MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Red Sox flex while White Sox continue to perplex
By Tim Boyle
15) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
If the Rangers are the best of the bottom 50%, the Philadelphia Phillies are the worst of the top. Losing Bryce Harper to a thumb injury is going to kill them; unless of course, their other big bats wake up for good.
The Phillies are a curious team that can be one of the best but only if everything goes their way. It’s impossible to happen. So, as we exit June, they remain right in the middle of the MLB Power Rankings. Timing might be the best weapon they have. Keeping pace with others and winning a lot late might be what it takes to end their playoff drought.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians decided the American League Central needed to get more interesting. Behind by a few wins but close in winning percentage, it will be interesting to see if this overachieving squad makes a strong attempt at getting better.
Jose Ramirez is the only offensive player they can count on although Andres Gimenez is having a fantastic year as well. Pitching is their greatest strength. The bullpen has quietly been one of the best in the league while the rotation could use another starter to really be feared. Watch out for them to be a club that sneaks into the playoffs and eliminates one of the bigger dogs.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
Sustainability might be the greatest weakness of the Tampa Bay Rays and their plans for success this year. They lack depth. Recent trips to the IL for Wander Franco and Manuel Margot puts their offense at a severe disadvantage.
The Rays have one formula for winning and it involves trying to get the most out of their pitching staff. From the three or four starters they carry to the bullpen of guys nobody really knows, it can only work for so long. They’re dripping down the American League East and opening up the possibility for the runner-up in the American League Central to earn a wild card.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
On the topic of the American League Central, the Minnesota Twins remain the most powerful club but only by a hair over the Guardians. They are certainly the benefactors of a weak division. Their starting pitching staff could use another arm and so could their bullpen but they seem to have a better club than Cleveland.
The Twins were willing to take risks this offseason with many of them paying off. Even if they do end up pulling away from the Guardians, they need to add more at the trade deadline to be a truly good team.
11) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
This year’s San Francisco Giants team is good enough to sweep anyone in four games but also flawed enough to have the same happen to them. They feel more like overachievers than serious World Series contenders.
Because they have very little shot at actually capturing the division, the Giants have a goal of securing a wild card spot. Although they’ve hung around in the playoff race all year long, they could end up being one of those teams with a dreadful second half. They need more from just about everyone to convince doubters otherwise.