We’re halfway through the 2021 MLB season and we believe that the San Francisco Giants are the No. 1 team in baseball entering the All-Star break!
Here’s where all 30 MLB teams stand heading into Week 15 of the 2021 MLB season:
1. San Francisco Giants
World Series Championship Odds: +1300
Current Record: 57-32
Previous Rankings: 2
Although they began Week 14 with a pair of losses, San Francisco closed out the first half of the 2021 MLB season with four consecutive wins to finish the week with a 4-2 record. The Giants now have the best record in baseball which has subsequently improved them to the No. 1 ranking on the SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings prior to the commencement of the second half of the regular season.
🧹🧹🧹 pic.twitter.com/F0k3OjJzwF
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 11, 2021
There are still question marks surrounding San Francisco as we enter the All-Star break, as the team has a mere 3-6 record against the Dodgers while boasting a 15-4 record against the division dwelling Diamondbacks and Rockies. However, with the No. 2 ranked pitching staff and a top 10 scoring lineup, San Francisco are certainly not going away in the second half of the regular season.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Championship Odds: +400
Current Record: 56-35
Previous Rankings: 1
Los Angeles dropped the opening three matches of their four game set against the Marlins in Miami before winning three of their next four against Miami and Arizona.
Even with a 3-4 Week 14 record it was hard to rationalise the Dodgers relinquishing the No. 1 spot on the Power Rankings as we hit the All-Star break, however with Trevor Bauer indefinitely sidelined due to an MLB investigation and Clayton Kershaw now on the IL with a left elbow injury, there pitching staff will be stretched thin to start the second half of the season.
3. Houston Astros
World Series Championship Odds: +450
Current Record: 55-36
Previous Rankings: 4
A 3-3 week for the Astros has seen them tie the Red Sox for the No. 1 record in the American League at the halfway point of the 2021 MLB season. Houston extended their lead in the AL West with a 2-1 series victory over the second placed Oakland A’s, before winning just one of their three games against the Yankees.
The Astros are currently in a league of their own when looking at offensive production, as Houston have scored 20 more runs than the next best team this season. Their lineup is averaging 5.45 runs per game despite Alex Bregman’s quad injury.
4. Boston Red Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
Current Record: 55-36
Previous Rankings: 3
Boston closed out the first half of the regular season with a pair of 1-2 series losses, going down to the Angels twice in Los Angeles and the Phillies twice at Fenway Park. Although they have entered the All-Star break with just one win from their past five games, the Red Sox still share the best record in the American League and possess one of the most damaging lineups in baseball, averaging 5.09 runs per game.
Off the field, Boston has also had a successful week. The Red Sox recently extended All-Star closer Matt Barnes to a two year deal just hours before selecting top pitching prospect Marcelo Mayer with the fourth pick in the 2021 MLB draft.
5. Chicago White Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +850
Current Record: 54-35
Previous Rankings: 7
Chicago has extended their lead on top of the AL Central with five wins from their six games in Week 14. The White Sox dropped the opening game of their series against the Twins before winning their next five games on the road against Minnesota and Baltimore. Chicago now has an eight game lead over the second placed Indians in their division.
Even with an extensive injury list, the White Sox have dominated their division throughout the first half of the season. Now, the south-siders are preparing to welcome back reinforcements with Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert expected to return soon.
6. Tampa Bay Rays
World Series Championship Odds: +1600
Current Record: 53-37
Previous Rankings: 8
After a rocky start to the summer, Tampa Bay capped off the first half of the regular season with five wins from their six games against Cleveland and Toronto in Week 14.
Even with Tyler Glasnow on the IL with a partial UCL tear and a flexor tendon strain, the Rays are still the No. 1 ranked pitching staff in the American League with a 3.50 ERA.
7. Milwaukee Brewers
World Series Championship Odds: +1300
Current Record: 53-39
Previous Rankings: 5
With a mere 2-6 record from their last eight games, Milwaukee will warmly welcome the All-Star break as their eight game lead in the NL Central has recently been cut to just four. The Brewers will kick off the second half of the regular season with a three game series against the division’s second placed Reds in Cincinnati on Sunday.
