The Dodgers suffered their first below .500 week in Week 3 of the 2021 MLB season, however it wasn’t enough to see them dethroned as the No. 1 team on SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings heading into Week 4.
Want to find out how your team has fared after another jam packed week of baseball ?
Here’s where all 30 MLB teams stand heading into Week 4 of the 2021 MLB season:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Championship Odds: +300
Current Record: 15-7
Previous Rankings: 1
After splitting their two game series against the Mariners, Los Angeles dropped the opening two games of their four match set against the Padres in LA, before splitting the final two games for a 3-1 series loss and a 2-4 Week 3 record.
Welcome back, CT3! pic.twitter.com/DM9OERWGX1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 26, 2021
Coming up against two quality opponents, it was clearly not Los Angeles’ best week, however it wasn’t bad enough to remove them from the No. 1 spot on SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings heading into Week 4, as the Dodgers are still the only 15 win team in the league and also lead MLB in run differential.
2. Oakland Athletics
World Series Championship Odds: +2200
Current Record: 14-8
Previous Rankings: 7
Since starting the year with a 1-7 record, the A’s have been nothing short of remarkable. Oakland won their first five games of Week 3, sweeping the twins and winning the first two games of their series in Baltimore.
However, the Orioles 8-1 victory on Sunday snapped the A’s 13 game winning streak. Oakland are still a bottom 10 team in the league when looking at team ERA, however their lineup has now scored the eighth most runs in baseball, 101.
3. Milwaukee Brewers
World Series Championship Odds: +2200
Current Record: 13-8
Previous Rankings: 6
A 5-1 week for Milwaukee places them on top of the NL Central division heading into Week 4. The Brewers kicked off their week by sweeping the Padres in San Diego before winning two of their three games against the Cubs in Chicago. Other than a 15 run performance from the Cubs on Friday, Milwaukee allowed just six runs through their five Week 3 victories, as their pitching staff continues to dominate.
The Brewers bullpen ranks fifth in the league for team ERA with a 3.19 average, led by Corbin Burnes (0.37) and Brandon Woodruff (1.55) who are ranking second and fifth in the league this season.
4. Boston Red Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 14-9
Previous Rankings: 4
The Red Sox improved to a 14-6 record since starting the year 0-3, as a result of their 4-3 week against the White Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners. For the third consecutive week, Boston will enter the Monday’s games as the most prolific offense in the league, having scored a league high 119 on 213 hits this year.
J.D. Martinez (.370), Xander Bogaerts (.366) and Alex Verdugo (.325) have all continued their strong starts to the season, with Martinez and Bogaerts currently tied for the most hits in the league with 30, while Martinez is also leading the league in RBIs (21) and home runs (7).
5. Chicago White Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +1300
Current Record: 12-9
Previous Rankings: 9
After kicking off their week with an 11-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, the White Sox responded with a victory over the Indians and a three game sweep over the Rangers, improving to 12-9 for the year after a 4-1 week.
Chicago have been one of the most well balanced teams to start the season, currently boasting a 3.72 team ERA (10th in the league) and .261 team batting average (second in the league) with 108 runs scored this season (fifth in the league).Yermin Mercedes’ .414 batting average is the second best in the league, while Carlos Ródon is leading the pitching staff with a 0.47 ERA through 19.0 innings.
6. San Diego Padres
World Series Championship Odds: +850
Current Record: 13-11
Previous Rankings: 2
Although they had a below .500 week against Milwaukee and Los Angeles, San Diego won three of their four games against the Dodgers in LA, giving them a 4-3 record over the reigning World Series Champions to start the 2021 season.
After being swept by the Brewers, the Padres are now 9-8 against non-Dodgers teams, however a winning record against Los Angeles keeps them inside the top 10 of the SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings heading into Week 4. As it stands, San Diego leads the league in team ERA, currently boasting a 2.75 average.
7. San Francisco Giants
World Series Championship Odds: +8500
Current Record: 14-8
Previous Rankings: 15
Despite leading their three game series against the Phillies and their four game series against the Marlins 2-0, San Francisco failed to complete a series sweep last week. However the Giants did walk away with a pair of series victories and a 5-2 Week 3 record.
Having thrown two shutouts last week, San Francisco’s pitching staff currently has a 2.94 team ERA, which ranks them second in the league. The Giants will get a chance to flex their muscles at home in their upcoming series against the struggling Rockies, before a mouthwatering clash against the Padres in San Diego this weekend.
