The Cleveland Indians finally overtook the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the MLB power rankings as they’re now the World Series favorites. Of course, the Indians record-setting winning streak is what vaulted them into the top spot but the Dodgers struggles are a big red flag. They have continued their slump as they’ve now lost four of their last five games. They were 91-36 on August 25th but are now 97-56, which means they’ve only won six of their last 26 games.
However, the Dodgers aren’t far behind as they could turn things around rather quickly. They have been coasting all season, for the most part. And the likes of Boston, Washington, Houston, and the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs are waiting in the wings as well. Here is a look at this week’s MLB power rankings:
1. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +300
The Indians lead the American League Central by 17 games after winning two of three at home against Kansas City, and they’ve won the first two of three on the road against the Los Angeles Angels. Next, the Indians will head to Seattle and then back home to host Minnesota. Edwin Encarnacion batted .316 with a pair of home runs and eight RBIs over the last week. Corey Kluber pitched seven scoreless innings with a three-hitter in a win over the Royals, and he hasn’t allowed a run in 22.0 innings.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +350
The Dodgers lead the National League West by 8.5 games after winning two of three in Washington, but they’ve lost the first three of four games in Philadelphia. They’ll be back home this week to host San Francisco and San Diego. Cody Bellinger hit .318 with a home and four RBIs for the Dodgers, who hit just .212 as a team. On the mound, Alex Wood went 1-0 in two starts and allowed a pair of runs over 12.0 innings of work.
3. Houston Astros
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Astros top the AL West by 17 games after sweeping Seattle and winning the first two of three against the Chicago White Sox, both at home. The Los Angeles Angels come to town next, and then the Astros visit Texas. Marwin Gonzalez batted .389 with a homer and four RBIs for the Astros, who also got a pair of wins from Brad Peacock in his two starts. Peacock allowed three runs in 12.0 innings over the week.
4. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Nationals have a 20.5-game lead in the NL East after losing two of three at home to the Dodgers, but they’ve won the first two of three in Atlanta. Next, Washington heads to Philadelphia and then it is back home for Pittsburgh. Ryan Zimmerman hit .333 with a pair of home runs and seven RBIs, while Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Max Scherzer all picked up wins, giving up five runs in 20.0 innings.
5. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Red Sox pace the AL East by three games as they won two of three in Tampa Bay, and then swept Baltimore on the road. Mookie Betts hit .281 with two home runs and eight RBIs for the Red Sox, while Chris Sale went 1-0 in two starts, allowing four runs over 13.2 innings. Sale also hit the 300-strikeout mark for the first time in his career in a win over the Orioles.
6. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +8000
The Cubs lead the NL Central by 3.5 games after they swept St. Louis at home, and then they split two games in Tampa Bay. They’ll head to Milwaukee next and then travel to St. Louis. Jason Heyward hit .385 with a home run and five RBIs for the week. Mike Montgomery was 2-0 in two appearances via a start and in relief, allowing a run over eight innings.
7. New York Yankees
Last Week: 7
World Series Championship Odds: +1400
The Yankees trail Boston by three games in the East, but they’re in the top spot in the wild-card standings by seven games after winning three of four against Baltimore and sweeping Minnesota, both at home. They’ll travel to Toronto next, and then it is back home to host Kansas City in a make-up, followed by three home games with Tampa Bay. Aaron Judge batted .348 with four home runs and 11 RBIs for the week and on the hill, Luis Severino went 1-0 in two starts, allowing five runs over 11.0 innings.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Week: 8
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
The Diamondbacks are 8.5 games back in the NL West, but they’re leading the wild-card standings in the NL by 5.5 games after winning two of three in San Francisco, then they lost two of three in San Diego. They’ll come home to host Miami and San Francisco this week. A.J. Pollock hit .400 with three runs and 11 RBIs for the Diamondbacks, while Zack Godley split a pair of starts, scattering five runs over 13.0 innings.
9. Colorado Rockies
Last Week: 9
World Series Championship Odds: +3500
The Rockies are 14 games back in the NL East, but they’re in second in the wild-card standings by one game as they won two of three at home with San Diego, then they won two games in San Francisco. The Rockies head to San Diego for four games, and then it is back home for Miami. Charlie Blackmon hit .263 with a homer and six RBIs for the week, while Tyler Chatwood split his two starts, allowing four runs over 11.2 innings.
10. Los Angeles Angels
Last Week: —
World Series Championship Odds: +6500
The Angels trail Houston by 17 games in the AL West, and they’re 1.5 games behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot as they won two of three at home with Texas, and they’ve lost the first two of three in Cleveland. They’ll head to Houston and Chicago to face the White Sox next. Justin Upton batt .368 with three home runs and four RBIs. On the mount, Yusmeiro Petit had an up-and-down week out of the bullpen, posting a 1-1 record with a save while allowing three runs over 4.1 innings of work for the Angels.
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