Every week, we take a look at the California Post Power Ranking of MLB’s 30 Teams, which tracks some intriguing race for prizes. Here’s this week’s roundup:
1.) Braves (35-16)
The Braves are on a roll, clinching two out of three games against the Red Sox and winning three of four from the Marlins. Their record stands at an impressive 14-1-1 for the season. Currently, no other team in the division is even close, with Atlanta enjoying a solid 9.5-game lead in the NL East. (Last week: 1st place)
2.) Dodgers (31-19)
Shohei Ohtani’s bat seems to have come alive again. Despite missing Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, the pitching staff hasn’t slowed down. After a bit of a slump, the Dodgers are back to winning ways and have reclaimed the lead in the National League West.(Last week: 4th place)
3.) Rays (33-15)
Last week, we noted that the Rays, who were at fifth place then, deserved a higher ranking. And they climbed up a notch. With the best winning percentage in the majors as of Friday and a strong home record, they appear to be doing well—but one can’t help but wonder if a setback is in the cards. For now, though, there’s no solid indication of that. (Last week: 5th place)
4.) Yankees (30-21)
The Yankees have struggled against winning teams, and recently, they’ve found it hard to beat weaker opponents too—going winless for three straight series against the Orioles, Mets, and Blue Jays. On the bright side, Gerrit Cole has made his return.(Last week: 3rd place)
5.) Brewers (29-18)
Pat Murphy’s team continues to surprise, boasting a record of 16-5 as they head into this weekend’s rematch against the Dodgers. They’ve certainly outperformed some expectations. (Last week: 6th place)
6.) Cubs (29-21)
The Cubs are a puzzle. After a winning streak of ten games, they’ve stumbled, losing nine out of 11, including series to both the White Sox and the Brewers. Pete Crow Armstrong acknowledges his recent struggles, describing them somewhat humorously. (Last week: 2nd place)
7.) Cardinals (28-21)
If the rankings were based on fan enthusiasm, the Tarp-Off Cardinals would top the list. Their season has been heightened even more with a notable viral moment that has captured attention. (Last week: 7th place)
8.) Phillies (25-25)
The Phillies have reached a .500 record at last. Under the guidance of head coach Don Mattingly, they’ve gone 16-6, boasting a strong offense and decent pitching, though they face a sizable challenge from the Braves in the NL East.(Last week: 10th place)
9.) Guardians (30-22)
The Guardians are heating up lately, winning six consecutive games and nine of their last ten. As tensions rise in the AL Central with the other teams faltering, they seem poised for contention. Although much can change in a season, they look solid right now. (Last week: 12th)
10.) Padres (29-20)
This week’s series against the Dodgers exposed some weaknesses for the Padres, who haven’t quite lived up to their potential. Key players like Fernando Tatis Jr. are still trying to find their rhythm, and there’s a palpable need for improvement. (Last week: 8th place)
11.) Pirates (26-24)
After a challenging spell against the Phillies, the Pirates charged back with a series win in St. Louis. It’s nice to see them rallying when things looked shaky.(Last week: 9th place)
12.) Reds (26-24)
Chase Barnes has emerged as a breakout star, avoiding what could’ve been a painful injury recently. His performance is garnering a lot of attention, maybe even leading to some buzz about potential awards down the line. (Last week: 13th)
13.) Athletics (26-24)
The Athletics were close to achieving their first no-hitter of the season but faltered at the last minute. They quickly turned things around by winning three games straight afterward. (Last week: 15th)
14.) White Sox (25-24)
The White Sox had a fantastic weekend, winning two out of three against the Cubs in a much-anticipated series. Their continued improvement is certainly noticed.(Last week: 16th)
15.) Diamondbacks (26-23)
While it’s easy to downplay their recent five-game winning streak, if Ketel Marte can maintain his momentum, it could signal a shift in the team’s performance moving forward. (Last week: 17th)
16.) Mariners (24-27)
Despite hopes that the Mariners would find their stride, over 50 games in, they still haven’t fired on all cylinders. Their drop in rankings seems a bit hasty, but results speak.
17.) Rangers (24-25)
The Rangers remain a bit of a mystery—are they a good team underperforming, or simply flawed? Still, the AL West’s competition keeps things interesting as teams remain closely packed.(Last week: 14th)
18.) Mets (22-28)
Things are looking a bit brighter for the Mets, with a solid record of seven wins in their last ten games. Juan Soto’s recent performance has elevated his status to elite, making a significant contribution to their recent success. (Last week: 20th)
19.) Blue Jays (23-27)
The Blue Jays have managed to avoid falling into the spiral that plagued other teams early in the season, achieving a split series in the Bronx. However, a full turnaround remains uncertain.(Last week: 19th)
20.) Red Sox (22-27)
The health of their pitching rotation, currently ranked third in ERA this month, will be crucial if the Red Sox hope to salvage their season. Young pitchers like Peyton Tolle are certainly being relied upon.(Last week: 21st)
21.) Nationals (25-26)
The unexpected scoring surge from the Nationals has been surprising, but predictive models suggest they might not sustain this offense for the rest of the season. Such is the unpredictable nature of baseball analysis.(Last week: 23rd)
22.) Twins (23-27)
Injuries continue to plague the Twins, with catcher Ryan Jeffers sidelined for a significant period due to a hamate fracture. Tough break for a team needing bright spots.(Last week: 25th)
23.) Orioles (21-29)
It might be time to hit the panic button in Baltimore. This once-promising franchise is struggling, with only one player contributing positively to their record over the past few years.(Last week: 18th)
24.) Royals (20-30)
The Royals’ nine losses in ten games highlight their current struggles, with the worst record in the AL looming. Quite the turn from a team that had a bright future not long ago.(Last week: 24th)
25.) Marlins (22-29)
Once seen as potential surprise contenders, the Marlins have not delivered as expected this season. The environment hasn’t been favorable either,(Last week: 22nd)
26.) Astros (20-31)
The Astros’ pitching has improved, but their offense has tanked, ranking last in scoring this month. A tough spot for a team used to being on top.(Last week: 29th)
27.) Giants (20-30)
This season has been rough for the Giants, and it shows not just in the standings but in team morale. The frustration is palpable, particularly among fans and commentators.(Last week: 26th)
28.) Tigers (20-31)
Rumors about potential trades are surfacing as the Tigers’ struggles continue. It’s been a challenging year for the franchise, with little upside in sight.(Last week: 27th)
29.) Rockies (19-32)
With a spotlight on their players heading to the All-Star Game, there’s a bit of excitement, even if the overall season has been less than stellar. (Last week: 28th)
30.) Angels (17-34)
This season has left many Angels fans disheartened—evident by their cries for a change in management. (Last week: 30th)
Award Tracking: American League Cy Young Award
1.) Cam Schlitzer, Yankees (6-2, 1.50 ERA, 66 innings, 75 strikeouts, 0.86 WHIP)
At 25, Schlitzer has established himself as the most effective pitcher among Shohei Ohtani’s teammates this season, leading the American League in multiple categories. His impressive performance signals that last year’s breakout was no fluke.
2.) Dylan Schiess, Blue Jays (3-2, 2.98 ERA, 57.1 innings, 84 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP)
Schiess is holding his own and proving to be an effective addition for the Blue Jays. His quality performance makes him a contender for the Cy Young Award, especially with a talented roster backing him.
3.) Davis Martin, White Sox (6-1, 1.61 ERA, 56 innings, 59 strikeouts, 0.98 WHIP)
Martin’s transformation this season has been noteworthy. His current success is adding a lot to the White Sox’s strong opening, a nice turn from his earlier statistics that hinted at struggles.
