MLB Power Rankings: Yankees are brilliant, Mariners are resilient
By Tim Boyle
10) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
Despite having one of the easier roads to the postseason, the Minnesota Twins only get a number ten spot on the MLB Power Rankings. They’re good but not great. Byron Buxton is having an unacceptable powerful year at the plate without the other numbers to solidify him as a star in the game despite the team paying him like one.
The Twins need to do more than win the American League Central. Viewed as one of the weaker division leaders, they have a history of making it to the playoffs but bouncing out early. They’re going to need a little more from everyone in the second half of the season. As somewhat of an underdog, it’ll be an easy team to root for.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have a Josh Hader problem—uh—brewing? The once unhittable star closer is getting absolutely hammered. His ERA has completely inflated to the point where he is averaging run per every other inning pitched. Is this the death toll for the Brewers?
Fortunately, the team did build up enough wins before this occurred. They have guys like Devin Williams who can step into the closer role. However, with a lackluster offense and a starting rotation that has overall underperformed, the Brewers will need both a strong second half and weak one from the Cardinals to have an easy division victory.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
Remove your cap and lift it for the Seattle Mariners. They started off the year well then kind of disappeared. A massive winning streak now up to 14 has put them not only back in the race but into a wild card spot that is theirs to hold onto.
The Mariners are hotter than the Orioles and a more realistic club to make it to the postseason. Rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez has been the leader on offense. On the mound, they have a whole bunch of guys to hand out high-fives to. Whatever they’ve been doing these last few weeks, keep doing it. Don’t change the water filter in the locker room. It’s working.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
Adversity seems to suit the Tampa Bay Rays well. Losing Wander Franco to an injury hasn’t tanked their season. In fact, they’re one of the few wild card hopefuls staying on the path. For this reason, they get a nice strong spot in this week’s MLB Power Rankings.
The Rays did smarten up and are now at least using more than three starting pitchers. It will benefit them greatly. This is a team that has limited resources to win games. They aren’t big spenders and rarely do they sell a big piece of the farm for a veteran. The top wild card spot should be their reasonable goal. It’s looking attainable.
6) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
The National League West title is falling out of reach for the San Diego Padres. Don’t fret. They can do the same things the Rays are trying to accomplish and earn the top wild card seed. It’s not the most prized spot in the postseason yet good enough if you can get hot at the right time.
The Padres still need some offensive firepower to go with Manny Machado. The lineup is weak around him. As superb as the pitcher has been, too much is at stake if scoring runs becomes difficult. With plenty of starting pitching options on this roster, we could even see them get creative and make a trade no one is expecting.