Last week’s power rankings list saw more movement within the top half of the list, with the Brewers surging to the number four spot. This week was more movement among the bottom half of the list, with multiple teams moving spots. Despite all the movement, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to sit atop the power rankings list at number one for the fourth consecutive week.
After a tough week for the New York Yankees, the Bronx Bombers fell to the three spot to let the Phillies overtake the two-spot. New York dropped a series to the Nationals and a series to the Cardinals to fall one spot. The Phillies had a great week on the other hand, taking series wins over Houston and Atlanta.
The fourth and fifth spots are maintained by the Brewers and Orioles, who are in the same positions for the postseason as last week. With series wins over the Giants and Reds, the Brewers continue to roll and widen their division lead. The Orioles continue to threaten the Yankees division lead, and have had a very favorable stretch against the Rockies and White Sox.
The bottom half of the list is now where the movement comes in. The Guardians after taking control back of the American League Central slide into the six spot after being at seven last week. Salvaging a final game in the four game series loss over Kansas City, Cleveland’s been solid against Pittsburgh and again against Kansas City since.
Jackson Merrill and the San Diego Padres continue to stay in the mix as they rise from the nine spot to the seven spot this week. The Diamondbacks slid in the eight spot after they fell behind the Padres in the National League West standings.
The Twins are within the American League wildcard race and are now second in the American League Central. They move up a spot to nine while their division rival the Kansas City Royals round out the list at number 10.
The Royals have been struggling, and now 4.5 games back of the division and right on the line for the wildcard, it’s important for them to move up in this list for their postseason future. They’ve lost six straight, and with a current series against the Guardians, they need to pick up some wins to cut the division lead.