MLB Power Rankings: Yankees are the boss, Tigers at a loss
By Tim Boyle
10) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
Just ahead of the Guardians, we find the Minnesota Twins. The least powerful of the division leaders this week, the Twins are an easy team to root for but one with plenty more to prove. Their division lead has held strong for weeks now. Fans have the right to believe in them.
The big signing of Carlos Correa has paid off for the team. Even if he’s not in the MVP race, the team feels different with him around. First baseman Luis Arraez is going to win a batting title—if not this year, at some point. There are a few moves needed by the Twins to become a better ball club for a postseason run. The bullpen isn’t deep enough and the rotation could still use another arm. Things are promising for this first-place team. What’s important is that they don’t get too complacent if they lock up the division early.
9) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
There have been plenty of opportunities for the St. Louis Cardinals to collapse this year. They haven’t. Good for them. With the Brewers possibly ready to start sliding down the MLB Power Rankings, it’s the Cardinals’ chance to put some separation between themselves and the only other team that can possibly win the National League Central.
Injuries are piling up for the Cardinals with the loss of Yadier Molina as the latest blow. More importantly, they have to get Jack Flaherty pitching at a high level again now that he has returned from an injury that kept him out all year. The Cardinals will need to have an aggressive trade deadline. There are still too many teams in the National League better than they are.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are beatable after all. The Cubs, of all teams, ended their amazing winning streak. Luckily for the Braves, they showed a ton of strength and remain among the top ten in the sport.
Atlanta could use a little help in every area. Another starting pitcher, another bat, and maybe even a bullpen piece pushes them over the top. They began the season with a much better team than they have shown. A hot streak from Matt Olson can help justify that trade. Right now, it hasn’t worked out to perfection quite yet. There’s still time. The Braves are fully capable of getting hot. We just saw them do it.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays
Things like run differential and wins don’t quite represent the Toronto Blue Jays well enough. They had a stretch earlier this year where they weren’t so great but they have turned it around and should be thought of as one of the most dangerous teams. Opportunities at the trade deadline to get even better should scare the rest of the league.
Credit Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for turning around his slow start and now reminding everyone just how great of a hitter he is. The sleeping giant called the Blue Jays’ offense has awakened. Their primary focus at this year’s trade deadline might be a left-handed bat and some pitching. Those are their two greatest needs right now. Expect them to get them both.
6) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
On paper, there’s little about the San Francisco Giants that is impressive. The game isn’t playing that way. Because of this, they’ve been able to consistently find a home as a top ten team in the MLB Power Rankings.
Luis Gonzalez has been the team’s better hitter since his promotion. The club needed a bat like his in the lineup. They remain a little shorter on power and hitting for average. The bullpen also has some questionable pieces in it with many of the players owning ERAs a little higher than they’d like. There’s a lot the Giants can add this season to become stronger contenders. Armed with a really good farm system, they have the assets to get it done.