Previous Rank: No. 17, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 vs. PIT, 3-0 @ TEX
With ace Hunter Greene sidelined, Chase Burns (2 GS, 0.82 ERA, 16 K, 11.0 IP) and Rhett Lowder (2 GS, 1.64 ERA, 9 K, 11.0 IP) have both stepped up in the Reds rotation. The pitching staff has allowed three or fewer runs in six of their nine games, and while that has propped up a lineup that is hitting .209 and averaging 2.9 runs per game so far, they need to start hitting to avoid a steady slide down the rankings.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (5-4)
Previous Rank: No. 8, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. WAS, 2-1 @ COL
Say what you will about the teams the Phillies played during a 4-2 showing last week, but the Blue Jays had a similarly “easy” week and it ended up burying them in the bottom tier. After years of instability at the back of the bullpen, it’s refreshing to see Jhoan Duran come in and blow hitters away, as he is now 19 of 22 on save chances since he was acquired last summer.
7. Cleveland Guardians (6-4)
Previous Rank: No. 13, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ LAD, 2-1 vs. CHC
The Guardians had arguably the toughest schedule of any team last week, but they came away with a pair of series wins, and they have yet to suffer a series loss after splitting a four-game set to open the year. They have earned their spot inside the top 10, but it might be wise to temper expectations until they show they can do better than a .198/.290/.335 batting line as a team.