As Major League Baseball’s season hits its midpoint, the playoff races are heating up. Fan bases everywhere are glued to their teams’ performance, hoping for a strong second half.
FanGraphs’ latest power rankings bring a fresh perspective, using a weighted Elo system that blends team performance with playoff odds to create a “Power Score.” It’s a pretty comprehensive snapshot, revealing who’s thriving and who’s struggling—definitely something every baseball fan should check out.
Let’s get into the highlights, from dominant squads to mid-tier hopefuls and those stuck at the bottom.
The Dodgers Dominate the Power Rankings
The Los Angeles Dodgers top the FanGraphs power rankings, sporting a sharp 48-31 record and a league-best 1594 Power Score. Shohei Ohtani’s jaw-dropping two-way play—both pitching and hitting—has made a huge difference and really cemented the Dodgers as a powerhouse.
The Dodgers lead the way, but teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays are right there with them. All of these teams have strong records and playoff odds above 60%.
Clutch hitting, solid pitching, and steady management have kept these squads in the mix as postseason regulars.
Consistency and Star Power Drive Success
What really separates these top teams isn’t just the win column. Marquee players have stepped up at big moments, giving their clubs the edge to stay on top.
Still, the season’s long and even the best teams have to watch out for injuries or cold streaks that could shake things up.
The Contenders: Solid, Yet Challenged
Just below the top tier, you’ll find the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals all fighting for playoff spots. These teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency keeps them out of the elite group.
The Yankees, for example, have one of the better pitching staffs around but can’t seem to put together a winning streak because their offense sputters. The Blue Jays have plenty of depth, but they just can’t seem to find their groove for long stretches.
What’s Holding Them Back?
Most of these teams need to fix things like streaky hitting, shaky bullpens, or disappointing performances from key players. The trade deadline’s coming, so some front offices might have to get creative if they want to make a real run in October.
Wild Card Chaos: Fringe Teams Look for an Edge
Next up, you’ve got the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Guardians, and Arizona Diamondbacks—the definition of wild card chaos. These teams have had their moments, but they just can’t seem to stay consistent.
There’s no shortage of standout performances here. Rafael Devers, Joey Votto, and Corbin Carroll have all had some huge games for their squads.
But every high seems to get followed by a low, so it’s tough for any of these teams to build real momentum.
The X-Factor: Trade Deadline Decisions
For these wild card hopefuls, the trade deadline could change everything. Adding a big bat or shoring up the bullpen might be just enough to flip some close games their way.
No Man’s Land: The Middle of the Pack
Hovering around .500, the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a weird spot. They have to decide whether to sell off assets and plan for the future or take a gamble and chase a wild card spot.
Uneven performances don’t help. The Rockies, for example, have had some offensive fireworks lately, but their pitching struggles make it hard to see them climbing out of the lower ranks.
Hope for the Future: The Bottom Feeders
Down at the bottom, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, and Colorado Rockies look out of the playoff picture. That’s tough for fans, but there’s still a little hope thanks to the emergence of young talent.
Players like Paul Skenes and Nick Kurtz are starting to look like future stars for their teams. Even in a rough season, there’s always something to build on.
The real question is whether these teams can use the rest of the year to set themselves up for a better offseason.
Surprises Still Abound
Even with obvious power gaps in the standings, baseball just refuses to play by the script. There’s always a chance for something wild—a last-minute trade, or maybe some random player suddenly turning into a superstar.
FanGraphs’ power rankings really show how chaotic and fun this season has been. With the playoffs inching closer, every team seems ready to shake things up, hoping for that one move or moment that changes everything.
Here is the source article for this story: FanGraphs Power Rankings: June 16–22
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