MLB Power Rankings: Yankees are brilliant, Mariners are resilient
By Tim Boyle
15) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
Unless the San Francisco Giants do a lot at the trade deadline, they’re not winning this year’s World Series. Their team is too weak. A possible surprise seller, they need to stay realistic about where they are in the standings and just how unlikely it is for them to compete in the postseason.
The Giants have flaws everywhere. From the starting lineup to the rotation to the bullpen, nothing is great about them. That is a quality all of the best teams have. There is one strength to lean on. The Giants don’t have it this year.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies definitely have a strength. It’s their offense. Although not quite as powerful with home runs as expected aside from Kyle Schwarber, they can still score runs and make up for their misgivings.
This year’s Phillies club has actually been far more balanced than expected. The bullpen isn’t a mess. The starting rotation might actually have the bigger questions heading into the trade deadline. The Phillies still have a lot to prove. Staying in a playoff spot for more than a few days is the first step.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox may bend but will they break? Able to storm back from their bad April, the piling injuries to their pitching staff have now made Boston a little less likely to make the playoffs. Luckily, they can plug those holes with trades over the next two weeks.
The Red Sox are capable of being anything from a top six or seven team to the spot they finish this week at number 13. Weathering this bumpy storm and getting out on the other side of July unscathed will be their first great challenge in these dog days of summer. There is plenty of time to pile up victories or see the year slip away.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are just a little more powerful this week. Maybe having the Triple-A version of the Royals visit them right before the break helped their cause. Still a questionable ball club with some holes and players who need to start performing, we should expect them to be especially aggressive to fix themselves.
Toronto’s list of trade deadline needs includes a left-handed bat, a starting pitcher, and a bullpen piece. It’s not rocket science to figure this out. Add the right players to this roster and the shortcomings of some others might go unnoticed.
11) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are benefactors of playing in a division with three lousy teams. If you recall how this week’s MLB Power Rankings have looked so far, you’ll find three of the five National League Central clubs way in the rearview mirror.
The Cardinals are fighting for both a division title and wild card. Each is wide open for them. But they’re going to need to get players back on the field in order to capture either. The National League wild card race is equally as tight as the one for the division title. The Cardinals have shown signs of hanging around. What they do at the trade deadline and how well they can stay healthy is what will determine their fate.