MLB Rankings

As we hit the middle of June, teams around the majors are getting a good idea of whether they will be contenders or pretenders this season. While there are several teams that have been in the grey area in between, there are a handful that have really stood out as some of the best in the majors.

Using the Dunkel Ratings, let’s take a look at the top-five teams in terms of MLB rankings currently.

1. Tampa Bay Rays (Dunkel Rating: 29.628)

At 42-24, the Tampa Bay Rays have not only the best record in the American League, but they have the best record in all of baseball.

In the A.L. East, they currently lead the Boston Red Sox by three games. They have also been solid both at home (19-14) and on the road (23-10).

The consistency of their offense and defense in one of the majors’ best divisions has been outstanding. They currently rank sixth in runs per game, averaging 4.94. Defensively, they rank fifth as they are allowing opponents just 3.74 runs per game.

Offensively, Austin Meadows has been a ton as he leads the team in both home runs (14) and runs batted in (48). He is currently hitting .233/.338/.498.

On the mound, Tyler Glasnow has led the way. In 13 starts, he is 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and has struck out 117 in just 84 innings.

2. Chicago White Sox (Dunkel Rating: 28.015)

The Chicago White Sox (41-24) have been one of the hottest teams in baseball as of late. In fact, they are 8-2 in their last ten games and now lead the A.L. Central by 5.5 games over the Cleveland Indians.

Despite being without Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert, the White Sox still rank third in runs per game at 5.06. Reigning A.L. MVP Jose Abreu leads the team offensively as he is hitting .262/.339/.475 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in.

The most impressive part of the White Sox, though, is their starting rotation. Lance Lynn (7-1, 1.23 ERA), Carlos Rodon (6-2, 1.89 ERA), Lucas Giolito (5-5, 3.81 ERA), Dylan Cease (5-2, 3.38 ERA), and Dallas Keuchel (5-1, 4.14 ERA) give the White Sox arguably the best one through five in all of baseball.

3. San Francisco Giants (Dunkel Rating: 27.458)

At 40-25, the San Francisco Giants have the best record in the National League, but they still sit just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. While they are 22-16 on the road, the Giants have been an amazing 18-9 when playing at home.

One of the biggest strengths of the Giants has been their pitching staff. They currently rank third in team earned run average with a staff ERA of just 3.18.

Leading the staff has been Kevin Gausman. In 13 starts, he is 7-1 with a 1.43 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and has 97 strikeouts in just 81.2 innings.

Offensively, the Giants are hoping that veterans Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey can keep it going for a full season. Crawford is currently hitting .251/.340/.530 with 14 home runs and 41 runs batted in, while Posey is hitting .329/.400/571 with 11 home runs.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (Dunkel Rating: 25.933)

Right on the Giants’ tail in the N.L. West is the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers (39-26). After going 7-3 in their last ten games, they have passed the San Diego Padres in the division and pulled within a game of the Giants.

On paper, the Dodgers are solid in every aspect of the game, but their starting pitchers have been phenomenal. Julio Urias (9-2, 3.56 ERA), Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 3.39 ERA), Trevor Bauer (6-5, 2.64 ERA), and Walker Buehler (6-0, 2.38 ERA) help make up one of the best rotations in the National League.

Offensively, the team recently put their best hitter to date, Max Muncy, on the injured list with a right oblique strain. With Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, and others still in the lineup, though, they still are a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

5. Boston Red Sox (Dunkel Rating: 25.061)

In the fifth spot on the MLB rankings is the Boston Red Sox (39-27). Even though they trail the Rays by three games, they still have been one of the best teams in the American League this year.

In their last ten games, the Red Sox are 6-4. While they have been just above .500 at home (19-17), they have been outstanding on the road (20-10).

The Red Sox offense has really stood out thus far. They currently rank in the top five in MLB in runs per game (fifth), batting average (third), and slugging percentage (third).

Rafael Devers (.272 avg, 15 home runs, 49 runs batted in), J.D. Martinez (.310 avg, 13 home runs, 41 runs batted in, 44 runs scored), and Xander Bogaerts (.325 avg, 12 home runs, 39 runs batted in) have all helped lead the offensive onslaught.

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