MLB Power Rankings, Award Tracker: Shohei Ohtani might run away with MVP
Each week, The California Post will power rank MLB’s 30 teams and check in on one intriguing awards race.Here is this week’s edition (records through Thursday night):Ronald Acuña Jr.
is back on the injured list, but the Braves keep on rolling with the best record in the majors.So far this year, Acuña hasn’t even been Atlanta’s best outfielder.
Instead, it’s Michael Harris II, who is hitting over .300 with 13 home runs.(Last week: 1st)The Dodgers have cooled off recently thanks to some repeated bullpen scuffles.
But they still have the best record in the majors over the last month, a distant lead in the National League West and a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs.Wake us when October arrives.
(Last week: 2nd)So far, so good for the Bombers in the wake of Aaron Judge’s injury.Despite losing their MVP slugger for the foreseeable future, the Yankees have won four straight games and moved back into a tie for first place in the AL East.
(Last week: 3rd)The Brewers just went 4-2 on perhaps the most hitter-friendly road trip in MLB history, going to mile-high Coors Field and the launching pad that is Las Vegas Ballpark to face the A’s.Fittingly, they averaged 8.5 runs per game over the course of the week.
(Last week: 4th)Where would the Phillies be now without Kyle Schwarber? After his flirtation with other clubs as a free agent this winter, the veteran slugger is leading the majors in home runs and slugging percentage, on pace for a career-high 57 homers.It has been key to the Phillies’ 29-13 turnaround since late April.
(Last week: 5th)Nothing like playing the Red Sox to get your season back on track.After losing 10 of 13 games, the Rays swept Boston behind more stellar pitching from Nick Martinez (6-2, 2.43 ERA) and Drew Rasmussen (6-2, 2.71 ERA).
They are quickly becoming the Rays’ latest pitching success stories.(Last week: 6th)Remember Dustin May? After two disastrous season-opening starts from the former Dodgers right-hander, he has bee...