MLB Power Rankings: Giants down in a hole, everything zen for Dodgers

5) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves drop a spot this week and they can thank the Phillies for that. Atlanta remains a formidable foe for everyone. They were a sneaky good club in the second half last season. They could repeat history all over again in 2022.

There are too many similarities between this year’s Braves team and last season. They were on a chase throughout the 2021 season. Once again going after the New York Mets, their obstacle is that the Amazins are far better than last year’s club. Expect a tight race until the final bell rings.

4) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets

We can no longer count out the New York Mets. This year’s team has managed to keep a hold on first place for nearly the entire season. They may lack power but they have some terrific veterans and role-players who can help the superb starting pitching staff win some games.

Winners of six straight, the Mets swept the Yankees and Marlins last week to overtake the Braves again in the MLB Power Rankings. Stop doubting this ball club. They know how to win games.

3) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros

It’s going to be like the Attitude Era in professional wrestling with these top three teams as they continue to swap spots. At number three this week, it’s the Houston Astros who get eliminated first.

The Astros are a threat to anyone they play and a third-place finish in the MLB Power Rankings is nothing to fret. It’s the playoffs they are preparing for. The division belongs to them. One question they might have is whether their inexperienced starting rotation is good enough beyond Justin Verlander.

2) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees weren’t especially good this past week but they do trade places with the Astros. They built up enough good faith this season. Plus, with the league’s best run-differential at +207, they deserve credit.

The Yankees did add Andrew Benintendi last week which should help the offense. He was a near-ideal player for them. Very different from Joey Gallo, prepare for the Yankees to be in on a lot of other good players like Benintendi until the trade deadline passes.

1) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers

What does it take to be No. 1? This week, it’s a .673 winning percentage. This is what the Los Angeles Dodgers have and it’s the best in all of Major League Baseball. Alone at the top of the National League with the Mets, Braves, Padres, and maybe the Brewers in the same class, the Dodgers are sitting front row.

It’s going to be real tough for anyone to take down Los Angeles in the playoffs. They might only get better in the next two days. Can they ever take a year off from winning? It doesn’t seem like they will ever stop. Everything is zen.