MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers leaving little doubt, Giants aren’t so big
By Tim Boyle
20) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers fans are getting mistreated this year. It wasn’t long ago that the team looked like it could push itself into wild card contention. Now back under .500 by a couple of games, their woes continue.
Texas has gotten a surprising potpourri of home runs from a variety of players. Already, seven players have reached double-digits. Corey Seager leads the way. Unfortunately, the Rangers have dug themselves into an early hole they won’t be able to climb out of. A hot streak could push them back into mild contention. They shouldn’t do anything foolish, though. They’re building a nice team and can’t sell too many future parts for a chance at a first-round playoff loss.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
The Tony La Russa experiment isn’t working out. The Hall of Fame manager came out from retirement to take over the Chicago White Sox. It seems the players aren’t buying into what he’s selling them.
The White Sox are on the fringe of being one of the good teams in baseball. Their roster has some major holes but that fact is true for even the best teams in the league. Unless they’re able to turn things around quickly, Chicago could end up as a light trade deadline seller with someone like Johnny Cueto heading to surer contender. Everyone else will just try to play out the season and hope there is as little pain as possible.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
When do we start taking the Baltimore Orioles seriously? They’ve bounced up and down the MLB Power Rankings over the last two weeks. This week, after ravaging through their opponents, they make it back into the teens. They have an eight-game winning streak and a chance at .500.
It’s too soon to start thinking about the Orioles as contenders. They play in a tough division and lost too many games early on. Nonetheless, the Orioles should start feeling a little more confident. The toughest decision they may have this year is whether or not to flip Cedric Mullins for several more controllable players. Rather than subtract now, they would be better off spending in the offseason to add some pieces to help him out.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians
While the Orioles are trending upward, the Cleveland Guardians are falling. They have, with pun entirely intended, let their guard down.
This year’s Cleveland baseball team feels a lot more average than some in the recent past. A look at the starting staff and we see a bunch of guys with ERAs in the mid to high 3.00s. Without a terrific offense to help make up for their shortcomings, the Guardians might only be able to be a pain for some of the better teams this season.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
When the Miami Marlins are as average as they are this year, it feels like a treat. They’re usually more of a doormat than anything else. This season, with Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez leading the rotation, they’ve managed to be a formidable opponent for their National League foes.
The Marlins are still way behind the other teams with a serious shot at contending. They’re not the Nationals, though. The Marlins should aim to get to .500 this year. From what we’ve seen, it is possible.