Each week, The California Post will power rank MLB’s 30 teams and check in on one intriguing awards race. Here is this week’s edition (records through Thursday night):
The Braves are back in the top spot after a one-week absence, producing two statement series wins over the Dodgers and Cubs to become the first team to reach 30 wins this season. Matt Olson remains perhaps the most consistent hitter in the majors so far this year, while Chris Sale and Bryce Elder have emerged as arguably the league’s best 1-2 rotation punch.(Last week: 3rd)
It was a rollercoaster week for the Cubs. After reeling off what was already their second 10-game winning streak of the season, they lost four in a row before avoiding a sweep against the Braves with a win on Thursday. Still, their lineup is top-five in OPS and runs scored, while their pitching staff ranks 10th in ERA.(Last week: 2nd)
Gerrit Cole’s impending return from the injured list can’t come soon enough. This week, the Yankees not only lost five of six games (including a sweep to the Brewers that leaves them 1-8 against opponents with winning records) but saw Max Fried leave a start early with elbow soreness; though Fried is hopeful he isn’t dealing with anything serious.(Last week: 1st)
The Dodgers saved themselves from a potentially disastrous week by salvaging a series split against the Giants. And for as good as Shohei Ohtani has been on the mound (with an MLB-best 0.82 ERA), his struggles offensively remain a problem. The Dodgers will need his bat to get going before they completely snap their team-wide slump.(Last week: 4th)
Should the Rays be higher? Probably. In the last three weeks, they are 16-3 and have overtaken the Yankees for first place in the AL East. They are undoubtedly good. Whether they’regreat, however, is another question. Remember: Last year they had a 15-4 stretch in late May/early June, yet still finished eight games below .500.(Last week: 5th)
Remember when everyone complained about Jacob Misiorowski being in the All-Star Game last year? That won’t be happening again this summer. The second-year right-hander is well on his way to Philadelphia right now, thanks to a 2.12 ERA and MLB-most 80 strikeouts. And, amazingly, the Brewers’ only loss this week came when he pitched a career-best seven scoreless innings.(Last week: 8th)
The Cardinals keep defying expectations, emerging from a tricky West Coast road trip to San Diego and Oakland another game further above .500. For all the attention their young lineup has gotten, 25-year-old pitcher Michael McGreevy has been equally impressive with a 2.10 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in nine starts.(Last week: 6th)
There are 19 teams in MLB with negative run differentials. The Padres are the only ones more than two games above .500. Their whacky season was epitomized by a win over the Brewers in Misiorowski’s start on Wednesday, when they were an out away from being shutout before Gavin Sheets hit a game-winning three-run homer.(Last week: 7th)
A Paul Skenes no-hitter is coming. For the second time in his last four starts this week, he carried a no-no bid into the seventh inning. At some point, it feels inevitable he’ll get one across the line. In the meantime, the Pirates keep on holding steady above .500.(Last week: 9th)
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
