And just like that the All-Star break is over and we’re into the second half of the 2021 MLB season! All 30 teams were in action over the weekend, so let’s see how the SportsTips MLB Power Rankings have been affected!
Here’s where all 30 MLB teams stand heading into Week 16 of the 2021 MLB season:
1. San Francisco Giants
World Series Championship Odds: +1400
Current Record: 58-34
Previous Rankings: 1
Although they lost their first series after the All-Star break against the Cardinals in St Louis, the Giants are still the No. 1 team in the NL west and our No. 1 team on the SportsTips MLB Power Rankings heading into Week 16 of the 2021 MLB regular season. Despite winning just one of their three games over the weekend, San Francisco outscored St Louis 9-7.
Kevin Gausman left Sunday’s game to a nice ovation from the Oracle Park crowd…
Until the umpire ruined the moment 😂 pic.twitter.com/uvfivR7Ho4
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 11, 2021
The Giants will put their No. 1 divisional ranking on the line over their next 10 games, as they are set to face the Dodgers on seven occasions, including a four game series in Los Angeles that starts on Monday. San Francisco will welcome Kevin Gausman and Buster Posey back from the IL which should give them a boost.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Championship Odds: +390
Current Record: 58-36
Previous Rankings: 2
The Dodgers narrowly missed out on a three game sweep against the Rockies in Colorado over the weekend, winning games one and two by a combined score of 19-6 before dropping the series finale 5-6 in the 10th inning. Although they are now just 1-9 in extra innings games, Los Angeles’ +152 run differential is the best in baseball and their 58 wins are the equal most in their division and the league.
As injury is beginning to take its toll on the Dodgers, Mookie Betts has continued to put the lineup on his shoulders, hitting at .750 during a 12-16 stretch that has seen him club three home runs and seven RBIs.
3. Chicago White Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +750
Current Record: 56-36
Previous Rankings: 5
The White Sox are now the highest ranking American League team on the SportsTips MLB Power Rankings after winning two of their three games against the Astros over the weekend. Sunday’s win against Houston gave Chicago a 56-36 win-loss record for the season, which is the best record in the American League, and marks the first time since 2008 that the south siders are 20 games above .500.
Off the field, the White Sox extended Lance Lynn’s contract last week, meaning that Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Michael Kopech and Dylan Cease are all locked into Chicago’s pitching staff until at least 2023.
4. Houston Astros
World Series Championship Odds: +450
Current Record: 56-38
Previous Rankings: 3
Although they dropped two of their three games against the White Sox in Chicago over the weekend, Houston are still three and a half games clear at the top of the AL West division despite their 2-5 record from their last seven games.
Houston’s ever reliant offense is what let them down over the weekend, only managing to score one run in their two losses to Chicago. All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa is 0-23 with bat in hand since July 4th and he has been struck-out on 10 occasions during that time.
5. Boston Red Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
Current Record: 56-38
Previous Rankings: 4
Boston will kick off the second half of the 2021 MLB season with five series and 17 games against Tampa Bay, Toronto and New York, all of whom are division rivals. The Red Sox will be looking for a better run of results in the next 14 games after winning just one of their three games against the Yankees over the weekend.
There is certainly no need to panic as Boston are still half a game clear on top of the AL East, however with a 2-6 record from their past eight games, including three consecutive series losses, Boston will be hungry for some wins in Week 16. On a positive note, ace Chris Sale threw three scoreless innings and struck out five batters in his first minor league game post rehab.
6. Milwaukee Brewers
World Series Championship Odds: +1300
Current Record: 56-39
Previous Rankings: 7
Milwaukee were one of three teams to sweep their opponents over the weekend, however the Brewers 3-0 victory was easily the most rewarding. After closing out the first half of the season with a 1-3 series loss to the second placed Reds at home, Milwaukee had the entire All-Star break to rue their missed opportunity.
The Brewers vindicated their pre-break performance with a three game series sweep over the Reds in Cincinnati to extend their lead at the top of the NL Central to seven games.
