MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers Reclaim the Top Spot Thanks to Shohei Ohtani’s 40-40 Achievement
The season of unfinished teams continues. However, amidst this unevenness lies a chance for teams to improve their standings in YSL News Sports’ power rankings.
Hence, we welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the top tier.
Luckily for them, their key players are performing exceptionally well. Just two days after Shohei Ohtani reached a notable 40-40 milestone with a thrilling walk-off grand slam, Mookie Betts hit a crucial two-run homer to seal a dramatic series win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Since returning from a fractured hand, Betts has achieved seven extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in just 13 games.
While the Arizona Diamondbacks continue to play at a high level, the Dodgers have successfully held onto a three-game lead in the NL West and are working their way back to having the best record across Major League Baseball.
But they won’t have any time to celebrate; the Baltimore Orioles are set to visit Dodger Stadium for a three-game series. After that, the Dodgers will head to Arizona for a four-game series.
Here’s a glance at our revised rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (+4)
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto is finally set to start his rehabilitation assignment.
2. New York Yankees (-)
- One gets the impression that even Eddie Gaedel could produce behind Aaron Judge without causing issues.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (+3)
- The only team enjoying a double-digit lead in their division.
4. Baltimore Orioles (-1)
- Power-hitting prospect Samuel Basallo gets promoted to Class AAA.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (-4)
- Struggling with a record of 14-20 since the All-Star break, which ranks joint-worst in the National League.
6. Cleveland Guardians (-2)
- Jhonkensy Noel has launched 12 homers in just 41 games, matching Russell Branyan in franchise history.
7. Minnesota Twins (-)
- Zebby Matthews is showcasing a solid performance with a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over his three starts.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2)
- Jordan Montgomery is now in the bullpen, allowing Merrill Kelly to return while Ryne Nelson continues to pitch effectively.
9. Kansas City Royals (-)
- A bustling week ahead: Four significant games in Cleveland followed by three in Houston.
10. San Diego Padres (-2)
- Jackson Merrill impressively walks off against the Mets – this marks his fifth homer that ties or gives the lead in late innings.
11. Houston Astros (-)
- Returning to Philadelphia for the first time since their victory in the 2022 World Series.
12. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Matt Olson is having a resurgence with nine homers in his last 27 games, improving from just 13 homers in the first 102 games.
13. New York Mets (+1)
- Francisco Alvarez is struggling this month with a stat line of .167/.219/.250 across 64 plate appearances and only two extra-base hits.
14. Boston Red Sox (-2)
- The pitching falters again as the Diamondbacks complete a sweep at Fenway Park.
15. Seattle Mariners (-)
- They went for a drastic strategy change, yet it still isn’t boosting their hitting.
16. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
- Junior Caminero is on a roll – he homers in back-to-back games at Dodger Stadium.
17. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Heliot Ramos hits his 20th homer, aiming to achieve the Giants’ first 30-homer season since Barry Bonds in 2004.
18. St. Louis Cardinals (-)
- Unfortunate news for Willson Contreras as he suffers a fractured finger.
19. Detroit Tigers (+1)
- Prospect Ty Madden is set to make his Major League debut on Monday against the White Sox.
20. Chicago Cubs (-1)
- Pete Crow-Armstrong hits an inside-the-park homer followed by a second-deck shot on consecutive days.
21. Cincinnati Reds (-)
- No major elbow damage detected for Hunter Greene, but he might not pitch again until Goodyear.
22. Toronto Blue Jays (+2)
- Bowden Francis’s near no-hitter signals promise for 2024.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
- “Pittsburgh, I adore you,” says Barry Bonds, recently honored as a Pirates Hall of Famer.
24. Texas Rangers (-1)
- Corey Seager has now homered in 27 of 30 parks, with St. Louis, Kansas City, and Atlanta still on his agenda.
25. Washington Nationals (-)
- They will kick off the Dylan Crews era with Juan Soto across the dugout.
26. Oakland Athletics (-)
- Mason Miller notches his 21st save, closing in on Andrew Bailey’s rookie franchise record.
27. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- General Manager Perry Minasian has received a two-year contract extension. Is this a sign of stability?
28. Miami Marlins (-)
- Connor Norby, a new addition to the team, has hit six extra-base hits in his first six games as a Marlin.
29. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Bradley Blalock, a young player, celebrated his first major league win at Yankee Stadium.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
- The team faced one hundred losses by August 25, marking the earliest such occurrence for any club in the modern era.