The Diamondbacks started off well, winning 10 of 13, but have suffered two straight sweeps since. The team has struggled away from Chase Field, but are just .500 at home. They haven’t looked bad in spite of their record and can still recapture their early season success.
26. Baltimore Orioles (16-21)
Back-to-back series wins are never a bad way to start a month, but dropping three straight in a series loss to a division rival in Boston put an end to the high. The no-hitter by John Means was a bright spot, but the stretch for Baltimore going forward doesn’t bode well for them.
27. Minnesota Twins (12-21)
Not much to be excited about when your bullpen drops seven out of 12 saves, with a 1-11 record. The series win against the Kansas City Royals was solid, but after that they dropped seven of 10 which included a gentleman’s sweep by the Texas Rangers. If they don’t correct the bullpen they will be in for a world of hurt for the remainder of the season.
28. Colorado Rockies (12-24)
The Rockies aren’t the best team but they have shown some signs of life. They won the series with the San Francisco Giants only to get swept by St. Louis Cardinals. They have the most optimistic view of the bottom tier teams.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates (15-21)
The Pirates had some promise after a 12-11 start to the season, but a tough skid has landed them in the basement. A lot of roster turnover may be coming for the the Pittsburgh club as they just claimed Ben Gamels off waivers from Cleveland.
30. Detroit Tigers ( (11-24)
Nothing but optimism and planning for the future in Detroit. Since sweeping the Houston Astros, the Lions haven’t won consecutive games.. They have a crop of young rookies that have promise lead by Casey Mize: developing them will be the goal this year.