7. Tampa Bay Rays
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
Current Record: 55-38
Previous Rankings: 6
As a result of their 2-1 series victory against the Braves in Atlanta, Tampa Bay owns an 8-2 record from their past 10 games and they are now just half a game behind Boston in the AL East. Despite winning two of the three encounters, Tampa Bay were outscored 14-20 in Atlanta over the weekend.
The Rays pitching staff owns the second best team ERA in the American League (3.69) and they will receive a boost when ace Tyler Glasnow makes his return from an elbow injury. Glasnow was able to resume light throwing work last week after he was sidelined over a month ago.
8. San Diego Padres
World Series Championship Odds: +850
Current Record: 55-41
Previous Rankings: 8
The Padres outscored the National 41-19 over the weekend, winning two of their three encounters and hitting a franchise record 24 runs in Friday’s matchup. Although they did their run differential no harm over the weekend, San Diego still finds themselves in third place in the NL West, four games behind the second placed Dodgers.
Wily Myers led the way in Friday’s 16 run victory, clubbing two home runs with seven RBIs. However, Fernando Tatis Jr. is undeniably the Padres most important hitter, as he currently leads the National League in home runs (28), stolen bases (22), slugging percentage (.649), OPS (1.021), and runs scored.
9. Oakland Athletics
World Series Championship Odds: +2100
Current Record: 53-42
Previous Rankings: 10
Oakland dropped two of their three games against Cleveland at home over the weekend, to remain three and a half games behind Houston in the AL West. The A’s will need to start playing better baseball if they are serious about making up some ground on the Astros, as they are a measly 9-14 in their last 23 games.
Chris Bassitt, Filthy 74mph Slider…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/dvzOPZ8cxQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 18, 2021
On a positive note, Chris Bassitt picked up where he left off prior to making his All-Star debut, throwing seven innings for just three runs in Sunday’s loss to the Indians. Bassitt has thrown seven innings in four of his last five starts and he has allowed three runs or less in each of those games.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 48-42
Previous Rankings: 12
Toronto kicked off the second half of the 2021 MLB season with a three game series sweep over Texas that saw them outscore the Rangers 25-2 over the weekend. Toronto are now six games back of the division leading Red Sox, who they will play in seven of their next 10 games.
The Blue Jays have also been granted permission to return to Toronto from July 30th, which will give them a chance to improve on their subpar 22-20 record at ‘home’ this season and make a push for a wildcard spot in the American League.
11. Seattle Mariners
World Series Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 50-44
Previous Rankings: 13
Sunday’s victory over the Angles in Los Angeles not only gave Seattle a 2-1 series win, but it also gave the Mariners their 50th win of the season. It is nothing short of remarkable that Seattle are a 50 win team that is two and a half game out of a wildcard spot in the American League despite owning a dismal -51 run differential.
The Mariners will get the chance to make up some more ground on the AL wildcard berth and the second placed A’s when they host Oakland in Seattle for a four game series this weekend.
12. New York Mets
World Series Championship Odds: +950
Current Record: 48-42
Previous Rankings: 9
It was far from convincing but New York narrowly avoided being swept by the lowly Pirates after erasing a 6-0 Pittsburgh lead to win Sunday’s matchup 7-6. The victory resulted in the Mets walking away from the series with one win from their three encounters on the road.
Sunday’s victory did save the Mets from an embarrassing sweep, however it did not salvage what was a disastrous weekend for the organization. Not only did New York drop two games to the second worst team in the National League, but to make matters worse, Francisco Lindor and Jacob deGrom both finished the weekend on the IL.
13. New York Yankees
World Series Championship Odds: +2100
Current Record: 48-44
Previous Rankings: 14
After losing six players, including Aaron Judge, to the COVID-19 IL prior to their return from the All-Star break, the New York Yankees managed to defeat the Red Sox twice across the weekend, giving them a 7-3 record from their last 10 games.
The Yankees are now 2-7 against the Red Sox this season and they are now just seven games off the pace in the AL East.
14. Cincinnati Reds
World Series Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 48-45
Previous Rankings: 11
The Reds missed out on a golden opportunity to make up some ground on the division leading Brewers over the weekend, dropping each of their three home games against Milwaukee. The 0-3 record resulted in Cincinnati’s four game deficit in the NL Central blowing out to seven games by Monday.
