This week's MLB Power Rankings feature an exciting landscape of baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays sweep the New York Yankees and take control of the AL East. Additionally, Brandon Woodruff triumphantly returns to the majors, the Seattle Mariners showcase a historically stingy pitching staff, Eury Pérez offers hope for the Miami Marlins, and the Washington Nationals hit the reset button. These rankings are based on both current performance and long-term projected outlook. Let's dive in! (Note: Rankings reflect the status as of Monday, July 7).
The Detroit Tigers fought hard to achieve a series sweep against the struggling Cleveland Guardians. After a slow start, scoring only four runs in the first 27 innings, the Tigers exploded for six runs in the 10th inning of Sunday’s victory. With this win, Detroit now holds an impressive 13.5 game lead in the AL Central.
The Houston Astros capped off a weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their 19th win in the last 24 games. Notably, pitcher Hunter Brown earned his first All-Star selection this week and has consistently limited opponents to two or fewer earned runs since May 21.
Following the sweep by the Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers drop in the rankings. Their 18-1 loss on Friday was the worst in Dodger Stadium history. The team is also dealing with the loss of Max Muncy due to a knee injury, although Tyler Glasnow is expected to return against the Brewers.
The Chicago Cubs remain steady in the rankings. Despite Seiya Suzuki not making the National League All-Star team, his 25th home run during Sunday Night Baseball speaks volumes about his performance this season.
The Philadelphia Phillies continue to impress, highlighted by Zack Wheeler throwing a one-hitter against the Reds and earning his third All-Star nod. With the midsummer classic in his hometown, Wheeler is expected to shine.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a remarkable turnaround, sweeping the Yankees and gaining a three-game lead in the AL East thanks to an impressive eight-game winning streak. George Springer has been a key player, batting .490 with six home runs and 21 RBIs over the last 13 games.
The New York Mets have found some momentum, winning series against both the Brewers and Yankees. Despite losing Paul Blackburn, they anticipate the return of Sean Manaea soon, with Kodai Senga following closely behind.
A significant day for the Milwaukee Brewers featured Brandon Woodruff making his first start in 652 days, following shoulder surgery. He allowed only two hits and one run over six innings while striking out eight, proving to be a valuable asset for the team.
The New York Yankees are struggling, currently on a six-game losing streak. A highlight from Sunday’s game was Cody Bellinger’s impressive catch, which fans hope could spark a turnaround for the team.
After a slow start, Yandy Díaz is now shining, boasting a .378 batting average since June, just behind Tyler Freeman of the Rockies. The Tampa Bay Rays are looking to build on this momentum.
The San Diego Padres are set to receive a boost with Yu Darvish making his season debut against the Diamondbacks. Coming off an injury, Darvish's return could stabilize the rotation for the second half of the season.
The Seattle Mariners are on a roll, achieving three consecutive shutouts against the Pirates, marking a franchise first. With their pitching dominance, they may look to bolster their batting lineup before the trade deadline.
Despite a rocky start to his contract, Willy Adames is finding his form, hitting .318 with six homers in the last 25 games for the San Francisco Giants.
The St. Louis Cardinals are in a critical stretch after being swept by the Pirates and losing two out of three to the Cubs. Decisions ahead may determine their strategy at the trade deadline.
Though the Cincinnati Reds have lost four of their last six games, the return of Noelvi Marte and Graham Ashcraft from the IL brings optimism. However, Hunter Greene faces a setback with his groin injury.
The Boston Red Sox are hopeful for Alex Bregman’s return soon, despite his odd selection to the All-Star game without having played since May 23.
The Texas Rangers have demoted Josh Jung to Triple-A as he works through a slump. The team aims for him to regain confidence and return to form as a potential franchise cornerstone.
Corbin Carroll made a swift return from a wrist fracture, but concerns remain about its potential impact on his performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Los Angeles Angels faced a tough series against the Blue Jays, losing all three games by a single run. Consistency continues to elude the team as they hover around the .500 mark.
After placing Bailly Ober on the injured list due to hip issues, the Minnesota Twins hope that some time off will help him return to form in the second half of the season.
Despite struggles, Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout for the Kansas City Royals, hitting safely in 10 straight games with a .349 batting average over the last month.
With Spencer Schwellenbach dealing with an elbow fracture, the Atlanta Braves face another setback as they look to salvage their season.
The Baltimore Orioles have seen Trevor Rogers excel in his last three starts, posting a 0.90 ERA, showing that their controversial trades may still yield positive results.
Eury Pérez is showcasing his talent after returning from Tommy John surgery, allowing just one hit in six scoreless innings against the Twins, signaling a bright future for the Miami Marlins.
Struggling through a ten-game losing streak, the Cleveland Guardians are on the brink of tying a franchise record for losses.
While Oneil Cruz hasn't always matched results with talent, he continues to remind fans of his athletic prowess with spectacular plays.
A new era begins for the Washington Nationals, having parted ways with both manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. As they prepare for the upcoming draft, interim GM Mike DeBartolo is tasked with making crucial decisions for the franchise's future.
The Oakland Athletics have seen Denzel Clarke impress with highlight-reel catches and a powerful home run, showcasing his potential in the majors.
The Chicago White Sox mourn the loss of Bobby Jenks, who passed away at 44 after a courageous battle with cancer. Jenks was a key player during the team's World Series victory in 2005.
The Colorado Rockies round out the rankings as they continue to seek answers to turn their season around.