8. Kansas City Royals
World Series Championship Odds: +7500
Current Record: 13-7
Previous Rankings: 11
A 4-2 week for Kansas City places the Royals on top of the AL Central division with a 13-7 overall record. Kansas City dropped their opening two games of Week 3 against the Rays, before winning their next four games against Tampa Bay and Detroit.
Danny Duffy pitched a scoreless five innings during Sunday’s victory over Detroit, improving his ERA to 0.39 after 23 innings at the mound this season, which is the third best average in the league.
9. Seattle Mariners
World Series Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 13-9
Previous Rankings: 10
A 3-3 week leaves Seattle four games above .500 heading into Week 4 of the 2021 MLB season, however this is a more than respectable result having come up against the Dodgers and the Red Sox (in Boston) last week.
New week. New series. Let’s roll. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/miZt48vEVz
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 26, 2021
It is hard not to rationalise the Mariners being a top 10 team in baseball, currently ranking 10th in runs scored and 11th in team ERA.
10. New York Mets
World Series Championship Odds: +900
Current Record: 9-8
Previous Rankings: 3
The Mets were swept early in Week 3, having been outscored 23-8 in their three game series against the Cubs in Chicago. However New York returned to form over the weekend, pitching two shutouts in a 2-1 series win over the Nationals. Offensively, the Mets are yet to find any rhythm this season, having scored the fewest runs in the league (56 runs through 17 games).
Even with Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard still a few weeks away from returning to the rotation, Jacob deGrom has led New York’s pitching staff to the sixth best ERA in baseball (3.25). deGrom’s 0.31 ERA is currently the best in the league, while his 50 strikeouts in 29 innings are the equal second most of any pitcher this season.
11. Houston Astros
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 10-11
Previous Rankings: 13
It looks as if Houston are almost back to full strength after their COVID-19 outbreak, welcoming Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez back to the dugout and splitting their six games last week for a 3-3 record.
After dropping their first two games of the week against the Rockies, the Astros won three of their final four games against the Angels, including a 16-2 victory on Saturday. Bregman recorded four runs, two hits, a walk and three RBIs in the 14 run victory, while Alvarez also recorded four RBIs.
12. Tampa Bay Rays
World Series Championship Odds: +3000
Current Record: 11-11
Previous Rankings: 16
A 3-3 week keeps the Rays at an 11-11, .500 record heading into Week 4. Tampa Bay collected a 2-1 series victory over the Royals in Kansas City, before suffering a 1-2 series loss to the Blue Jays at home. Having scored the seventh most runs in the league, the Rays clearly have no trouble scoring, however Tampa are allowing just as many runs.
The Rays have a 4.38 team ERA, ranking them 20th in the league, despite Tyler Glasnow’s work at the mound. Glasnow has collected 46 strikeouts this season, which is the fourth most in the league, however after allowing five earned runs in Friday’s loss to Toronto, Glasnow’s ERA slipped to 2.05 (still the 12th best in the league).
13. Toronto Blue Jays
World Series Championship Odds: +2800
Current Record: 10-11
Previous Rankings: 18
After splitting their two game series against the Red Sox in Boston, Toronto won two of their next three games against the Rays in Tampa Bay, resulting in a 3-2 Week 3 record. George Springer is yet to debut in the Blue Jays lineup after signing from the Astros, as his inclusion will undoubtedly improve Toronto’s 22nd ranked offense.
However, Toronto’s fourth ranked pitching staff (3.04 ERA) has suffered another injury blow, with Hyun-Jin Ryu joining Ross Stripling and Nate Pearson on the injured list with a butt injury.
14. New York Yankees
World Series Championship Odds: +700
Current Record: 9-12
Previous Rankings: 22
In what was their first winning week for the 2021 MLB season, the New York Yankees split their two game set against the Braves, before closing out Week 3 with a 3-1 series victory over the Indians in Cleveland.
Although is it a talented lineup on paper, New York’s offense is still struggling, hitting at an equal worst .206 batting average with just 75 runs scored through their 21 games this year. However, the Yankees are being kept afloat by Gerrit Cole at the mound. Cole’s 1.71 ERA is the eighth best in the league, while his 50 strikeouts are the equal second most.
