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MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers rise to the top

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates after scoring in the fourth inning during a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates after scoring in the fourth inning during a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 3, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) bats against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 12-5. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 3, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) bats against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 12-5. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
8

Cleveland Indians 41-36

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 7

The Indians are still difficult to figure out, even at the end of June. Their expected dominance over the AL Central has not materialized. Last weekend, they were swept by the Twins at home after winning eight of nine. The Tribe was shutout twice by Minnesota’s motley assortment of pitchers.

Cleveland needs some consistency in the rotation behind Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. That has been the same narrative all year. They can beat anyone when the offense is clicking, as evidenced by their 15-9 win over the Rangers after falling behind 7-1. The Indians are still the class of their division, but could have a much more difficult time in August and September than anyone could have predicted.

7

New York Yankees 42-34

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 8

The Yankees front office will soon be forced to make a decision on how aggressive they want to be at the trade deadline with this team. In the first season after turning the keys over to Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge, the Yankees got out to a hot start, but have been little more than a .500 club for over two months now. Their lead in the division is gone, and the Red Sox have been playing much better.

Brian Cashman and his front office are really playing with found money at this point. The 2017 Yankees were not expected to be anywhere near contending for the playoffs. Cashman must take care to do as much as possible to avoid blowing up his farm system this year and remain focused on rebuilding from within before the monster free agent class of 2018.

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