MLB Power Rankings: The top 5 teams stay the same

5 of 15

CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 18: Derek Dietrich #22 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by Joey Votto #19 after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on June 18, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

22. Cincinnati Reds, 32-38, tied for last in the NL Central (ranked 21st last week)

Playing .500 over their last 10 games, the Reds have held their own against the Astros, beating them twice this week. The offense has done a better job lately getting their pitching more run support. And with the third-best ERA in baseball, the Reds starters don’t need much help, especially when 26-year-old Luis Castillo is on the mound.

Castillo hasn’t lost a game since his second start of the season and he has left every game since giving Cincinnati a real chance to win. Derek Dietrich has been on a run; with 17 home runs and a .928 OPS, the 29-year-old looks like an All-Star at the moment. The Reds are a fun team but are still a few years away from making any real noise,

21. Los Angeles Angels, 36-37, 4th in the AL West (ranked 16th last week)

Mike Trout must be so happy Shohei Ohtani is back to crushing dingers. The Angels have won seven of their last 10 games, which includes two wins over the Dodgers and two more wins against the Rays, much of which has to do with the hot-hitting Ohtani. In the month of June, the 24-year-old DH has hit six home runs, driven in 17 runs and has an OPS of 1.109. Factor in Ohtani with Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun, the surprise of Tommy La Stella and his 15 home runs and the return of Justin Upton and the Angels may be building towards something.

However, their pitching has been pretty terrible on the season, even with all the injuries. Tyler Skaggs had a nice rebound start against the Blue Jays Tuesday night, allowing just one run, but he had allowed three or more runs in his last three starts. Rookie Griffin Canning has had a rough June so far with his 5.50 ERA, but has remained incredibly efficient piling up 20 strikeouts compared to just one walk. Prospect Jose Suarez could be the next guy up if the Angels do decide to call on another starter for their rotation, but they’ll have to keep building on their recent success to justify a move like that.

Home/MLB