Where do teams around Major League Baseball stand at the All-Star break?
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (60-30) | Last week: 2 (+1)
For the first time in weeks, there’s a new No. 1 in the MLB power rankings. The Dodgers hit 60 wins thanks to a 9-1 stretch and four consecutive wins
2. New York Yankees (64-28) | Last week: 1 (-1)
The Yankees lead the majors in runs scored and fewest runs allowed, and they have been frontrunning all season. But the Dodgers have gained enough ground in the race for the MLB’s best record that New York, which has been playing about average over the past week-plus, drop to No. 2.
3. Houston Astros (59-32) | Last week: 3
The Astros keep inching up behind the Yankees, and the two teams will face off to begin the action after the break on Thursday. Houston will hope to be close to full strength for that series, including getting Yordan Alvarez back from the IL.
4. New York Mets (58-35) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Give the Mets credit for winning their series versus the Braves to begin last week, as I and many others thought they’d lose that series and potentially relinquish the NL East lead by the end of Sunday. And some guy named Jacob deGrom might be making his 2022 debut soon.
5. Atlanta Braves (56-38) | Last week: 4 (-1)
Atlanta’s bats were mostly held in check by the Mets pitching staff last week, but they did an excellent job of getting to within clear striking distance in the division after a slow start to the season. The Braves will face the Phillies in two of their first four series when the action resumes.
6. Seattle Mariners (51-42) | Last week: 11 (+5)
The turnaround for the Mariners has been crazy, and they broke the record for the longest winning streak in history before the All-Star break (14 games, previously ten games).
The Mariners extend their win streak to 14-straight games, the longest streak by a team heading into the All-Star Break all-time.
Only two other teams have had a 10+ game win-streak entering the break and both went on to win the World Series (1975 Reds, 1935 Tigers) pic.twitter.com/KXZDQ6WCgu
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 17, 2022
And now there’s been a lot of Juan Soto talk, with many M’s fans hoping they’ll pair him with Julio Rodriguez long term.
7. Tampa Bay Rays (51-41) | Last week: 14 (+7)
A few teams in the middle of the pack (Jays, Giants, Guardians, White Sox) had strong ends to the first half, but the Rays stand out after going 6-1 last week including a four-game sweep of the Red Sox. Tampa always finds a way to stick around.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (49-43) | Last week: 6 (-2)
A sluggish series against the Jays looked like a bad sign for the Phillies, but they were able to end the first half on a high note with a sweep of the Marlins in Miami (where they have not played well in recent years). All-Star snub Aaron Nola threw 8.1 shutout innings yesterday.
9. San Diego Padres (52-42) | Last week: 8 (-1)
The great news for the Padres is that Fernando Tatis Jr. looks to be getting close to at least having a timetable for getting on the field this season, as he’s been cleared to start light swinging off the tee. San Diego is currently up two games for the second of three wild-card spots in the National League.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (50-43) | Last week: 10
The Giants are among the teams that could have been in the top ten, especially after winning three straight over Milwaukee to end the first half. But the Brewers lead their division (by half a game over the Cardinals) and should benefit from the time off to help rejuvenate the bullpen.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (50-43) | Last week: 15 (+4)
12. St. Louis Cardinals (50-44) | Last week: 12
13. San Francisco Giants (48-43) | Last week: 13
14. Minnesota Twins (50-44) | Last week: 9 (-5)
15. Boston Red Sox (48-45) | Last week: 7 (-8)
16. Cleveland Guardians (46-44) | Last week: 19 (+3)
17. Baltimore Orioles (46-46) | Last week: 16 (-1)
18. Chicago White Sox (46-46) | Last week: 17 (-1)
19. Miami Marlins (43-48) | Last week: 18 (-1)
20. Colorado Rockies (43-50) | Last week: 21 (+1)
21. Texas Rangers (41-49) | Last week: 20 (-1)
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-52) | Last week: 23 (+1)
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-54) | Last week: 25 (+2)
24. Los Angeles Angels (39-53) | Last week: 22 (-2)
25. Kansas City Royals (36-56) | Last week: 28 (+3)
26. Detroit Tigers (37-55) | Last week: 24 (-2)
27. Cincinnati Reds (34-57) | Last week: 27
28. Chicago Cubs (35-57) | Last week: 26 (-2)
29. Oakland Athletics (32-61) | Last week: 29
30. Washington Nationals (31-63) | Last week: 30