For the first time this year, the Dodgers have been dethroned!
Check out where the reigning World Series champions and the other 29 teams rank on the SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings after one month of the 2021 MLB season!
Here’s where all 30 MLB teams stand heading into Week 5 of the 2021 MLB season:
1. Milwaukee Brewers
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 17-11
Previous Rankings: 3
Having given up 16 runs to the Dodgers in their last outing, this may look like an unpopular choice. However, a 4-3 week improves the Brewers to the No. 1 ranking on the SportsTips’ MLB Power Rankings after one month of the 2021 MLB season. Milwaukee had a 1-2 series loss to Miami early in Week 4, but backed it up with a 3-1 series victory over Los Angeles.
Another one!
That’s Jacob Nottingham’s first career multi-HR game.@JacobNottingham | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/yuyjSTGHuX
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 2, 2021
The Brewers are tied with the Giants and the Dodgers for the most wins in the National League and even after Sunday’s 12 run loss, they still have the sixth best rotation ERA.
2. San Diego Padres
World Series Championship Odds: +850
Current Record: 16-13
Previous Rankings: 6
Although they are a game and a half behind the Giants in the NL West standings, San Diego had an above .500 week thanks to a two game split over Arizona and a 2-1 series victory over San Francisco. Yu Darvish (2.13 ERA), Blake Snell (3.51 ERA) and Joe Musgrove (2.38 ERA) have proved to be valuable offseason additions to the Padres pitching staff, while 22 year old Fernando Tatis Jr. has continued to show why he is one of the most dynamic batters in the league. Tatis Jr. now has with 47 homers and 32 stolen bases through his 163 career games.
The Padres are clearly capable of beating the best teams in the league, boasting a 7-6 record against the Giants and Dodgers this season, both of whom lead the NL in wins.
3. Boston Red Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 17-12
Previous Rankings: 4
The Sox could only manage a 3-3 record from their six road games last week, defeating the Mets in both of their games in New York, before suffering a series loss against the Rangers in Texas. Although their lineup had a down week by their own standards (only managing 3.1 runs per game), Boston are still tied for the most wins in the American League, while ranking fourth in runs scored (138) and second in team batting average (.261).
Boston will be licking their lips heading into Week 5 of the season, as they face Tigers and Orioles at Fenway Park, with Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugoall looking to continue on their impressive starts to the year.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Championship Odds: +300
Current Record: 17-12
Previous Rankings: 1
No disrespect to the champs here, but we couldn’t keep them at the No.1 spot after back to back losing weeks. As a result of winning just one game against the Reds and one game against the Brewers, the Dodgers have won just four of their past 14 games, including three consecutive series losses.
Los Angeles closed out their week successfully on Sunday, piling on a season high 16 runs with the bat, while Julio Urías struck out 10 Brewers in his seven innings at the mound. They will be back, but for now they aren’t worthy of top spot.
5. San Francisco Giants
World Series Championship Odds: +7000
Current Record: 17-11
Previous Rankings: 7
With a 17-11 record, the Giants will enter Week 5 half a game ahead of the Dodgers and a game and a half clear of the Padres in the loaded NL West. San Francisco won three of their six games last week, defeating Colorado twice in three games, while winning just one game against the Padres in San Diego.
The Giants have shown plenty of depth at the mound this season, ranking second in team ERA and first in rotation ERA. The lineup could use some work, ranking in the bottom 10 teams in the league for runs scored and team batting average, however with the equal most wins in the National League the Giants are worthy of a top five spot.
6. Houston Astros
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 15-13
Previous Rankings: 11
Based on their recent on-field performances it would be fair to presume that the Astros have recovered from their bout with COVID-19, returning to an above .500 record after a 5-2 week. Houston won three of their four games against Seattle and two of their three games against Tampa Bay last week, with both of their losses coming by just one run.
Ranking equal fourth in runs scored and ninth in team ERA, the Astros are one of the most well rounded dugouts in the league.
7. Kansas City Royals
World Series Championship Odds: +6500
Current Record: 16-10
Previous Rankings: 8
A 3-3 Week 4 record leaves the Royals six games above .500 and a game and a half clear of the White Sox in the AL Central division standings. Kansas City defeated the Tigers in Detroit, the Pirates in Pittsburgh and the Twins in Minnesota last week, as they prepare for back to back series at home against the White Sox and Indians in Week 5.
Ranking 20th in team ERA and 14th in runs scored, Kansas City are not dominating with the ball or with the bat this season. However, as long as they keep piling on the wins, it will be hard not to see them as a top 10 team.
