Welcome to the first edition of the Blasting News MLB Power Rankings. Every Monday, every MLB team will be ranked on their performance based on their week's performance. Right now, look out, because we are gearing towards a potential Astros vs. Dodgers world series.
1. Dodgers
Cody Bellinger hit his 24th home run this past weekend, and is on pace to potentially break Mark McGwire's record for most home runs by a rookie set back in 1987 when he hit 49 home runs. The Dodgers have won 10-games in a row to put themselves up 2.5 games over the Diamondbacks, and 4.5 games over the Rockies.
2. Astros
Even though the Astros have the best record in baseball, it's only by a slim margin. The Astros are 52-25, while The Dodgers are 51-26. The Astros took care of business this last week by going 6-1 against the A's and Mariners.
3. Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks won their respective series against the Phillies and Rockies. The Diamondbacks are 20-games over .500, and everything is clicking. The only downside to the week was that outfielder, A.J. Pollock, had a setback during one of this rehab assignments, and could miss more time.
4. Rockies
How scary is it that three N.L. West teams are in the top five? The Rockies were winning the division a week ago, but after a ten game winning streak by the Dodgers, and a five game losing streak of their own, the team finds themselves in a hold.
Pitching has gone downhill as the Rockies allowed runs of 10, 12, and 16 in three of those losses. Still, Colorado is in a good spot at 47-31 as this might be the first adversity they have seen all year.
5. Nationals
The Nationals had an average week by losing a series to the Marlins, but redeemed themselves with a series win over the Reds.
One of those wins included an 18-run explosion. One of those games needed Bryce Harper to hit a walk-off home run, but the Nationals are still nine games up in their division.
6. Yankees
The Yankees are going to lose their way out of the division. After an enduring a seven game losing streak, New York lost a pair of series matchups to the Angels and Rangers.
The Yankees are tied with the Red Sox for the division lead. Pitching has been terrible as New York gave up at least seven runs in four of those losses.
7. Red Sox
The Red Sox didn't do themselves any justice either. Boston could have taken advantage of New York's slip ups, but ended up losing a pair of series matchups to the Angels and Royals. An overturned call in one of their matchups to the Angels led to John Farrell's ejection. Needless-to-say, it was just as frustrating in Boston.
8. Twins
The Twins swept the Indians this past weekend to take first place of the division. It was sweet revenge after being swept themselves by the Indians a week ago. Ervin Santana lowered his Earned Run Average to 2.80 while claiming his 10th win.
The Twins returned to form, but open up a series against the Red Sox.
9. Indians
The Indians are still a top ten team in the league, but didn't look like it this past week. In their last seven games, the Indians combined for 11 total runs. Despite the setback, Cleveland is just 0.5 games back for the division lead.
10. Brewers
The Brewers did enough to keep their 1.5 game lead on the Cubs. Chase Anderson has emerged as an ace by lowering his earned run average to 2.92. The team claimed Steven Vogt from the A's who was an all star last year. Believe it or not, it was another week in June, and the Brewers led the division.
11. Cubs
The Cubs split a four game series with the Marlins and won a series against the Padres.
The Cubs had another great start from Mike Montgomery as he allowed zero earned runs. The team does face problems with Addison Russell potentially going on the DL, but the road gets harder with a series against the Nationals starting Monday.
12. Rays
The bats have really emerged for the Rays in the last week. Tampa Bay averaged seven runs a game in their last six games. The problem is that the pitching staff allowed six runs a game to go along with it. The Rays are still barely over .500, but are just 2.5 games out of the division.
13. Rangers
Despite splitting a four game series with the Blue Jays, the Rangers won a series against the Yankees. The Rangers are 1.5 games out of the second wild card spot, and have Cole Hamels coming back from an injury very soon.
14. Royals
Jason Vargas earned his 11th win this past week. The Royals won their respective series against the Blue Jays and Red Sox. The Royals are also in wild card contention which might make it hard to evaluate Vargas' value.
15. Mariners
The Mariners enjoyed a six game win streak before losing two to the Astros. Felix Hernandez came back for his first start since April 25. Robinson Cano had a great week offensively with two home runs. However, the Mariners are still 39-39, and need to get out of being in the middle.
16. Angels
The Angels took care of the Red Sox and the Yankees this past week in a pair of series wins. L.A. also got Huston Street back from the DL. Street has been out since spring training.
The Angels averaged 6.5 runs per game this past week, but will need to have another great week if they want to move up in the rankings.
17. Braves
The last four series the Braves have played in has resulted in a Braves victory. The Braves have won series matchups against the Brewers and Giants this last week. The Braves were told Freddie Freeman could be back by July 6 after a broken wrist has kept him out all this time. R.A. Dickey lowered his home ERA to 3.30 at home, while Matt Kemp hit a walkoff home run. Despite being 36-39, the Braves have been surging.
18. Pirates
The Pirates went 4-3 in their last seven games, staying right in the middle of the division. Andrew McCutchen batted over .300 this last week in the sixth spot.
Chad Kuhl got his first victory since April, but the Pirates still needed more than a 4-3 week to make progress in the division.
19. Cardinals
The Cardinals love having the return of Matt Carpenter's bat; however, the loss of Dexter Fowler and Kevin Siegrist to the DL will hurt. Randal Grichuk made an immediate impact with his callup in Sunday's win with a home run, but the Cardinals are fourth in the division with plenty of issues.
20. Orioles
Baltimore has the most dismal pitching staff in the majors. The team tied a record set in 1924 by allowing five runs in a game for the 20th straight game. The team is somehow just one game under .500 at 37-38, but rumors of trading Manny Machado have began.
21. Blue Jays
Toronto is five games back in the division with a 36-39 record. Jose Bautista was moved to the leadoff position where he is likely to stay for awhile. Closer, Roberto Osuna, came back from anxiety issues in a week that featured a series split with the Rangers, and a series loss to the Royals.
22. Marlins
Miami split a four game series with the Cubs, and won a series against the Nationals. Giancarlo Stanton hit his 20th home run of the season, and will participate in the home run derby to defend his title. Martin Prado returned from the DL after not playing since May 7. Ichiro made headlines for being the oldest center fielder to start at age 43.
23. Mets
The Mets swept the Giants after being swept by the Dodgers.
Jay Bruce hit his 20th home run of the season which gives one of their only trade chips value. The Mets are mainly in circus world after reports of Tim Tebow being promoted to high Class-A surfaced.
24. Padres
The Padres might fall in the rankings soon. The team's cleanup hitter, Yangervis Solarte, is heading to the DL, but on the bright side, Jered Weaver and Trevor Cahill are making rehab starts.
25. A's
Oakland is coming off a sweep of the White Sox after being swept by the Astros. Sonny Gray threw seven strong innings to raise his trade value as we enter July.
26. Reds
The Reds had just two wins in the last week. On the bright side, Joey Votto hit his 20th home run.
27. White Sox
The White Sox won one game in the last week, and are tied with the Tigers for last place in the division.
Carlos Rodon rejoined the team to make his season debut.
28. Tigers
Detroit is 2-8 in their last ten games. The Tigers were swept in a four game series by Seattle, and endured an eight game losing streak altogether. Trade rumors are heating up even hotter in Detroit.
29. Phillies
The Phillies have the worst record in the majors, but are slightly better than the Giants. Mark Leiter Jr. was the only bright spot with a dominant start at only 22 years of age.
30. Giants
The Giants are in the middle of a five game losing streak. The Giants have lost 13 of their last 14 games. It seems that Bruce Bochy has lost his command on the team.
