MLB Power Rankings: Phillies lose McCutchen, Twins beat Rays and Marlins get out of the basement

By Sean Sears | Jun 5, 2019

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 04: Outfielders Alex Verdugo #27, Chris Taylor #3 and Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 9-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

8 of 15

ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels striking out during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 4, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /

16. Los Angeles Angels, 29-32 tied for 3rd in the AL West (ranked 21st last week)

The Angels are getting healthier in their rotation with Felix Pena returning and the addition of rookie Griffin Canning both helping to stabilize the rotation, though Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Cahil have fought through some recent struggles. The Angels have also deployed the “opener” a few times this season with mixed results, but their bullpen hasn’t been great either with a 4.43 ERA on the year.

Mike Trout is having another MVP-worthy season for the Angels but the lineup is still lacking much firepower beyond the league’s best player. Kole Calhoun is OPSing .830 with 12 dingers and Tommy La Stella has surprised the league with his 12 home runs on the year thus far. DH Shohei Ohtani has been relatively quiet in his first 20-plus games on the year. If the 24-year-old can start driving the ball with authority like he did last season, the Angels could become a more dynamic team. But right now, they’re a team that’s won six of their last 10 and will likely continue to hover around .500 until they can find consistency from their rotation and another bat to step up with Trout.

15. Texas Rangers, 30-28, 2nd in the AL West (ranked 19th last week)

Outfielder Joey Gallo and starter Mike Minor have put the Rangers on their back this season, as the two are the biggest reason the Rangers sit in second place in the AL West and two games above .500 on the season. However, with Gallo heading to the IL with an oblique strain, the Rangers will have to try and find offense from someone for the next two weeks.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus saw his offensive numbers crash in May after posting a 1.008 OPS in April. Andrus has batted just .224 since May 1, with his OPS tumbling to .802 on the season. Minor’s sparkling 2.74 ERA and whooping 80 K’s have given the Rangers at least one quality starter and Lance Lynn has been excellent over his last five starts with a 2.97 ERA and holding opponents to a .240 BA during that stretch. With Gallo out for at least two weeks, the Rangers will have to find a way to replace 17 home runs and a 1.074 OPS in their lineup.

Home/MLB