MLB Power Rankings: Yankees keep winning, Vlad Jr makes his debut, and the Dodgers remain hot
By Sean Sears
2. Tampa Bay Rays, 19-9, 1st in the AL East (ranked 1st last week)
Tampa Bay’s pitching remains the best in baseball, even with only four true starters, as the “opener” approach to games continues to pay out dividends in 2019. The offense has slowed down some without Austin Meadows bat in the lineup, but Tommy Pham, Brandon Lowe, and Yandy Diaz have helped pick up the slack. The Rays also just called up 1B/DH Nate Lowe from Triple-A Durham after slashing .300/.444/.543 with 3 homers in 90 PA. The 23-year-old LHH hit a combined 27 dingers and drove in 102 RBI in minors last year. But with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell at the front of their rotation, the Rays shouldn’t need much run support to continue to win games.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers, 20-12, 1st in the NL West (ranked 3rd last week)
Cody Bellinger is putting up video game numbers right now with 14 home runs, 37 RBI, and an OPS of 1.413, the 23-year-old has stayed incredibly hot all season. But as impressive as Bellinger the offense has been, the Dodgers greatest strength is their pitching and the depth they have in the rotation. With 7 quality starters on the roster now that Rich Hill has returned to the team, Los Angeles is the clear best team in baseball. Their bullpen does have 5 blown saves on the year, but Kenley Jansen and Pedro Baez are a tough late-inning combo to beat in baseball. The Dodgers take the top spot on this week’s rankings.