8. Oakland Athletics
World Series Championship Odds: +2200
Current Record: 17-12
Previous Rankings: 2
The A’s were one of the biggest position sliders this week, as a split series against the Rays and a series loss to the Orioles wasn’t enough to see them hold onto their No. 2 ranking. After one month of the 2021 season, it is now fair to say that Oakland weren’t as bad as they started, nor were they going to be able to keep pace with that 13 game winning streak.
Although Matt Olson (.314) is the only qualified batter hitting at above .300, Oakland still ranks 13th for runs scored this year. However, having lost Jesús Luzardo to a broken pinkie last week, the A’s pitching staff will be under even more pressure in the coming weeks, currently trying to improve on their 4.13 ERA (17th in the league).
9. Chicago White Sox
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
Current Record: 15-12
Previous Rankings: 5
Although each of their six games last week were in Chicago and against opponents with worse records than their own, the White Sox managed just a 3-3 Week 4 record. Chicago won two of their three games against Detroit, before suffering a 1-2 series loss to the Indians.
Carlos Rodon won a total of 3 games in 2019 and 2020.
He finishes April going 4-0 with a 0.72 ERA.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) April 29, 2021
Led by Carlos Rodón (0.72 ERA) and Dylan Cease (2.96 ERA), the White Sox are currently ranking eighth in the league for team ERA. However, their lineup desperately needs José Abreu to return to his 2020 AL MVP form.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
World Series Championship Odds: +2600
Current Record: 14-12
Previous Rankings: 13
In a short week, Toronto won four of their five games, splitting their two game set against Washington and collecting a three game series sweep over the Braves. The Blue Jays lineup received a much needed boost over the weekend with George Springer making his long awaited debut for Toronto.
Springer hit a pair of homers in his third game with the team on Saturday, while Teoscar Hernandez returned from a three-week COVID absence.
11. New York Yankees
World Series Championship Odds: +700
Current Record: 14-14
Previous Rankings: 14
Here come the Yankees!?
Thanks to a 5-2 week, New York are back to a 14-14, .500 record in 2021. The Yankees began their week by splitting a four game series against the Orioles in Baltimore, before closing out Week 4 with a three game sweep over the Tigers. Admittedly, a split series against Baltimore and a sweep over Detroit is no reason to forget New York’s lacklustre first month of the season, however the Yanks have now won eight of their past 11 games and are just 2.5 games behind Boston in the AL East.
As long as Gerrit Cole (1.43 ERA and 62 strikeouts) and Corey Kluber (3.03 ERA) are healthy and at the mound the Yankees are going to be competitive, even if their lineup continues to struggle.
12. Cleveland Indians
World Series Championship Odds: +4500
Current Record: 13-13
Previous Rankings: 19
Cleveland won four of their six games in Week 4, claiming a pair of 2-1 series victories against two AL Central rivals in the Twins and the White Sox. With Shane Bieber as their ace, the Indians are going to be competitive in every game that he starts.
Bieber currently leads the league in strikeouts (68) and quality starts (6), having recorded 12, 12, 11, 13, 9 and 11 K’s in his six starts this year. The Indians lineup also improved their output last week, scoring 5+ runs in four of their six games.
13. Seattle Mariners
World Series Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 16-13
Previous Rankings: 9
Amidst Houston’s resurgence from COVID-19 and the Oaklands 13 game winning streak, Seattle have remained in the thick of things in the AL West standings, currently just one game behind the division leading A’s after a 3-4 week.
The Mariners won just one of their four games against the Astros, before salvaging a respectable Week 4 record with a 2-1 series victory over the Angels. Hitting at the 28th ranked team batting average in the league (.210), their lineup does needs work.
14. St Louis Cardinals
World Series Championship Odds: +3500
Current Record: 16-12
Previous Rankings: 20
As a result of a 5-2 week, the Cardinals are now four games above .500 with eight wins from their past 10 games. St Louis split their four game set against Philadelphia and closed out their week with a three game sweep against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
With a 3.41 ERA and 36 strikeouts, ace pitcher Jack Flaherty leads the league in wins this season with a 5-0 record. While offensively, the Cardinals lineup has climbed into the top 10 teams in the league for total runs scored this season, as their 35 Week 4 runs has improved their season tally to 132 runs this year (eighth in MLB).
15. Tampa Bay Rays
World Series Championship Odds: +3200
Current Record: 14-15
Previous Rankings: 12
A 3-4 week has seen the Tampa Bay Rays slip below .500 as we head into Week 5 of the 2021 MLB season. The Rays managed to split their four game set against the A’s, before closing out their week with a 1-2 series loss to the Astros.
