MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Yankees succeeding while Cubs, Red Sox conceding

5) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers

There needs to be some sort of punishment for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last week’s number one team in the MLB Power Rankings, they fall because they got whipped by the two Pennsylvania baseball teams this week beginning with the Pittsburgh Pirates and then the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Dodgers shouldn’t be too worried about this as losses to weaker teams are inevitable throughout a 162-game schedule. Los Angeles is clearly not a perfect team and in the absence of Clayton Kershaw now, they are down a leader. Nobody should frantically worry about this club quite yet. However, another week like this, expect some fans to start worrying more.

4) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels

It doesn’t quite matter who leads the American League West. The Los Angeles Angels are hanging there and advertisers are already gushing at the idea of seeing stars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the postseason. Two reasons why the Angels where they are right now, a ton of credit also has to go to Taylor Ward whose rise to stardom caught everyone off guard.

The Angels have a roster of stars, unknowns, and a few castoffs from other organizations. Reid Detmers has already tossed a no-hitter for them this season and by the time they’ve played all 162, it should be a footnote on the success. This will be a very good year for the Angels.

3) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are surging. It was going to happen eventually. They sacrificed years of good baseball by tanking in order to have many good years ahead. A spectacular week has pushed them further ahead in the MLB Power Rankings and right there as one of the elite clubs.

Despite not having a single player off to an astonishingly hot start, Houston finds itself right where they belong. Yordan Alvarez is swatting home runs and the team is barely missing Carlos Correa with the rise of Jeremy Pena. For a team looking much different than they have in many recent years, Astros fans should take this as a positive sign that there won’t be any layoff from success.

2) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets

Haters of the New York Mets cannot wait for the team to collapse. Through more than a month, they have shown few signs of falling out of first place. Their starting rotation has anchored them through much of the first few weeks even in the absence of Jacob deGrom.

Although they play in a weak division, the Mets have secured wins against some of the best teams in the National League. They’re holding strong as a top team in this week’s rankings. Only one team is more powerful right now and they’re just a train transfer away.

1) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees

Is it really a baseball season if at some point the New York Yankees aren’t the leaders in the MLB Power Rankings? This is the week where they have finally done it. They’ve earned it in ways we may not have expected either.

The Yankees are not perfect but they are very good. The duo of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton is carrying the offense with occasional help from some friends. Most important to their success, however, has been the pitching staff. Both their starters and relievers are amassing major wins and making up for any shortcomings the lineup may have. At least for one week, the Yankees are where the fans expect them to be: number one.