MLB Power Rankings May 20th: Atlanta Braves begins to rise
By James Kunkle
The Atlanta Braves begin to rise in this week’s MLB Power Rankings after a strong showing against the NL Central.
We are one week away from Memorial Day. That is the point where I separate what teams are for real and who isn’t in my MLB Power Rankings.
With that said, let’s look at our weekly MLB Power Rankings.
1. Houston Astros
The Astros were going for their second 10-game winning streak already this season Sunday but were stopped short. The Astros certainly seem to be the most complete team in baseball and the odds on favorite at this point.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s May 20th and Cody Bellinger is still hitting above .400. Impressive, no doubt, but this team will only go as far as their pitching will take them. They will certainly be playing come October.
3. New York Yankees
All good news for the Bronx Bombers this week. They overtook the Rays for first place and all indications are Giancarlo Stanton, Mashahiro Tanaka, Dellin Betances, and James Paxton are all getting close to returning.
4. Minnesota Twins
The Twins are cruising along in first place right now as they have Cleveland down 4.5 games. The surprise for the Twins so far has to be the superb pitching of Jake Odorizzi.
5. Chicago Cubs
The good news is Kris Bryant is mashing right now, the bad news is stud Shortstop Javy Baez had to leave the game with an injury Sunday night. Atlanta Braves fans will be fans of the Cubs this week as they start a series with the Phillies Monday evening.
6. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies actually gained ground on the Atlanta Braves this weekend as they swept a home series with the Colorado Rockies. The next few weeks though will tell us a lot about the Phils. They play the Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, and Dodgers
7. Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa lost the division lead this weekend as the Yankees swept them. If Tampa has any shot at claiming the AL East, they will have to do better than 1-5 against the Yankees they have done so far.
8. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers needed an extra-inning win Sunday to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Josh Hader has been excellent again this year but the Brew Crew may feel uneasy about the 5 home runs he has already given up
9. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves needed a couple of series wins to keep up with the Phillies last week and they did just that. The best news of all, however, may be Sunday’s start from Mike Foltynewicz. If he pitches like he did last year, the Braves will be back-to-back division champs.
10. Cleveland Indians
No doubt, the strength of Cleveland is its starting pitching, but who would have guessed the best of those this year so far has been Shane Bieber? He certainly has been just that though