Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: The top 5 teams stay the same

By Sean Sears

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees in action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on June 18, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 6-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees in action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on June 18, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 6-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. New York Yankees, 44-27, 1st the AL East (ranked 4th last week)

He’s finally back: Giancarlo Stanton returned Tuesday night for his 2019 season debut. He went hitless, but he did make a great catch in the stands. Didi Gregorius also returned to the lineup last week, and Aaron Judge is closing in on making his return to the Yankees as well. They also just traded for the AL home run leader in veteran Edwin Encarnacion, who will slide into the DH spot bringing with him 21 dingers from Seattle.

Add all that to one of the best bullpens in baseball and a rotation that’s finally healthy and the Yankees are a scary team that suddenly is deep in most positions. If they weren’t the favorites in the AL East, they are now.

3. Minnesota Twins, 47-24, 1st in the NL Central (ranked 3rd last week)

The Twins did get some bad news on Tuesday about Bryon Buxton, who’s heading to the 10-day IL with a wrist contusion with no word on how long he’s out for. But with the entire roster hitting well, they should be able to survive a few weeks without their top OF. The Twins currently lead the league in runs at 417 on the season, an average of 5.87 runs per game, but this group has faced some pretty so-so teams as of late.

They’re currently welcoming the Red Sox to Target Field, winning in 17 innings Tuesday night, but the schedule gets more difficult with the Rays, A’s and Rangers to close out the first half of the season. But if their pitching continues to stay strong and their offense can keep blasting runs across the plate, they should be able to coast given how weak their division is.

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