The Reds will look to make up some ground in the National League wildcard race when they take on the Mets and Cardinals in Cincinnati in Week 16.
15. Philadelphia Phillies
World Series Championship Odds: +5500
Current Record: 47-45
Previous Rankings: 18
The Phillies have continued to mount pressure on the injury riddled Mets after winning three of their four games against the Marlins over the weekend. Philadelphia are now 7-3 from their last 10 games, 10-4 in July and they are just two games behind New York in the NL East, their smallest division deficit since May 26th.
Those Phils tho 👀#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/BfSGsYk1zL
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 18, 2021
Hector Neris has continued his elite level of production at the mound, as he has now thrown eight consecutive scoreless innings for just three hits with 10 strikeouts.
16. Cleveland Indians
World Series Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 47-43
Previous Rankings: 17
Since bringing an end to their nine game losing streak, the Indians are 5-1 as a result of their most recent 2-1 series victory against the A’s in Oakland. Cleveland are still eight games behind Chicago in the AL Central but they are in the mix for a wildcard spot.
The Indians will continue a tough run to start the second half of the MLB season when they face the Astros (away), Rays (home), Cardinals (home), White Sox (away) and Blue Jays (away) in their upcoming series.
17. Los Angeles Angels
World Series Championship Odds: +8000
Current Record: 46-46
Previous Rankings: 15
The Angels are back to a .500 record after winning just one of their three games against the Mariners in Los Angeles over the weekend. The Angels are now in fourth place in their division and nine games behind the Astros in the AL West despite having the likely AL MVP in their rotation and their lineup (Shohei Ohtani).
Ohtani hit his 34th home run of the season on Sunday and he will take the mound for Los Angeles in their series opener against Oakland on Monday. The legend of Ohtani grew even further on Sunday after he remarkably beat a ground ball to first base.
18. Atlanta Braves
World Series Championship Odds: +5000
Current Record: 45-47
Previous Rankings: 16
The Braves missed out on an opportunity to go above .500 for the first time this season after dropping two of their three home games against the Rays. Despite losing the series, Atlanta did manage to outscore Tampa Bay 20-14.
In the wake of Ronald Acuna Jr’s ACL tear, the Braves have shown that they are still trying to make a run at the postseason this year by signing Joc Pederson from the Cubs and Stephen Vogt from the Diamondbacks.
19. St Louis Cardinals
World Series Championship Odds: +9500
Current Record: 46-47
Previous Rankings: 24
In what has been an ultimately disappointing season for the Cardinals, St Louis kicked off their second half of the season with two wins from three games at home against the league leading Giants. Despite the successful weekend, St Louis are nine games behind the first placed Brewers in the NL Central and seven and a half games out of a wildcard spot.
Kwang Hyun Kim continued his solid form at the mound in Jack Flaherty’s absence. Kim threw six shutout innings for just three hits on Saturday, which was his third straight scoreless outing of six or more innings. Kim owns a 2.87 ERA in 16 starts this year.
20. Chicago Cubs
World Series Championship Odds: +7000
Current Record: 46-47
Previous Rankings: 20
Chicago did what they needed to do over the weekend, kicking off the second half of the MLB regular season with two wins from their three games against the worst team in baseball in Arizona.
As they are now nine games back in the NL Central, the Cubs have begun their trade deadline selloff by shipping Joc Pederson to Atlanta. Craig Kimbrel, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez are all also rumored to be on the trade table.
21. Detroit Tigers
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 43-51
Previous Rankings: 21
The Detroit Tigers were our unlikeliest undefeated team over the weekend, sweeping the Twins at home in their three game series. No one expected Detroit to be ahead of Minnesota and Kansas City at the halfway mark, but here we are.
After not pitching in the 2020 season and owning a career ERA of 4.52, Wily Peralta has been one of the surprise packages of the 2021 season. Peralta has a 1.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through 33 innings of action.
22. Washington Nationals
World Series Championship Odds: +6500
Current Record: 43-49
Previous Rankings: 19
As a result of their 1-2 series loss to the Padres in Washington, the Nationals are now 3-7 in their last 10 games and they are six games back of the division leading Mets. After being outscored 12-34 in the opening two games of their series against San Diego, Alcides Escobar hit two homers in game three, including a game winning walk-off.
