MLB Power Rankings Week 6: Philadelphia Phillies are soaring

It was another exciting week in baseball, as some teams have started the month on a hot streak, while other teams are scrambling to dig themselves out of a hole.

Let’s get into the Power Rankings for Week 6 in Major League Baseball.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (26-13, 1st in NL West)

After a short period of not being at the top of the Power Rankings, the Dodgers are back.

Los Angeles has won seven games in a row, which includes series sweeps over the Marlins (not too impressive) and the Braves (much more impressive). Plus, Walker Buehler is back in the rotation. 

2. Philadelphia Phillies (26-12, 1st in NL East)

The Phillies had a fabulous April. Philadelphia has passed the Braves in the division and Alec Bohm might be the hottest hitter on the planet.

Plus, Philly’s starting rotation of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Spencer Turnbull, and Cristopher Sanchez might be the best in baseball.

The only bad news is Trea Turner is out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

3. New York Yankees (25-13, 2nd in AL East)

Juan Soto is proving to be a difference maker in pinstripes. New York just took a series from Houston in the Bronx and have started May with plenty of momentum.

The only downside is Gleyber Torres, Anthony Rizzo, and Giancarlo Stanton haven’t been too productive in the middle of the order, but that hasn’t seemed to matter with New York’s talented first few hitters.

4. Baltimore Orioles (24-12, 1st in AL East)

Last season’s ace Kyle Bradish has returned from injury and he has looked phenomenal in his limited time on the mound.

Paired with Corbin Burnes, John Means, and Dean Kremer, the Orioles have a solid pitching core.

Baltimore’s lineup has continued to produce at a high level and the O’s will likely remain in the top 5 of the Power Rankings for quite some time.

5. Atlanta Braves (22-12, 2nd in NL East)

It feels weird to say, but the Braves have not been playing too well lately. Ronald Acuna Jr. has not produced the way he did last season and Matt Olson is hitting just .200 on the year.

Fortunately, Atlanta’s deep lineup has picked up the slack. The sweep by the Dodgers was quite the reality check for the Braves.

6. Cleveland Guardians (24-13, 1st in AL Central)

Cleveland continues to impress this season. However, a series loss to the Astros and a mediocre series against the Angels showed cracks in the Guardians’ foundation.

With the Rangers and Twins on their schedule next week, it’s going to be an important week for them.

7. Minnesota Twins (21-15, 2nd in AL Central)

It was a disappointing start to the season for the Twins as they lost Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis early on, but Minnesota has been one of the hottest teams in baseball in the last few weeks.

The Twins have won eight of their last 10 games and their lineup has been incredibly efficient during that time. A big series against the Guardians next week is going to be crucial in the divisional race.

8. Texas Rangers (22-17, 1st in AL West)

The AL West has sort of been forgotten about so far. The Rangers and Mariners have been playing just above .500 for the last month, while the Athletics and Angels are hanging around just below .500.

With that said, Texas has capitalized on a weak division and has won seven of their last 10 to remain in first place.

9. Milwaukee Brewers (21-15, 1st in NL Central)

Christian Yelich is back for the Brewers and the lineup desperately needed the boost. After a hot April, the Brew Crew had regressed back to normal.

Back-to-back series losses to the Royals and Cubs have the Brewers in a slight rut, but it’s not enough to knock them out of first place in the division.

10. Chicago Cubs (22-16, 2nd in NL Central)

The MVP of the Cubs so far has been Shota Imanaga. The rookie sensation has a 1.08 ERA in his first seven career starts and has quickly become a fan favorite.

On offense Cody Bellinger has returned from injury and Seiya Suzuki is just a few days away. The Cubs are ready to make a run at first place.

11. Kansas City Royals (22-16, 3rd in AL Central)

   The Royals have been playing excellent baseball recently, but still remain in third in the division because of the Guardians and Twins.

Regardless, Kansas City’s offense has been very impressive with Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino leading the charge. Good things are happening for a young and talented Royals team.

12. Seattle Mariners (20-17, 2nd in AL West)

It’s been a very mediocre start to the year for the Mariners. Seattle is barely above .500 but just a game outside of first place, so the Mariners have been very fortunate.

The starting rotation has been great, but the lineup has been holding the team back. This extended slump is starting to get concerning.

13. San Diego Padres (20-20, 2nd in NL West)

The Padres made the first big trade of the season as they acquired Luis Arraez from the Marlins in exchange for a handful of prospects.

It was an interesting move since they already have Xander Bogaerts and Ha-Seong Kim up the middle, but it appears Arraez will primarily be the DH. It’s clear that San Diego is gunning for the Wild Card this season.

14. Boston Red Sox (19-18, 3rd in AL East)

Injuries have been the story of the year for the Red Sox, but Boston is finally getting some of their key players back.

Nick Pivetta and Vaughn Grisson have returned to the team, but Brayan Bello and Garrett Whitlock are still out and Masataka Yoshida’s injury appears to be more severe than anticipated. It’s been a frustrating first few weeks.

15. Washington Nationals (18-18, 4th in NL East)

The Nationals have cracked the top half of the Power Rankings for the first time this season. Just a few days ago, the Nats were 18-17, which marked the first time they were above .500 since 2021.

Washington’s pitching has been mediocre, but the young offense with CJ Abrams at the top of the order has been the key to success. 

The remainder...

16. Detroit Tigers (19-18, 4th in AL Central)
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (17-20, 3rd in NL West)
18. Tampa Bay Rays (19-19, 4th in AL East)
19. Oakland Athletics (18-21, 4th in AL West)
20. New York Mets (18-18, 3rd in NL East)
21. Toronto Blue Jays (17-20, 5th in AL East)
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (17-21, 3rd in NL Central)
23. San Francisco Giants (17-21, 4th in NL West)
24. St. Louis Cardinals (15-21, 5th in NL Central)
25. Los Angeles Angels (14-23, 4th in AL West)
26. Cincinnati Reds (16-20, 4th in NL Central)
27. Houston Astros (12-24, 5th in AL West)
28. Miami Marlins (10-29, 5th in NL East)
29. Chicago White Sox (9-28, 5th in AL Central)
30. Colorado Rockies (8-28, 5th in NL West)