Tyler Glasnow, 100mph Fastball & Premature K Strut.
We play 3 strikes at this level, Tyler. 😂 pic.twitter.com/0YHQAe0sEu
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 4, 2021
Ranking in the bottom half of the league for runs scored (16th) and team ERA (18th), Tampa Bay aren’t doing much right with either the bat or the ball. However, the Rays are still in the thick of things in the AL East despite some below par performances, currently just three games behind the division leading Red Sox.
16. New York Mets
World Series Championship Odds: +950
Current Record: 11-11
Previous Rankings: 10
The Mets kicked off their week with three consecutive losses, going down in both of their games against the Red Sox in New York, before suffering a loss in their series opener against Phillies on Friday. However, New York turned their fortunes around over the weekend, defeating Philadelphia twice in two day to salvage a 2-3 record for Week 4.
Led by Jacob deGrom, the pitching staff is doing their best to keep the Mets competitive, sitting fifth in team ERA and second in rotation ERA. In fact, deGrom is leading the league in ERA with a 0.51 average, while his 59 strikeouts are the third most in MLB. However, New York’s lineup is what’s keeping them at a .500 record, as their 71 runs are the fewest of any team in baseball this season.
17. Washington Nationals
World Series Championship Odds: +5500
Current Record: 12-12
Previous Rankings: 18
After dropping their opening match of Week 4 to the Blue Jays, Washington won their final four games last week, splitting their two game set against Toronto and sweeping Miami for a 4-1 record.
Although they will enter Week 5 with the 15th ranked team ERA in the league (3.98), the Nationals have allowed just six runs in their active four game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 20-6 in that time.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 15-13
Previous Rankings: 22
The Diamondbacks have improved to an above .500 record thanks to a 4-2 week. Arizona split their two game series against San Diego before rounding out their week with three wins from their four games against Colorado.
As it stands, the D-Backs success is derived from their lineup, as their 150 runs scored this season are the second most of any team in the league. However, only Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed more runs with the ball in 2021. Longtime Giant Madison Bumgarner is starting to make Arizona more of a threat at the mound, having allowed just two earned runs in his last three appearances, including a seven inning no-hitter.
19. Philadelphia Phillies
World Series Championship Odds: +4500
Current Record: 13-15
Previous Rankings: 16
Despite winning three of their seven games in Week 4, the Phillies have won just one of their past seven series, most recently splitting a four game set against the Cardinals and once again going down to the Mets. Philadelphia are now 3-6 against New York in 2021.
The Phillies are currently two games below .500 heading into a three match home series against the in-form Brewers. It is too early in the season to suggest this series is make or break for the Phillies, however if they are the real deal, Philadelphia should be able to continue their strong record at home (10-6) against a quality opposition.
20. Atlanta Braves
World Series Championship Odds: +1400
Current Record: 12-16
Previous Rankings: 15
The Braves performances in Week 4 perfectly sum up their season to date… incredibly inconsistent. Atlanta won three of their four games against the Cubs before they were swept by the Blue Jays to close out the week.
The Braves are ranking dead last in the league for team ERA (5.06), however Max Fried is expected to return from his hamstring injury in Week 5, which will give them a boost at the mound. Offensively, Atlanta ranks ninth for runs scored (129) and 12th for team batting average (.238).
21. Cincinnati Reds
World Series Championship Odds: +4500
Current Record: 13-14
Previous Rankings: 24
After an 0-6 record in Week 3, the Reds look to be back on track with four wins from their six games in Week 4. Cincinnati defeated the Dodgers and Cubs twice last week, scoring 5+ runs in four of their six outings.
The Reds 151 runs ranks them first among all teams in the league, as 13 of those runs came in Sunday’s 25 run shootout against the Cubs. Nick Castellanos, went five for six in that game, improving his batting average to .330 in 2021, to go along with nine homers and 20 RBIs this year.
22. Los Angeles Angels
World Series Championship Odds: +2400
Current Record: 13-13
Previous Rankings: 17
Although they have maintained a .500 record after a 3-3 week, the Angels currently hold the third worst run differential in the American League, while also ranking 26th in team ERA with a 4.96 average. Three Angels starters currently have ERAs higher than 6, while Shohei Ohtani (3.29 ERA), is expected to miss his next outing after getting hit by a pitch on Sunday, weakening their bullpen even more.
Los Angeles still managed to collect wins against Texas (2) and Seattle (1) last week, however upcoming matches against the Rays, Dodgers, Astros, Red Sox, Indians, Twins and A’s will test their struggling pitching staff.
