As the trade deadline has now passed, there have been plenty of movers in SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings and FanDuel’s World Series championship odds heading into Week 18 of the 2021 MLB season
Here’s where all 30 MLB teams stand after 17 weeks of baseball:
1. San Francisco Giants
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
Current Record: 66-39
Previous Rankings: 1
The San Francisco Giants have held onto the No. 1 spot on the SportsTips MLB Power Rankings after securing a pair of 2-1 series victories from their sets against the Dodgers and Astros at home. As a result of their 4-2 Week 17 record, San Francisco are now three games clear of Los Angeles in the NL West and two games clear of Tampa Bay and Houston for the best record in baseball.
WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO KRIS BRYANT pic.twitter.com/1K5a8DNWRg
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 1, 2021
Prior to last week’s deadline, the Giants added slugger Kris Bryant to the lineup and brought Tony Watson back to the bay for their bullpen, proving that they are not taking this MLB leading season for granted.
2. Houston Astros
World Series Championship Odds: +480
Current Record: 64-42
Previous Rankings: 2
Houston are six games into a tricky eight game road trip, which so far has seen them wrap up a pair of three game sets in Seattle and San Francisco for a 3-3 record. The Astros took two games off the Mariners and one off the MLB leading Giants last week, as they prepare to finish off their road trip with a pair of games against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Although their offense (5.47 runs per game) is still the standalone best in baseball, Houston received a bullpen boost prior to last week’s deadline by adding Kendall Graveman and Yimi Garcia.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Championship Odds: +290
Current Record: 64-43
Previous Rankings: 3
Los Angeles took on San Francisco and Arizona in Week 17 and walked away with a 3-3 record from their back to back sets against NL West division rivals. The Dodgers dropped two games to the division leading Giants in San Francisco before salvaging a .500 week with a pair of wins over the division’s last placed Diamondbacks in Arizona.
After acquiring Max Scherzer and Danny Duffy prior to last week’s deadline, Los Angeles’ new-look rotation is going to be tough to beat, with Scherzer and Duffy joining the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Julio Urías.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
World Series Championship Odds: +1100
Current Record: 64-42
Previous Rankings: 6
Tampa Bay swept Boston at home over the weekend to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the AL East. However, as well as their 3-0 series win over the Red Sox, the Rays dropped a pair of games to the Yankees in New York, leaving them with a one and a half game lead over Boston in their division standings.
Tampa Bay addressed their offensive issues a week before the trade deadline with the signing of the dangerous Nelson Cruz. However, now the Rays rotation may be lacking suitable postseason depth with ace Tyler Glasnow expected to undergo Tommy John surgery to correct his injured elbow.
5. Milwaukee Brewers
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
Current Record: 63-43
Previous Rankings: 7
The Brewers once again showed why they are the best road team in baseball last week, as they won five of their six games against the Pirates in Pittsburgh and Braves in Atlanta . Milwaukee are now 34-19 on the road this season, three wins better than the next best travelling team.
After pitching two shutouts and allowing just 17 runs over their six games last week, the Brewers pitching staff is clearly one of the best in the league and poised to take them deep in the postseason. However, Milwaukee also bolstered their offense prior to the deadline by adding Eduardo Escobar from Arizona. Escobar has hit 22 home runs this season, which is more than any Brewer has this year.
6. Chicago White Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +600
Current Record: 62-44
Previous Rankings: 5
Although they won just three of their seven games against a pair of division rivals over the weekend, the White Sox are still nine games clear of the Indians in the AL Central. Chicago uncharacteristically dropped three of four games to the Royals in Kansas City before taking two of three off Cleveland. Even with a lowly 4-7 record from their last 11 games it is going to be tough to dethrone the White Sox for top spot in their division.
Chicago added Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrel to an already loaded bullpen last week and the addition of Cesar Hernandez at second base is another solid move for their already strong lineup. The White Sox will look to redeem themselves in Week 18 when they host the Kansas City Royals for a three game series.
7. Boston Red Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
Current Record: 63-44
Previous Rankings: 4
A 2-5 Week 17 record for the Boston Red Sox has seen them relinquish the No. 1 spot in the AL East to the Tampa Bay Rays, who swept them in Florida over the weekend. Prior to that, the Red Sox split a four game series at Fenway with the Toronto Blue Jays. Sunday’s loss to the Rays not only confirmed the series sweep but it also marked the first time this season that the Red Sox had lost four consecutive games.
