2024 MLB Energy Rankings: Mets high 10? Dodgers high 5? Who’s No. 1?

The All-Star break is right here, concluding an thrilling first half of the MLB season.

There have been a number of surprises round baseball in 2024 following an action-packed offseason. Shohei Ohtani continues to be one of many recreation’s finest in his new residence, whereas Juan Soto has fashioned among the finest hitting duos in latest reminiscence with Aaron Judge.

These strikes have helped their respective groups be among the many finest in baseball via the primary three-plus months of the season. There have been a couple of different groups, nonetheless, that performed higher within the first half. 

Let’s check out my closing energy rankings from the primary half of the season, with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

10. New York Mets (49-46, final unranked)
World Sequence odds: +5000

This could be the primary time in fairly some time that the Mets are in my high 10. However they’re 27-13 of their previous 40 video games, turning that Grimace win streak into holding a playoff spot coming into the All-Star break. Francisco Lindor has continued to show that he was arguably the largest snub from the All-Star Sport, hitting two homers this previous week to spice up his slash line to .303/.396/.571 over the previous month. New York’s efficiency of late has many people saying, “OMG,” to cite Mets infielder Jose Iglesias.

9. Atlanta Braves (53-42, LW 8)
World Sequence odds: +900

The Braves dropped a spot after splitting six video games in opposition to fellow NL wild-card contenders the Arizona Diamondbacks and Padres. The standard suspects are nonetheless taking part in effectively. Marcell Ozuna had a two-homer recreation on Friday and Chris Sale allowed simply three runs over two begins this previous week, selecting up two wins within the course of. However the query of whether or not Atlanta has sufficient to be a professional contender following the accidents to Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider persists on the break.

8. Boston Red Sox (53-42, LW 9)
World Sequence odds: +4000

The Crimson Sox’s latest climb up the standings has practically mirrored the Mets’. Boston’s 31-19 file in its previous 50 video games is the most effective mark within the American League since Might 19. Boston picked up one other collection win in opposition to a playoff contender as effectively over the weekend, taking two of three from the Royals. Rafael Devers has been one of many hottest hitters in baseball, as he launched two homers over the weekend to offer him seven over his previous 15 video games. All-Star Tanner Houck threw six shutout innings this previous Thursday, whereas Kutter Crawford has a 0.45 ERA over three begins in July.

7.  Milwaukee Brewers (55-42, LW 5)
World Sequence odds: +2500

The Brewers enter the break on a little bit of a skid, shedding seven of their previous 10. Christian Yelich and Willy Adames have remained constant on the plate, however Milwaukee’s rotation has scuffled lately. Nonetheless, the Brew Crew carry a 4.5-game lead within the NL Central due to the St. Louis Cardinals cooling off.

6. Minnesota Twins (54-42, LW 6)
World Sequence odds: +1800

The Twins maintain pushing alongside to carry a wild-card spot coming into the break, splitting six video games in opposition to the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants this previous week. However they have been dealt one other harm difficulty with Carlos Correa over the weekend, studying that the All-Star shortstop has plantar fasciitis in his proper foot. He performed via that ailment final 12 months, which hampered his play. However he instructed reporters over the weekend that his foot would not really feel as unhealthy because it did final 12 months and that he thinks he’ll “be prepared for the second half.” The Twins certain hope so.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (56-41, LW 4)
World Sequence odds: +360

Talking of harm information, the Dodgers moved Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the 15-day injured checklist to the 60-day IL, sidelining him till not less than Aug. 16 with triceps tightness. Maybe that wasn’t the worst information on the harm entrance for the Dodgers final week. Ace Tyler Glasnow was additionally positioned on the IL and Dustin May underwent season-ending esophagus surgical procedure, additional thinning their rotation. The Dodgers additionally have not completed effectively on the sphere currently, successful simply three of their previous 11. This crew was undoubtedly in want of a break. 

4. New York Yankees (58-40, LW 7)
World Sequence odds: +550

Following one other collection loss, this one to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees appeared like they have been going to finish the primary half on a excessive be aware. They decisively took the primary two video games of a three-game set in opposition to the Orioles and have been an out away from a sweep when a pair of defensive miscues allowed Baltimore to stroll them off. On the brilliant facet, Gerrit Cole‘s most up-to-date begin was his finest since making his season debut a couple of weeks again. 

3. Cleveland Guardians (58-37, LW 3)
World Sequence odds: +1800

The Guardians misplaced 4 of their final 5 earlier than the break, however have been clearly certainly one of baseball’s finest groups within the first half of the season. Steven Kwan has been among the finest hitters in baseball (.352 batting common) and Josh Naylor continues to be among the finest first basemen (.816 OPS, 22 homers). José Ramírez is in a little bit of a stoop (.548 OPS, zero homers in July), however his observe file suggests it is solely a matter of time earlier than he begins hitting effectively once more.

2. Baltimore Orioles (58-38, LW 1)
World Sequence odds: +700

The Orioles may need had their worst stretch of the season proper earlier than the break, getting swept by the Chicago Cubs and practically the Yankees. Their finest gamers are dong their components, nonetheless.  Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Burnes are persevering with to push for the AL MVP and Cy Younger awards, respectively. Henderson hit his twenty eighth homer of the season Sunday, the second-most within the league. Burnes, in the meantime, has solely allowed six runs in 19 innings over his previous three begins.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (62-34, LW 2)
World Sequence odds: +420

There’s been no higher crew in baseball within the first half of the season than the Phillies. They’ve received 4 extra video games than anybody else and lead the majors in run differential (plus-110). It is no shock that they’ve eight All-Stars, together with a file 5 pitchers. Bryce Harper has posted a 1.009 OPS since coming back from a short harm spell, whereas Trea Turner has already swatted an MLB-high eight residence runs in July.

Out: San Diego Padres (50-49, LW 10)
World Sequence odds: +4000

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Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Outdated Dominion College earlier than he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round choose of the Tigers in 2013. He spent 5 years within the Tigers group. Observe him at @BenVerlander.

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