MLB Power Rankings: Cubs on a hot streak, and welcome to the MLB Nick Senzel

2. Tampa Bay Rays, 23-13, 1st in the AL East (ranked 2nd last week)

The Rays’ young bats have helped kickstart the offense, as they’ve climbed above the league-average runs per game at 4.77, while at the same time their rotation is still the best at limiting runs, with a 2.91 ERA and 3.06 runs per game allowed. Second baseman Brandon Lowe and DH Yandy Diaz have helped power the Rays to big wins behind their pitchers, and rookie Nate Lowe has been incredible in his first eight games in the Majors, batting .300 with two doubles thus far. And with OF/DH Austin Meadows is set to return this weekend, the Rays look like the class of the American League at least for another week, as they fend off the streaking Yankees for first in the AL East.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers, 24-14, 1st in the NL West (ranked 1st last week)

Cody Bellinger and the Dodger offense have gotten some strong pitching performances from veterans Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Ross Stripling recently. Rich Hill has also pitched well in his first two starts of the year, but the bullpen has been a bit shaky. Kenley Jansen is still one of the game’s best closers, but he’s been aided by Pedro Baez and Dylan Floro. Floro, in particular, has had yet to allow a run in 15 IP. The Dodgers will be without A.J. Pollack for the next two months after he suffered a staph infection, which means Alex Verdugo will see more playing time. Regardless, the Dodgers are still the deepest team in baseball, and with Bellinger still smashing the ball with his incredible .806 slugging percentage, LA is a hard team to bet against right now.