Each week this season I have ranked teams based solely on their performance in the previous week. We are far enough into the season to know who the genuine contenders are. For the rest of the season, I will rank teams on their current strength and potential for winning the World Series. Here are the MLB power rankings for week nine.
1. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have led the league since day one. Their hot start has definitely helped them, but even through injuries the Rays have seen continued success. They currently have a +120 run differential and are starting to get healthy.
2. Atlanta Braves
Atlanta has been the king of the NL East and the beneficiary of an underachieving division. Ronald Acuna Jr is having an MVP season. The Braves are the frontrunners in the NL.
3. Baltimore Orioles
The young Orioles have impressed to start the season. The pitching is still a little suspect and could be the downfall at some point for this team. So far, Baltimore has been stellar on the road, and if they make an addition before the trade deadline to bolster the rotation… they could contend.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
A quiet offseason led many to doubt the validity of the Dodgers this year. They did start slow but have since found their groove. The Dodgers could be players for disgruntled starts and are considered the leader for Shohei Ohtani. For now, they lead the NL West and remain a threat in the NL.
5. Texas Rangers
The Ranges made some big additions to their rotation this offseason, and even with Jacob DeGrom missing time, their additions have paid off. They lead the AL West and will continue to try to hold off the Astros.
6. Houston Astros
Health has been the biggest issue for the Astros this season. As they have gotten healthy, they have gotten better. The Astros are still behind the Rangers, but for how long?
7. New York Yankees
Even at their best, the Yankees have been unable to reach the top of the AL East yet this season. There are questions about their pitching, but that is something that can still be fixed. Clearly a top-ten team, but yet to show if they can contend for the AL title.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks sat at the top of the NL West for a short time. Even though LA has taken the top spot, Arizona has remained in the hunt. This mostly young squad is another team that needs their pitching to be better, but the offense has carried them to this point.
9. New York Mets
When you have an older team you will have injury issues. The Mets have to find a way to get healthy to have lasting success. That being said, Pete Alonso has been powerful, and the Mets are a legit concern for the NL East.
10. Minnesota Twins
The AL Central is not good. The Twins lead the division and have shown signs of potential. The Twins’ pitching is what ultimately has landed them in the top ten allowing only 198 runs so far, second-best in the MLB.
11. Boston Red Sox
12. Seattle Mariners
13. Milwaukee Brewers
14. Los Angeles Angels
15. Toronto Blue Jays
16. Miami Marlins
17. St. Lous Cardinals
18. San Francisco Giants
19. Detroit Tigers
20. Philidelphia Phillies
21. Cleveland Guardians
22. San Diego Padres
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
24. Chicago Cubs
25. Cincinnati Reds
26. Colorado Rockies
27. Washington Nationals
28. Chicago White Sox
29. Kansas City Royals
30. Oakland Athletics
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