TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 28: George Springer #4 of Toronto Blue Jays hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the third inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 28, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
These are the American League power rankings as we head into the weekend:
1. Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 13: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Great rotation and getting production from young hitters. They have been, without a doubt, the best team in the American League since the season began.
2. Houston Astros
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 16: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run against Aroldis Chapman #45 of the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning in Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
They have taken over the AL West.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 3, 2023 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
They have been playing at an elite level lately.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Junior Caminero #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays at bat during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
If not for the Jays, they would be the hottest team in the AL.
5. New York Yankees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees points to the dugout after hitting his third home run of the game against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
They have been playing their worst baseball of the season over the past few weeks.
6. Seattle Mariners
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 28: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his solo home run with the trident prop during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on September 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Their starting pitching is solid and getting healthy, and their lineup is much better than last year.
7. Boston Red Sox
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 19: Jarren Duran #17 of the Boston Red Sox hits a second inning grand slam against Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees during their game at Yankee Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Lack of pitching depth might be a problem, but they are dangerous offensively and can make some serious noise.
8. Cleveland Guardians
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 08: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a one-run triple off Alek Manoah #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Progressive Field on May 08, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
They are playing inconsistent baseball, but they always seem to be in the race at the end.
9. Texas Rangers
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 01: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers hits a single in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Five of the World Series at Chase Field on November 01, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Pitching, especially the starting pitching, has been excellent. The lineup is letting them down.
10. Los Angeles Angels
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 2: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 2, 2023 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Diamondbacks 5-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Angels bats have been great lately.
11. Minnesota Twins
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 04: Royce Lewis #23 of the Minnesota Twins hits a grand slam off Lucas Giolito #27 of the Cleveland Guardians during the second inning at Progressive Field on September 04, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
The Twins are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league.
12. Kansas City Royals
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 20: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals hits an infield single during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium on April 20, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
Their pitching is good, but the offense is letting them down.
13. Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles gets a lead-off hit in the first inning during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
14. Athletics
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on October 01, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
15. Chicago White Sox
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run in the third inning against the New York Yankees during game one of a double header at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
