MLB Team Power Rankings Update: What's Going on With the Cubs?
Teams Ranked 10th to 1st
The Houston Astros just took three of four from the New York Yankees and easily have the best record in baseball, but they haven't taken the top spot in our power rankings away from the Bronx Bombers just yet. In fact, they didn't even more from the third spot.
| Rank | Team | nERD | Record | Playoff Odds | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Cleveland Indians | 0.50 | 20-17 | 84.5% | -3 |
| 9 | Boston Red Sox | 0.58 | 19-18 | 70.5% | -3 |
| 8 | St. Louis Cardinals | 0.62 | 21-15 | 82.6% | +2 |
| 7 | Tampa Bay Rays | 0.65 | 19-22 | 13.3% | +2 |
| 6 | Cincinnati Reds | 0.90 | 19-18 | 13.6% | -1 |
| 5 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 1.00 | 22-18 | 44.1% | +7 |
| 4 | Washington Nationals | 1.29 | 23-13 | 95.8% | -2 |
| 3 | Houston Astros | 1.31 | 27-12 | 97.1% | 0 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1.44 | 22-17 | 87.8% | +2 |
| 1 | New York Yankees | 1.85 | 22-13 | 74.7% | 0 |
Biggest Rise: Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been taking some hits along the way when it comes to the injury bug -- not only is Shelby Miller lost for the year, but A.J. Pollock just recently went on the disabled list himself.
Solid performances from Zack Greinke and Zack Godley have helped propel Arizona to being a top-10 starting rotation over the past week with regard to fWAR, but the offense has been driving the bus.
Their 134 team wRC+ and 2.4 fWAR both ranked second during this same span of time, and Paul Goldschmidt appears to be having another monster year -- he's leading the D'backs in homers (10), RBI (32), runs scored (31), wOBA (.436), wRC+ (163) and fWAR (2.1). The guy is pretty good, and he seemingly always does it quietly.
Biggest Drop: Cleveland Indians
The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians saw similar drops and are both hanging onto a top-10 ranking, but Cleveland has been doing it in an interesting way.
Built on strong starting pitching, the Indians haven't gotten the type of production they've been looking for from this group on the mound. Corey Kluber has struggled and is also on the disabled list, while Carlos Carrasco was just lifted on Monday night with an injury concern. That potentially leaves manager Terry Francona with Danny Salazar (not a bad option), Josh Tomlin (a decent, but not great option) and Trevor Bauer (not a good option, unless you need help with your drone) left in his original rotation.
It's impressive that Cleveland has managed a 20-17 record through the difficulties they've been experiencing, but they need their rotation healthy and productive to have a good shot at defending their American League pennant.