Brandon Woodruff’s 2.06 ERA is good for the fourth best in baseball, as the Brewers pitching staff currently ranks sixth in the league with a 3.44 team ERA.
8. San Diego Padres
World Series Championship Odds: +850
Current Record: 53-40
Previous Rankings: 6
After splitting their four game set against the Nationals, the Padres closed out the first half of the regular season with two losses from their three games against the Rockies (who are the worst road team in baseball) in San Diego. Although they boast more All-Stars then they’ve had since the last time they reached the World Series, the Padres find themselves in third place in the NL West, six games behind the division leading Giants.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is slashing .286/.364/.656 so far this season, while his 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases are both good for the second most in MLB.
9. New York Mets
World Series Championship Odds: +900
Current Record: 47-40
Previous Rankings: 10
The Mets won four of their seven games against the Brewers and Pirates in Week 14, maintaining their three and a half game lead on top of the NL East. New York are the beneficiaries of a maddeningly inconsistent division, as their record to start the summer (21-20) is barely above .500, while their three and a half game lead is unchanged.
ICYMI, the Mets’ staff has 2 🐐s.
Jacob deGrom & Dave Jauss. pic.twitter.com/A3D4L6d3Hm
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 13, 2021
Jacob deGrom’s ERA has finally slipped above one, as the two time NL Cy Young winner has conceded seven earned runs in his last three starts, including three home runs. deGrom’s 1.08 ERA is still the best in baseball as the Mets pitching staff boasts a 3.43 team ERA, which is good for the fourth best in the league.
10. Oakland Athletics
World Series Championship Odds: +1800
Current Record: 52-40
Previous Rankings: 9
The A’s missed out on the opportunity to make up some ground in the AL West as they dropped two of their three games against the division leading Astros in Houston. However, Oakland then capped off the first half of the regular season with two victories from their three games against the Rangers in Texas.
Oakland cannot be too disappointed with their three and a half game deficit in the AL West as they are currently not ranking in the top 10 for team ERA or runs scored through the first half of the year.
11. Cincinnati Reds
World Series Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 48-42
Previous Rankings: 13
Cincinnati will be one of few teams that did not want the All-Star break to come around, as they have won nine of their past 11 games which has subsequently shrunk the Brewers lead in the NL Central from eight games to just four. The Reds won five of their seven games against Royals and Brewers in Week 14.
All will be revealed whether Cincinnati can keep their momentum going after the All-Star break, as they will kick off the second half of the regular season with a three game series against the division leading Milwaukee Brewers at home.
12. Toronto Blue Jays
World Series Championship Odds: +2500
Current Record: 45-42
Previous Rankings: 11
After splitting their two game set against the Orioles in Baltimore, the Blue Jays lost two of their three games against the Rays in Tampa Bay, giving them a 2-3 record from five matches against division rivals.
Toronto owns the fourth best run differential in baseball thanks to a 5.10 runs per game average, and they are looking to strengthen their offense even further as the trade deadline approaches, as the Blue Jays are heavily linked to Minnesota’s 41 year old slugger Nelson Cruz.
13. Seattle Mariners
World Series Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 48-43
Previous Rankings: 12
As a result of their 1-2 series loss to the Yankees and their 2-1 series victory over the Angels, the Mariners are just three and a half games out of a wild card position despite having a -50 run differential, which ranks them 23rd in the league. The loss to the Yankees is their only series defeat in the past month (June 11-13) and they own a 16-8 record in that time.
It’s hard not to respect the Mariners knack for winning tight games in 2021, however whether they will be as clutch in the second half of the season remains to be seen.
14. New York Yankees
World Series Championship Odds: +2500
Current Record: 46-43
Previous Rankings: 18
The Yankees managed a pair of 2-1 series victories against the Mariners and Astros on the road in Week 14. New York are four and a half games out of a wild card spot in the American League and currently sit in equal third place in the AL East.
