Baseball America MLB Power Rankings: Week 7 — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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1. Dodgers (32-13)

It’s full-steam ahead for the Dodgers, who have baseball’s best record by 3.5 games and the majors’ largest run differential (+98) by 28 runs. The only potential concern is the health of their pitching staff. RHP Walker Buehler was placed on the 10-injured list with blisters for the second time this season on Wednesday, while rookie RHPs Dustin May (foot) and Brusdar Graterol (knee) are day-to-day with injuries that bear watching.

2. Padres (29-17)

The Padres are not only talented and exciting, but resilient. Seventeen of their 29 wins have been comeback victories this season, including seven wins in the final at-bat of the game. The Padres remain the majors’ highest-scoring offense (264 runs), and keep showing they can erase deficits in a hurry.

3. Athletics (27-15)

The Indians are the only American League team that has allowed fewer runs than the A’s, a remarkable feat considering Oakland’s rotation has underperformed. LHP Jake Diekman (0 ER in 16 IP) and RHP Liam Hendriks (1.33 ERA, 12 SV) have led an outstanding bullpen unit that altogether features seven pitchers with at least 10 appearances and a sub-3.00 ERA. The A’s rank 20th in the majors in runs scored and 14th in starter’s ERA. Their bullpen, more than any other reason, is why they have the AL’s best record.