MLB Rankings

After recently passing the one-third marker of the season, teams are starting to separate themselves as either contenders or pretenders. With the cream starting to rise to the top, let’s take a look at the top rankings of MLB teams according to the Dunkel Index.

1. San Francisco Giants (Dunkel Rating: 28.212)

At 37-22, the San Francisco Giants not only have the best record in the National League, but they also have the best winning percentage in all of baseball.

They also lead a loaded N.L. West by two games. To give an idea of how loaded the division is, third place has the third-best record in the National League.

San Francisco has played really well as of late as they are 7-3 in their last ten games and are playing well both at home (18-9) and on the road (19-13).

The Giants have been very impressive both offensively and defensively. They rank in the top ten in both runs scored per game (ninth, 4.84 runs per game) and runs allowed per game (fourth, 3.62 runs per game).

On the offensive side, it is shortstop Brandon Crawford who is leading the way. He is currently hitting .262/.351/.537 with a team-leading 12 home runs, 37 runs batted in, and 32 runs scored.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (Dunkel Rating: 26.646)

While the Giants may have the best record in the National League, the Tampa Bay Rays lead the American League with a record of 38-23. While they are above .500 both home and away, they actually have played better away from Tropicana Field (23-10) than they have at home (15-13).

The Rays currently hold a one-game lead over the second-place Boston Red Sox in the division with four of the five teams within six games of the Rays.

Surprisingly, the Rays rank 24th in batting average hitting just .228, but they rank sixth in runs per game at 4.92.

Austin Meadows currently leads the team offensively as he is hitting .248/.350/.533 with 14 home runs, 48 runs batted in, and 36 runs scored.

3. San Diego Padres (Dunkel Rating: 25.505)

The fact that San Diego comes in third despite sitting in second in their own division just exemplifies how strong the N.L. West is.  The Padres are off to a very strong 36-25 record and have played really well at Petco Park (20-12).

Leading the way for San Diego is one of the most exciting players in the game in shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. On the season, Tatis is hitting .292/.376/.682 with 17 home runs, 39 runs batted in, 41 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in just 154 at-bats.

On the pitching side, they have an outstanding starting tandem in Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. Darvish, acquired in the offseason from the Cubs, is 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and has struck out 84 in 72 innings.

Seen as an afterthought in terms of the Padres’ offseason acquisitions, Joe Musgrove has been fantastic. While he is just 4-5 overall, he has a minuscule 2.33 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and has struck out 89 in 65.2 innings.

4. Boston Red Sox (Dunkel Rating: 25.073)

Similar to the Padres, the Red Sox make the top five despite being second in their own division. While they are one game back in the division, they continue to play well both at home (16-13) and on the road (20-10).

Boston ranks in the top five in batting average (third), runs per game (fifth), hits per game (third), and slugging percentage (second).

The Red Sox are led by the big three of Rafael Devers (15 home runs, 48 runs batted in), J.D. Martinez (.321 batting average, 41 runs scored, 12 home runs, 39 runs batted in), and Xander Bogaerts (.314 average, ten home runs, 34 runs batted in).

5. Chicago White Sox (Dunkel Rating: 24.240)

In the fifth spot on the MLB rankings is the A.L. Central-leading Chicago White Sox (36-23). They currently lead the division by four games over the Cleveland Indians and have a balance of offensive firepower and solid starting pitching.

Despite having lost Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert to serious injuries, the White Sox still rank fourth in runs per game at 4.97.

Reigning A.L. MVP leads the offensive attack for Chicago. He is currently hitting .253/.339/.469 with 11 home runs and 46 runs batted in.

While everyone knows about starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, it is Carlos Rodon who has really turned heads in Chicago. He is currently 5-2 with a 1.98 ERA in nine starts. He also has a 0.82 WHIP and has struck out 80 in just 54.2 innings.

Between those three, Dallas Keuchel and Dylan Cease, the White Sox have a rotation built for a deep playoff run.

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