There’s a brand new No. 1 in Power Rankings for 1st time since April

The ultimate Power Rankings earlier than subsequent week’s All-Star break characteristic a brand new No. 1 group for the primary time in two and a half months.

Though the Rays set the tempo for almost the complete first half, the red-hot Braves returned to No. 1 for the primary time since April 16, ending Tampa Bay’s 10-week run within the prime spot.

That wasn’t the one shakeup within the Top 5, although.

Here’s a full take a look at the rankings:

Biggest leap: The largest leap when it comes to significance was the Braves shifting up a spot to No. 1 within the rankings – however no group climbed greater than two locations from final week. Four golf equipment moved up precisely two spots: the Marlins (from No. 9 to No. 7), Yankees (from No. 12 to No. 10), Brewers (from No. 16 to No. 14) and White Sox (from No. 26 to No. 24).

Biggest drop: Shohei Ohtani continues to awe on an nearly nightly foundation – most not too long ago, smashing a 493-foot residence run that capped a 15-homer June. He picked up proper the place he left off in July, clubbing his MLB-leading thirty first of the season in Sunday’s win over the first-place D-backs … however the Angels had a tough week in any other case as they dropped 4 spots to No. 15. Sunday’s win got here solely after the membership had misplaced 4 straight, together with a pair of residence video games in opposition to the White Sox wherein the Halos allowed 20 runs.

1) Braves, 56-27 (final week: 2)

It’s exhausting to search out anybody who can cease – and even decelerate – the Braves proper now. After ending the Reds’ 12-game successful streak two weeks in the past, Atlanta went 6-0 this week to enhance to 16-1 in its final 17 video games. On Tuesday, the Braves hit 5 residence runs off AL Cy Young candidate Joe Ryan, matching the overall he had allowed in his previous 12 begins mixed. Four days later, Atlanta knocked out Marlins rookie sensation Eury Pérez – who had a 1.34 ERA in 9 begins coming in – after simply one-third of an inning. Ronald Acuña Jr. — who hit a leadoff residence run in every of these video games on his method to racking up 5 homers and 4 stolen bases in six video games final week — has 21 residence runs and 38 stolen bases total as he continues to bolster his MVP case.

2) Rays, 57-30 (final week: 1)

Tampa Bay bounced again from a rocky two-week stretch by taking two of three from the first-place D-backs in Arizona to start the week. Still, it was one other up-and-down interval for the Rays, who noticed ace Shane McClanahan make his shortest begin of the yr on Friday, then land on the IL with a again difficulty at some point later. The membership is hopeful that McClanahan will likely be prepared sooner or later throughout the first flip of the rotation popping out of the All-Star break, however it’s nonetheless a troublesome blow – particularly with a homestand in opposition to the surging Phillies and first-place Braves looming this week.

3) Rangers, 50-34 (final week: 3)

The followers rewarded the Rangers for his or her spectacular first half by voting in 4 of their gamers to begin subsequent week’s All-Star Game. Corey Seager and Josh Jung will maintain down the left aspect of the infield, whereas Marcus Semien will begin at second and Jonah Heim will likely be behind the plate. It was introduced on Sunday that Texas’ beginning quartet will likely be joined in Seattle by Nathan Eovaldi and Adolis García. Along with having six All-Stars on this yr’s recreation, the Rangers acquired seven-time All-Star reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Royals this week in an try and additional solidify their grasp on the AL West. That division lead shrank to 4 video games after dropping two of three to the Astros this weekend.

4) D-backs, 50-35 (final week: 5)

NL Cy Young favourite Zac Gallen added to his résumé this week by pitching the D-backs previous the Rays on Tuesday, then matching a season excessive with 12 strikeouts in Sunday’s loss to the Angels. As a group, nevertheless, Arizona went simply 3-3 this week and is now 7-7 over its previous 14 video games. The NL West leaders have an opportunity to pad their division lead heading into the All-Star break as they shut the primary half with a seven-game homestand in opposition to a pair of scuffling groups within the Mets and Pirates.

5) Orioles, 49-33 (final week: 4)

The O’s snapped a four-game shedding streak with a much-needed victory over the Twins on Sunday of their ultimate residence recreation of the primary half. Baltimore has a troublesome street journey this week main into the All-Star break, beginning with 4 video games in opposition to the rival Yankees within the Bronx adopted by three in opposition to the first-place Twins. The Orioles will then ship 4 gamers to Seattle for the Midsummer Classic, every of whom will likely be making his first profession All-Star look: Adley Rutschman, Austin Hays, Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano.

The remainder of the sector of 30: