MLB Power Rankings: Free-falling Mariners drop out of top 10; Cubs, Yankees move in

Joe Rivera

MLB Power Rankings: Free-falling Mariners drop out of top 10; Cubs, Yankees move in image

If this was the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we'd be entering the end of Phase 1.

Baseball is headed for a blockbuster summer if some of these standings hold up — the NL Central is going to be wild, as will the AL East — and will have plenty of twists, turns, excitement and (for some) tears, like "Avengers: Endgame."

So while you heat up your popcorn and wait for the next phase of baseball to unfold, here are the SN Power Rankings. As always, please do not @ me.

MORE: Watch 'ChangeUp,' a new MLB live whiparound show on DAZN

1. Astros

Previous: 1

The Astros are 8-2 in their past 10 games and have scored 7.6 runs per game in that stretch. There's no concern for the Astros right now, as they're still deeper and more diverse offensively than the Avengers team members.

What's most encouraging for Houston is that Gerritt Cole seems to be finding his stuff again after some laborious starts early in the season. From the lineup, to the rotation, to the bullpen, to the team masseuse, to the beer vendors, the Astros are baseball's best once again. 

2. Dodgers

Previous: 2

Through 110 at-bats, Alex Verdugo reminded everyone what made him a much-hyped top prospect.

Entering May 13, Verdugo was slashing .333/.377/.552 with a 147 OPS+ while playing elite-level defense. Oh, and Cody Bellinger is still doing his MVP-level thing. Oh, and Clayton Kershaw is still Clayton Kershaw. Oh, and Hyun-jin Ryu is pitching to a Cy Young level. Oh, and Justin Turner is turning it around. Oh, and… Get the picture?

The Dodgers are still the NL's best and they have the advantage of playing in a pretty mediocre division. That's not a slight against L.A., just an observation.

3. Rays

Previous: 3

Losing Tyler Glasnow hurts, but the Rays are still very good on the rubber without him. Lest we forget, they have Charlie Morton and Blake Snell at the top of that rotation, and have Austin Meadows back — and raking — anchoring that lineup.

They lost two of three to the Yankees over the weekend, but no matter. They have an opportunity to exact Rays revenge later this week at Yankee Stadium. The AL East is getting tight, but the Rays are still at the top.

4. Cubs

Previous: 12

The Cubs are who we thought they were, and we almost let them off the hook. With the offense finally alive, Kris Bryant finally hitting and their staff ERA among the best in MLB, this is the Cubs team that many expected to see entering 2019, which is why I have no problem bumping them all the way up to No. 4. 

The NL Central will be fun to watch the rest of the way if Chicago continues to be Chicago, and there's no reason to think it won't be  — at least for now.

5. Twins

Previous: 10

The Twins are still atop the AL Central and they're still hitting, so they earned a spot in the top five. That's not to say they're a flawless team, though they've done a better job masking their flaws than most.

Entering May 13, Twins starters boasted a 2.28 ERA over their past two weeks worth of games. That's the second-best number in MLB behind the Cubs.

The Twins are going way beyond "cute team" and should be taken seriously in the AL Central — not that they have much competition in the division.

6. Phillies

Previous: 7

The Phillies sit atop the NL East as the rest of the teams in the division try to sort themselves out. The Phillies aren't the perfect team, but offensive inconsistencies that hurt them earlier in the season seem to be alleviated now. They're top 10 in baseball in runs per game, even though Bryce Harper hasn't hit his stride in a Phillies uniform just yet.

There's one issue, and it's a $325 million one: After hitting three home runs in his first four games, Harper has four in his past 29 games. His 20.0 at-bat per home run mark is the highest it's been since 2016. Harper has proven to be a fairly streaky hitter in his career, but being in a pretty loaded lineup and not playing to that expected MVP level just yet isn't concerning, but it's something to watch.

7. Yankees

Previous: 13

The Yankees take a healthy step forward in the rankings as they begin to get healthy. The biggest question for the Bombers while they've sustained injuries has been whether they'll be able to tread water. They've done that and then some. Now, as they get key pieces back — Gary Sanchez has returned, Aaron Hicks could be back in the lineup soon — we'll see how the balance of power in the AL East changes.

It's going to be interesting to see how the team structure changes once more players return. Obviously, better talent doesn't hurt, but if it's not broken, don't fix it, right?

8. Red Sox

Previous: 19

Oh, hi, defending World Series champs. Boston makes a big jump to No. 8, with the Sox going 11-2 in their past 13 games and looking more like the team everyone expected them to be entering this season. They'll need Chris Sale to continue on the right path: Over his past three starts, he's allowed three earned runs in 21 innings. 

9. Brewers

Previous: 8

Milwaukee's starter ERA is around the bottom third of MLB, but bringing back Gio Gonzalez was an absolute no-brainer for the Brewers. Through three starts, Gonzalez has pitched to a 1.69 ERA (2.35 FIP) in 16 innings. Makes you wonder why they didn't make an effort to bring him back before the season rather than wait until now.

The Crew is about average by all metrics — pitching, hitting, you name it — but they're still in second in a tough division and 9-4 in their past 13, so that average-ness isn't manifesting itself just yet.

10. Cardinals

Previous: 4

The Cardinals followed a 10-1 stretch by going 2-8 in their next 10. That's the definition of hot and cold. Still, they're in a tough division and have to deal with the revitalized Cubs and the Brewers.

Middle of the pack

11. Padres

Previous: 6

It's a bit of a surprise that the Padres have held on this long. Well, everyone knew they'd get a spark from a Rookie of the Year candidate — but no one thought they'd be getting it from two.

