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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 26, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Jose Berrios (17) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Jose Berrios (17) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
10

Tampa Bay Rays 41-39

Last week: 2-3
Last rank: 11

The Rays are in a playoff spot right now, but they just do not have the feel of a legitimate World Series contender. Not that you can say that about many teams in the American League this year. Their pitching staff and bullpen have just been decimated by injuries. Matt Andriese caught another bad break with a stress reaction in his hip, and Jake Odorizzi is clearly pitching through something.

Tampa Bay should be looking to get a big boost on the offensive side of things with the return of All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos who was a contender for the NL batting title last year before suffering a major knee injury at the end of the season. Ramos joins a potent lineup that is walking more this year. He is an instant upgrade over Derek Norris behind the plate, but the Rays will have to be careful with how aggressive they are with his playing time.

9

Minnesota Twins 40-36

Last week: 4-3
Last rank: 14

The Twins just keep finding ways to rope the doubters back in. We dropped them down in the Power Rankings last week, but they just keep finding ways to pull themselves back up off the ropes. The Twins are now 23-11 on the road and 16-25 at home entering Wednesday night. AT Target Field, they have been outscored by over 60 runs.

All the evidence points to the Twins hold on a playoff spot going up in smoke in the second half. Their home record is more indicative of their overall talent level. However, if the bottom three teams in the division sell off at the deadline and become considerably weaker, the Twins will have a chance to fatten their record and sneak into the playoffs.

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