As the calendar turns to June, an unexpected team leads MLB in wins.
That'd be the 39-21 Detroit Tigers, who were projected to win just 79 games and finish fourth in the AL Central by PECOTA in February. Manager A.J. Hinch's club pitched especially well of late, allowing one earned run or fewer in five of their last seven games. With four straight losses by the Phillies, the Tigers regain the No. 1 spot in this week's power rankings.
The next four spots are owned by the National League, which has certainly established itself as the stronger league as most clubs near the 60-game mark of the season. The Dodgers just won two of three games against the Yankees, while the Cubs and Mets keep rolling.
The bottom tier looks about the same as hit has all season, as the Rockies are on pace to break MLB's modern era loss record, which was set last season by the White Sox. The Pirates and Orioles round out the bottom four to no surprise. But there were some changes to the middle of the rankings after recent surges by the Rays, Blue Jays and Brewers.
(This poll takes into account votes from five Fastball On SI MLB writers: Tom Brew, Jack Ankony, Brady Farkas, Teren Kowatsch and Sam Connon. First-place votes are worth 30 points, and last-place votes are worth one point. Ties broken by highest vote or votes, then record. Total votes and first-place votes in parentheses.)
Here's how each writer voted.
Comments: The Dodgers-Yankees World Series rematch wasn't much of a series, with LA taking two of three, including an 18-2 rout. Every game was won by at least three runs or more. Both teams are good, but still some flaws. The Tigers just keep rolling around, and for the first time all year, I've got the same No. 2 two weeks in a row. Tarik Skubal continues to dominate, and is the best pitcher in the game right now. He's pitched 16 scoreless innings in a row. Let's keep an eye on the Tampa Bay Rays. They've won 9 of 12 and they are getting great starting pitching. Their bats are heating up as well, scoring 13 and 16 runs in games this week.
Comments: The Phillies’ time as my No. 1 team lasted just a week as they followed an 11-1 stretch with four straight losses to the Braves and Brewers. As a result, the Tigers regain the top spot with an MLB-most 39 wins. They’re not doing so in dominant fashion, per se, as their last five wins have come by a total of eight runs. The Dodgers moved up to No. 2 after taking two of three games from the Yankees, and the Cubs are on a roll with six straight series wins. Keep an eye on the Brewers, Rays and Blue Jays, who’ve moved up in recent weeks.
Comments: The Tigers have certainly proven they are for real, and while I think they need some rotation help, they are going to be tough to beat in October. The Mets overtook the Phillies in the NL East, but the Phillies pitching is still built to withstand the playoffs better.
Comments: The National League's top contenders have all had rough stretches in recent weeks, which has allowed the ever-consistent Detroit Tigers to supplant the league for the most wins in baseball. It's still early enough in the season where things can change, but the other competitive teams in the AL Central such as the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals might have to accept fighting for a Wild Card. Other top 10 and middle-of-the-pack teams are all within striking distance of the playoffs, which could set up for an interesting trade deadline.
Comments: Between the Mets, Cubs and Dodgers, the cream of the crop in the National League more than proved themselves this past week. New York and Chicago took care of business against inferior competition, while Los Angeles reminded the Yankees who won the World Series last fall. And yet, the Gritty Tigs have won six of seven – five by two runs or fewer – and just continue to hold serve atop the standings.
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