Baseball America MLB Power Rankings: Week 4 — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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Week four of our MLB power rankings sees the Dodgers return to the top and a new leader in the National League, plus a rise from the defending American League champions.

This week, we’re highlighting an individual stat that best tells the story of the team’s season so far. By the next power rankings, nearly all of Major League Baseball will have played half of their 60 games.

All statistics are through Aug. 20.

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1. Dodgers (19-8)

66: The number of runs the Dodgers have outscored their opponents by this season. The next-closest team, the Twins, has outscored their opponents by 39 runs. Eight of the Dodgers’ 19 wins have come by at least five runs, including their latest win Thursday.

2. Rays (17-9)

.904: The Rays’ OPS since Aug. 8, the day they began their current stretch of 11 wins in their last 12 games. That’s the highest OPS in the majors in that time, as is their 89 runs scored, 128 hits and 235 total bases.

3. Yankees (16-9)

7: The number of players the Yankees have on the injured list, and it’s about to get larger. LHP James Paxton is scheduled for an MRI after experiencing elbow/forearm discomfort and SS Gleyber Torres left Thursday’s game with hamstring tightness. If they have to go on the 10-day IL, they’ll join a star-studded group that includes OFs Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, 2B DJ LeMahieu and LHP Zack Britton, not to mention RHPs Luis Severino and Tommy Kahnle on the 45-day IL.