MLB power rankings: Padres working overtime, still flying high
A little late-inning magic, courtesy of some clutch hitting from the likes of Wil Myers and Fernando Tatis Jr. over the past week, has helped the San Diego Padres maintain the best record in the major leagues -- and the No. 1 spot in USA TODAY Sports' MLB power Rankings.
Tatis saved the day on Saturday night with a game-tying three-run homer in the ninth inning and Myers won it in the 12th with a three-run blast of his own as San Diego (34-20) won four of its seven games last week, with three of the wins coming in extra innings.
The Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks tied for last place in this week's power rankings, with each team experiencing a 13-game losing streak.
Here's how our seven-person panel voted this week:
1. San Diego Padres (–)
Bonus baseball. Padres have become relentless after four straight extra inning games.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (+2)
Renew their rivalry with the Yankees on Monday. 'They hate us,' says Rays RP Ryan Thompson.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
Cody Bellinger happy to be back with the team: "I feel like I haven’t been a part of the team this year."
4. Boston Red Sox (-1)
The Red Sox have out-homered their opponents 68-38 (+30), the largest difference in MLB.
5. San Francisco Giants (+1)
After sitting out the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Buster Posey is looking like an MVP candidate.
6. Chicago White Sox (+1)
Billy Hamilton becoming a great insurance policy.
7. Oakland Athletics (+1)
Offense is hitting just .227 overall, which is fourth lowest in the American League.
8. New York Yankees (-3)
Big week coming up with series against Rays and Red Sox.
9. Houston Astros (–)
Tough stretch ahead with seven vs. Red Sox, three vs. Blue Jays
10. St. Louis Cardinals (–)
Tyler O'Neill's bat catching up to his Gold Glove: 11 HR, .904 OPS in 118 AB.
11. Chicago Cubs (+3)
Club has won 18 of 26 games in May with as many as 10 players on the injured list.
12. Cleveland (-1)
Aaron Civale won seven of his first nine decisions.
13. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is living up to the hype.
14. New York Mets (-1)
James McCann had more extra-base hits (three) in first 15 AB at 1B than in 102 as a catcher.
15. Milwaukee Brewers (–)
Willy Adames went 10-for-30 with seven RBI in first nine games with Milwaukee.
16. Atlanta Braves (–)
In desperate need of a bat after Marcell Ozuna's arrest.
17. Philadelphia Phillies (–)
Manager Joe Girardi attempts to steal a page from Bill Belichick's book of keeping things secret backfires.
18. Miami Marlins (+1)
Rookie Tyler Rogers (1.87 ERA in 11 starts) should be an All-Star.
19. Cincinnati Reds (-1)
Nick Castellanos (1.063 OPS) and Jesse Winker (1.046) ranked second and third in MLB through Sunday.
20. Seattle Mariners (+2)
Yusei Kikuchi's 1.04 WHIP is among the AL's best.
21. Kansas City Royals (-1)
Adalberto Mondesi went 7-for-22 with four extra-base hits in first six games off the IL.
22. Washington Nationals (-1)
Rookie reliever Sam Clay has been vital to the bullpen – and tough on lefties.
23. Los Angeles Angels (–)
Alex Cobb (3.78 ERA in seven starts) could fetch a decent return this summer.
24. Minnesota Twins (+6)
Josh Donaldson scored the 2 millionth run in the sport’s storied history.
25. Texas Rangers (–)
The Rangers tied a club record with 12 consecutive losses on the road.
26. Detroit Tigers (+1)
Spencer Turnbull proving his no-hitter is no fluke.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes nearing a return.
28. Colorado Rockies (–)
Austin Gomber has a 1.93 ERA over his last four starts.
T-29. Baltimore Orioles (–)
13-game losing streak gives Baltimore the AL's worst record.
T-29. Arizona Diamondbacks (-5)
The team’s 18-35 record this year is the worst in the NL.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings; Padres maintain top spot, Rays on the rise
