Current:Home > InvestMLB power rankings: Red-hot Orioles have showdown vs. No. 1 Yankees ... and Gerrit Cole -Elevate Capital Network
MLB power rankings: Red-hot Orioles have showdown vs. No. 1 Yankees ... and Gerrit Cole
PredictIQ View
Date:2025-04-11 00:09:46
The New York Yankees bided their time, awaited their ace and all the while, put up the best record in baseball.
And now, Gerrit Cole is returning — just in time for their ascendant pursuers to arrive in the Bronx.
The Baltimore Orioles took care of business against two playoff teams this week, winning four of six games from the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies to equal the Phillies' 47-24 record.
And leapfrog them in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
Baltimore is now No. 2 in the rankings, just in time to head to New York for a three-game series pitting No. 1 vs. No. 2. The Yankees have a 1 ½ game lead in the standings, but this season has shown that the top spot in the AL East standings is subject to change.
Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.
And after winning two games in a loud, bipartisan environment at Camden Yards, the Orioles see their rivals face to face.
"It should be fun," says outfielder Colton Cowser, one of four Orioles to homer off Phillies ace Zack Wheeler on Sunday. "I think any chance you know you're going to Yankee Stadium, especially with the year they're having, it's going to be a great environment."
And when Cole returns from an elbow injury to make his season debut Wednesday night, it will be only that much more momentous.
A look at this week's rankings:
1. New York Yankees (-)
- Gerrit Cole may be passing All-Star starting designation to Luis Gil.
2. Baltimore Orioles (+1)
- Kyle Bradish's elbow relapse puts both starter, reliever on deadline front burner.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)
- Brandon Marsh is back, Trea Turner right behind him.
4. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
- Pretty niche, but series with Mariners has "significant AL No. 2 seed ramifications."
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
- Mookie Betts likely lost until after All-Star break with hand fracture.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)
- With so much drama in the MKE, it was wise seeing Snoop D-O-double-G.
7. Seattle Mariners (+2)
- Very quietly have 8 1/2-game lead after sweeping defending champs.
8. Kansas City Royals (-3)
- Lost four of six to coastal behemoths.
9. Atlanta Braves (-1)
- After early struggles, Austin Riley just might be getting it going.
10. Minnesota Twins (-)
- Carlos Correa calls 22-for-42 stretch best of his career.
11. Boston Red Sox (+2)
- Well, at least they can beat the Yankees.
12. San Diego Padres (-1)
- Uh-oh: Swept by Mets, now headed for Philly.
13. Cincinnati Reds (+4)
- They and the Brewers the only NL Central teams with positive run differential.
14. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)
- Finally get rid of Daniel Vogelbach.
15. St. Louis Cardinals (+6)
- Six runs all weekend at Wrigley Field — still won two of three.
16. Washington Nationals (+4)
- Just call him DJ Cool Herz after lefty strikes out 13 in third major league start.
17. Texas Rangers (-4)
- It might be all over before the cavalry — three injured starting pitchers — arrives.
18. Detroit Tigers (-4)
- Top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe nearly back from hamstring strain.
19. San Francisco Giants (-3)
- Dropping a home series to Angels simply isn't what a playoff contender would do.
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2)
Finally get back shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.
21. Chicago Cubs (-3)
- Jordan Wicks follows Ben Brown to the IL — and might thrust Kyle Hendricks back into rotation.
22. New York Mets (+3)
- J.D. Martinez red-hot — and Mets might be winning enough to keep him off the trade block.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
- Rowdy Tellez's three-hit day pushes OPS to .576.
24. Tampa Bay Rays (-5)
- Proposed stadium gaining political traction as club slips in standings.
25. Houston Astros (-1)
- Jose Abreu's release the latest reminder owners should never try to play GM.
26. Los Angeles Angels (+1)
- Logan O'Hoppe's 467-foot home run is fourth-longest in majors this season.
27. Oakland Athletics (-1)
- Oof: A nine-game losing streak, including three walk-offs in four days.
28. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Nolan Jones pops off the IL with three-hit game.
29. Miami Marlins (-)
- Two runs in three games at Washington.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
- Top prospect Drew Thorpe walks five, gives up eight runs in second big league start.
veryGood! (368)
Related
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- ParkMobile $32.8 million settlement: How to join class
- China's new tactic against Taiwan: drills 'that dare not speak their name'
- China says Philippines has 'provoked trouble' in South China Sea with US backing
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- Singaporean killed in Johor expressway crash had just paid mum a surprise visit in Genting
- Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
- Luigi Mangione merchandise raises controversy, claims of glorifying violence
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Gen Z is 'doom spending' its way through the holidays. What does that mean?
Ranking
- RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
- Trump will be honored as Time’s Person of the Year and ring the New York Stock Exchange bell
- Trump taps immigration hard
- Netizens raise privacy concerns over Acra's Bizfile search function revealing citizens' IC numbers
- Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
- Luigi Mangione merchandise raises controversy, claims of glorifying violence
- California judges say they’re underpaid, and their new lawsuit could cost taxpayers millions
- She grew up in an Arizona church community. Now, she claims it was actually a religious cult.
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
'Secret Level' creators talk new video game Amazon series, that Pac
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dropping Hints
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dropping Hints
Taxpayers could get $500 'inflation refund' checks under New York proposal: What to know
Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown