Every week, the Pitcher List team publishes an update to our MLB Power Rankings, reviewing the biggest risers and fallers of the past seven days. As always, the full rankings can be found at the bottom of this article … but where’s the fun in that?
As we head into the summer months, nothing has changed at the top and bottom of our rankings. The top three teams (Tampa Bay, Texas, Atlanta) and the bottom three (Colorado, Kansas City, Oakland) remain the same while the middle of the pack tries to establish themselves. Two of those middle-of-the-pack teams are the similarly named Marlins and Mariners, who are moving in opposite directions. Miami continues to defy expectations, while Seattle struggles to find consistency.
Movin’ On Up
Record: 35-28
Rank change: +5 (18 to 13)
The Marlins have been outscored by their opponents by 24 runs this year, yet they keep winning. Last week they went a perfect 6-0, beating up on the A’s and Royals at home. Granted, those are the two worst teams in the league, but that’s what good teams do, they win the games they are supposed to.
Luis Arraez continues to set the table for the Fish. He hit .560 last week with an OBP of .577 and scored seven runs. Arraez raised his average above .400 again after the hot stretch and is the player most likely to challenge that hallowed mark currently in MLB. Jesús Sánchez, Joey Wendle, and Bryan De La Cruz also had big weeks for Miami. Sanchez belted three home runs, and De La Cruz drove in ten. Wendle duplicated Arraez’s seven runs scored after slashing .429/.455/.619 for the week.
On the mound, Edward Cabrera dominated in both of his starts. He won twice after allowing only one run over 11 innings while striking out 14 and only walking three. If he can control the base-on-balls, he could take off as he generates a ton of whiffs. Jesús Luzardo and Eury Pérez also produced dominant starts, and the offense overcame rough outings by Braxton Garrett and Sandy Alcantara. If the reigning NL Cy Young winner can turn things around after a poor start, it would be a boon to the Marlins’ playoff hopes.
Hittin’ The Skids
Record: 30-31
Rank change: -4 (12 to 16)
The Mariners played only five games last week and won only one. The Rangers swept them over the weekend before they split a two-game series with the Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday. After a strong May in which it looked like the squad had turned their season around, the M’s have not started June well.
The offense only mustered 16 runs over the five games, with six coming in one game. It was a tough week for the resurgent Jarred Kelenic, who struck out in 45% of his plate appearances and managed only three hits. Eugenio Suárez slashed .118/.167/.176 over 18 PAs, while Cal Raleigh started the month 0 for 15.
While the Mariners’ offense has been up and down all year, the pitching staff has been excellent for the most part. However, last week was a struggle as the opponent plated ten or more runs in three of the five games. Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert pitched well in their starts, but the trio of youngsters, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and the recently called-up Bryan Woo, got lit up. Woo lasted only two innings in his MLB debut on Saturday as the Rangers scored six runs off seven hits. On the bright side, Woo struck out four and only walked one, showing his potential.
Kirby and Miller have been excellent this year, but their ERAs have climbed precipitously lately. Kirby has struggled in two of his last three outings, watching his ERA rise from 2.62 on May 21 to 3.50. Miller’s ERA was sitting at 1.15 on May 24, but he’s allowed 15 runs over his last two outings, and it has ballooned to 4.46. For Seattle to contend this season, they’ll need these two to get back on track and get more consistency from their offense.
Week 10 MLB Power Rankings