MLB Power Rankings: The Good, the Bad, and the Dodgers

For the first time this season, the same 10 teams appear in our MLB Power Rankings in consecutive weeks. Sure, there was some movement, but it was very minimal.

This week’s main takeaway is just how dominant the Los Angeles Dodgers are, especially with the emergence of Mookie Betts as a top-three player in the game.

In seven games last week, Betts, our too early National League MVP runner-up, hit five home runs and posted a .467 batting average along with a 1.610 OPS.

When preparing for the MLB Power Rankings this season, I relied on numbers. I created a spreadsheet using pitcher WAR, batter WAR, team record, and run differential. Teams with the highest combined score are ranked at the top.

Let’s look at the top 10 teams in Week 5 of the 2022 MLB season.

2022 MLB Power Rankings

10. San Francisco Giants (0)

The Giants stayed put at No. 10. They did so after winning four of their last seven games, including two of three from the No. 3 ranked New York Mets. Losing two of three from the Cincinnati Reds didn’t help, however.

9. St. Louis Cardinals (-2)

The Cardinals dropped two spots after winning just four of their last seven games. St. Louis hitters have done an excellent job keeping this team in contention. Behind an MVP-caliber season from Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis has the fourth-best hitter fWAR in MLB.

8. San Diego Padres (0)

The Padres lost three of seven games last week, including two of three each from the Brewers and the Pirates. Yes, those Pirates.

Still, their 30 wins are the fourth most in MLB, which enabled them to stay put at No. 8.

7. Minnesota Twins (+2)

The Twins jumped up two spots this week. Don’t expect this to last as they limp into Week 8 of the season. Carlos Correa joins Joe Ryan and Gilberto Celestino on the COVID-IL after testing positive. Twins No. 1 prospect Royce Lewis also landed on the IL after making an incredible catch in the outfield.

6. Los Angeles Angels (-2)

The Halos fell to the bottom half of the ranking this week as they ride a five-game losing streak. Fortunately, they have enough wins to keep them within striking distance of the top five. This is thanks in part to a potent offense, which includes the top two leaders in OPS – Mike Trout and Tylor Ward – and the great Shohei Ohtani.

The Top 5

5. Houston Astros (-2)

The Astros took a couple of steps back this week, switching spots with the Mets. The Astros won just four of their last seven games, and, if not for a Luis Garcia gem, were nearly swept by the Seattle Mariners. Yordan Alvarez’s multi-home run game and Framber Valdez’s complete game yesterday are good indicators that this team won’t fall much further this season. They’re just too talented.

4. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)

The Brew Crew continue to prove that they’re the best team in the NL Central as they knock on the door to the top three. As it stands, they have the second-most wins – 32 – in MLB.

A Three-Headed Monster

3. New York Mets (+2)

For the first time since Week 3, the Mets are back in the top three. They have done so on pure grit and without their three best pitchers – Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tyler Megill.

2. New York Yankees(0)

The Yankees came back to earth this past week. In seven games, they were only able to win four. This is due in large part to a struggling offense. Aside from Aaron Judge, the rest of the lineup is either hurt or underperforming.

In fact, of the 10 teams on this list, only three teams have a lower hitter fWAR. Thankfully for the Bronx Bombers, their pitching continues to dominate and holds the best fWAR in MLB.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (0)

For the second consecutive week, the Dodgers are the top team in our MLB Power Rankings. They did so by winning six out of the last eight games and posting a +30 run differential. With the Dodgers being tied for the most wins and leading the world in run differential by a 47-run margin, I don’t foresee them losing the top spot anytime soon.