MLB Power Rankings: Astros are alive again, Padres need an amen

5) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers maintain their lead in the American League West. This could change by next week with how well the Houston Astros are playing. Good pitching. Good hitting. They’ve hit both marks. The return of Corey Seager from the IL will only make them better. If you don’t have a dog in the American League West race, this is the club to root for.

4) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers

Whoever it was that nudged the Los Angeles Dodgers awake needs to be punished. Their slow start is a distant memory. This is a mostly balanced lineup with a mix of guys who hit for power or average and then a handful of guys doing both. Health of the starting rotation is the biggest question mark right now but they will no doubt find a solution. That’s the Dodger way.

3) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves

Despite falling on some hard times and not really having a bullpen they can count on, the Atlanta Braves remain one of the strongest teams in baseball. We can thank their starting pitching for this. The ones who are actually healthy right now are helping to keep them afloat. The dichotomy in the lineup between how some players have performed is interesting to see unfold. While players like Michael Harris and Marcell Ozuna limp through the year, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Sean Murphy are putting up MVP numbers. The Braves will be okay as long as they repeat the process that helped them win the 2021 World Series.

2) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles

Let’s give the Baltimore Orioles some serious credit. Even if they don’t have the same star power as some of the other ball clubs near the top, a series victory against the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend was enough to catapult them up to the No. 2 spot in the MLB Power Rankings. Winning games against their American League East foes will go a long way toward ending their ongoing playoff drought.

1) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays remain number one in the MLB Power Rankings but the distance between them and several teams in the top ten is much smaller. The New York Mets woke up against them earlier in the week. No one in the American League East is backing down from the fight they started. They score runs. They consistently don’t allow many. Continually proving they may be a team of destiny, the Rays remain the team to beat.