With less than a month-and-a-half left in the regular season, the playoff picture is becoming clearer for our latest MLB power rankings.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (78-45) | Last week: 1
It took extra innings yesterday in Cincinnati to snap Milwaukee’s 14-game winning streak—and the Brew Crew is in prime position to get homefield advantage throughout October. That said, the rare five-game series versus the Cubs that I’ve mentioned a couple of times in recent weeks could slant things in a hurry if Milwaukee (8.0 game lead in the NL Central) goes cold starting with a doubleheader today.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (71-53) | Last week: 3 (+1)
Just when the Dodgers surrendered the NL West lead to the Padres, a three-game sweep over the rival allowed Los Angeles to reclaim the division—which they are hoping to win for the 12th consecutive season. Now, the Dodgers get a great opportunity to stay hot for a trip to Colorado before taking on the Padres again this weekend.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (73-52) | Last week: 4 (+1)
Toronto took two-of-three games against both the Cubs and Rangers last week at home, and now they hit the road for series versus Pittsburgh and Miami. We miss a matchup between Max Scherzer and Paul Skenes by a day, but “Mad Max” has been excellent so far in August with a 1.89 ERA in three starts.
4. Detroit Tigers (73-53) | Last week: 5 (+1)
An easy schedule has helped, but the Tigers have snapped out of their struggles with three consecutive series victories—going 7-3 over their past 10 games. We’ll see how they fare hosting the Astros and surging Royals this week.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (71-53) | Last week: 2 (-3)
Philadelphia is still in good position in the NL East (5.0 game lead) with the Mets struggling—but they fall based on news of ace Zach Wheeler dealing with a blood clot in his throwing arm that leaves him highly uncertainty to pitch again this year. Fortunately, the returns of Aaron Nola and Alec Bohm came on the heels of the Wheeler news to provide reinforcements.
6. Chicago Cubs (70-53) | Last week: 6
Chicago has leveled off while the Brewers went on the longest winning streak in franchise history—but maybe the five-game series starting tonight can turn the fortunes. Kyle Tucker has gone without a hit in five of the past six games and needs to get back on track, though.
7. Houston Astros (69-55) | Last week: 8 (+1)
A couple of blowout losses to Baltimore could have dropped Houston a spot, but they began last week with a series win over the Red Sox—and starting pitchers Lance McCullers (finger) and Luis Garcia (elbow) will bolster the rotation before October. A playoff preview versus Detroit begins tonight.
8. San Diego Padres (69-55) | Last week: 7 (-1)
The Padres had to move down a spot if only because how disheartening it was to get swept by the Dodgers just after moving into first place—but we’ll see how they answer to begin the week against the Giants and then when hosting Los Angeles for a rematch.
9. Seattle Mariners (68-57) | Last week: 9
Seattle has cooled off since their eight-game winning streak, but we’ll keep them here due to being just 1.5 games back in the AL West—compared to the Red Sox and Yankees both sitting a handful of games back in the AL East. A couple of matchups against top NL teams to begin this week (@ PHI) and next week (v SD) should be entertaining.
10. New York Yankees (67-57) | Last week: 11 (+1)
New York went 5-1 over the past week, and it was a toss-up between them and Boston for the final spot in the top 10. Fortunately, how they stack could be decided by the end of the week with a four-game series starting on Thursday night.
11. Boston Red Sox (68-57) | Last week: 10 (-1)
12. New York Mets (66-58) | Last week: 12
13. Cincinnati Reds (65-60) | Last week: 14 (+1)
14. Cleveland Guardians (63-60) | Last week: 13 (-1)
15. Kansas City Royals (63-61) | Last week: 18 (+3)
16. Texas Rangers (62-63) | Last week: 15 (-1)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (61-64) | Last week: 16 (-1)
18. Tampa Bay Rays (61-64) | Last week: 21 (+3)
19. Los Angeles Angels (60-64) | Last week: 23 (+4)
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (60-65) | Last week: 19 (-1)
21. San Francisco Giants (60-64) | Last week: 17 (-4)
22. Miami Marlins (59-65) | Last week: 20 (-2)
23. Minnesota Twins (58-66) | Last week: 22 (-1)
24. Baltimore Orioles (57-67) | Last week: 24
25. Atlanta Braves (56-68) | Last week: 26 (+1)
26. Oakland Athletics (56-70) | Last week: 25 (-1)
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (52-73) | Last week: 27
28. Washington Nationals (50-74) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (44-80) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (35-89) | Last week: 30