The divisional and wildcard races are heating up as we head into mid-September, and with that there’s been lots of movement in our fifth edition of our weekly MLB power rankings. Some teams have fallen out of the top 10, while others have risen into it. While the Dodgers held the top spot every week the last month, the Phillies have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games, earning them the top spot this week.
- Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies had a great week after taking a four game set over the Braves. They took two straight over the Toronto Blue Jays and took two out of four from the Marlins and now hold a seven game lead over the Mets for the lead of the National League East. Kyle Schwarber had a big week at the plate hitting six home runs and totalling a .433 batting average across 30 at bats.
Bryson Stott, Bryce Harper, and Brandon Marsh were all great producers as well, each recording averages last week over .300. Christopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Ranger Suarez all looked great on the mound this week as well, with Sanchez recording a 1.38 ERA in 13.0 innings pitched.
The all around great production gives the Phillies the top spot this week.
- Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are still playing amazing baseball and if anything are more of a 1(b) team than a #2. They split a two-game set with the Angels but then went on to beat the Guardians, taking two of three games in a series against the American League Central division leader. The usual suspects have looked good for the Dodgers like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernandez all putting up great production. In the rotation, Jack Flaherty continues to look like a great deadline addition going 7.1 innings in his last start.
- New York Yankees
The Yankees had a tough couple of series against St. Louis and Texas, but bounced back this weekend against Chicago and took a big come-from-behind win against the Royals last night, keeping their division lead and third spot in the power rankings. Gleyber Torres has been great at the plate lately with a .375 batting average the last seven days. The Yankees now hold a 1.5 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the division.
- Milwaukee Brewers
Despite dropping a couple series this past week, the Brewers still maintain an 8.5 game lead over the National League Central and are not in any position to be threatened for it. Tobias Myers continues to look good on the mound, going 6.0 innings pitched in his last start allowing one earned run.
- Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians had an up and down week but still rose their position into the top five of the power rankings. Kyle Manzardo looked good at the plate this week with four hits in 14 at bats, but the production from the whole lineup was rather mediocre. The Guardians still have a 3.5 game lead over the Royals, but every game still matters.
- Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles continue to struggle and have lost three straight up to this point. After taking a series against the White Sox, they lost a series against Tampa Bay, and then the series opener to Boston. While Gunnar Henderson has been on a tear the last week hitting .417 with a pair of homers, the Orioles as a whole have hit .189 over the last week, giving them the six-spot.
- San Diego Padres
While the Padres lost a series to the Giants, they took one against a hot Tigers team. Despite being 5.5 games back of first place in the National League West, the Padres maintain their seven-spot in the rankings. Luis Arraez has been a singles-machine as always this past week totalling ten, and Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth both looked great at the plate as well.
- Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks lost a series against the Astros but took the last game of the series, and won a crucial divisional series against the Giants. Eugenio Suarez looked great this week showing power at the plate with three home runs this week. He totalled a .409 average and a 1.364 OPS. Like the Padres, they maintain their spot in the top ten.
- Kansas City Royals
The Royals were struggling then managed to turn it around winning four straight to take a lead over the Twins in the division and wild card race. Salvador Perez has looked great at the plate lately, and that veteran leadership is crucial to the success of the Royals leading into the postseason. The pivotal series win over the Twins raises them a spot to #9.
- New York Mets
Making their first ever appearance into the top 10 for the weekly power rankings. They’ve gone 9-1 in their last 10 games and have given themselves real postseason hopes. Mark Vientos showed some power this week hitting three home runs, while Jose Iglesias hit .333 this past week as well. Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, and David Peterson all put together strong six inning outings on the mound to put the Mets into the top 10.