MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Yankees vie for top spot; A's power into top 10; mediocrity abounds

Joe Rivera

MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Yankees vie for top spot; A's power into top 10; mediocrity abounds image

FIP! WHIP! UZR!

Some of those sound like comic-book sound effects, but they're actually just baseball stats, which you surely knew, fair reader. But with San Diego ComicCon wrapping up, it brings out the nerd in (most of) us.

Baseball in 2019 can best be described as superhero movies pre-2000: There's a lot of mediocrity with some treats thrown in. It seems like there have been a few dominant squads and the rest of baseball has been just eh at best. A case for eh can be made for almost every team between No. 5 and No. 15. But none of this matters. Time is a flat circle. Eat Arby's.

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With just over a week's worth of games played since we returned from the All-Star break, here are the latest SN MLB Power Rankings (with a nerd twist), courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Joe Rivera. As always, do not @ me.

1. Dodgers

Previous: 1

The gap between No. 1 and No. 2 is razor-thin. It might as well be Iron Man vs. Captain America vying for leadership of the Avengers.

But the Dodgers are still the most well-rounded team in baseball, for now, and that should shock no one.

2. Yankees

Previous: 2

If the Yankees ever get fully healthy this season — Dellin Betances, Luis Severino and Giancarlo Stanton are still on the IL — it'll be the equivalent of the Avengers finally assembling in "Endgame."

That said, New York shouldn't stop recruiting to its superhero squad: With James Paxton consistently inconsistent and the uncertainty of Severino's return, they're going to need to scour the starting pitching market for reinforcements in the chase for No. 28.

3. Astros

Previous: 4

Like the Flash, Houston is going to run away with this division, and it won't be close. The Athletics are a feel-good story once again, but barring major injuries on both sides, this is still the Astros' division to lose.

Entering Monday's games, H-Town is dominating the rest of the AL West: They're 33-11 vs. division opponents, the second-best division record among division leaders this season (just one win shy of the Yankees' 34-11 mark). Feasting on division opponents battle-hardens teams, and Houston is no exception to that rule.

4. Twins

Previous: 3

The swashbuckling Twins won a series against the Indians coming out of the break, easing the momentum of a resurgent Cleveland squad. But the Guardians of the AL Central still hold a three-game lead in the division, and with 10 games left against Cleveland, they have a good chance to hold off Francisco Lindor and the Tribe.

Minnesota isn't without its faults, and with a deep enough farm system to bring in starting pitching and bullpen help come the trade deadline, they're geared up for a run at their first division crown since 2010.

5. Braves

Previous: 5

It's starting to look more and more like the Braves will be back-to-back NL East champs, though they're still going to have to hold off division rivals. 

The Bravos have 20 games left vs. the Phillies and the Nats this year, so the division isn't entirely out of reach for either squad, and with Max Fried hitting the IL, it's another hurdle for the Braves to jump. 

6. Cubs

Previous: 7

Yu Darvish is showing signs of life, as he's posted a sub-2.00 ERA in three July starts, allowing four runs across 18 2/3 innings. Granted, two of those starts came against the offensively inept Pirates and the last-place Reds, but it's still an improvement that Cubs fans will welcome.

With trade rumors surrounding Nicholas Castellanos and the Cubs, at least Chicago understands it can't stand pat when it comes to the NL Central.

7. Indians

Previous: 8

The Indians are 12-3 in July, but a lot of that has been against weak opponents: the Royals, Cincinnati and Detroit, and lost a series vs. the Twins in the process. 

Cleveland's surprising run at the division is about as shocking as finding out who Liz's dad is in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." With an offense still as painfully average-to-bad as "Iron Man 3," the pressure on the pitching is still on, and with 4.1 runs allowed per game, the staff has held up its end. 

8. Athletics

Previous: 12

Look, up in the standings! It's a bird! It's a plane! No — it's the streaking Athletics!

How are they doing this again? Maybe the A's were bitten by a radioactive baseball and that plays a big part in them being a second-half team. Who knows? But the A's are 22-8 over their past 30 games and don't look to be slowing down.

