2024-08-19 06:15:06
Ben Weiland
Fox Sports MLB Analyst
Only during Players Weekend do we highlight some of the biggest stars in these power rankings.
In Kansas City, Bobby Witt Jr. appears to be solidifying himself in the upper echelon of current stars. In Houston, Yuki Kikuchi seems hell-bent on proving most trade deadline graders wrong. In Los Angeles, the greatest baseball player of all time is still doing his thing.
With that being said, let’s take a look at my latest power rankings based on World Series odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
10. kansas city royals (69-55, unranked last week)
World Series Odds: +3500
Bobby Witt Jr. continues to solidify himself as one of the new faces of Major League Baseball. Not only did he go out of his way to give a shout-out and tribute to one of the greatest sports video game characters of all time MLB Players’ ‘Four Moms’ Weekendhe also hit 5-for-12 with a home run and three RBIs to help the Royals sweep the Reds in three games, slashing .444/.546/1.056 during the week.
9. san diego padres (70-55, 8th last week)
World Series Odds: +1700
San Diego, the land of fish tacos, craft beer, perfect weather…two thirds of it in the Colorado Rockies? Not a good way to end the week for the Padres, as they impressively swept the Pirates at home.
8. houston astros (67-56, 10 last week)
World Series Odds: +1100
I’m still not happy about Dana Brown giving up for Yusei Kikuchi at the trade deadline, but it’s hard to argue with Kikuchi’s performance since arriving in Houston. The Japanese southpaw has a 2.70 ERA in three appearances as an Astro, and Houston has won in all three of his appearances.
7. minnesota twins (70-54, 7 last week)
World Series Odds: +1700
Joe Ryan is out indefinitely with a shoulder strain and the bullpen is showing signs of wear, while the Royals remain on Minnesota’s heels. Still, the Twins performed well, taking three out of four from the Rangers. Now, a crucial series awaits us in San Diego against the Padres.
6. cleveland guardians (72-52, left wing 4)
World Series Odds: +1700
The middle portion of my weekly top ten remains largely the same, but there will be a shakeup as leaders from one division sweep across another. The Guardians have been under .500 since the All-Star break, and after a rough weekend in Milwaukee, Cleveland’s reprieve is a trip to the Bronx to face the Yankees.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (73-51, LW 3)
World Series Odds: +450
Speaking of teams that can’t seem to recapture their early-season magic, it’s hard to imagine Philadelphia falling this far in my power rankings during the first half of the year. The Phillies remain atop the NFC East and have home games against last-place Miami and Washington this week. But this is no longer the Phillies team that was outstanding in the first half.
4. milwaukee brewers (72-52, left wing 6)
World Series Odds: +1900
The Brewers ended up winning back-to-back games against the Dodgers to secure a home series against Los Angeles, then showed off their depth by sweeping the AL Central-leading Guardians. Christian Yelich is officially out for the season, which is a huge blow, but this is a team that has been defying the odds all year.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-52, last week 5)
World Series Odds: +330
Mookie Betts is back strong and Shohei Ohtani is still doing incredible things every night, but LA’s injury issues remain with Tyler Glasnow due Elbow tendinitis on the disabled list. There was hope that the lengthy layoffs from Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller would help the right-handed fireballer regain some of his pre-injury form, but that has yet to materialize. Clayton Kershaw’s recent performance has turned back the clock, but the Dodgers have too much invested in this lineup to pin their postseason rotation hopes on the 36-year-old.
2. new york yankees (73-52, LW 2)
World Series Odds: +500
The Bronx Bombers have a prime opportunity to not only win the top spot here, but capture the major league’s best record. Then they lost back-to-back games to the Tigers. It’s been one of those months for New York, who have yet to win more than three games in a row despite only playing losing clubs. That won’t be the case this week as the Yankees host the Guardians, who are also competing for the best record in the American League.
1. baltimore orioles (73-52, left wing 1)
World Series Odds: +750
The Orioles are treading water, which would be easier to swallow if they weren’t going toe-to-toe with the Yankees in the AL East standings. Baltimore travels to New York to take on the Mets, needing to keep up with the teams in town.
go out: arizona diamondbacks (69-56, 9 last week) World Series Odds: +1800
Ben Weiland is an MLB analyst for FOX Sports and “flip bat” podcast. Verlander, who was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, was an All-American at Old Dominion University before joining his brother Justin in Detroit as a 14th-round pick of the Tigers in 2013. @benwiland.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
Major League Baseball
Get more information from MLB Follow your favorites and get information on games, news, and more
1724067994
#MLB #Power #Rankings #team #baseball