23. Texas Rangers
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 13-16
Previous Rankings: 29
Although they are still three games below .500, the Rangers were one of the surprising performers of Week 4, winning four of their seven games against the Angels (1) and Red Sox (3). Although they still rank 22nd in the league for team ERA (4.45), Texas have improved out of the bottom 10 teams in the league for runs scored (117, 18th in the league) and team batting average (.236, 15th in the league).
What is even more impressive is that the Rangers have done this with Joey Gallo only managing four extra-base hits in 90 at-bats this season. Gallo is also hitting at a lowly .311 slugging percentage, very out of character for him.
24. Minnesota Twins
World Series Championship Odds: +2200
Current Record: 10-16
Previous Rankings: 26
Minnesota looks as if they have started to turn around an early season slump, winning three of their six games this week against Cleveland (1) and Kansas City (2). With Byron Buxton (.408 batting average, second in the league), Nelson Cruz (eight home runs, second in the league) and J.A Happ leading the offense, the Twins have scored the 11th most runs in the league this season.
BYRON BUXTON FOR MVP pic.twitter.com/o23BYHlqWx
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) May 1, 2021
However, Minnesota’s performances with the ball this season have been their downfall, as Kenta Maeda has failed to replicate his 2020 AL Cy Young runner-up season. Maeda has allowed 17 earned runs in 23.1 innings at the mound so far this year.
25. Baltimore Orioles
World Series Championship Odds: +15000
Current Record: 13-15
Previous Rankings: 25
The O’s are being kept afloat in 2021 by the work of ace pitch John Means. Having thrown seven innings in three of six starts this season, Means has 1.70 ERA (sixth in the league) in 2021 to go along with 38 strikeouts.
Although their lineup has scored just the equal 24th most runs in the league this season, Baltimore still managed a 4-3 Week 4 record against the Yankees and A’s. The O’s best is pretty good, however their consistency remains to be the issue.
26. Chicago Cubs
World Series Championship Odds: +5500
Current Record: 12-16
Previous Rankings: 21
As a result of their 2-5 record in Week 4, the Cubs have lost seven of their past nine games as well as three consecutive series, including going down to Atlanta and Cincinnati this past week. Although they have scored the equal ninth most runs in the league this year, Chicago’s 5.01 team ERA in 2021, ranking them 28th in MLB.
As well as that, none of the Cubs starters have thrown a seven inning game so far this year, while the collective group is allowing the fourth most runs in the National League.
27. Miami Marlins
World Series Championship Odds: +12000
Current Record: 11-16
Previous Rankings: 27
The Marlins are just one game ahead of the Rockies for the worst record in the National League, after winning just two of their six games in Week 4. Miami began their week with a 2-1 series victory over the Brewers in Milwaukee, however backed it up with three straight losses to the Nationals in Washington.
Sandy Alcantara (3.19 ERA), Pablo López (2.34 ERA) and Trevor Rogers (1.91) are doing their best to keep the Marlins competitive this season, as Miami’s pitching staff currently boast the seventh best team ERA in the league. However, the issues lie with their lineup, currently ranking 24th in the majors for runs scored.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 12-15
Previous Rankings: 23
After splitting their two game set against Kansas City in Pittsburgh, the Pirates closed out their week three consecutive losses at home against the Cardinals. As a result, Pittsburgh are ranking 27th in runs scored this season, while their pitching staff boasts the 23rd ranked team ERA.
Having not allowed more than three runs in an outing this season, JT Brubaker (2.63 ERA) and Tyler Anderson (3.38 ERA) are doing their best to keep the Pirates competitive at the mound. However, the rotation isn’t performing at the same level.
29. Colorado Rockies
World Series Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 10-18
Previous Rankings: 28
As well as the 2-5 Week 4 record that has left them with the fewest wins in the National League, Colorado also had GM Jeff Bridich resign last week. The Rockies did avoid a pair of sweeps in Week 4, winning one of their three games against the Giants and one of their four games against the Diamondbacks.
On a positive note, Trevor Story brought an end to his career long home run drought, as he has now homered four times in his last 10 games.
30. Detroit Tigers
World Series Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 8-21
Previous Rankings: 30
Things went from bad to worse for the Tigers last week, as Detroit recorded just one win from their seven Week 4 games. The Tigers managed to steal a game off the White Sox in Chicago, however lost their one game against the Royals, their other two games against the Sox and each of their three games against the Yankees.
Detroit are scoring the fewest runs per game in the entire league and hitting at a MLB low .195 team batting average. Things are not much better at the mound, as the Tigers are allowing the sixth most runs of any time in baseball (most among American League teams).
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel
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