We will get a great look into where the Yankees are at early in the second half of the season as they face the division leading Boston Red Sox eight times in their first 10 games after the All-Star break.
15. Los Angeles Angels
World Series Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 45-44
Previous Rankings: 14
The Los Angeles Angels won three of their six games last week, defeating the Red Sox twice at home and the Mariners once on the road to close out the first half of the 2021 MLB season with a 3-3 record.
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher (and bat leadoff) for the AL in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game.
Ohtani will be the 2nd Japanese-born pitcher to start the All-Star Game. Hideo Nomo started for the NL in the 1995 game in Texas. pic.twitter.com/TUx30ZILHE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 12, 2021
As a result of Shohei Ohtani’s league leading 33 home runs, the 27 year old started on the mound and was the leadoff hitter for the American League in the All-Star Game. Along with Ohtani, the Angels will soon welcome back Mike Trout back from his stint on the 60 day IL.
16. Atlanta Braves
World Series Championship Odds: +4600
Current Record: 44-45
Previous Rankings: 16
After dropping two of their three games against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, the Braves salvaged a 3-3 Week 14 record after defeating the Marlins twice during their three game set in Miami. For a team that has had as many .500 weeks as the Braves, it truly is amazing that their overall record has not been better than .500 at any point throughout the first half of the 2021 MLB season, but here we are.
Atlanta will be without Ronald Acuna Jr. for the remainder of the season after the 23 year old tore his ACL while attempting a leaping catch.
17. Cleveland Indians
World Series Championship Odds: +5500
Current Record: 45-42
Previous Rankings: 19
After being swept by the Rays in Tampa Bay early in Week 14, the Indians flipped the script with a three game sweep of their own against the Royals in Cleveland to salvage a 3-3 record. Although they were just two games behind the division leading White Sox in late June, the Indians are now eight games off the pace thanks to a 3-9 record from their last 12 games.
As long as Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale remain on the IL, it is going to be tough for Cleveland’s pitching staff to lead them to victories.
18. Philadelphia Phillies
World Series Championship Odds: +7000
Current Record: 44-44
Previous Rankings: 20
The Phillies were the best performing team in the NL East last week, winning five of their seven games against the Cubs and Red Sox. Their 5-2 record has moved them into second place in the division as we enter the All-Star break.
Zack Wheeler has been the shining light for Philadelphia in the first half of the 2021 MLB season, owning the fifth best ERA (2.26), third most strikeouts (145) and fifth most quality starts (13) amongst pitchers this season.
19. Washington Nationals
World Series Championship Odds: +5000
Current Record: 42-47
Previous Rankings: 15
Following a dominant June that saw them finish the month with a 19-9 record, the Nationals have started July with just two wins from their last 11 games against the cream of the NL Wests crop in the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. Washington have subsequently slipped to fourth place in the NL East, six games behind the division leading New York Mets.
It is no coincidence that the Nationals have taken a turn for the worse after Kyle Schwarber was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Schwarber’s home run streak in June has been one of the best storylines of the season to date, as the 28 year old hit 16 home runs in an 18 game span last month.
20. Chicago Cubs
World Series Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 44-46
Previous Rankings: 17
Since sitting in a tie for first place in the NL Central, the Cubs have posted a 6-19 record and they are now in fourth place in their division, eight games off the pace. Chicago won just two of their six home games against Philadelphia and St Louis last week.
Although they were poised to be a playoff and World Series contender just one month ago, Chicago are now looking like they are going to be a seller as we approach the trade deadline.
21. Detroit Tigers
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 40-51
Previous Rankings: 22
After securing a 2-1 series victory against the Rangers in Texas, Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season with four consecutive losses to the Twins in Minnesota. The Tigers currently sit in standalone third place in the AL Central, seven games behind the second placed Indians and 15 games behind the first placed White Sox.
Detroit’s .440 winning percentage is their best at the All-Star break since 2017.
22. Miami Marlins
World Series Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 39-50
Previous Rankings: 24
Miami kicked off Week 14 with three consecutive wins against the reigning World Series champions before following that up with three consecutive losses to Los Angeles and Atlanta. The Marlins then won the final match of their three game set against the Braves resulting in a 4-3 record.
