A new team sits atop the first MLB power rankings of August, and there are suddenly several clubs in contention for the best record in baseball.
1. Baltimore Orioles (67-46) | Last week: 2 (+1)
Baltimore was slipping with two losses to the Guardians entering the weekend, but they bounced back to take the final two games of a four-game road series—boosting them to the top of the power rankings. We’ll see if they can stay there after staying on the road for divisional matchups versus the Blue Jays and Rays.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (66-45) | Last week: 1 (-1)
The Phillies have to move down based on their recent play, as their series losing streak was extended to six following a 1-5 week. The fear is that the inconsistency of the lineup and bullpen will hit a low in October, but there probably isn’t a better squad when at their best.
3. Cleveland Guardians (67-44) | Last week: 4 (+1)
Again, the Guardians earned a split versus the Orioles in a huge AL showdown, and now they face two surging teams in the Diamondbacks and Twins this week. Particularly with Jose Ramirez hitting like he is (five home runs and 11 RBI over the past six games), Cleveland is a force.
4. New York Yankees (67-46) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Jazz Chisolm Jr. has already made a difference for the Yankees by destroying the Phillies with back-to-back games with two homers in a sweep last week, and acquiring reliever Mark Leiter Jr. appears to have been another strong move ahead of the trade deadline. New York now gets a very soft stretch the rest of the month to perhaps separate from Baltimore in the AL East.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (65-47) | Last week: 3 (-2)
Los Angeles drops because others are rising, but they did what they needed to at the deadline by acquiring Tommy Edman, Kevin Kiermaier, and Amed Rosario to improve the lineup—while also adding Jack Flaherty to the rotation and Michael Kopech to the bullpen.
6. Minnesota Twins (62-48) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Minnesota dropped a road series versus the Mets to begin last week, but they dominated the White Sox (who have now lost 20 games in a row) and remain within striking distance in the AL Central (4.5 games). Starting with a doubleheader on Friday, the four-game series against Cleveland should give us some awesome baseball.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (62-49) | Last week: 6 (-1)
The Brewers have hit a lull with series losses to the Marlins, Braves, and Nationals in the NL East, and they will face Atlanta again to begin this week. They need to get on track in a hurry with looming matchups versus the Dodgers and Guardians.
8. Kansas City Royals (63-50) | Last week: 10 (+2)
They weren’t exactly taking on powerhouses with trips to face the White Sox and Tigers, but Kansas City took care of business by going 6-1 on the road last week—giving them momentum ahead of a key series versus the Red Sox. The trade for Michael Lorenzen gives the Royals more pitching ammo if they can get into the postseason.
9. Atlanta Braves (60-51) | Last week: 8 (-1)
Atlanta is suddenly a reachable 6.0 games behind in NL East due to Philadelphia’s recent struggles, but they could be in an even better spot if not for back-to-back losses to the Marlins on Saturday and Sunday. Whether or not the injuries are too much to overcome continues to be the question for the Braves.
10. San Diego Padres (61-52) | Last week: 13 (+3)
San Diego has climbed six spots over the past two weeks, and they are now tied for the top wild card spot in the NL. A better record on the road (31-23) than at home (30-29) could make the Padres—with plenty of talent—a dangerous opponent in a couple of months.
11. Boston Red Sox (59-51) | Last week: 11
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (60-52) | Last week: 16 (+4)
13. Seattle Mariners (59-54) | Last week: 12 (-1)
14. Houston Astros (57-54) | Last week: 9 (-5)
15. New York Mets (58-53) | Last week: 14 (-1)
16. St. Louis Cardinals (57-55) | Last week: 15 (-1)
17. Tampa Bay Rays (57-54) | Last week: 17
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (56-55) | Last week: 18
19. San Francisco Giants (56-57) | Last week: 20 (+1)
20. Chicago Cubs (55-59) | Last week: 22 (+2)
21. Texas Rangers (53-59) | Last week: 19 (-2)
22. Cincinnati Reds (53-58) | Last week: 23 (+1)
23. Detroit Tigers (53-60) | Last week: 21 (-2)
24. Washington Nationals (51-61) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (51-61) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Los Angeles Angles (49-63) | Last week: 26
27. Oakland Athletics (49-67) | Last week: 27
28. Miami Marlins (42-70) | Last week: 28
29. Colorado Rockies (41-72) | Last week: 29
30. Chicago White Sox (27-81) | Last week: 30