MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox, Rays continue to roll
More than a week into the month of June, we're beginning to get a feel of which teams are contenders and which are pretenders.The Boston Red Sox appear to be the former. They continue to fight for the top spot in the American League East, but the Tampa Bay Rays simply refuse to slow down. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are left looking for answers after getting swept by Boston in the Bronx.Elsewhere, the Giants, Padres and Dodgers continue to do battle in a tightly-contested National League West. San Francisco maintains the division lead and, like the Rays, they don't appear ready to give it up any time soon.So, who else is hanging with the contenders as we enter the summer months? Here's how all 30 MLB teams stack up in our latest Power Rankings.
Previously: 30
The D'Backs remain firmly in the cellar after going 3-22 in their last 25 games. Expect them to be big sellers at this year's deadline with Ketel Marte as their biggest trade chip.
Tomase: Could Sale and Duran make Red Sox contenders?
Previously: 21
It's been a really rough stretch for the Rangers, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Kyle Gibson has been a bright spot as the righty is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 11 starts so far this year.
Previously: 25
Trevor Story being on the injured list hurts, but Brendan Rodgers has stepped up in a big way going 5-for-7 with a homer in Colorado's series vs. Oakland. Story is a name to monitor as we get closer to the trade deadline.
Previously: 28
Rookie Ke'Bryan Hayes has looked great since returning from the injured list. The Pirates also got Colin Moran back from the IL and took three out of four from the Marlins, so things are looking up.
Previously: 29
The O's have snapped their ice-cold streak and gone 4-1 so far in June with series wins over the Twins and Indians.
Previously: 24
Are the Twins the most disappointing team of the 2021 MLB season? So far, it's looking that way. They're dangerously close to becoming sellers at the deadline.
Previously: 19
The Nats are right there with the Twins as one of the most disappointing clubs of the season. They rank 28th in runs scored (215).
Previously: 26
The Tigers' impressive group of young pitchers has started to take shape as Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal have been outstanding as of late. Detroit sneakily has looked like a much better team over the last month or so.
Previously: 16
The Marlins have struggled mightily since I told you not to sleep on them two weeks ago. They're 2-9 in their last 11 games as their slumping lineup hasn't done their talented pitching staff any favors.
Previously: 23
Shohei Ohtani remains firmly in the American League MVP race and deserves to be the top vote-getter on the All-Star Game ballot. With his help, the Angels are a solid 8-5 in their last 13 games. Still, Mike Trout can't return from the IL soon enough.
Previously: 27
Getting sent back down to the minor might do Jarred Kelenic some good. The top prospect was overmatched during his brief stint in the majors, hitting just .096 in 23 games. Seattle is 6-4 in its last 10.
Previously: 22
Don't look now, but former Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi is slashing .294/.350/.426 with six homers so far in his debut season with KC. The Royals as a whole have been mediocre, going .500 with a -11 run differential to this point.
Previously: 18
Philadelphia has a couple of big homestands ahead vs. the Braves and Yankees. Getting Bryce Harper back from his wrist injury should provide a boost.
Previously: 20
The Reds are hot, and much of that has to do with Jesse Winker's power surge. Winker crushed three homers Sunday vs. the Cardinals, tying him for second in MLB with 17 on the campaign.
Previously: 13
Taking two out of three from the Dodgers was a step in the right direction, but the Braves need to get on a bit of a run soon rather than treading water at .500. Fortunately for them, their NL East counterparts aren't really faring any better.
Previously: 10
Things are beginning to unravel a bit for the Cardinals. They're lost seven of their last eight and three of their starters (Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, and Kwang Hyun Kim) are on the injured list. Not ideal.
Previously: 5
The panic button appears to have been pressed in the Bronx after the Yankees were swept by the Red Sox at home. The Yankees' offensive woes continue to be a major concern as they're currently 26th in runs scored.
Previously: 12
This Indians team probably isn't a match for the White Sox in the division, but they deserve credit for staying in the race despite their lackluster lineup. How much longer can Cleveland's pitching staff carry the load?
Previously: 11
Led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Marcus Semien, this Blue Jays lineup is nothing to mess with. If George Springer can return to form when he evenetually returns from injury, look out.
Previously: 15
The Mets are starting to hit their stride. Jacob deGrom picked up where he left off after returning from the injured list, leading a rotation that has a league-best 2.82 ERA. Francisco Lindor is beginning to turn things around at the plate as well, helping the team go 8-3 in its last 11 games.
Previously: 14
Before losing three out of four to the Giants, the Cubs pulled off an impressive sweep of the Padres to continue a torrid stretch. They'll be put to the test with another series against San Diego, then the Cardinals and Mets.
Previously: 17
The Brewers are one of the biggest movers in this week's rankings after going 9-1 in their last 10. The rotation has been sensational with Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, and Freddy Peralta leading the way.
Previously: 7
The Astros are tied with the Dodgers for the league lead in runs scored (313), and the rotation has been much better as of late. They've won six of their last eight games and appear poised to catch Oakland in the AL West.
Previously: 9
The A's won four straight games to start June before falling to the Rockies on Tuesday. Now they have a chance to take advantage of a series against the lowly D'Backs. The rotation, led by Sean Manea (four-hit shutout on Wednesday) has been fantastic.
Previously: 2
The Dodgers suddenly find themselves three games out of first place in the NL West after going 4-7 in their last 11. Fortunately for them, series against the lowly Pirates, Rangers, and D'Backs are ahead.
Previously: 1
The Padres drop from the top spot as their offense continues to scuffle. They're 2-6 in their last eight with the lineup failing to score more than four runs in those games. The pitching has been sensational, but San Diego could quickly fall to third in the division if they can't figure it out at the plate sooner rather than later.
Previously: 4
The Red Sox bounced back to sweep the Yankees in the Bronx after losing three of four in Houston. The rotation continues to smash expectations with Martin Perez and Nick Pivetta as unlikely heroes. They'll look to get some revenge on the Astros in their three-game series at Fenway Park.
Tomase: Red Sox, Yankees are two teams going in different directions
Previously: 6
Previously: 8
The Giants continue to defy the odds and lead the competitive National League West. They're 7-3 in their last 10 games and their upcoming schedule is looking pretty soft with the Rangers, Nationals, and Diamondbacks looming. They're a bit banged up offensively but as long as the pitching staff keeps up what they've been doing, they should be fine.
Previously: 3
The Rays surged near the top of our rankings two weeks ago and they haven't slowed down since. They're 19-4 in their last 23 games and refusing to give up the top spot in the American League East.