On a positive note, Boston added the dangerous Kyle Schwarber to their lineup last week, which will give them a frightening offense when he returns from injury. As well as that, Chris Sale is set to return to the major league rotation soon after another dominant performance in his latest rehab start.
8. San Diego Padres
World Series Championship Odds: +1400
Current Record: 61-47
Previous Rankings: 8
Like the Dodgers, the Padres allowed the Giants to extend their lead in the NL West thanks to a 3-3 Week 17 record from their six games against Athletics and Rockies, all of which were played at home. San Diego are now six and a half games off the pace in the NL West.
To make matters worse, the Padres were reportedly nearing a deal for Max Scherzer before he signed with the Dodgers and stud shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has landed on the IL with a shoulder injury.
9. Oakland Athletics
World Series Championship Odds: +2700
Current Record: 60-47
Previous Rankings: 10
The A’s managed to make up some ground on the division leading Astros in Week 17, as they won four of their six games against the Padres in San Diego and Angels in Los Angeles. Oakland are now just four and a half games back in the AL West with six of their next 11 games coming against the division’s last placed Texas Rangers.
Starling Marte is the first @Athletics player with 3+ H & 3+ SB in a game since Coco Crisp in 2011. pic.twitter.com/b6k0gHMwXP
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 1, 2021
Starling Marte has had a solid start to his career in Oakland, currently 5-16 through his first four games with the A’s.
10. New York Yankees
World Series Championship Odds: +2400
Current Record: 56-48
Previous Rankings: 12
Here they come? The Yankees were the biggest winner in the AL East last week, winning five of their six games against the Rays in Tampa Bay and the Marlins in Miami. The Yankees are now seven games behind the division leading Rays as they prepare for a three game series against the AL East’s last placed Orioles in New York.
New York added two desperately needed left handed sluggers to their lineup prior to last week’s deadline, trading for Anthony Rizzo from Chicago and Joey Gallo from Texas. Rizzo has already made his presence felt with the team, as he’s 5-9 with two home runs and three RBIs in three games.
11. Toronto Blue Jays
World Series Championship Odds: +2100
Current Record: 54-48
Previous Rankings: 13
After splitting their four game series against the Red Sox in Boston, the Blue Jays made their long awaited season debut in Toronto and they kicked things off with a three game sweep against the Royals. The three games against Kansas City were the first of a 12 game homestand for Toronto at Rogers Stadium, as they will be looking to improve on a sub par 25-22 home record.
The Blue Jays addressed their lack of starting pitcher depth prior to last week’s deadline, signing Jose Berrios from the Twins. Berrios, Hyun Jin Ryu and Robbie Ray are a formidable trio of starters, which will complement their top five scoring offense.
12. New York Mets
World Series Championship Odds: +1300
Current Record: 55-49
Previous Rankings: 9
The Mets are still three and a half games clear of the Phillies in the NL West despite a 3-5 record from their eight games against the Braves and Reds at home last week. A below .500 record from eight home games is disappointing for New York, as they will now face the Marlins in Miami and Phillies in Philadelphia in back to back divisional series.
New York addressed their offensive issues last week by signing infielder Javier Baez and right hander Trevor Williams prior to the deadline. Baez clubbed a homer on his debut at Citi Field. As well as that, Carlos Carrasco’s return should keep their pitching staff afloat while Jacob deGrom is on the sidelines.
13. Cincinnati Reds
World Series Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 56-50
Previous Rankings: 14
Almost solely off the performances of Joey Votto, the Cincinnati Reds won five of their seven games against the Cubs in Chicago and Mets in New York last week. Votto clubbed seven home runs in six games last week as the Reds are now just four games behind the Padres in the NL wildcard race.
As much as Votto has been on an offensive tear, Cincinnati bolstered their pitching staff over the weekend, adding Luis Cessa, Mychal Givens and Justin Wilson.
14. Seattle Mariners
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 56-50
Previous Rankings: 11
The Mariners finished Week 17 with a 2-4 record from their six games against the Astros at home and Rangers in Texas. Something that is concerning for Seattle, who have a -56 run differential, is that they lost back to back games to the lowly Rangers by just one run. Losing two games to Texas is one thing, but Seattle had a 23-8 record in one run games prior to this series and they can’t afford to let this record slip if they want to go to the playoffs.
