The All-Star break is here, and the standings continue to shuffle with two weeks until the trade deadline.
1. Detroit Tigers (59-38) | Last week: 1
Detroit had a disappointing weekend by suffering a home sweep against the Mariners, but they have a massive 11.5-game lead in the AL Central with all other division leaders separated by a maximum of 5.5 games. The stakes are meaningless, but Tarik Skubal versus Paul Skenes as the All-Star Game starters tomorrow night should be fun.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (58-38) | Last week: 3 (+1)
The Dodgers were swept by the Brewers to begin the week, but they took two-of-three in San Francisco to jump up a spot. Los Angeles will get another shot at an emerging Milwaukee club coming out of the All-Star break this weekend—this time at home.
3. Houston Astros (56-40) | Last week: 2 (-1)
The Astros were making a case for the top spot in the power rankings last week, but they went 1-5 with both series coming in Houston since then. All three of the Mariners, Rangers, and Angels are playing solid baseball and at least hanging around in the AL West after it looked like the Astros might completely pull away.
4. Chicago Cubs (57-39) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Chicago began last week with two losses to the Twins, but they bounced back by winning three of their past four games—including a series victory against the Yankees in New York. This weekend will give us a tremendous matchup between the Cubs and a Boston squad that has won 10 in a row.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (55-41) | Last week: 4 (-1)
Trea Turner and other Philadelphia stars didn’t mince words when Christopher Sanchez was snubbed from the All-Star Game, and the dominant lefty made a statement of his own by lowering his season ERA to 2.50 with 7.1 strong innings yesterday. The Phillies are a team to watch for bullpen arms and perhaps an outfielder ahead of the trade deadline.
6. Toronto Blue Jays (55-41) | Last week: 6
Only going 3-3 against the White Sox and A’s could be looked back at as a missed opportunity with the AL East tightening—but Toronto is still in control ahead of the Midsummer Classic. Three difficult series after the break (v SF, v NYY, @ DET) will be a great test for the Blue Jays.
7. New York Mets (55-42) | Last week: 7
New York hasn’t faced an NL East opponent since late June and won’t again until the middle of August—so they are in a good spot despite still trailing the Phillies. Look for Juan Soto to have a monster second half with a career-high exit velocity (94.0) not always rewarding him with hits (.272 average on balls in play, compared to a career average of .302).
8. New York Yankees (53-43) | Last week: 8
Aaron Judge became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 350 home runs—doing it in nearly 200 fewer games than second-place slugger Mark McGuire, which is ridiculous. As a team, New York still trails the Blue Jays and now has Boston right on their heels at just 1.0 game back.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (56-40) | Last week: 10 (+1)
Again, the Brew Crew got a sweep over the Dodgers to begin the week, and the winning streak was extended to seven games by also sweeping the Nationals. Eight games against the first-place Cubs from July 28 through August 21 could determine the NL Central.
10. San Diego Padres (52-44) | Last week: 11 (+1)
San Diego was close to a sweep over Philadelphia before losing a close one yesterday, but all three games were close for a matchup we could see again in October. The Padres will stay in the NL East out of the break with road series against the Nationals and Marlins.
11. San Fracisco Giants (52-45) | Last week: 12 (+1)
12. Seattle Mariners (51-45) | Last week: 13 (+1)
13. Boston Red Sox (53-45) | Last week: 16 (+3)
14. St. Louis Cardinals (51-46) | Last week: 14
15. Tampa Bay Rays (50-47) | Last week: 9 (-6)
16. Cincinnati Reds (50-57) | Last week: 15 (-1)
17. Texas Rangers (48-49) | Last week: 18 (+1)
18. Minnesota Twins (47-49) | Last week: 20 (+2)
19. Los Angeles Angels (47-49) | Last week: 19
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (47-50) | Last week: 17 (-3)
21. Kansas City Royals (47-50) | Last week: 21
22. Cleveland Guardians (46-49) | Last week: 25 (+3)
23. Miami Marlins (44-51) | Last week: 22 (-1)
24. Baltimore Orioles (43-52) | Last week: 23 (-1)
25. Atlanta Braves (42-53) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Oakland Athletics (41-57) | Last week: 27 (+1)
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-58) | Last week: 26 (-1)
28. Washington Nationals (38-58) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (32-65) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (22-74) | Last week: 30