Baltimore Orioles surge up MLB Power Rankings

In the sixth edition of Our Esquina’s Power Rankings, the Tampa Bay Rays remain atop of the list despite a modest week.

Randy Arozarena and Co. lost a series against the Orioles and split a four-game series in the Bronx. 

Although the Rays lost another key piece to their rotation in Drew Rasmussen, their offense continues to propel them. The Rays were the first team to reach 30 wins this season.

Shane McClanahan has been stellar. He ranks first in wins with seven. Also, he ranks in the top 10 in both strikeouts and earned runs allowed.

No. 2. Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles were not projected to be a wild card team this year, much less make a run for the AL East crown. 

Now, Baltimore moves up to the second spot in this week’s Power Rankings. Camden Yards has slowly renewed its baseball atmosphere. With the bird bath, water tube celebration, and winning baseball games, the O’s have had fans on their feet.

Cedric Mullins cycles up

Cedric Mullins carried his team against the Pirates as he hit for the cycle. Mullins hit the 12th cycle in Orioles franchise history. 

With the offense producing and Felix Bautista closing out games, the Orioles are looking to make a splash in the AL East.

No. 3. Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have flopped back to the third in the Power Rankings. They are losers of their last four and are 1-4 in their last two series. 

With Max Fried’s injury, the 2021 World Series champions are hoping to overcome recent pitching woes.

No. 4. Los Angeles Dodgers

Déjà vu. The Dodgers have taken a series against the Padres in back to back weeks. This time the Dodgers swept the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. 

The Dodgers started their first 20 games with a 10-10 record. Now they hold the best record in the National League.

Omar Juarez seeks next step toward title shot

Sandy Alcantara welcomes protégé Eury Perez

A’s rookie Jordan Diaz makes history with 3 homers

Los Angeles is relying on the long ball to win baseball games. The Dodgers are second in the major leagues in home runs with 68. Max Muncy leads the team with 12 home runs. 

Julio Urias and Co. are limiting the damage on the base paths. The Dodgers have a team ERA of 3.89, which is top 10 in baseball.

No. 5. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays swept the powerhouse Atlanta Braves in three close games. After losing the two-game set earlier in the week to the Phillies, Toronto gave the home crowd some excitement. 

Chris Bassitt set the tone of the series after tossing the seventh shutout of the 2023 season. He allowed only two hits and struck out eight. 

Toronto out-hit the Braves in every game. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued to play great. He registered four hits in the series with three runs batted in.

Ultimately, the series was capped off by Danny Jansen. He hit a walk-off single to bring home Guerrero and Matt Chapman to seal the sweep for the Blue Jays. 

No. 6. Texas Rangers

The Rangers continue to be the best in the AL West, winning three straight series against division foes. They continue to showcase a powerful offense. The Rangers outscored Oakland 27-9 in four games.

Adolis Garcia is on fire

Led by Cuban native Adolis Garcia, the Rangers keep scoring runs. Garcia leads the majors in RBIs with 42. Although Jacob deGrom is on the injured list, an unsung hero has stepped up in the rotation.

Nathan Eovaldi has three straight starts where he throws more than eight innings and allows zero runs. He threw a shutout against the Yankees. In his last start he was one out away from another. 

The Rangers will face a tough Braves team looking to rebound after being swept. 

No. 7. Arizona Diamondbacks. No 8. Minnesota Twins. No. 9. Milwaukee Brewers. No. 10. Houston Astros.

The Diamondbacks, Twins, Brewers, and Astros round out this week’s Power Rankings.