As we move into the middle of August, the MLB power rankings have pretty much stayed the same. The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers continue to hold a considerable edge in both leagues. The Dodgers are the first team in baseball to hit 80 wins, which is why they’re at the top of the list. All stats and standings are prior to the games on Thursday, August 10th.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +200
The Dodgers lead the National League West by 15.5 games after sweeping the Mets in New York, and they’ve split the first two of a three-game set in Arizona. Next, they return home to host San Diego and the Chicago White Sox. Justin Turner hit .273 with four home runs and seven RBIs this week, although the Dodgers hit just .235 as a team. Yu Darvish was spectacular in his debut, tossing seven scoreless inning with three hits, 10 strikeouts and a walk in a shutout of the Mets.
2. Houston Astros
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +600
The Astros have a 13-game lead in the American League West as they won two of three at home with Toronto, but they’ve lost the first two of a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox. They’ll head to Texas and Arizona for a home-and-home series next. Yuli Gurriel batted .440 with a pair of homers and six RBIs, but Dallas Kuechel struggled on the mound. The former Cy Young was tagged for eight runs on 10 hits over four innings in a loss to the White Sox.
3. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Nationals top the NL East by 14 games after winning two of three in Chicago over the Cubs, and they’ve won two of the first three in a four-game set at home with Miami. Bryce Harper hit .375 for the week, along with two home runs and six RBIs. Brandon Kintzler, who recently came over from Minnesota, had a great week in relief. He was 2-0 in three appearances, along with a hold, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings.
4. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 7
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Indians have opened up a four-game lead in the AL Central after splitting four games with the Yankees, as well as two games with Colorado, all at home. They’ll travel this week to Tampa Bay and Minnesota, as well as play a make-up game in Boston. Francisco Lindor hit .227 with two homers and three RBIs for the Indians, who hit .175, but picked up Jay Bruce from the Mets this week. Corey Kluber was 2-0 this week, allowing two runs in 18.0 innings, and he has now struck out 10 or more in 10 of his last 11 starts.
5. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Red Sox now lead the AL East by four games after sweeping the White Sox on the road in four games, then taking both games from Tampa Bay on the road. They’ll stay on the road in New York against the Yankees, and then it is back home for a make-up game with Cleveland and two more home games with St. Louis. Andrew Benintendi hit .500 with a homer and three RBIs this week, but the pitching staff was the story with an ERA of 2.09. Chris Sale picked up his AL-leading 14th win with eight scoreless innings in a shutout of Tampa Bay, allowing two hits and striking out 13.
6. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Subs have a 1.5-game lead in the NL Central after losing two of three to Washington at home, and then losing two of three in San Francisco. The Cubs will head to Arizona next and then host Cincinnati. Willson Contreras hit .310 with home homers and 11 RBIs, but now has a hamstring injury. It was a tough week in relief for Carl Edwards Jr., who was 0-1 in four appearances and allowed seven runs in just 2.2 innings of work.
7. New York Yankees
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Yankees trail Boston by four games in the AL East as they split four games in Cleveland, and they’ve split the first two of a three-game series in Toronto. The Red Sox come to New York next, followed by a home-and-home series with the Mets. Todd Frazier had a decent week at the plate, hitting .389 with two homers and five RBIs. Luis Severino was the only starter to pick up a win, allowing a run on two hits over 6.2 innings with nine strikeouts in a victory over Cleveland.
8. Kansas City Royals
Last Week: 8
World Series Championship Odds: +3500
The Royals are behind Cleveland by four games after losing two of three in Seattle (the fourth game was postponed), but they’ve lost the first three in a home-and-home set with St. Louis. They’ll be on the road this week in Chicago against the White Sox, and then it is off to Oakland. Melky Cabrera batted .393 with a pair of homers and nine RBIs this week, but the staff had a 6.04 ERA. Jake Junis managed to get a win over Seattle, scattering a run on four hits over eight innings, striking out seven.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Week: 9
World Series Championship Odds: +4000
The Diamondbacks are 16 games back in the NL West as they dropped two of three in San Francisco, and they’ve split the first two of three at home with the Dodgers. They’ll stay home to host the Cubs next, and then it is a home-and-home set with Houston. Paul Goldschmidt had a big week, hitting .417 with four homers and 11 RBIs. Fernando Rodney was great closing out games, saving all three of his opportunities.
10. Colorado Rockies
Last Week: 10
World Series Championship Odds: +5000
The Diamondbacks are 15.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West after winnings two of three at home with Philadelphia, and then they split two on the road in Cleveland. The Rockies are off to Miami, and then it is back home to host Atlanta. Charlie Blackon was .440 for the week, hitting three homers with four RBIs. Greg Holland had a rough week after returning from injury, going 1-2 with a save in four appearances, giving up six runs in 3.2 innings.
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