Power Rankings: NY, SoCal clubs hold strong

Is it too early to start talking about the Wild Card race?

Probably, but let’s do it anyway. In total -- American League and National League combined -- 13 teams are either in the top three in their respective races, or within five games of the third spot. Some you’re used to hearing about -- the Padres, Giants and Braves, for example, are among those who are accustomed to being in contention for a playoff spot.

But there are at least two teams whose records may not be up to par, but are still in a race nonetheless. The Angels are three games under .500 but sit 4 1/2 games out of the third Wild Card spot in the AL. The Rangers, four games under .500, are just behind, five games out.

The NL race mostly consists of the usual suspects. The Brewers and Cardinals are a half-game out of the third spot, with the Phillies, now four games over .500, just 2 1/2 games out.

Biggest jump: The Rangers jumped four spots, from 20 to 16. They still have work to do if they’re going to be a presence in the AL West, but things are slowly moving in a more positive direction. Texas was in line to win a third road series in four tries before losing Sunday in Detroit and settling for a four-game split.

Biggest drop: There was not a lot of movement in this category this week. The biggest swing belongs to the Angels, who dropped just two spots, from 16 to 18. They had a good weekend in Seattle, taking four of five from the Mariners, thanks in part to Mike Trout, who hit five homers in the series.

Power Rankings Top 5

1) Yankees (49-17; last week: 1)
DraftKings World Series odds: 4.5-1
The Yankees lost in Toronto Sunday, ending a nine-game winning streak, but that barely registers as a blip in an otherwise magical season. They entered that contest with the Blue Jays winners of 49 of their first 65 games, the fourth time in their history they’ve put together that type of start. The only other years they’ve matched that success through 65 games? There were three: 1928, 1939 and 1998 -- all of which ended with World Series victories.

2) Mets (44-24; last week: 2)
DraftKings World Series odds: 7.5-1
The Mets, 10-7 in June, have won five of their past seven games, while posting a 2.20 ERA in those five victories. Left fielder Jeff McNeil is on a seven-game hitting streak, batting .455 (10-for-22) with four runs, two doubles and five RBIs during that stretch.

3) Padres (41-27, last week: 4)
DraftKings World Series odds: 13-1
The Padres have been one of the best teams in baseball for most of the season, but they’re going to best tested in the next several weeks while playing without Manny Machado, who sprained his left ankle on Sunday running to first base. Machado was producing All-Star worthy numbers at the time of his injury, batting .328 with a .945 OPS.

4) Dodgers (40-25; last week: 3)
DraftKings World Series odds: 4.5-1
The Dodgers entered Sunday’s game vs. Cleveland having allowed four runs in their prior four games. Dodgers starters have a 2.57 ERA, leading the Majors, while their 2.91 staff ERA trail only the Yankees (2.86).

5) Astros (40-25; last week: 5)
DraftKings World Series odds: 6.5-1
The Astros’ depth is being challenged, with injuries to key players Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Peña, but the most intriguing storyline begins on Tuesday, when they play nine games against only New York teams (who happen to be No. 1 and 2 in our Rankings). The Astros, the only team with a winning record in the AL West, will host the Mets for two games before heading to the Big Apple for six straight -- four with the Yankees, two with the Mets. The stretch ends with a single home matchup with the Yankees on June 30.

The rest of the field of 30

6) Braves (8)
7) Blue Jays (6)
8) Cardinals (7)
9) Giants (12)
10) Twins (9)
11) Rays (10)
12) Brewers (11)
13) Red Sox (13)
14) Guardians (15)
15) Phillies (14)
16) Rangers (20)
17) White Sox (17)
18) Angels (16)
19) Marlins (18)
20) Mariners (19)
21) D-backs (21)
22) Orioles (23)
23) Rockies (22)
24) Cubs (24)
25) Pirates (26)
26) Tigers (25)
27) Reds (29)
28) Nationals (27)
29) A’s (28)
30) Royals (30)

Voters: Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Paul Casella, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Doug Gausepohl, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs, Andrew Simon, David Venn, Brett Blueweiss