15. Atlanta Braves
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
Current Record: 9-12
Previous Rankings: 14
After splitting their two game series against the Yankees and winning the first game of their set against the Diamondbacks, Atlanta dropped their final two games of Week 3 against Arizona, resulting in a 2-3 week.
Ronald Acuña Jr. just got hit on the hand or wrist with a 94-mph fastball. pic.twitter.com/syEeAB4TDw
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 25, 2021
Having been outscored 17-4 in their recent series against the Diamondbacks, the Braves now have a 4.79 ERA, which ranks them 29th in the league. Offensively, Atlanta has been struggling while Ronald Acuna Jr recovers from an abdominal strain, as was evident in their back to back shutout losses to Arizona.
16. Philadelphia Phillies
World Series Championship Odds: +4500
Current Record: 10-11
Previous Rankings: 12
After losing two of their three games against the Giants at home, the Phillies closed out their week with another two losses against the lowly Rockies, resulting in a 2-4 week.
Philadelphia’s pitching staff currently has a 4.68 ERA, ranking them 27th in the league, however Bryce Harper is keeping the Phillies offense competitive. Harper scored runs in five of Philadelphia’s six games last week, including three two runs performances.
17. Los Angeles Angels
World Series Championship Odds: +2400
Current Record: 10-10
Previous Rankings: 8
As a result of their 2-5 week, the Los Angeles Angels have won just three games in their past 10 since starting the year 7-3. The Angels lost their three game series against the Rangers 1-2 and their four game set against the Astros 1-3, allowing Houston to outscore them 31- 12 in the series.
Although they are ranking inside the top 10 teams in the league for runs scored, Los Angeles sit 30th in ERA through three weeks with a 5.22 average. Each of the Angels starting pitchers have ERAs above 4, three of which are sitting at 6.28 or higher.
18. Washington Nationals
World Series Championship Odds: +5500
Current Record: 8-11
Previous Rankings: 20
After winning their series against the Cardinals 2-1, the Nats won just one of their three games against the Mets in New York. Since starting the season 1-5, Washington have won seven of their 13 games thanks to a 3-3 Week 3 record.
Offseason recruits Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber are both hitting below .200, which has led to the Nationals ranking 29th in the league for runs scored (62). However, Max Scherzer has a 1.80 ERA with 33 strikeouts this season, ranking him ninth and 13th in the respective categories. Scherzer’s pitching is almost single handedly is keeping Washington competitive in 2021.
19. Cleveland Indians
World Series Championship Odds: +4000
Current Record: 9-11
Previous Rankings: 17
Cleveland are two games below .500 as a result of their 1-4 Week 3 record against the White Sox and Yankees. With the eighth best ERA in the league (3.52), the Indians have one of the best pitching rotations in baseball.
However, their offense ranks 28th in team batting average this season (.206) and 26th in runs scored (76). Shane Bieber is leading Cleveland’s pitching staff with a league high 57 strikeouts at a 2.48 ERA.
20. St Louis Cardinals
World Series Championship Odds: +3800
Current Record: 11-10
Previous Rankings: 23
St Louis won their first game of Week 3, 12-5 against the Nationals in Washington, however dropped the second and third matchups 2-3, 0-1, resulting in a 1-2 series loss. The Cardinals finished the week on a high, sweeping the Reds in Washington for a 4-2 record for the week.
Having allowed just 15 runs in their six games last week, St Louis are no longer the 30th ranked pitching staff in the league, improving their team ERA to 4.28, ranking them 18th.
21. Chicago Cubs
World Series Championship Odds: +5000
Current Record: 10-11
Previous Rankings: 24
After sweeping the Mets in their opening three games last week, the Cubs won their fourth consecutive game when they defeated the in form Brewers 15-2 on Friday. Milwaukee won the final two games of the set, resulting in a 4-2 week for Chicago.
The Cubs lineup did find some big hitting form, scoring 15+ runs on two occasions last week, however Chicago were also shutout by Brandon Woodruff on Sunday for the third time this season.
22. Arizona Diamondbacks
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 11-11
Previous Rankings: 29
Arizona kicked off their week with a three game series sweep against the Reds in Cincinnati. After dropping the opening game of their set against the Braves in Atlanta, the Diamondbacks recorded 5-0 and 7-0 victories in Sunday’s doubleheader resulting in a 2-1 series victory and 5-1 week for Arizona.
