Every week, the Pitcher List team publishes an update to our MLB Power Rankings, reviewing the biggest risers and fallers of the past seven days. As always, the full rankings can be found at the bottom of this article … but where’s the fun in that?
For the first time since Week 2, the Rays have been caught for the #1 spot in our rankings. Atlanta continues to surge, winning five of their last six games, and owns roughly the same winning % as Tampa Bay. Atlanta has opened up a substantial lead over the second-place team in the NL East, the surprising Miami Marlins (more on them in a bit).
Meanwhile, preseason favorites the Mets and Padres continue to languish. The Padres have lost five in a row, while the Mets have dropped seven of ten. Both teams went all in for this year. Will they consider selling if they don’t pick things up in the next few weeks? It could be a fun trade deadline if they do.
Elsewhere, the Guardians have caught the Twins in the AL Central. Minnesota is struggling, while Cleveland had won seven of ten heading into Thursday’s contest against the Royals. It figures to be a two-horse race between these teams down the stretch unless the White Sox finally wake up and start playing to their potential.
Movin’ On Up
Record: 48-34
Rank change: +3 (12 to 9)
It took a while for us to believe in the Fish, who had a significant negative run differential just a few weeks ago. They’ve turned that around in June, though, winning 18 games and outscoring their opponents by 43 runs. The Marlins’ offense remains relatively average. However, their pitching staff has been legit, owning an MLB-best 3.05 ERA this month before they shut out the Red Sox on Thursday.
The Marlins took three of four from the Pirates to start last week and swept their three-game series against the Red Sox. In those seven contests, the most runs the staff let up were four. Their young staff dominated. Braxton Garrett allowed only two earned runs in his two starts, while Jesús Luzardo and rookie sensation Eury Pérez blanked their opponents (Luzardo twice!). The team also got a good outing from Sandy Alcantara, who hasn’t looked like the same pitcher who won the NL Cy Young last season. In the bullpen, A.J. Puk recorded four saves despite blowing one last Friday in their only loss.
The offense did its part last week, scoring 31 runs, ten of which came at the Red Sox’s expense on Tuesday. Garrett Cooper had a 1.365 OPS heading into Thursday’s game, slugging two HRs and driving in six. Jazz Chisholm Jr. came off the IL on Tuesday and immediately made his presence felt. In the first two games against Boston, Chisholm hit .500 with a home run, three runs, and four RBI. The Fish are in Atlanta this weekend, which will surely test their legitimacy.
Hittin’ The Skids
Record: 37-44
Rank change: -2 (19 to 21)
The Padres have had an odd season. They’ve outscored their opponents by 19 runs and have top-ten-rated pitching staff and offense, yet they continue to lose games. This past week’s schedule probably excited the Friars’ fans. A weekend series against the Nationals at home followed by a trip to Pittsburgh, who’s been in a downward spiral. Yet, the Padres only won one of the six contests – the opener against the Nats last Friday.
The offense mustered 13 runs in their lone victory but plated only 12 more runs over the next five contests. The vaunted quartet of Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts scored and drove in only ten runs over the six games, while the real star was Ha-Seong Kim, who slugged three HRs and drove in eight. The Padres’ offense remains underwhelming despite its star power.
On the mound, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell pitched well, but the bullpen had a rough week. Nick Martinez, in particular, had a brutal outing on Wednesday. Snell left after six innings trailing 2-1, handing off to Martinez, who faced six batters and failed to record an out. He exited with three runs in and the bases loaded. Before the inning ended, the Friars were down 7-1, and Martinez’s ERA ballooned from 3.24 to 4.01.
There’s too much talent on San Diego’s roster to underwhelm all season, but how patient will management be?
Record: 40-42
Rank change: -2 (13 to 15)
The Twins took two of three from the Tigers over the weekend but were swept by Atlanta from Monday through Wednesday. This isn’t too shameful. Atlanta is one of the best teams in baseball. However, the Twins are seemingly a mediocre team that plays in a lousy division.
Minnesota is 20th in runs scored this season but fourth in ERA. However, injuries have taken their toll on their staff, which has struggled in June. The return of Kenta Maeda should help. Maeda made two starts last week and tallied a 1.80 ERA while striking out 12 in his ten innings. However, their other starters put up mediocre numbers at best, and their ace, Joe Ryan, got lit up by Atlanta. Despite this, their starting staff is their strength and should keep them near the top of the AL Central.
The offense, on the other hand, has struggled. Carlos Correa had only four hits last week, and Byron Buxton had one, with eight strikeouts. The Twins managed only three runs in the three-game series against Atlanta. Minnesota may need to look for some offense in July if they want to hold off the Guardians for the NL Central crown.
Week 13 MLB Power Rankings