MLB Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams rank solely in run differential
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds at -36
The Cincinnati Reds remain a problematic ball club but it’s not all doom and gloom. They’ve actually developed a few promising players making them far more relevant this season than they were last year. Their placement at number 25 in this week’s MLB Power Rankings based on run differential is about where they’d fall anyway. In fact, their expanded win/loss record based on run differential is the exact 14-20 they are.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies at -35
Fresh from taking two out of three from the New York Mets this weekend with only a 1-0 loss on Friday night, the Colorado Rockies made up some nice ground in the run differential department. They still only have 14 victories and are well on their way toward some sort of a rebuild this summer. Meanwhile, fans in other cities can start dreaming about which soon-to-be free agents their general manager can target.
23) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies at -29
It’s definitely surprising to see the Philadelphia Phillies this low in the MLB Power Rankings when we’re basing it on run differential. They have a roster that looks like it can score runs. The pitching isn’t half-bad either. Unfortunately, a couple of early blowouts and some poor performances by the bats have given them a far below-average record and run differential. They have time to figure things out. Maybe they can re-hire and then fire Joe Girardi again?
22) MLB Power Rankings: Washington Nationals at -27
It’s definitely a moral victory for the Washington Nationals to have a slightly better run differential than the Philadelphia Phillies. Two runs isn’t much of a difference, but with a growingly more competent pitching staff, there are some sunny days ahead. Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore are two stars of the show. This isn’t just a pitching staff of Patrick Corbin and four other warm bodies.
21) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals at -19
If someone told you the St. Louis Cardinals had two more wins than the Kansas City Royals you’d swear only two games were played. The 11-24 Cardinals have a -19 run differential which projects them to be 16-19 at this point. That’s not how it has gone. Bad bullpen performances and some tight losses have buried them early on. Only the Royals and Oakland Athletics have a worse record. Does a better than expected run differential count as a strong enough consolation prize? It shouldn’t.