MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers holding firm as MLB’s top team

By Ben Verlander
FOX Sports MLB Analyst

The canine days of August are upon us, and the playoff image is beginning to take form. 

Some divisions are already just about locked up, however there are many tight races across the league. 

Let’s dive into this week’s MLB Top 10.

The Dodgers and Astros lead Ben’s MLB Power Rankings

Ben Verlander breaks down this week’s MLB Power Rankings, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and New York Mets staying on top of the checklist.

Watch “Flippin’ Bats with Ben Verlander” on YouTube, or subscribe on podcast platforms, together with Apple Podcasts.

10. Toronto Blue Jays

As a team, the Blue Jays are hitting .271 vs. the opposing team’s starters, which is tied for one of the best mark within the majors. They haven’t been firing on all cylinders offensively, although, and in the event that they aren’t outscoring everybody, they in all probability aren’t going to win numerous video games with their rotation. 

Toronto desperately wanted a brand new beginning pitcher on the commerce deadline, and the group didn’t get it performed. So right here they’re, in the course of August, struggling to hold on to a playoff spot.

9. San Diego Padres

It appeared just like the Padres have been going to take off and propel themselves into the playoffs after buying Juan Soto, however issues have not precisely gone as deliberate. 

The team made big strikes on the deadline, including Soto, Josh Bell, Josh Hader and Brandon Drury, however San Diego is taking part in beneath .500 for the reason that deadline. And the most important blow of all got here when it was introduced that star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended 80 video games for a violation of the league’s Performance-Enhancing Drug Policy. 

The Padres ought to nonetheless be adequate to get to the playoffs, however they need to play higher than they’re proper now. 

What Fernando Tatis Jr.’s PED suspension means for San Diego

Ben Verlander dives into Padres celebrity Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 80-game suspension for testing optimistic for performance-enhancing medicine and what this implies for the revamped Padres.

8. Philadelphia Phillies

Since making a managerial change, the Phillies are 41-22 (.651). They have additionally been incredible since buying David Robertson and placing him into the nearer function, which had been a giant want for them. 

Since the All-Star break, the Phillies are additionally tied for one of the best save proportion in baseball, at 87.5%.

7. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals addressed what they wanted to on the commerce deadline, and it has been figuring out properly for them. They’ve received seven of their previous 10 video games, together with an enormous collection over the weekend towards their counterparts on the top of the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The Cardinals acquired higher on the deadline, and the Brewers didn’t. Right now, that’s the distinction within the division.

6. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are an MLB-best 27-14 (.659) in one-run video games this season. Their bullpen has been lights-out, and their rotation, led by Luis Castillo, goes to be an issue for opposing groups down the stretch. 

I’m a giant believer on this Mariners team. I believe they’ll match up properly with nearly anybody come playoff time, due to the three guys on the top of the rotation: Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert and Castillo.

5. New York Yankees

The Yankees proceed to scuffle and have been downright unhealthy for the reason that All-Star Game. They are definitely higher than how they have been taking part in, however a regression to the imply was to be anticipated from this Yankees rotation.

This team shall be positive, however the Yankees should play higher than the stretch they’re on proper now, successful simply two of their previous 11 video games. Still, the Bronx Bombers will simply win the AL East. 

Will Aaron Judge break the Yankees’ house run file?

Ben Verlander performs “Take it or depart it” on “Flippin’ Bats” and solutions the arduous hitting questions, together with whether or not Aaron Judge will break the New York Yankees’ house run file and Blake Snell is again in Cy Young kind.

4. Atlanta Braves

The Braves are on a roll, having received six in a row heading into this week. They kick off an enormous collection towards the Mets on Monday, and if they’ll’t determine easy methods to beat their division rivals, they may discover the NL East out of attain. 

Still, the Braves’ newcomers have been an enormous blessing for them this season and are a giant cause this team is headed for the playoffs, whether or not through successful the division or grabbing the top NL wild card. 

3. New York Mets

The Mets are lastly near 100%, and the addition of Jacob deGrom has been the intense spot they have been hoping for. The rotation has been masterful since his return, and the mix of Max Scherzer and deGrom has been unbeatable. 

The Mets have all of the makings of a World Series team, and it’s only a matter of how they’ll fare come October.

Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Edwin Diaz make Mets World Series contenders

Ben Verlander breaks down three causes the New York Mets are a World Series-caliber team, starting with Jacob deGrom’s and Max Scherzer’s dominance on the mound and ending with one of the best nearer in baseball, Edwin Diaz.

2. Houston Astros

Owners of one of the best file within the American League, the Houston Astros are rolling alongside. Lance McCullers Jr. returned for the primary time this season and was masterful in his debut, hanging out 5 and never permitting a run over six innings. 

The Astros don’t have a weak point: Their rotation is incredible, their bullpen has had one of the best ERA in baseball for a lot of the season, their protection ranks within the top three, and their offense is top-10 in most classes. This team is a drive to be reckoned with.

Houston Astros proceed to dominate the AL as Yankees wrestle

Ben Verlander explains why the Houston Astros are the top team within the American League, with their continued dominance as Justin Verlander leads the pitching workers and the Yankees proceed to wrestle.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers simply had a 12-game successful streak come to an finish Sunday. With each win by a number of runs, it was one of the crucial spectacular successful streaks I’ve ever seen.

The Dodgers have been dominant in each sense of the phrase. That mentioned, they acquired a giant blow Monday, when it was introduced that their ace, Walker Buehler, is about to bear season-ending elbow surgical procedure. But make no mistake: The Dodgers are one of the best team within the league proper now.

Here’s to a different nice week of Major League Baseball!

Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Old Dominion University earlier than he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round decide of the Tigers in 2013. He spent 5 years within the Tigers group. Follow him on Twitter @BenVerlander.