Here are this week’s MLB power rankings, with comments on the top 10. Plus, check out my latest on the Orioles and some thoughts on the Rafael Devers trade.
1. Detroit Tigers (46-27, No. 1 last week): With all three of the Guardians, Twins and Royals slumping badly, the Tigers look like a lock to win the division. But knowing how close they are to the bigger-fish-to-fry realm, it looks like they’ll need help in the rotation given Jackson Jobe’s injury and the way Casey Mize has pitched since his return from injured list.
2. New York Mets (45-27, No. 2): Head of baseball operations David Stearns’ strength in Milwaukee was balancing the present and the future. Owner Steve Cohen will push him to go for it now. I am really interested in how Stearns handles the trade deadline.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (43-29, No. 4): Clayton Kershaw just tossed seven shutout innings against the Giants on June 14. If that isn’t enough, Shohei Ohtani will serve as the opener against the Padres on June 16.
4. Chicago Cubs (44-28, No. 3): The more I observe the progress of his team, the more I appreciate the managerial style of Craig Counsell and realize he is worth every cent the Cubs are paying him.
5. New York Yankees (42-28, No. 5): The Yankees are just 10-8 in the past three weeks as Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto warm up.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (42-29, No. 8): If the Orioles are serious about dealing Cedric Mullins this summer, the center field real estate at Citizens Bank Park in Philly is perfect fit. Odd time for Zack Wheeler to announce 2027 will be his last season.
7. San Francisco Giants (41-31, No. 6): I’ve been waiting for years for this team to land a monster free agent, but they accomplished the same feat with the trade for disgruntled superstar Rafael Devers. The move allows Devers to be a good teammate again.
8. Houston Astros (41-31, No. 10): The Astros have gone 21-11 after a 20-19 start, taking over the AL West from the slumping Mariners.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (39-32, No. 11): While most teams in all of baseball are looking for starting pitching, the Rays have Ian Seymour and Joe Boyle available in an emergency. They have stayed remarkably healthy in their rotation to date.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (39-34, No. 14): Rookie phenom Jacob Misiorowski tossed five no-hit innings against the Cardinals on June 12, leading to the trade of Aaron Civale for former No. 3 overall pick Andrew Vaughn. My money is on the Brewers helping Vaughn regain his mojo. Christian Yelich is warming up. The club is 12-0 when he hits a home run in 2025.
11. San Diego Padres (39-31, No. 9)
12. Toronto Blue Jays (38-33, No. 13)
13. Cincinnati Reds (37-35, No. 18)
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (36-35, No. 20)
15. Boston Red Sox (37-36, No. 21)
16. Seattle Mariners (36-34, No. 15)
17. Texas Rangers (36-36, No. 19)
18. St. Louis Cardinals (37-35, No. 7)
19. Minnesota Twins (36-35, No. 12)
20. Cleveland Guardians (35-35, No. 16)
21. Kansas City Royals (34-38, No. 17)
22. Baltimore Orioles (30-40, No. 25)
23. Atlanta Braves (31-39, No. 24)
24. Los Angeles Angels (33-37, No. 22)
25. Washington Nationals (30-41, No. 23)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (29-44, No. 27)
27. Athletics (29-44, No. 26)
28. Miami Marlins (28-41, No. 29)
29. Chicago White Sox (23-49, No. 28)
30. Colorado Rockies (14-57, No. 30)