Every week MLB teams will be ranked for the rest of the season. Here are the 2023 MLB power rankings for the week of May 8.
Record: 28-7
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Rays have been the best team in the league by a bit of a wide margin. They currently hold the best record in the MLB behind the play of multiple .300 level hitters and a 3,01 team ERA.
Record: 24-11
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Braves lineup remains one of the best in all of baseball. They have 5 or 6 hitters that have a real shot at tallying 30+ home runs, with a few guys being a threat to 40. Pair that with the utter dominance of Bryce Elder and Spencer Strider and you have a recipe for a World Series.
Record: 21-14
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Dodgers haven’t gotten off to the dominant start that baseball fans are used to. The return of Dustin May, following Tommy John Surgery in 2021, has been a huge boost for the Dodgers pitching rotation.
Record: 20-13
Previous Ranking: N/A
The first big surprise on this list lies with the Texas Rangers. A team that finished last season with a 68-94 record, they have shown major improvement with even more potential in the tank. They are patiently awaiting the return of Jacob DeGrom, as he rehabs an elbow injury.
Record: 22-12
Previous Ranking: N/A
Another surprise, to some, has been the play of the Baltimore Orioles. They showed flashes of this potential last season, but it is incredible that they have a better record than the Red Sox, Yankees, and Blue Jays after over 30 games.
Record: 21-15
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Red Sox have used the play of an electric offense to boost them to an 8-2 record over their last 10 games. Masataka Yoshida currently sits as the betting favorite for the AL Rookie of the Year race, as he has been special so far for Boston.
Record: 21-14
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Blue Jays were swept in a 4 game series by the Red Sox last week, but bounced back with a 3 game sweep of the Pirates. They are currently led by the 3-headed monster of Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and Matt Chapman, all of which are hitting above .315.
Record: 19-15
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Diamondbacks are another nice surprise this season, as they currently sit in 2nd place in the NL West. With a favorable schedule coming up, they could launch themselves even higher in the Power Rankings.
Record: 20-15
Previous Ranking: N/A
Before the season, nobody would have believed the Pirates to be where they are right now, especially after losing SS Oneil Cruz for a few months due to an injury. The Pirates exploded to a 20-8 record, before dropping each of the last 7 games.
Record: 19-16
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Twins remain as the only AL Central team with a positive run differential, a good statistic for identifying how a team is truly performing. They currently rank 3rd in all of MLB in total runs allowed with just 126 runs.
Record: 18-17
Previous Ranking: N/A
Seeing the Yankees this low on the list has been one of the biggest shocks of 2023. The Yankees remain one of the most expensive and talented teams in the MLB but have struggled to put it together. I don’t see them out of the top 10 for too long.
Record: 19-15
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Brewers are a part of the abysmal NL Central, where they trail the Pirates by half a game. They are going to need Corbin Burnes to return to his old form, lowering his ERA below a 3 and getting his K/9 above a 9, if they want to truly contend this year.
Record: 17-17
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Cubs rank 3rd in the NL Central, but they hold the best run differential by a wide margin. In fact, they have one of the best pitching staffs in the MLB, allowing just 122 runs in 34 games, good for a 3.34 team ERA.
Record: 19-16
Previous Ranking: N/A
Shohei Ohtani has been one of the best pitchers in the MLB as well as hitting nearly .300 with 7 home runs. Mike Trout has also hit near .300 with 17 extra-base-hits. With the Astros struggling, 2023 could be the year that Trout and Ohtani can make a playoff push together.
Record: 18-17
Previous Ranking: N/A
The return of Fernando Tatis Jr was a much-anticipated return for Padres fans. He has been pretty good thus far, as he was thrust into the leadoff spot in the lineup and responded with 20 hits, 4 home runs, and 4 doubles in his 69 at bats.
Record: 17-17
Previous Ranking: N/A
The fact that the Astros remain around .500 more than 30 games into the season is crazy. This is one of the most consistently dominant teams in MLB history, but they currently sit out of a playoff spot and are nearing a sub .500 record.
Record: 17-17
Previous Ranking: N/A
The 2022 trade deadline acquisition of Luis Castillo is aging like a fine wine. Castillo has paced the Mariners pitching staff, which altogether holds a 3.49 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Castillo and the pitching staff have the ability to anchor this team.
Record: 17-18
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Mets have seen the worst possible start to 2023. Ace Max Scherzer was busted for an alleged cheating scandal, that created a debate through the baseball world. Justin Verlander has only made one start. Their best two hitters, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor, are off to career worst starts. Things will get better Mets fans.
Record: 16-18
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Guardians sit 2 games under .500 but are still only 2.5 games back from the division. They will need Shane Bieber to continue his dominance in order to stay afloat in the AL Central.
Record: 15-18
Previous Ranking: N/A
Thairo Estrada has been the big bright spot on offense for the Giants, as he is hitting .346 in over 120 at bats. The trio of Alex Cobb (2.01 ERA), Anthony DeSclafani (2.13 ERA) and Logan Webb (3.80 ERA) has anchored the Giants pitching staff.
Record: 16-19
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Phillies are easily one of the most talented teams in the league but have failed to put the pieces together this year. Bryce Harper has made a historically quick return from Tommy John Surgery and looks to kickstart that Philadelphia lineup.
Record: 17-18
Previous Ranking: N/A
The season that Luis Arraez is having is absolutely mindboggling. The 2nd baseman is hitting .420 in 112 at bats. He leads the MLB in batting average by over .070 points. That is ridiculous. That kind of season can’t go to waste.
Record: 14-20
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Reds have the young pieces that it takes to put together a winning baseball team, including Jonathan India, but they haven’t put it all together just yet. Sophomore pitchers Graham Ashcraft and Hunter Greene have shown flashes of dominance.
Record: 15-18
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Tigers compete in one of the most open divisions in baseball. Nobody has taken a hold of the AL Central. Eduardo Rodriguez has been incredible in his 7 starts (3-2, 1.81 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 39 strikeouts).
Record: 14-21
Previous Ranking: N/A
For another season, the Rockies appear to be at the bottom of the barrel in the NL West. They are just a step or two behind the other 4 teams in that division. They will need to continue to make “Kris Bryant” level acquisitions if they wish to compete with that loaded division.
Record: 14-20
Previous Ranking: N/A
After blowing up their Major League roster the last few seasons, the Nationals are a few years away from putting together a talented, playoff bound roster. Either way, pitchers Josiah Gray (3.03 ERA) and Mackenzie Gore (3.65 ERA) have been bright spots on the dim roster.
Record: 12-23
Previous Ranking: N/A
Year after year, the White Sox look to have playoff and even Pennant winning potential. But every year, these dreams fall short. 2023 has been no different, as the very talented White Sox roster has only won 12 of their 35 games.
Record: 11-24
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Cardinals are off to one of the worst starts in recent franchise history. Their 2022 MVP candidate, Nolan Arenado, has been much worse this season, only producing a slash line of .232/.282/.326.
Record: 9-26
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Royals have been at the bottom of the league all season. They are currently bottom 5 in the MLB in runs allowed and runs scored, which leaves them as the 2nd worst team in run differential.
Record: 8-27
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Oakland Athletics have been the worst team in the league this year. They have a small bright spot, as D3 pitcher, turned MLB player, Mason Miller, has shined in his time with the Athletics. The potential with Miller is incredible.
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