9. Brewers

Previous: 9

Brandon Woodruff hitting the IL is a major blow to the Brewers' division hopes, a major gut punch like the end of "Infinity War." Milwaukee has enough trade capital to make a move for multiple pieces at the deadline, but will the Brew Crew make marked improvements?

10. Nationals

Previous: 11

Washington has forced its way into the NL East conversation and has shelved Max Scherzer trade talks in the process. 

Nats pitching has allowed just 3.3 runs per game in July, one of the best marks in baseball.

Middle of the pack

11. Rays

Previous: 6

The Rays are having trouble beating the Yankees (5-12 vs NY this season), just like Goku couldn't beat Superman in a fight.

RIVERA: It's not solely about 2019 for the Rays

12. Red Sox

Previous: 10

With a 23-22 record against the AL East, the Red Sox have been competitive but not great, kind of like Hawkeye in any big-time action sequence.

13. Cardinals

Previous: 15

The Cardinals have been better coming out of the break, beating up on bad teams like Wolverine escaping the Weapon X program.

14. Phillies

Previous: 13

The Phillies have been pretty average at best for a long time now — just like the DC Movies — and need to get help on the trade market to stay in the NL East race. 

15. Rangers

Previous: 14

The Rangers' surprisingly decent season was a lot of Mysterio-style smoke-and-mirrors. The clock might strike midnight once Mike Minor is traded. 

16. Giants

Previous: 24

Where in the world did the Giants come from? They just kind of sneaked up like Batman on an unsuspecting hood. In any case, they make a big jump, but these next two weeks will decide how "in" they are this year. (Probably not very "in.")

17. Diamondbacks

Previous: 18

It's not who they are underneath, but what they do that defines them. That said, despite the talent, the D-backs have played average baseball this season. They'll face tough questions heading toward the deadline.

18. Padres

Previous: 15

The Padres are still learning like Dick Grayson long before he donned the Nightwing tights. Even with a mix of veterans — Eric Hosmer, Manny Machado — they're still a largely young team learning to win. 

19. Angels

Previous: 19

The Angels DFA'd Matt Harvey, thus ending the most underwhelming stay on the West Coast since Daredevil.

20. Rockies

Previous: 17

Until Colorado figures out its pitching, the Rockies look more like those fake Batmen in the beginning of "The Dark Knight" than the real deal.

Bottom third

21. Mets

Previous: 23

There's lots of talent on this team, just like the cast of the "Justice League" movie. Unfortunately, it's just not coming together, just like the plot of the "Justice League" movie.

22. Reds

Previous: 21

The Reds aren't your typical last-place team, just like the cat wasn't your typical cat in "Captain Marvel." But the slow start to the second half hurts their effort to make more noise in the NL Central.

23. Pirates

Previous: 22

The Pirates have stumbled out of the gate in the second half, going 2-7, and the offense looks like a weaker threat than Stilt Man.

24. White Sox

Previous: 20

The South Siders have turned back into Bruce Banner since returning from the All-Star break, going 2-8 and being on the bad end of a four-game sweep vs. the Royals.

25. Royals

Previous: 27

The Royals are 7-3 since the All-Star break, the most surprising development since the "Blade" reboot announcement. 

26. Marlins

Previous: 26

The Marlins have a 7-6 record vs. the Phillies this year, which is about as confusing as the plot to "Batman vs. Superman."

27. Blue Jays

Previous: 25

Could Marcus Stroman come to the rescue for some team like Captain Marvel did in "Endgame?" Eh, wouldn't count on it, but he's going to be an impactful player in some way.

28. Mariners

Previous: 28

The Mariners' season is reminiscent of the X-Men movies — once promising, but got progressively worse the longer it went on. 

29. Orioles

Previous: 30

No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman burst onto the scene Iron Man style, dingering in his first pro baseball game.

30. Tigers

Previous: 29

The Tigers are 5-25 in their past 30 games. That's about as good as the last Fantastic Four movie.

Joe Rivera