Red Sox rocket to No. 9 in ESPN MLB power rankings
Boston jumped from No. 21 to No. 9 after a 15-game winning streak, while the Dodgers, Brewers and Braves held the top three spots.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Boston just muscled its way into the top 10 of ESPN’s Week 17 MLB power rankings, leaping from No. 21 before the All-Star break to No. 9 after a 15-game winning streak.
The Red Sox were the big mover in an otherwise steady post-break list, according to ESPN’s panel. The panel said it ranked all 30 clubs using a mix of this season’s results and preseason expectations across the 162-game schedule.
At the very top, the National League powers kept control. ESPN placed the Los Angeles Dodgers first, the Milwaukee Brewers second and the Atlanta Braves third. The Tampa Bay Rays followed at No. 4 after slipping one spot from the previous ranking.
In the American League shuffle, the Chicago White Sox climbed two places to No. 8, Boston landed at No. 9 and the Cleveland Guardians returned to the top 10, according to ESPN.
Dodgers stay on top, with catcher question looming
The Dodgers remained No. 1 with a 65-38 record, unchanged from their previous spot. ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote that Los Angeles appears to be taking its time with several injured players, including Edwin Diaz, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and pitcher Shohei Ohtani, with an eye toward having them ready for the postseason.
Olney pointed to catcher as a less settled area. Will Smith has been out since June 5 because of a neck issue, and although ESPN reported he is improving and appears headed toward a return, Olney wrote that the uncertainty could affect how the Dodgers approach the trade deadline.
One possibility raised by Olney: Los Angeles could look for a veteran catcher to split time with Dalton Rushing while Smith remains unavailable.
Brewers hold second, Braves climb to third
Milwaukee stayed at No. 2 with a 64-38 record. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers wrote that the Brewers face pressure to act boldly before the trade deadline after last season, when he said they were the best regular-season club but fell away against the Dodgers in the postseason.
Rogers named Tarik Skubal as the kind of pitcher who could fit a swing-for-it move, writing that pairing him with Jacob Misiorowski might help Milwaukee challenge Los Angeles. He also noted health as a second-half issue, citing pitcher Kyle Harrison and outfielder Sal Frelick.
Atlanta moved up one place to No. 3 at 59-42. Olney wrote that the Braves have encouraging pieces returning, including Drake Baldwin in the lineup, Ronald Acuna Jr. nearing a return and Sean Murphy expected back soon.
Still, Olney said injuries to key starting pitchers, including Spencer Strider, have created a need for another playoff-caliber starter behind Chris Sale. He listed Robbie Ray, Tarik Skubal and Clay Holmes among possible names to watch.
Rays sit fourth as deadline nears
Tampa Bay ranked No. 4 with a 59-42 record, down from No. 3. ESPN wrote that the Rays could take a more aggressive trade-deadline approach than usual, with possible needs in the back end of the bullpen, outfield, second base and catcher.
With the deadline approaching, ESPN’s list framed the race clearly: the Dodgers still set the pace, the Brewers and Braves are chasing, and Boston has crashed the party in a hurry.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.