The upcoming week around Major League Baseball includes a few crucial series.
1. Atlanta Braves (93-49) | Last week: 1
Braves pitching had some struggles last week, but they became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff berth this season and will soon win their sixth consecutive NL East title.
2. Baltimore Orioles (90-52) | Last week: 2
The sweep at Fenway Park was not completed, but the Orioles offense exploded for five homers in their seventh consecutive victory on Saturday to become the first American League team to reach 90 wins this season.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (87-55) | Last week: 3
The Dodgers are starting their magic number countdown (currently at seven) as they near their 11th consecutive postseason appearance. Clayton Kershaw had his start pushed back to later this week, so hopefully he’ll be ready to go then.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (88-56) | Last week: 4
In a series with big implications in the AL standings and wild card race, the Rays were able to take three of four against the Mariners. Tampa quietly is hanging around behind the Orioles in the AL East race, with a four-game showdown coming this weekend.
5. Houston Astros (82-62) | Last week: 9 (+4)
The Astros had a serious bounce back week, sweeping the Rangers on the road and going 5-1 in their six games. In the five victories, Houston scored run totals of 13, 14, 12, 7, and 12.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (79-63) | Last week: 6
The Brewers lost a tough one in 12 innings to the Yankees yesterday, but they started the weekend series with two nice wins (8-2 and 9-2). Milwaukee is three games up on the Cubs in the NL Central.
7. Philadelphia Phillies (78-64) | Last week: 7
Despite slipping up at home versus the Marlins, the Phillies remain in very strong position for a wild card spot. They feel like a team that is confident they’ll be playing in October, but they need to get going at the right time—but they still have two matchups with the Braves before the end of the regular season.
8. Toronto Blue Jays (80-63) | Last week: 12 (+4)
A light schedule helps the Jays rise in the power rankings, but give them credit for taking advantage with a 6-1 stretch. Up next is one of the most critical series of the season against the Rangers.
9. Seattle Mariners (79-64) | Last week: 5 (-4)
The Mariners have cooled off, with the Astros taking control of the AL West. A trip home could be a remedy for Seattle, but they must take on the Dodgers this weekend.
10. Texas Rangers (78-64) | Last week: 8 (-2)
Max Scherzer gave up three home runs to the Astros; look for him to bounce back for the Rangers as he headlines the rotation in the Jays series. The Rangers currently find themselves 0.5 game back in the AL wild card race.
11. Chicago Cubs (77-67) | Last week: 10 (-1)
12. Minnesota Twins (75-68) | Last week: 11 (-1)
13. Miami Marlins (74-69) | Last week: 13
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (75-69) | Last week: 15 (+1)
15. Boston Red Sox (73-70) | Last week: 14 (-1)
16. San Francisco Giants (73-70) | Last week: 16
17. Cincinnati Reds (74-71) | Last week: 17
18. New York Yankees (71-72) | Last week: 19 (+1)
19. San Diego Padres (67-77) | Last week: 18 (-1)
20. Cleveland Guardians (68-76) | Last week: 20
21. Detroit Tigers (66-77) | Last week: 24 (+3)
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (66-77) | Last week: 22
23. Los Angeles Angels (67-77) | Last week: 21 (-2)
24. New York Mets (65-77) | Last week: 23 (-1)
25. St. Louis Cardinals (63-80) | Last week: 26 (+1)
26. Washington Nationals (64-79) | Last week: 25 (-1)
27. Chicago White Sox (55-88) | Last week: 27
28. Colorado Rockies (51-91) | Last week: 28
29. Oakland Athletics (44-99) | Last week: 29
30. Kansas City Royals (44-100) | Last week: 30