MLB Power Rankings: Astros overtake Yankees, Red Sox spiraling down
By Tim Boyle
10) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
There’s no shame in being the weakest of the division leaders. That’s the case for the Minnesota Twins who sit atop the American League Central right now. As a club with a couple of big holes, fans should get treated to a trade deadline featuring some even bigger fillers.
The signing of Carlos Correa needs to put Minnesota in a mindset to go after a title this year. They may not appear to have enough at the moment. That’s what the trade deadline is for. The Twins can’t get caught trying to fool themselves. They need to be better to become more than division champions.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
The National League Central title belt might change hands more than any other by the time the season is over. Both the Milwaukee Brewers and their greatest challenger, the Cardinals, have some flaws. Each is run pretty well and has strengths that have kept them in the playoff hunt. Both teams could make it to October but winning the division will give a major advantage.
The Brewers have held onto the more coveted playoff position as a division winner for far too long. St. Louis has wasted an opportunity to catch a team with a star closer who hasn’t been himself lately. The Brewers have an offense that cannot be trusted and a pitching staff that hasn’t been what it needs to be. Milwaukee doesn’t feel destined to go very far. Corbin Burnes needs to remind his teammates there are only 162 opportunities for wins.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
No other team can follow the recipe the Tampa Bay Rays follow and have success. They are the only good team in this sport you would never show as an example of how to do things and succeed. The idiom “marching to the beat of your own drum” was invented with the Rays in mind.
The Rays remain deadly assassins who just need to get into the postseason to stir up trouble. The team was essentially built for playoff baseball with a shorter starting rotation and a bunch of pitchers who seem to thrive in specialized roles. They could still use another bat in the lineup to really make themselves a greater threat. For now, keep on rolling with the plan.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays
It’s easy to look good when you score 28 runs on the road. The Toronto Blue Jays look ready to pound their opponents into submission. It lines up perfectly with the original plan they had heading into the season.
The Blue Jays will be an aggressive team at the trade deadline with plans of adding a left-handed bat and a starting pitcher to the roster. With some stellar performances from other players on the roster lately, they’ve been able to mask those issues. If they both want to make the playoffs and go far, the team will need to add some new faces.
6) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
Who needs to hit when you have pitching like this? The San Diego Padres don’t plan to win the top wild card spot. They still have a plan to capture the National League West. While ambitious, it can only do them favors to win as much as possible.
San Diego is an incredibly one-sided club with a starting rotation as good as any out there. The bullpen is decent. The offense is Manny Machado. The Padres will add a bat or two before the trade deadline. Their starting rotation will thank them because it will make things a lot easier to have some room for error.