Seattle strangely moved closer Kendall Graveman to Houston only to replace him with closer Diego Castillo from Tampa Bay. Other than that, the Mariners were quite quiet in a disappointing week.
15. Atlanta Braves
World Series Championship Odds: +4500
Current Record: 52-54
Previous Rankings: 15
Atlanta are remarkably still in the hunt to win the NL East despite having never been above a .500 record in the 2021 regular season. The Braves won four of their eight games against the Mets in New York and Brewers in Milwaukee last week, leaving them just four games behind New York in their division standings.
Adam Duvall returns to Atlanta in a Braves-Marlins trade deadline deal.
Catcher Alex Jackson heads to Miami. pic.twitter.com/TUKykf2xUt
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 30, 2021
Since losing Ronald Acuna Jr. to a torn ACL, Atlanta have added Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler to their lineup. These additions, as well as closer Richard Rodriguez, might be enough to see them win the division and it is currently keeping them in contention.
16. Philadelphia Phillies
World Series Championship Odds: +5500
Current Record: 52-53
Previous Rankings: 16
Like Atlanta, Philadelphia are still well and truly in the hunt to win the NL East despite their below .500 record. Although they won just three of their seven games against the Nationals at home and Pirates in Pittsburgh last week, the Phillies are just three and a half games back in the NL East.
Philadelphia strengthened their middle of the pack pitching staff prior to last week’s deadline, signing Kyle Gibson from Texas. Gibson allowed two runs in 6.2 innings during his team debut on Sunday.
17. Cleveland Indians
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 51-51
Previous Rankings: 18
In what was a short week, Cleveland split their two game series against St Louis at home before winning just one of their three games against the White Sox in Chicago. Although they are still second in the AL Central, 2021 has been an ultimately disappointing year for the Indians, who are now eight and a half games behind the White Sox in their division standings.
Even though Aaron Civale and Shane Bieber are still on the IL, Cleveland took last week’s trade deadline as an opportunity to sell off pieces such as Eddie Rosario and Cesar Hernandez in preparation for a bounce back season in 2022. The Indians held onto Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes.
18. St Louis Cardinals
World Series Championship Odds: +24000
Current Record: 53-52
Previous Rankings: 19
After splitting their two game series against the Indians in Cleveland, the Cardinals won two of their three games against the Twins in St Louis to finish the week with a 3-2 record. The Cardinals are now just two and a half games behind the second placed Reds in the NL Central.
St Louis added plenty of pitching experience prior to the deadline, signing 37 year old Jon Lester from the Nationals and 38 year old J.A. Happ from the Twins to join soon to be 40 year old Adam Wainwright in their rotation.
19. Los Angeles Angels
World Series Championship Odds: +37000
Current Record: 52-53
Previous Rankings: 17
A 3-4 week from the Angels has seen them slip below a .500 record. Los Angeles won two of their three home games against Colorado before dropping three games to the second placed A’s in Oakland in their four game divisional series.
Despite trailing the division leading Astros by 11 and a half games, Los Angeles didn’t sell off any noteworthy pieces prior to last week’s deadline, suggesting that they believe the returns of Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon will propel them into the AL wildcard race.
20. Detroit Tigers
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 51-57
Previous Rankings: 21
Detroit have continued to be a solid performer in the second half of the regular season, winning four of their seven games against Minnesota and Baltimore last week. The Tigers are now 43-38 since the start of May.
Casey Mize added another solid performance to what has been an impressive season, throwing seven innings for one run against the Orioles last week. As well as that, Miguel Cabrera is just three home runs away from his 500th career homer.
21. Washington Nationals
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 49-56
Previous Rankings: 22
The Nationals won four of their seven games against the Phillies and Cubs in Week 17. Washington are now just six and a half games behind the division leading New York Mets in the NL East.
Juan Soto’s last month has been elite. pic.twitter.com/tQtLq4C9ap
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 2, 2021
However, less than two years after winning the World Series, the Nationals have blown up their roster by trading away Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Daniel Hudson, Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison, among others.
22. Kansas City Royals
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 45-59
Previous Rankings: 24
After kicking off the week with a 3-1 series victory against the division leading White Sox in Kansas City, the Royals were swept by the Blue Jays in the first series of the MLB season that took place in Canada.
