While the Houston Astros have climbed to the top of the MLB standings, the top two stay the same in this week’s power rankings. That’s because the Chicago Cubs are still viewed as the team to beat. It’s still early in the season but their 17-17 start is not what was expected. If the same story rings true a month from now, expect to see the Astros and the Washington Nationals atop the power rankings.
1. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +350
The defending World Series champions had a tough week as they were swept by the New York Yankees at home, then they lost two of three in Colorado (the first game of the four-game series was postponed). Next, it is off to St. Louis for three games, then Cincinnati is in town for three games. A lot of players struggled for the Cubs this week, but Anthony Rizza hit .107 with two RBIs, and Jake Arrieta was shelled for five runs on nine hits in just 3.2 innings of a 1-0-4 road loss to Colorado.
2. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +600
The Indians won two of three in Kansas City, then lost two of three in Toronto, and now they have Minnesota and Tampa Bay at home for three games each. Edwin Encarnacion was excited about his return to Toronto, and he went 3-for-9 with four walks and three strikeouts, but he had no homers or RBIs. Closer Cody Allen blew his first save of the season in Toronto, but he should be fine going forward.
3. Houston Astros
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Astros won two of three in Los Angeles against the Angels, then both games at home against Atlanta. The Angels then have to travel cross-country for a four-game set against the Yankees, then it is down to Miami for three games. Carlos Correa had a big week, hitting .348 with a homer and six RBIs, as did Marwin Gonzalez (who is day-to-day with a foot injury) and Carlos Beltran. Dallas Keuchel had a rough outing, allowing five runs on seven hits with a pair of homers over eight innings of a no-decision in a 7-6 win over the Angels. They have the best record in the MLB as of this moment.
4. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Red Sox won two of three in Minnesota, but had lost two straight going into their finale in Milwaukee on Thursday. Mookie Betts is showing signs of life, hitting .370 with two homers and six RBIs over the past week, while the pitchers struggled badly, posting an ERA of 5.64 over the week, including six home runs.
5. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Nationals won two of three in Philadelphia, then lost two of the first three games in Baltimore before Thursday’s finale, then it is back home for three more games with the Phillies, and then off to Pittsburgh for three. Jayson Werth hit .429 this week with three homers and four RBIs, while Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg both went 1-0 in two starts with ERAs of 1.80 and 3.86, respectively. They have the second-best record in the MLB as of right now.
6. New York Yankees
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Yankees swept the Cubs in Chicago, then won two of three in Cincinnati and now it is back home for four games with the Astros, and then three in Kansas City. Gary Sanchez returned to the lineup and hit .412 with a homer and four RBIs in 17 at-bats, but Aroldis Chapman lasted 1.2 innings in two appearances, getting a save, blowing another and posting an ERA of 16.20.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 7
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Dodgers won both games in San Diego (the third was postponed), then swept Pittsburgh in three games at home. Cody Bellinger was huge over the last week, hitting .333 with four homers and 12 RBIs, while Clayton Kershaw tossed a five-hitter over 7.1 innings in a 10-2 win in San Diego, allowing one run with nine strikeouts, although he walked four batters.
8. Baltimore Orioles
Last Week: 8
World Series Championship Odds: +1800
The Orioles swept the Chicago White Sox over three games at home, then in a split series, they beat Washington in two games at home and then lost the first in Washington before Thursday’s finale. Manny Machado hit .267 for the week, but he went deep three times with six RBIs as the Boston series has seemed to get him going. Dylan Bundy is having a quietly solid season on the mound, and he got his fifth win against the White Sox, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings of work.
9. New York Mets
Last Week: 9
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
The Mets won two of three at home against both Miami and San Francisco, and now they head on the road for three games each in Milwaukee and Arizona. The Mets’ big news over the last week didn’t come on the field as they got word that Yoenis Cespedes could be back in two weeks after tests on his hamstring showed that he is getting better, which would be good news for the bats. But on the mound, Matt Harvey was suspended for breaking team rules, which caused a stir and now all eyes will be on him as he starts in Milwaukee on Friday. With Noah Syndergaard gone for a while, the Mets can’t afford to have any more problems with their pitchers.
10. Colorado Rockies
Last Week: 10
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
The Rockies stay in the top 10 after winning two of three at home with Arizona, then they won two of three over the Cubs at home (the first game of the series was postponed). Mark Reynolds was on fire this week as he hit .522 with four home runs and seven RBIs. Greg Holland continued to be excellent as a closer, saving all three of his chances this week, allowing a single hit in three innings with six strikeouts and no walks. The Dodgers are coming, however, and the Rockies have to remain consistent to stay atop the National League West.
The MLB season is in full swing, so if you’re looking at betting lines, in-game betting and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