Ace Pablo López struck out Atlanta’s first nine hitters as Miami avoided a series sweep on Sunday, setting a modern day MLB record.
23. Colorado Rockies
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 40-51
Previous Rankings: 23
Colorado finished with a surprising 3-3 record from their six road games in Week 14. After dropping two of their three games against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, Colorado then won two of their three games against the Padres in San Diego. Their 3-3 record gives the Rockies a 9-34 record on the road this season, vastly worse than their solid 31-17 record at Coors Field.
ROAD SERIES WIN!! #RoxWin 🖐 pic.twitter.com/XDF1QN6BEf
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 11, 2021
Although Colorado have deservedly been scrutinised for the Nolan Arenado trade, Austin Gomber has performed admirably for the Rockies at the mound this season, owning a 3.68 ERA through 15 starts.
24. St Louis Cardinals
World Series Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 44-46
Previous Rankings: 21
Although they won three of their five games last week, St Louis is under .500 at the All-Star break for just the second time since 2010. The Cardinals managed to win two matches against the league leading Giants in San Francisco before splitting their two game set against the Cubs in Chicago.
St Louis are now tied with Chicago for equal third place in the NL Central, eight games behind Milwaukee and four games behind Cincinnati.
25. Minnesota Twins
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 39-50
Previous Rankings: 27
After winning one of their three games against the White Sox in Minnesota, the Twins finished off the first half of the regular season with a four game sweep over the Tigers at home, giving them a 5-2 record last week. Prior to their series against Detroit, Minnesota had fallen to a season-worst 15 games below .500 record.
After finishing the 2020 season with a +49 run differential, the Twins have a -57 differential at the halfway mark of the 2021 season, giving them a -106 overall differential from year to year so far.
26. Texas Rangers
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 35-55
Previous Rankings: 25
Texas managed just one win from both of their three game sets against the Tigers and A’s at home, giving them a 2-4 record to wrap up the first half of the regular season.
The Rangers are 10 and a half games behind the Angels for fourth place in the AL West and 19 and a half games behind the division leading Astros. Their 35-55 record is the second worst in the American League.
27. Kansas City Royals
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 36-53
Previous Rankings: 26
The Royals narrowly avoided an 0-6 record last week thanks to a one run victory over the Reds at home on Tuesday. However as a result of their 1-5 record against Cincinnati and Cleveland last week, Kansas City now find themselves at the bottom of the AL Central, three games behind the fourth placed Twins and 18 games behind the first placed White Sox.
Since their 16-9 start to the year, the Royals have a 20-44 record.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 34-56
Previous Rankings: 29
The Pirates split their four game series against the Mets in New York, after they won two of their three games against the Braves at home, giving them a 4-3 record last week. Pittsburgh owns the second worst record in the Nationals League at the moment and they are 10 games behind the fourth placed Cubs in the NL Central.
Pittsburgh have now won five of their last eight games and first time All-Star Adam Frazier has hit at .400 during that span.
29. Baltimore Orioles
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 28-61
Previous Rankings: 28
The Orioles may be two games clear of the Diamondbacks for the worst record in baseball, however they still have seven fewer wins than the next worst team in the American League. Baltimore will enter the All-Star break 26 games behind the division leading Boston Red Sox, which is the biggest deficit in the American League.
Since their outrageous sweep against Houston that wrapped up their June schedule, Baltimore have won just one of their eight games in July giving them a -138 run differential for the season.
30. Arizona Diamondbacks
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 26-66
Previous Rankings: 30
Although they were a .500 team last week, Arizona holds the worst record in Major League Baseball with just 26 wins. The Diamondbacks managed a 2-1 series victory against the Rockies at home before pinching one game off the Dodgers on the road. Arizona’s 21 run loss to Los Angeles on Saturday was the team’s worst defeat in franchise history.
On a positive note, the Diamondbacks have already won four games in July after winning just five in May and three in June.
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel
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