Kansas City held onto Whit Merrifield as the trade deadline expired last week, however Danny Duffy was sent to Los Angeles after 11 seasons in Kansas City and Jorge Soler was also sent to the Braves.
23. Chicago Cubs
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 51-56
Previous Rankings: 20
The Cubs managed to win just one game in each of their sets against the Reds at home and Nationals in Washington last week, giving them a 2-5 Week 17 record. On a positive note, Rafael Ortega is taking full advantage of the extra opportunity in Chicago’s lineup. Ortega was hitting .386/.438/.591 in his 15 games prior to Sunday and the left hander hit three homers in Sunday’s series finale.
Like the Nationals, the recent trade deadline brought an end to the Cubs 2016 World Series championship era, as Chicago traded Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel and Trevor Williams.
24. Miami Marlins
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 44-61
Previous Rankings: 23
The Marlins won the first match of their short two game set in Baltimore before they closed out the week with a four game losing streak against the Orioles and Yankees. It is the same old story for Miami in the second half of the season, as they lost their four games last week by a combined seven runs. Although they are 11 and half games behind the division leading Mets, the Marlins have the second best run differential in their division, -2.
Miami’s biggest play at the deadline was sending Starling Marte and his expiring contract to Oakland in exchange for young left hander Jesus Luzardo.
25. Colorado Rockies
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 46-60
Previous Rankings: 25
In what was actually a surprisingly successful week for Colorado on the road, the Rockies won three of their seven games against the Angels in Los Angeles and Padres in San Diego last week. Colorado are now 13-40 on the road and they no longer have the worst traveling record in 2021 (Arizona, 13-41).
Off the field, the Rockies front office made one of the most surprising moves of the entire trade deadline as they held onto Trevor Story, Jon Gray and German Marquez.
26. Minnesota Twins
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 44-62
Previous Rankings: 26
Minnesota added another chapter to their disappointing 2021 season in Week 17. On the field, the Twins won just two of their six games against the Tigers and Cardinals last week, which leaves them at the bottom of the AL Central, 18 games behind the division leading White Sox.
Off the field, Minnesota traded away their best hitter in Nelson Cruz and their best pitcher in Jose Berrios prior to last week’s deadline. The Twins did well in the return for their former ace, acquiring Toronto’s No. 2 and No. 4 pitching prospects, Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 40-65
Previous Rankings: 27
After being swept by the Brewers in Pittsburgh early in Week 17, the Pirates salvaged a 2-4 record last week thanks to two wins from their three home games against the Phillies.
Having now traded All-Star Adam Frazier to the Padres, Richard Rodriguez to the Braves, Austin Davis to the Red Sox, Clay Holmes to the Yankees and Tyler Anderson to the Mariners, the Pirates are unashamedly heading into a rebuild.
28. Baltimore Orioles
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 37-67
Previous Rankings: 28
As a result of their 3-3 Week 17 record against the Marlins at home and Tigers in Detroit, the Baltimore Orioles have continued to show some signs of life in the second half of the regular season, boasting a 9-5 record from their past 14 games.
However, for a team that is 30 games below .500, the Orioles had a quiet deadline day. Baltimore have held onto 29 year old Trey Mancini, 26 year old Cedric Mullins and 28 year old John Means for the foreseeable future.
29. Texas Rangers
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 38-67
Previous Rankings: 29
The Rangers kicked off their week with a two game series against the only MLB team that is worse than them, the Arizona Diamondbacks, which they fittingly split at one game a piece. Texas then won two of their three home games against Seattle to salvage a 3-2 record. The Rangers won both of their games against the Mariners by just one run over the weekend, thanks to a pair of walk-offs.
With just three wins from their past 10 games, Texas farewelled Joey Gallo, Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy prior to last week’s deadline.
30. Arizona Diamondbacks
World Series Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 33-73
Previous Rankings: 30
Unsurprisingly, the Diamondbacks still have the worst record in baseball thanks to their 2-3 record from five games against the Rangers in Texas and Dodgers at home. Tuesday’s loss in Texas gave Arizona 41 road losses this season (which is now the most in the league), and Sunday’s 13-0 loss to Los Angeles leaves them with a 2-11 record against the reigning champs this year. They have been outscored 97-36 in those 13 games.
The Diamondbacks parted ways with infielder Eduardo Escobar and reliever Joakim Soria prior to last week’s deadline.
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel
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