Chris Paddack isn't only a Rookie of the Year candidate, he's an NL Cy Young candidate. His chirping about Pete Alonso's Rookie of the Month honors adds an interesting dynamic that baseball needs (you can absolutely read more about that amazing take here). 

The Padres will hit a wall at some point, as young teams often do. They're going to need Manny Machado to really get going (108 OPS+) to hold that off a bit more.

12. Braves

Previous: 14

The Braves sit somewhat uncomfortably, just a game over .500 at 21-20. The defending NL East champs have gotten big-time production from their lineup, but are still dealing with pitching issues, as they're near the top in the NL in runs allowed. The Braves are a talented team — but they're also one key injury away from being a 75-win team.

13. Mariners

Previous: 5

I still want to believe in the M's offense because they have players to make you believe in it. But after that scorching start to the season, they're just 2-12 in their past 14 games and have scored 48 runs over that span (3.4 runs per game). While the offense is an issue, the pitching might be a bigger one, and with King Felix on the IL now it likely won't get better for the Mariners anytime soon — unless the offense can turn it back on.

14. Indians

Previous: 11

While Corey Kluber wasn't pitching well for the Indians, he's still Corey Kluber, so losing him hurts in Cleveland's quest to hold off the Twins. Also, the Indians' lack of apparent and effective upgrades to the roster is coming home to roost, as they have one of the worst offenses in baseball with no relief in sight. They're lucky — nay, blessed — to have gotten big performances from Trevor Bauer and Shane Bieber in 2019.

15. Pirates

Previous: 18

Offensively, the Pirates are still very bad outside of Josh Bell. But kudos to them for sticking around in a very tough NL Central, leaning on an above-average pitching staff to keep them afloat. We'll see how they fare without Jameson Taillon, as he hits the IL with a knee issue.

16. Diamondbacks

Previous: 20

The Snakes are playing much better than some expected, and with a better-than-average offense it's easy to see why. Is it sustainable? Well, they've cooled off recently, so we'll see.

17. Mets

Previous: 9

While Jacob deGrom is looking more like himself, the Mets find themselves a game under .500. The Metropolitans are getting great production from Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto, but three of Brodie Van Wagenen's offseason acquisitions — Jed Lowrie (injured), Wilson Ramos and Robinson Cano — haven't been as great.

18. Rockies

Previous: 16

The Rockies' offense has come alive, scoring 82 runs in their past 10 games, including blowouts against San Diego and Milwaukee. That's pretty good!

19. Nationals

Previous: 15

Last season, Washington's Jekyll-and-Hyde act lasted almost the entire season, finishing 82-80 in a season of "what ifs?" Well, it looks like the Nats wasted no time answering what they'll be in 2019, a season that should be much better than what they've shown. Their bullpen is among the worst in baseball and their offense outside of Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon leaves much to be desired. They'll drop for now, but like in 2018 the Nats will have plenty of opportunities to right the ship with one or two hot streaks. Can they do it, though?

20. Rangers

Previous: 22

Texas' offense is legitimate, entering Monday's games averaging the most runs per game in the majors. But at 17-21, it doesn't seem to be making much of a difference.

Bottom third

21. Athletics

Previous: 17

The A's have been a disappointingly average team this year, not looking at all like the team that took off last year. Some of that has been the predictable fall off from the rotation, even with Mike Fiers' recent no-hitter. There's time for the A's to turn it around, especially in a fairly weak division (outside of Houston), but the fall continues.

22. Angels 

Previous: 24

Offensively the Angels are the definition of fine. But who would have thought their pitching would be their weak point?

Everybody. Literally everybody. That said, they're winners of seven of their past 10, albeit against some of the worst teams in baseball. 

Also, Shohei Ohtani returning to the Angels this year is essentially this GIF:

via GIPHY

23. Blue Jays

Previous: 21

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s early going at the major league level hasn't been as impactful as some thought, but it's the rest of the Blue Jays offense that's bad. Their 76 OPS+ mark isn't inspiring many.

24. Reds

Previous: 26

The Reds boast a +30 run differential — but are five games under .500. Conflicting numbers, but enough for a small bump in these Power Rankings. Also, don't look now, but Joey Votto is hitting just above the Mendoza Line. Yikes. At least Nick Senzel is up.

25. Tigers

Previous: 23

Offensively, the Tigers are not very good. Matthew Boyd, however, has been very good: Through his first eight starts, he was pitching to a 2.86 ERA (2.27 FIP). Any way you cut it, he could be in the Cy Young discussion once the season ends.

26. Giants

Previous: 27

The Giants are just such a blah team. To be fair, they were blah teams during their World Series runs, but at least they were good blah teams. Also, Madison Bumgarner trade watch is underway.

27. White Sox

Previous: 25

It looks like Lucas Giolito might have figured something out: He's pitching to a 3.55 ERA in 2019, and has yielded only four runs in his past four starts, even while missing some time with a hamstring injury.

28. Royals

Previous: 28

At his current pace, Whit Merrifield is en route to a career high in bWAR, but it's not helping the Royals much in 2019.

29. Orioles

Previous: 29

2019 continues to be bad to the Orioles, who were bad in 2018 and will probably be bad in 3019.

30. Marlins

Previous: 30

Pablo Lopez's May 9 start against the Mets was … something. He allowed 10 runs on 10 hits in three innings. But eight of those runs and eight of those hits came in the first inning. Your 2019 Marlins, folks!

Joe Rivera