Indians move into MLB Top 10
Cleveland runs up to No. 7 in Power rankings
The Indians began the season as one of MLB’s most disappointing early storylines of the year.
On June 3, Cleveland was 29-30 and 111⁄2 games behind the Twins in the American League Central. Since then, the Indians have gone 28-11 with the best winning percentage (.718) in the majors.
Look out Minnesota, the Indians are only three games back and hold the No. 1 wild-card spot in the AL.
The Giants also made a dramatic turn for the better over the last few weeks. A month ago, it looked like San Francisco was going to sell just about everything of value on its roster.
Now? Who knows.
The surging Giants are a .500 (50-50) ballclub for the first time all season having won 15 of 18. They sit within 21⁄2 games of a National League wild-card spot.
These two teams were the biggest movers in this week’s USA TODAY MLB power rankings.
Here’s how the eight-person panel voted this week:
1. Dodgers (movement from last week –) Can they persuade Giants to give them Will Smith?
2. Yankees (–) Aaron Judge quietly coming on strong in July.
3. Astros (–) Yuli Gurriel’s first 15 games in July: .381 average, 10 homers, 23 RBI.
4. Twins (+1) Don’t look now, but Indians only a few games back.
5. Braves (-1) Ronald Acuña Jr. eyeing 30 (homer)-30 (stolen base) season.
6. Rays (–) Tyler Glasnow might be done for season, which is a major blow.
7. Indians (+6) Now holding a wildcard spot, hard to imagine them trading Trevor Bauer.
8. Cubs (–) Craig Kimbrel settling in with six consecutive scoreless outings.
9. Athletics (+1) Next seven games versus division rivals: Astros and Rangers.
10. Nationals (-3) Must be doing everything in their power to add a reliever or two.
11. Red Sox (-2) Crucial stretch: next 14 games are against Rays and Yankees.
12. Brewers (–) Keston Hiura’s first 19 games after promotion: .370/.432/.658.
13. Cardinals (+2) Considering he’s extended through 2024, they should be worried about Paul Goldschmidt.
14. Phillies (–) Aaron Nola has 1.55 ERA in his last six starts.
15. Diamondbacks (+1) In wild-card race, but Zack Greinke’s value will never be higher.
16. Rangers (-5) Rough stretch out of All-Star break might persuade them to sell.
17. Angels (–) Mike Trout cruising toward
career highs in homers and RBI.
18. Giants (+6) Fire sale was always imminent, so of course they got hot right before deadline.
19. Rockies (-1) Ian Desmond from June 6-July 20: .330 average, 27 RBI.
20. Pirates (–) Keone Kela’s return will be big boost for bullpen.
21. Padres (-2) In market for starting pitcher.
22. Reds (+1) Yasiel Puig, on pace for career highs in HRs and RBI, could be traded.
23. Mets (–) Bullpen has been better, but they just can’t seem to generate any momentum.
24. White Sox (-2) Eloy Jimenez goes to injured list for second time this year.
25. Blue Jays (+2) Marcus Stroman’s days in Toronto are numbered.
26. Mariners (-1) Still plenty of assets to deal, and you know Jerry Dipoto won’t hesitate.
27. Royals (+1) Jorge Soler’s breakout year has been fun to watch.
28. Marlins (-2) Wei-Yin Chen (7.75 ERA in 28 games) is due $22M in 2020.
29. Orioles (+1) Adley Rutschman homered in his pro debut Saturday.
30. Tigers (-1) Their Class AA rotation is stacked, so there’s some hope for future.