MLB Power Rankings: Yankees keep top spot

For the fifth consecutive week, the New York Yankees are the top team in our MLB Power Rankings. They did so by winning five of seven games last week, including a 3-game sweep against the Oakland Athletics.

Their main rival, the Houston Astros, became only the second team in baseball with at least 50 wins after going undefeated last week. They’re doing so on the back of players like Yordan Alvarez, who leads MLB in slugging (.645) and OPS (1.051), and Justin Verlander, who leads baseball with 10 wins.

Elsewhere in our weekly rankings, the Milwaukee Brewers rejoin the Top 10 after a 3-week absence. The Brew Crew took four of six games last week, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the NL Central.

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Before we see how the rest of the league did, understand that 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 12 of the 2022 MLB season.

2022 MLB Power Rankings

10. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)

This week, the Brewers swapped places with the Toronto Blue Jays. At 46-35, Milwaukee currently holds a two-game lead in the NL Central

9. Philadelphia Phillies (0)

Despite losing Bryce Harper to a devastating injury, the Phillies stayed put this week. That’s the good news. The bad news is that if the season ended today, Philly would be 1 1/2 games out of the the playoff picture.

8. St. Louis Cardinals (0)

The Cardinals also stayed put this week after splitting six games between the Miami Marlins and the Phillies. Fortunately, a +65 run differential and elite hitting — their hitters have the second-best hitter fWAR in the National League — keeps them in our weekly rankings.

7. Boston Red Sox (0)

For the third consecutive week, the Red Sox are a top 10 team in MLB. What’s more, if the season ended today, the Sox would be headed to the Postseason for the second straight season.

6. San Diego Padres (-1)

The Padres took a step back this week, after losing four of six games. As a result, San Diego dropped out of the top five. Not to worry, the Pads have an easy schedule moving forward.

The Top 5

5. New York Mets (-1)

The Mets have dropped down a spot for the second consecutive week. They remain a top 5 team, but barely. Fortunately, they face the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins this week and could make up ground.

4. Atlanta Braves (+2)

The Braves continue to climb the rankings. For the first time this season, Atlanta has broken into the top five after winning four of six games against the Phillies and Reds.

3. Houston Astros (0)

The Astros stayed put this week as they went undefeated last week. They’ll look to overtake the Los Angeles Dodgers as they prepare to face two last-place teams in the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (0)

After a near three-week absence, Mookie Betts returned to the Dodgers this past weekend. Upcoming games against the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs should help Los Angeles stay put this week.

1. New York Yankees (0)

For close to half the season, the Yankees are the top team in our MLB Power Rankings. Elite hitting and pitching are the reason for New York’s dominance. They’re second and first in hitter and pitcher fWAR respectively.