Although the D-Backs rank in the bottom five teams in the league for ERA, Zac Gallen allowed just one hit and zero runs in the first seven inning game on Sunday, before Madison Bumgarner threw a seven inning no hitter in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 11-11
Previous Rankings: 27
A 4-2 week leaves the Pirates 11-11 entering Week 4, having won 10 of their past 15 games. Pittsburgh recorded back to back 2-1 series victories against the Tigers and Twins last week. Outside of JT Brubaker, the Pirates pitching staff has been poor to start the season.
However Pittsburgh were solid offensively last week, scoring 21 runs in their six Week 3 games. Brubaker is ranking 11th in ERA this season with a 2.01 average, to go along with 23 strikeouts in 22.1 innings.
24. Cincinnati Reds
World Series Championship Odds: +4000
Current Record: 9-12
Previous Rankings: 5
Cincinnati were the only winless team in Major League Baseball for Week 3, being swept by the Diamondbacks at home and the Cardinals in St Louis for an 0-6 record in Week 3. The Reds have now lost seven games in a row heading into Week 4 matchups against the Dodgers and Cubs.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 25, 2021
As their 117 runs are still the second most in the league this season, Cincinnati’s offense is still scoring a good amount, however their pitching staff is 27th in runs allowed and 26th in team ERA (5.31) this year.
25. Baltimore Orioles
World Series Championship Odds: +15000
Current Record: 9-12
Previous Rankings: 25
With a 1-4 record for the week heading into Sunday’s game against the scorching hot A’s, it looked like a 1-5 record was already foregone conclusion for the O’s. However, Baltimore brought an end to Oakland’s 13 game winning streak, with an upset 8-1 victory over the A’s to close out the week with a 2-3 record.
Cedric Mullins added six more hits to his yearly tally last week, boosting his batting average to .346 for the year, while John Means 1.50 ERA is the fourth best of any pitcher in the league.
26. Minnesota Twins
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 7-13
Previous Rankings: 19
As they are slowly returning to full health after their bout with COVID-19, the Twins won just one of their six games last week, giving them a 2-8 record in their last 10 games and a 7-13 overall record this season.
After starting the year as one of the most prolific scoring offenses in the league, Minnesota scored 3+ runs in just one of their six games last week. With a deep lineup and good rotation, the Twins will certainly turn it around at some point, as their dugout returns and recovers from COVID-19.
27. Miami Marlins
World Series Championship Odds: +12000
Current Record: 9-12
Previous Rankings: 21
After splitting their two game set against Baltimore in Miami, the Marlins lost three of their four games against the Giants in San Francisco, resulting in a 2-4 record for Week 3.
Miami has been a solid pitching team to start the 2021 season, ranking ninth in team ERA, however their lineup is not scoring frequently enough to capitalize on their advantage at the mound, ranking 20th in runs scored this year. Trevor Rogers is leading the Marlin’s rotation, as his 1.64 ERA is currently the seventh best in the league.
28. Colorado Rockies
World Series Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 8-13
Previous Rankings: 30
With their one loss coming by just two runs, Colorado were on the verge of a 5-0 week against Houston and Philadelphia, splitting their two game series against the Astros and sweeping the Phillies.
Colorado are a top 10 team in the league when looking at runs scored (ninth – 100) and team batting average (eighth – .244), while their starters rank eighth in ERA. However, their bullpen depth has been the crux of their issues so far this season.
29. Texas Rangers
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 9-13
Previous Rankings: 26
After kicking off their week with a 2-1 series victory over the Angles, Texas were swept by the White Sox in the back half of last week, resulting in a 2-4 week and a 9-13 overall record. Having encountered one of the tougher schedules in the league to start the season, the Rangers are not playing as badly as their record suggests.
Having scored the 18th most runs in the league (86) at the 16th best batting average (.229), Texas’ lineup is capable of winning them games against lesser opponents. Expect the Rangers to be one of the big movers in the second month of the 2021 season.
30. Detroit Tigers
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 7-15
Previous Rankings: 28
A 1-5 week for the Tigers gives them a 1-9 record from their last 10 games. After winning just one of their three games against Pittsburgh, Detroit are now staring down the barrel of a four game sweep at home, as the Royals currently hold a 3-0 series record over the Tigers heading into the final match of their set on Monday.
Detroit’s starting pitchers have actually performed well this season, ranking 11th in ERA. However, the Tigers lack of depth at the mound has seen them slip to the 27th ranked team ERA this season, while their lineup also ranks 27th for runs scored this year.
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel
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