There’s been plenty of power in the Bronx.
Energized by the return of Giancarlo Stanton and currently riding a six-game win streak — including a 12-1 drubbing of the Rays last Wednesday — the Yankees have resurfaced after a lowly period that saw them fall to fourth place in last week’s MLB Power Rankings.
Now, after sweeping Tampa Bay and beating the Houston Astros on Thursday, New York has quickly turned one of its toughest homestands into a statement stretch, reminding the league of just how much power this lineup possesses.
New York outscored the Rays 21-4 in their three-game series with six home runs — including a solo shot by recently acquired Edwin Encarnacion, his first as a Yankee. The team is currently seventh in MLB in home runs (117) and OPS (.786).
To further bolster this offensive arsenal, slugger Aaron Judge is also slated to return from injury this Friday. Judge, who has been sidelined for two months with a left-oblique strain, has a .288 batting average with a .925 OPS and five home runs in 20 games this season.
New York might want to ease his way back into game action, but the 27-year-old’s return combined with the explosive wave the Yankees are currently riding is enough to lift them right back to No. 3 and even close in on Houston’s No. 2.
Of course, it helps that the current third-place-holder Twins are facing a rare skid, dropping two straight games, the latest a 4-1 upset against the Royals, who look ready to reclaim the 26th position in the Power Rankings.
This demotion means no disrespect to Minnesota, which continues its march as one of the best and most surprising teams in 2019, but some of the magic is starting to wear off — especially after the Dodgers outdid the Twins as the first team to reach 50 wins this season.
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At the bottom half of the rankings, the Reds — who seem to have had an anchor tied to their feet for most of the season — have kept their head above water long enough this week to reach five straight wins and a 35-38 record. The team has collectively batted .294 with six home runs and 20 RBIs during this winning period. Cincinnati pitchers also have the third-best ERA in the league this season (3.53), trailing only the Dodgers and the Rays.
The Dodgers may have a comfortable lead in the Power Rankings and in the NL West, but it’s the Giants who have risen as an intriguing, fun-to-watch team despite a current three-game losing skid.
Led by Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, San Francisco swept the Padres earlier in the week and managed to snag a win on the road against the almighty Dodgers. For Madison Bumgarner, who got the loss for the Giants on Thursday, not having to pick up any balls out of the ocean is a win on its own.
That was also probably one of his final starts as a Giant.
Thanks to a surprise appearance by Kawhi Leonard at Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays have also climbed up the ranks… just kidding.
Here’s how this week’s MLB Power Rankings have shaped up:
1 (1) 
Los Angeles Dodgers
2 (2) 
Houston Astros
3 (4) 
New York Yankees
4 (3) 
Minnesota Twins
5 (6) 
Atlanta Braves
6 (5) 
Tampa Bay Rays
7 (8) 
Chicago Cubs
8 (7) 
Milwaukee Brewers
9 (9) 
Boston Red Sox
10 (10) 
Philadelphia Phillies
11 (11) 
Colorado Rockies
12 (12) 
St. Louis Cardinals
13 (14) 
Texas Rangers
14 (16) 
Arizona Diamondbacks
15 (13) 
Cleveland Indians
16 (17) 
Los Angeles Angels
17 (18) 
San Diego Padres
18 (15) 
New York Mets
19 (19) 
Oakland Athletics
20 (20) 
Washington Nationals
21 (24) 
Cincinnati Reds
22 (21) 
Chicago White Sox
23 (23) 
San Francisco Giants
24 (22) 
Pittsburgh Pirates
25 (25) 
Seattle Mariners
26 (27) 
Kansas City Royals
27 (26) 
Toronto Blue Jays
28 (29) 
Miami Marlins
29 (28) 
Detroit Tigers
30 (30) 
Baltimore Orioles
