Here are my latest MLB power rankings.
1. San Diego Padres (90-66, No. 2 last week): The Padres are No. 1 because the ultimate goal for me is being correct at the end of the World Series. The NL West is a close horse race, but we’ll actually see the second-place finisher get that extra furlong. This is the best, most balanced team in baseball.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-63, No. 5): I can’t exactly call it smoke and mirrors, but I still have never seen a team with so few healthy major-league-caliber starting pitchers win a World Series, and I don’t see it happening here.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (92-64, No. 1): Certainly, the recent 3-4 mark against the Mets does not exactly inspire an overwhelming sense of confidence. Of course, the Phillies can still be a big factor in the postseason with their starting rotation.
4. New York Yankees (92-64, No. 3): The Yankees have gone 13-7 in their last 20 and have a comfortable six-game lead over the Orioles. Sure the Yanks are feeling good about themselves. For me, their offense is a lot of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto and what else? Yes, that is the question they need to answer.
5. Cleveland Guardians (90-67, No. 6): The Guardians earned their AL Central title. First-year skipper Stephen Vogt struck a chord with me by paying tribute in his champagne-drenched locker room to former Guardians manager Terry Francona. Nice touch. This won’t be an easy team to punch out.
6. Baltimore Orioles (86-70, No. 7): I’m neither bullish nor down about the Orioles’ postseason chances. The additions of Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías bolster the lineup. The activation of Danny Coulombe helps Brandon Hyde, who now has four lefty relievers in Coulombe, Keegan Akin, Cionel Pérez and Gregory Soto.
7. New York Mets (87-69, No. 11): The Amazins were 49-46 at the All-Star break, but they’re 40-23 since then. This is much more than just a feel-good story. They won’t be an easy out for any team they play.
8. Houston Astros (85-71, No. 8): Can they win? Sure, but it doesn’t look like there are many bullets left in Justin Verlander’s once-great arm. Kyle Tucker being back is huge.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (89-67, No. 4): The fact that the Brewers have dropped to No. 9 with 89 wins speaks to how damn good the National League is in 2024.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (87-69, No. 12): The Snakes still make it into my top 10 over the Braves because they are ahead of the Braves for the final wild-card spot. But the D-Backs are just 12-13 in their past 25.
11. Atlanta Braves (85-71, No. 10)
12. Detroit Tigers (82-74, No. 15)
13. Kansas City Royals (82-74, No. 9)
14. Minnesota Twins (81-75, No. 13)
15. Seattle Mariners (80-76, No. 14)
16. Chicago Cubs (80-76, No. 16)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (79-77, No. 18)
18. Tampa Bay Rays (78-78, No. 21)
19. San Francisco Giants (77-79, No. 23)
20. Boston Red Sox (78-78, No. 17)
21. Cincinnati Reds (76-81, No. 19)
22. Texas Rangers (74-82, No. 20)
23. Toronto Blue Jays (73-83, No. 22)
24. Pittsburgh Pirates (73-83, No. 24)
25. Washington Nationals (69-87, No. 25)
26. Oakland Athletics (67-89, No. 26)
27. Los Angeles Angels (63-93, No. 27)
28. Colorado Rockies (60-96, No. 28)
29. Miami Marlins (57-99, No. 29)
30. Chicago White Sox (36-120, No. 30)