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We’re currently in the first week of June and the standings are really starting to take shape. The Power Rankings also have some serious movement this week, as teams begin the journey during the dog days of summer. Let’s see how these teams break down for the first week of June.
New York Yankees
Power Ranking: 1st (last week: 2nd)
World Series Odds: +550
As has been the theme lately, the Yankees and Dodgers continue to trade spots in the first and second spots. The odds for them to win the World Series have not shifted though, as the Dodgers still have the best odds at +425 and the Yankees remain at +550. I still firmly believe that this number for the Yankees is too good to pass up. This team continues to roll and just went 6-0 over the past week. They swept their two series of the week against the Angels, who have now lost 11 in a row, and the Tigers. The Yankees averaged an impressive 6.3 runs in those six games while allowing an average of just a ridiculous 1.6 runs. The Yankees starters allowed a whopping two runs over those six games, further proving that this team has it all. It’s hard to go against a team that has the capability to put up numbers like that.
This upcoming week, the Yankees will see the Twins and Cubs, two teams that have been struggling as of late. The Twins have been dealing with several injuries and missed some key players on their most recent road trip, due to COVID restrictions. When these teams take the field on Monday, the Twins will be missing Carlos Correa, Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, Royce Lewis and Miguel Sanó, among others. The Yankees are going to continue to win and these odds are going to change eventually. I wouldn’t advise holding off much longer if you haven’t taken them already.
Toronto Blue Jays
Power Ranking: 6th (last week 11th)
World Series Odds: +900
Well, well, well. Look who is FINALLY playing well. It’s the Blue Jays making some noise in the American League East. After taking care of the Angels, the Blue Jays swept the White Sox before taking only one of the three games against the Twins. Nonetheless, it was a much-needed injection for a team that was quickly falling out of contention in the division. Over this past week, this Blue Jays club had 15 home runs, 40 RBIs and 42 runs scored. Looking at their upcoming schedule this week, this trend could continue, as they have three-game series against both the Royals and Tigers.
Despite the big jump in our Power Rankings, I’m still not a big fan of their current World Series odds. At 9-1, they represent the fifth-best odds to win it all. Sure, this resurgence was something this team desperately needed to see, but are you convinced they’re here to stay yet? I’m certainly not. The American League East continues to be one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball and the Red Sox are also suddenly making a lot of noise. The Red Sox are 6-4 over their last 10 games and are currently at .500. While they’re a ways out of first by 12 games, the Jays, Rays, and Red Sox are only separated by 4 1/2 games. That’s a very close gap in a division where we’ll see multiple teams come out. I need more separation in the division to think about them winning it all.
San Diego Padres
Power Ranking: 7th (last week 5th)
World Series Odds: +1600
I am once again here to tell you that the Padres at 16-1 are one of my favorite plays on the board. After losing four straight to begin the week, the Padres closed out the weekend with three straight wins against the National League Central-leading Brewers. Not only that, they shut Milwaukee out in two of those games, one of which came from their rookie phenom MacKenzie Gore. Through six innings, the rookie allowed just three hits and struck out 10. After Saturday’s start, Gore has not allowed more than a run in four straight outings. The last time that happened was back on May 9 against the Cubs, when Gore gave up three runs through five innings. Since then, Gore has thrown 28 innings with just one run allowed.
The Padres are going to start off the week with a tough series against the Mets, but boy, does the schedule look favorable after that. Once this series concludes, the Padres have four straight series against teams under .500, including the Rockies, Cubs, D-backs and Rockies again. This season against teams under .500, the Padres have gone 20-8, while also being 13-13 against teams over .500.
Los Angeles Angels
Power Ranking: 14th (last week 8th)
World Series Odds: +3500
Wow. What a fall for the Angels. For a team that looked like it finally had it together, it endured an 11th straight loss on Sunday. After beating the Rangers on May 24, the Angels haven’t won a game, being swept by the Blue Jays, Yankees and Phillies in the process. To make matters worse, up next is a four-game series against the suddenly surging Red Sox, who have been aided by a strong stretch from their starters.
Amazingly, the American League West still has this team in second place. The entire division is under .500 except for the first-place Astros. However, the Angels, Rangers and Mariners will be battling for second, as they’re separated by 2 1/2 games. At the rate the Angels are playing, however, they could be slipping further. During this 11-game losing streak, they’ve averaged just 3.1 runs per game, which includes four games scoring just a single run or less. Even with how long these odds are at this point, I simply cannot put any faith in a team in total freefall mode.
Chicago White Sox
Power Ranking: 15th (last week 15th)
World Series Odds: +2200
I still think it’s worth looking at the White Sox at 22-1 odds. They’ve been one of the most disappointing teams of the year, as they were expected to run away with the American League Central. Now, two months into the season, they sit two games under .500 and third in the division. I mean, did ANYONE have the Guardians ahead of the White Sox this deep into the season? You can lie and say yes but I won’t believe you. I appreciate the attempt though.
It’s extremely evident this team is underperforming. If you look at their advanced stats, it tells you all you need to know. As a club, they’re batting .240 but their xBA (expected batting average) sits at .257. Their team wOBA holds the biggest difference, as it currently sits at .289, which is the third lowest in the league. Only the Tigers and Athletics are lower. However, the xwOBA for this team? .323, which ranks 18th. It’s not a great number, but it’s much better than it seems. I’m still a believer that this White Sox team will turn it around and end up winning the American League Central. If you’re also in that belief, getting them at 22-1 odds was not something you’d have expected this late in the season.
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