MLB Power Rankings: Number 10 to Number 6
#10 Tampa Bay Rays, 90-72 (89-73 Expected Record)
+70 run-differential, 41-25, .621 since All-Star break
In addition to winning an impressive 90 games, the Rays made two in-season trades that should greatly help them in the future. They added outfielder Tommy Pham, who hit .331/.438/.604 in 38 games with the Rays. They also picked up Tyler Glasnow and two minor league players for Chris Archer. Glasnow was about as good as Archer this season and will be cheaper going forward.
#9 Atlanta Braves, 90-72, .556 (93-69 Expected Record)
+102 run-differential, 38-30, .559 since All-Star break
While young position players Ronald Acuńa, Jr. and Ozzie Albies have received much of the attention in Atlanta, the season Mike Foltynewicz had shouldn’t be overlooked. Folty dropped his ERA almost two full runs as he increased his strikeout rate and limited home runs.
#8 Milwaukee Brewers, 95-67, .586 (92-70 Expected Record)
+93 run-differential, 40-24, .625 since All-Star break
While the Brewers were gunning for a playoff spot by going 20-7 in September, Christian Yelich hit .352/.500/.807, with 24 runs, 10 homers and 33 RBI in 26 games. Yelich has arguably been the best position player in the NL and he has the narrative that voters like, so he will likely win the NL MVP Award, despite not being as valuable as Jacob deGrom according to the assorted Wins Above Replacement metrics.
#7 Chicago Cubs, 95-67, .586 (94-67 Expected Record)
+118 run-differential, 40-29, .580 since All-Star break
The Cubs have won 387 games over the last four years, which is the most wins in a four-year stretch for the franchise since the 1909-1912 Cubs (391 wins). Those were the days when Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown toed the slab in an old stadium called West Side Park. The site where the ballpark stood is now the University of Illinois Medical Center. West Side Park is the only stadium in which the Chicago Cubs have won two World Series. Should this year’s Cubs win the World Series, Wrigley Field would be the second.
#5 Cleveland Indians, 91-71, .562 (100-62 Expected Record)
+170 run-differential, 39-28, .582 since All-Star break
With their third straight postseason appearance this year, Cleveland is in the midst of their best run of playoff seasons since the 1995-1999 team made it five years in a row. Those Cleveland teams went to the World Series in 1995 and 1997 and lost both. This Cleveland team is hoping to get back to the World Series after losing in 2016.