The Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians are holding steady at the top of the power rankings, even though they are not at the top of the baseball standings. Entering Saturday, the three teams with the most wins in the MLB were the Baltimore Orioles, the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees. A lot can and will change by the end of the season, but these are the Top 10 teams according to the MLB futures as of right now.
1. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +350
The Cubs had a whale of a time with Pittsburgh last weekend as they were swept by the Pirates at home. However, they ended their nine-game homestand by winning two of three against Milwaukee before heading out on the road for nine games, starting in Cincinnati. Jason Heyward’s start has been encouraging as he is hitting .294 after his .230 season in 2016.
2. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +600
The Red Sox had a great week, winning three of four at home against Tampa Bay, and then two of three on the road against the slumping Toronto Blue Jays. A crucial early-season stretch starts this weekend in Baltimore for three games, then the New York Yankees visit Boston. Chris Sale has been excellent in his first four starts, even though he is only 1-1; he has an ERA of 0.91 and leads the American League in strikeouts and innings.
3. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Indians lost two of three at home to Detroit, then won three of four in Minnesota, although the third game of the season was postponed. The Indians head out to Chicago to take on the White Sox before welcoming Houston and their offense is holding them up, ranking sixth in runs scored in the MLB, while they’re only 29th in ERA.
4. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Nationals head into a big road series with the New York Mets with momentum as they won two of three at home against Philadelphia, then they handily swept Atlanta on the road. The Nationals are second to Milwaukee in runs scored and their rotation leads the majors in quality starts, but their bullpen has to step up.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Dodgers split four games with Arizona, and then split a two-game set with Colorado, all at home, before the Diamondbacks and San Francisco come to town next week. The Dodgers lead the majors in ERA, and Clayton Kershaw leads the National League in wins, innings, strikeouts and WHIP; that doesn’t bode well for the competition as the three-time Cy Young winner doesn’t look like he is slowing down.
6. Houston Astros
Last Week: 8
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
The Astros won both games they played in Oakland, although the third was postponed, and then they took three of four from the Los Angeles Angels at home. Next is a six-game road trip to Tampa Bay and Cleveland, but the Astros won’t be worried to head out on the road as they have won four of their first five games away from home. Dallas Keuchel looks to be back in form, going 3-0 in his first four starts with an ERA of 0.96.
7. New York Mets
Last Week: 7
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
The Mets lost three of four in Miami, then two of three at home to Philadelphia, which isn’t good heading into a homestand with Washington and Atlanta. The Mets have to take care of their division games against the Phillies, Braves and Marlins if they want to compete with the Nationals in the NL East. They’re also shooting themselves in the foot with 13 errors through their first 16 games. Jay Bruce has been solid at the plate so far, however, hitting .293 with six homers and 14 RBIs. Yoenis Cespedes is also hitting the ball well, and they can win a lot of games for the Mets by themselves.
8. New York Yankees
Last Week: –
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
Heading into the weekend, the Yankees were the hottest team in the majors as they swept St. Louis, which followed a sweep of Tampa Bay, and then they took two of three from the Chicago White Sox, all at home. Chase Headley and Starlin Castro have been on fire as both rank in the top five of the American League in terms of batting average. Surprisingly, the pitching has held up for the Yankees early in the season as they’re third in the majors at 3.02; not bad for this team’s weakness.
9. San Francisco Giants
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
The Giants lost two of three at home to Colorado, then split a two-game series in Kansas City before heading back to Colorado, and then the Dodgers come to town. The Giants are 19th in the majors in runs scored, but it’s tough to see this offense getting much better than it is already. They can depend on Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and even Matt Moore should be better than he has been. However, Matt Cain is 1-1 in three starts with an ERA of 3.31, and after his last few MLB seasons, there is no way they should think that’s going to continue.
10. Texas Rangers
Last Week: 10
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
The Rangers pip out the Blue Jays for the final spot in the top ten, but really, that’s because the Blue Jays have been truly, truly awful to start the 2017 season. However, the Rangers haven’t been that much better (which is funny, given their rivalry). The Rangers were swept in Seattle, then lost two of three in Oakland, but they won the first game of their four-game home set with Kansas City and Minnesota comes to town next week as well. The offense ranks eighth in the majors in runs scored, but 19th in ERA and they have 11 errors through 16 games. It seems like the talent is there, but the Rangers are just struggling out of the gate. However, 10 losses in the first 16 games can’t continue if the Rangers want to get back to the postseason.
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