We have a new No. 1 in our rankings, the Astros and the Mets are red-hot, and teams like the Cubs and the Blue Jays will need to start asking themselves some tough questions leading into the trade deadline. Let’s get to this month’s MLB Team Power Rankings.
Editor’s Note: Odds and statistics used are from the morning of Tuesday, July 2.
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Last month: No. 2
Odds to win NL East: -370
To make the playoffs: -20000
The Phillies have climbed to the top of our rankings for the first time this season, but they have some legitimate challenges in front of them. Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) both landed on the injured list last week, joining J.T. Realmuto as he recovers from knee surgery. That’s a significant chunk of the Phillies’ lineup as the club goes into a three-game series against the Braves in Atlanta this weekend. On the bright side, Trea Turner is back and Alec Bohm continues to drive in runs by the bucketful. The pitching is also holding up their end of the bargain, with the recently-extended Cristopher Sanchez delivering back-to-back scoreless starts.
Last month: No. 3
Odds to win AL Central: – 210
To make the playoffs: -1800
You could make a case for the Guardians at No. 1 and I’d certainly listen. Under first-year skipper Stephen Vogt, the Guardians have allowed the fewest runs in the American League and own the best home record in all of baseball. And while the offense hasn’t exactly put fear in the hearts of pitchers in recent years, they have made real strides there as well this season. Steven Kwan has been right in the middle of that evolution, even with a recent slump at the plate which has brought his batting average to **just** .368. In addition to the elite contact rate, Kwan has already established a new career-high with seven home runs.
Last month: No. 4
Odds to win AL East: +160
To make the playoffs: -5000
The Orioles have righted the ship somewhat after losing five straight between the Astros and Guardians, but questions about their starting pitching depth remain. Corbin Burnes is one of the top contenders for the AL Cy Young Award and Grayson Rodriguez proved the role of stopper to snap the Orioles’ recent losing streak, but this rotation has been…