2024 MLB Power Rankings: Yankees or Phillies No. 1?
Roughly one-third of the baseball season is in the books, and plenty of things happened this past week that caused me to shake up my most recent power rankings.
Multiple teams in the AL Central have caught fire recently, as the division has surprisingly been among baseball’s best. Meanwhile, a top NL contender is in the midst of its longest losing streak in five seasons while another lost the reigning MVP.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 teams right now, with World Series odds from FanDuel Sportsbook!
10. Chicago Cubs (27-26, last week 9)
World Series odds: +3500
The Cubs are hanging on by a thread to remain in the top 10. They’ve lost seven of their past 10 games, but they’re still in second in the NL Central. It hasn’t been pretty for them lately, scoring four runs or fewer in 10 of their past 13 games. Their rotation hasn’t been great outside of Javier Assad and Shōta Imanaga. But even when Imanaga is on the mound, the Cubs have had to squeak by to win those games, as he’s only received seven runs of support over his past four starts.
9. Minnesota Twins (28-24, LW unranked)
World Series odds: +2100
Minnesota is back in the top 10 after a four-game winning streak. Looks like the Twins’ players-only meeting amid a recent seven-game losing streak worked. Carlos Correa has been better as of late, hitting two home runs this past week along with two doubles and a triple. The AL Central is somehow a tricky division to figure out. Everyone expected the Twins to win the division and they’re very talented. But they’re in third place and 7.5 games out of first.
8. Milwaukee Brewers(30-22, LW 8)
World Series odds: +3500
The Brew Crew are just 5-5 over their past 10 games but have been able to build their lead in the NL Central given the Cubs’ struggles (although watch out for the St. Louis Cardinals). Milwaukee’s lineup has continued to produce thanks to contributions from up and down the order. William Contreras is still having one of the best seasons in baseball, hitting his eighth homer of the season last Friday to go with his top-five batting average (.332) and OPS (.934).
7.Atlanta Braves (30-20, LW 6)
World Series odds: +800
This might be the lowest the Braves have been in my power rankings in a few seasons. They’ve lost six of their past 10 games and six games out of first in the NL East. They’re not looking like the Braves we’ve been accustomed to seeing over the past couple of years.
The news for them only got worse Sunday, with superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. tearing his ACL. Atlanta’s lineup already hasn’t been great this season, and even before Acuna’s injury, I thought the Braves were in a bit of trouble without Spencer Strider and unlikely to win the division. Now that they’re going to be without arguably their two best players for the remainder of the year, I’m not sure what to think of them moving forward.
6. Kansas City Royals (34-20, LW 7)
World Series odds: +4800
I’m a believer in the Royals. They’ve been hot, winning eight of their past 10 games. They’re only 2.5 games out of first place in the AL Central. Their offense is so much fun with Salvador Pérez and Bobby Witt Jr. having great seasons at the plate. I want to see them go get an outfielder and be urgent in doing so. They know they’ve got a squad and they should know their weaknesses by now. On the mound, Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo have wound up being two of the best free-agent signings this past offseason. Cole Ragans is also emerging, punching out 12 hitters in six innings in his last start.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers(33-22, LW 3)
World Series odds: +280
It was a rough weekend for the Dodgers, who were swept by the Cincinnati Reds. They’ve lost their past five games. But I wouldn’t hit the panic button on them. They’ve still got a 5.5-game lead in their division and are by far the most talented team in the NL West. Shohei Ohtani has been notably hampered by his bruised hamstring, going 5-for-21 during the losing skid. Still, he leads the league in batting average (.336) with Mookie Betts right behind him (.335).
4. Cleveland Guardians (36-17, LW 5)
World Series odds: +3000
While the Dodgers are currently tied for the longest losing streak in baseball, the Guardians hold the game’s longest winning streak at nine. It’s time to give this team the respect it deserves. After Shane Bieber went down for the season, there weren’t many of us who were super high on the Guardians despite their solid record. Their lineup has been really strong. Josh Naylor has had a solid year, even though his numbers tapered off of late. José Ramírez has completely turned things around after a quiet first few weeks of the season. He’s now fourth in homers (15) after hitting four this past week and leads the league in RBIs (52). He’s arguably the most underrated superstar in baseball.
3. Baltimore Orioles(33-18, LW 4)
World Series odds: +1200
Baltimore has been steady lately, winning six of its past 10 games. Corbin Burnes has still been strong on the mound and Kyle Bradish has been solid since returning earlier this month, pitching seven shutout innings Sunday. Still, I have some rotation depth concerns with the Orioles after John Means went down with another elbow injury. Craig Kimbrel has also been good since regaining the closer role, recording four saves in four opportunities since May 19.
Highlights from the Orioles’ 4-1 win vs. White Sox
2. Philadelphia Phillies (38-16, LW 2)
World Series odds: +500
The Phillies are on pace to win 114 games and are well on their way to having their best season in franchise history. The offense is rolling, with Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm each having terrific seasons at the plate. Edmundo Sosa has filled in seamlessly for Trea Turner, hitting .321 with a 1.013 OPS in May. Philadelphia somehow has three Cy Young candidates on the mound. Ranger Suárez has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball (9-1, 1.75 ERA), while Zack Wheeler (6-3, 2.53 ERA) and Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.04 ERA) have given the Phillies an elite top of the rotation.
Yet, there’s still one team better than them …
1. New York Yankees(37-18, LW 1)
World Series odds: +550
I was actually ready to flip-flop the Phillies and Yankees, but both teams lost Sunday. Still, the Yankees have won seven of their past 10. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are fulfilling their promise as one of the best hitting duos in baseball (history?). If New York is playing and those two are coming up, turn on your TV. They hit back-to-back home runs on Friday, with Judge now tied for second in baseball in homers (17) after hitting his 11th home run in May on Saturday. The Yanks’ rotation has been really good, as Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman are continuing to deliver quality starts. They don’t even have the best pitcher in baseball right now, either. Gerrit Cole is starting to ramp back up, though, for a midseason return.
Aaron Judge DEMOLISHES two-run home run vs. Padres
Out: Seattle Mariners(10; WS odds: +1900)
Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Old Dominion University before he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round pick of the Tigers in 2013. He spent five years in the Tigers organization. Follow him at @BenVerlander.
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