MLB Power Rankings: Astros are alive again, Padres need an amen
By Tim Boyle
20) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
Don’t celebrate too early, San Francisco Giants. You just beat the Miami Marlins who are only better than you in the standings. At the moment, the Giants are better and more powerful than the San Diego Padres. So are a bunch of other ball clubs. All season long the question will be whether or not they were right to pass on Carlos Correa. We get some answers this week with a couple of games against the Minnesota Twins.
19) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
Wait, so the St. Louis Cardinals have a pulse after all? That’s right. Those National League Central ball clubs who believed they could get away without the Cardinals messing with their mojo were wrong. The Cardinals have a long way to go before we can be assured they’re officially back. Out of last place and getting closer to first, being the only team in the division with a winning record over the last 10 games has served as a reminder of how good they can be.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
This year’s Philadelphia Phillies are the definition of streaky. They’ll drop a couple in a row and then win just as many. Presently sitting at 22-24, they’re well behind the Atlanta Braves yet also right there with the rest of the jam-packed division. A turnaround by the starting pitching will be essential for them to remain relevant. Kyle Schwarber has a habit of getting hot around the start of summer. Be warned.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
Fourth place in the American League West, the Seattle Mariners are one of the few teams with a below .500 record and a positive run differential. Most of the credit goes to the pitching staff. Their offense is nothing outrageously amazing. This early hole they’re in could be more troublesome because of how deep the division has become. Only the Oakland Athletics are playing the role of doormat. The more balanced MLB schedule could make the Mariners one of those teams with an impressive record and schedule ending after 162 games.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins have been punching above their weight class for a while. At 24-23, they’ve been some of baseball’s biggest overachievers. The pathetic -54 run differential tells us the full picture of what’s going on. Their early luck will eventually run out on them. Their National League-worst 164 runs scored is not nearly good enough to keep them in the playoff picture.