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MLB power rankings: Giants lay waste to Dodgers, climb into top 10

Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY
·4 min read
27

After an offseason devoid of flashy acquisitions, and a plodding start to the season that made their 107-win 2021 campaign seem even more aberrational, the San Francisco Giants are suddenly everything they weren't a few short weeks ago:

Entertaining and dominant.

The Giants finished off a history-making week Sunday by sweeping the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, their seventh consecutive win and a result that resonated on several levels.

It was their first Dodger Stadium sweep since 2012. The 29 runs scored were their most in a three-game series there, including a 15-0 shellacking on Saturday. They vaulted the Dodgers into second place in the National League West.

And they're one of several teams rising quickly in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

The Giants jumped seven spots to No. 9 entering a significant seven-game homestand against the division rival San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, the latter leading them by 3 1/2 games. It will be a test for a roster that got much younger with the infusion of rookies Casey Schmitt, Patrick Bailey and top prospect Luis Matos, an outfielder recalled last week.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) and center fielder Mike Yastrzemski gesture after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) and center fielder Mike Yastrzemski gesture after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday.

A look at this week's rankings:

1. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

  • A 51-24 team with no All-Star starters? That's how it stands now.

2. Texas Rangers (-)

  • Jacob deGrom aims for August 2024 return from elbow surgery.

3.  Atlanta Braves (+1)

  • Michael Harris is money again: 22 for 46 with four homers in past 12 games.

4.  Baltimore Orioles (-1)

  • Felix Bautista on pace to save 44 games.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

6.  Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • Haven't been in third place this late in the season since 2018.

7. Los Angeles Angels (+4)

  • No-brainer stat: 6-0 when both Trout, Ohtani homer.

8. Miami Marlins (+2)

  • Wholesome: Jacob Amaya records first big league hit on Father's Day, presents dad with ball.

9. San Francisco Giants (+7)

  • Rookie catcher Patrick Bailey earning raves from veteran pitching staff.

10. New York Yankees (-2)

11. Houston Astros (-4)

  • Last time they missed the playoffs was 2016.

12. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)

  • Blue Jays filling Alek Manoah's rotation spot with bullpen game, putting stress on entire staff.

13. Boston Red Sox (-)

14. Philadelphia Phillies (+3)

  • Another June boom for Kyle Schwarber: Seven homers, 14 RBI and still time to cook.

15. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)

  • Joey Wiemer responds to mullet promotion by going deep.

16. Minnesota Twins (-1)

  • Twins cite mental health struggles in placing closer Jorge Lopez on IL.

17. Cincinnati Reds (+5)

  • Andrew Abbott unscored upon in 17 2/3 innings of first three career starts.

18. San Diego Padres (+2)

  • Not exactly "revenge," but Blake Snell continues resurgence by striking out 12 Tampa Bay Rays.

19. Seattle Mariners (-)

  • Bryan Woo (20), Bryce Miller (18) only trail Felix Hernandez (21) in club history for most strikeouts in first three career starts.

20. New York Mets (-2)

  • Newest low: 11 losses in 14 games, five games below .500.

21. Pittsburgh Pirates (-9)

  • No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis on the way.

22. Chicago Cubs (+1)

  • Matt Mervis back in minors after rough debut: .242 OBP, 32 strikeouts in 99 plate appearances.

23. Cleveland Guardians (-2)

24. Chicago White Sox (+1)

  • Only on these Sox: Lance Lynn just the third pitcher since 1990 to strike out 16, give up three or fewer runs - and lose.

25. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)

26. Detroit Tigers (-)

  • 12-8 against division foes.

27. Washington Nationals (-)

  • Now 4-20 against the Marlins this year and last.

28. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Worst four-game sweep ever? Rockies give up 12 home runs to Braves.

29. Kansas City Royals (-)

30. Oakland Athletics (-)

  • The record: 19-54. The run differential: -202. The attendance increase from Monday to Tuesday (Reverse Boycott) night at the Coliseum: 473%.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Giants rise after sweep of Dodgers