MLB Power Rankings: How far have Red Sox fallen?
Previous: 30
Between injuries to their pitching staff and games postponed due to COVID-19, the Pirates really can't catch a break. With a putrid 4-16 record to this point, we have no choice but to give them the last-place spot in these rankings once again.
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The Mariners are indisputably the worst team in the AL West and potentially the entire league. We've said this in every edition of our MLB Power Rankings this season, but the only reason to watch them right now is rookie Kyle Lewis.
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The Red Sox finally ended their nine-game losing streak with a win over the Phillies on Wednesday night, but there still really is no reason for optimism in Boston right now. It's encouraging to see Rafael Devers turning things around and Alex Verdugo playing exceptionally well, but the pitching staff continues to be a laughingstock.
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It's a tale as old as time: Mike Trout playing at an MVP level while the pitching staff is a major letdown.
As great as Anthony Rendon is, it's difficult to understand why Anaheim's money this past offseason wasn't invested in an improved pitching staff instead.
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The bad news for the Tigers? They've gone 2-8 in their last 10 games to re-establish themselves as one of the league's worst teams. The good news? Top pitching prospect Casey Mize has arrived to make them somewhat watchable.
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Perhaps promoting top catching prospect Joey Bart will provide a spark, but the Giants have been exactly the bottom-dwelling team we knew they would be this season. While the lineup has performed above expectations, their atrocious bullpen hasn't done them any favors.
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The Royals somehow have the seventh-best ERA in baseball despite having a 10-15 record and a last-place spot in the NL Central. The point is, they are a better team than they appear on paper.
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The Marlins had a surprisingly hot start to their season but have come crashing back to earth over the last week or two. Still, in an NL East that's up for grabs they could surprise everyone if they can regain early-season form.
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If there's one team I don't know what to make of to this point, it's the Rangers. They started off the season 3-8, then went on a hot streak, and then lost three straight to the Padres while crying about Fernando Tatis Jr.'s grand slam.
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Bo Bichette's injury is a shame. The 22-year-old shortstop was raking before going on the IL with a knee injury.
The rest of Toronto's young core hasn't done much to get excited about so far this year. They'll need to turn it around if the Blue Jays are to have any shot at the playoffs.
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The Orioles are the biggest mystery of the 2020 season. Are they for real? Can they seriously contend for a playoff berth one year after going 54-108?
They're currently 12-12 and have the seventh-most runs scored in MLB. I still find it hard to believe they can sustain this success the rest of the campaign, but man it'll be fun to watch what unfolds.
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There hasn't been much to be excited about in Washington D.C. other than young slugger Juan Soto being an absolute monster. Losing Stephen Strasburg to injury has been a major blow to the Nats' pitching staff, and being in the cellar of the division after a World Series-winning season isn't the best look.
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The Mets are the lastest team to have games postponed due to players/staff testing positive for COVID-19. A tough break as they were on the verge of sweeping the Marlins to make up for being swept by Philly.
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I really like the Phillies' chances of taking the top spot in the wide-open NL East. The key will be the bullpen, which has been hot garbage up to this point.
Other than that, there's a lot for Philadelphia to be excited about including Bryce Harper's hot streak and the addition of top prospect Alec Bohm.
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The Reds were one of the "don't sleep on them!" teams before the season and they haven't quite lived up to those expectations so far. On the bright side, Trevor Bauer is a serious NL Cy Young candidate with a ridiculous 0.64 ERA on the year.
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The D'backs have entered the conversation in the NL West by winning seven of their last 10 games. Strangely enough, their impressive stretch came immediately after the loss of ace Madison Bumgarner.
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It's finally back to business as usual for the Cardinals after their COVID-19 outbreak that led to the postponement of several games. There don't appear to be many signs of rust as Jack Flaherty still looks filthy, the bullpen has looked impressive, and the lineup has been solid since their return.
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The Brew Crew is just a scrappy bunch. They've somewhat bounced back after their slow start and Christian Yelich breaking his slump has a lot to do with that. Their stellar bullpen certainly hasn't hurt either.
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Colorado has cooled down quite a bit since that scorching hot start to the season. A 2-8 record in their last 10 games has the Rockies at 13-11 entering Thursday. They need more from Nolan Arenado, who's hitting a mere .225 on the season.
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Tim Anderson is looking to win his second straight batting title as he entered Thursday hitting .371. He's one of many exciting young players on this White Sox team, which is another squad worth keeping tabs on down the stretch.
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Fernando Tatis Jr.'s 3-0 grand slam heard around the world put the Padres in the headlines this week, but that isn't the only reason you should pay closer attention to San Diego. It's not only a fun team to watch, but also a team that could make things really interesting when the expanded postseason comes around.
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It's a miracle the Braves are still clinging onto the top spot in the NL East. Their best pitcher Mike Soroka is done for the year with a torn Achilles, stars Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies are on the injured list, and now Nick Markakis is out after potentially being exposed to COVID-19.
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The Astros, 8-2 in their last 10, are beginning to look like the Astros we've grown accustomed to over these last few years. Even without Justin Verlander, the rotation has stepped up with Zack Greinke leading the charge.
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We've gone from raving about Cleveland's pitching staff to having second-hand embarrassment for it. Starters Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac were involved in some controversy when they broke COVID-19 protocols and were sent to the organization's alternate training site.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again: look out for the Oakland A's. The bullpen is arguably the best in the bigs and that rotation is nothing to scoff at either. With a 17-8 record, they're clearly the best team in the AL West, and on some days they look like the best in baseball.
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The Cubs have had a rough stretch over the last week or so, but they still hold an impressive 16-8 record and the top spot in the NL Central as of Thursday. The offense will need to be more consistent if they're to maintain that division lead.
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How's this for a stat? Against teams not named the Boston Red Sox this season, the Yankees are 9-9.
New York's pitching staff has been mediocre at best and they've already dealt with a bunch of injuries. Aaron Judge is set to return this weekend, but Giancarlo Stanton and D.J. LeMahieu remain sidelined, plus Gleyber Torres suffered a hamstring injury Wednesday and James Paxton is getting an MRI on his elbow. Not ideal for the Bronx Bombers.
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The Rays recovered from their sluggish start to the campaign and have rolled to a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. Blake Snell is looking like Blake Snell again, and the offense is finally clicking.
Previous: 1
What an addition Kenta Maeda has turned out to be for Minnesota. The right-hander has a 2.27 ERA to this point and was three outs away from a no-hitter on Wednesday night.
As Maeda and the rest of the staff continue to defy expectations, the lineup remains one of the league's best despite several key players underperforming. The Twins boast the best run differential in baseball and are the clearcut favorite in the AL Central.
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The Dodgers have regained the top spot as they've gone 7-3 in their last 10 games and have shown why they are widely considered the favorites to win it all in 2020.
Mookie Betts has been raking, even showing off with the sixth three-home run game of his career last week. Cody Bellinger and the rest of L.A.'s lineup have started to heat up as well. With the most runs scored and best team ERA in baseball, the Dodgers are a no-brainer for No. 1.