Juan Soto clubbed three home runs against the Padres over the weekend, taking his tally for the year to 14. Washington will be looking for Soto to lead them up the weak NL East standing during the second half of the season.
23. Colorado Rockies
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 41-53
Previous Rankings: 23
The Rockies lost a rare home series over the weekend, dropping two of their three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Colorado. Prior to Sunday’s walk-off victory, Colorado had dropped eight consecutive games to Los Angeles this season. Sunday’s victory was also the Rockies 10th walk-off win of the season, which is quite remarkable when considering that they have just nine wins on the road this year.
DON’T😈COUNT😈US😈OUT!@Chuck_Nazty with another walk-off! pic.twitter.com/nXL430Lvcz
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 18, 2021
German Marquez, Jon Gray, and Trevor Story are all a good chance of being traded prior to the upcoming deadline.
24. Miami Marlins
World Series Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 40-53
Previous Rankings: 22
Although they scored just one fewer run than Philadelphia throughout their recent four game series, Miami dropped three of the four matchups over the weekend. The Marlins are now nine and a half games behind the division leading Mets in the NL East despite owning the second best run differential in their division.
Starling Marte has hit .500 (8-16) following the All-Star break and he will likely be one of the most sought after bats on the market as we approach the trade deadline.
25. Minnesota Twins
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 39-53
Previous Rankings: 25
Minnesota couldn’t have imagined a worse start to the second half of the 2021 MLB regular season, as they were recently swept by the Tigers in Detroit. The Twins are now a season worst 17 games behind the first placed White Sox in the AL Central.
Although many had Minnesota as their preseason favorites to win the AL Central, the Twins will now likely be one of the biggest sellers at the upcoming trade deadline.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 36-57
Previous Rankings: 28
Pittsburgh kicked off the second half of the MLB season with two wins from their three games against the Mets at home. The Pirates missed out on a golden opportunity to sweep a division leader on Sunday, blowing a 6-0 first innings lead.
Funnily enough, Pittsburgh erased a 6-0 deficit of their own the day before, hitting nine runs in the final two innings to win Saturday’s game 9-7. Jacob Stallings gave Pirates fans something to smile about in what has been a trying season, clubbing a walk-off grand slam in the ninth to beat the Mets on Saturday.
27. Kansas City Royals
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 37-55
Previous Rankings: 27
As a result of their 1-2 series loss to the Orioles at home, the Royals are now two games behind the fourth placed Twins in the AL Central and 19 games behind the division leading White Sox. Kansas City has just two wins from their last 10 games.
No. 1 prospect Bobby Witt Jr. and No. 5 prospect Nick Pratto are both one step closer to their MLB debuts after earning promotions to Triple-A over the weekend.
28. Texas Rangers
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 35-58
Previous Rankings: 26
The Rangers were embarrassed in their first series of the second half of the 2021 MLB season, scoring just two runs and allowing 25 as they were swept by the Blue Jays in their three game series.
Joey Gallo has clubbed 11 home runs since the 26th of June and he, along with Kyle Gibson, are likely to be moved on prior to the upcoming deadline.
29. Baltimore Orioles
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 30-62
Previous Rankings: 29
The Orioles won two of their three games against the Royals in Kansas City over the weekend, giving them their 30th win for the year. Although they’ve had a solid start to the second half of the season, Baltimore are still 25 games behind the division leading Red Sox with a -136 run differential.
It was nice to see Trey Mancini and Cedric Mullins get the attention they deserve at last week’s All-Star game, however it is going to be a bleak second half of the season for the Orioles.
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 27-68
Previous Rankings: 30
Arizona managed to avoid a series sweep at home on Sunday by defeating the Cubs 6-4. Sunday’s win gave the Diamondbacks their fifth victory in July, which is kind of a big deal when considering that they managed just eight wins in May and June.
Arizona are 12-55 since May 2nd and we haven’t seen anything in the first half of the MLB season to suggest that they are capable of salvaging anything from 2021.
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel
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