Even with limited action following the All-Star break, teams are moving up as the trade deadline nears.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (63-36) | Last week: 1
The Phillies were able to avoid a sweep in Pittsburgh with a win yesterday, and their lineup is back at full strength after J.T. Realmuto’s return behind the dish. A very difficult stretch through August 11 (@ MIN, v CLE, v NYY, @ SEA, @ LAD, @ ARI) should help ready them for October baseball.
2. Baltimore Orioles (60-39) | Last week: 2
Baltimore was able to bounce back from a pre-break series loss to the Yankees by taking two of three from the Rangers—and they’ll try to beat up on the Marlins starting tomorrow night. As stated last week, look for the Orioles to be in the market for another arm.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (59-41) | Last week: 4 (+1)
The Dodgers move up after sweeping the previously hot Red Sox, and Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw are both set to return this week. Unsurprisingly, Los Angeles had been connected to many of the top names ahead of the trade deadline.
4. Cleveland Guardians (59-39) | Last week: 3 (-1)
Cleveland needs to get the offense back on track with four shutout losses over the past two weeks—going 3-7 over that span with the Twins and Royals now each just 5.0 games behind in the AL Central. Dominance at home (31-13 record) makes it imperative for the Guardians to keep pace with Baltimore over the next two months.
5. New York Yankees (59-42) | Last week: 5
The Yankees are hoping to salvage a four-game series against the Rays by earning a split this afternoon, but the stretch beginning tomorrow—a two-game homestand versus the Mets before heading to Boston and Philadelphia—could signal how serious of a World Series contender New York might be.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (57-42) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Powered by four home runs yesterday, the Brewers were able to take both games of a Saturday-Sunday series versus a really good Minnesota squad with the Cardinals and Pirates both closing in. Now they get a chance to bury the Cubs (making them sellers) before the NL-worst Marlins come to town this weekend.
7. Atlanta Braves (54-44) | Last week: 6 (-1)
Ozzie Albies is expected to be out for eight weeks due to a fractured wrist, and that comes on the heels of Max Fried (forearm) feeling discomfort warming up for the All-Star Game—which creates a ton of uncertainty about his status for the rest of the season. Will the injuries just be too much to overcome?
8. Minnesota Twins (54-44) | Last week: 8
Byron Buxton blasted two homers in an 8-7 loss to the Brewers yesterday, and there actually isn’t a ton of concern about the Twins despite a 1-4 record over the past five games. That said, the MLB-leading Phillies come to town tonight, so 1-4 could become 1-7 in a hurry in a worst-case scenario.
9. Kansas City Royals (55-45) | Last week: 11 (+2)
The Royals did what they needed to by sweeping the White Sox over the weekend, and they stay at home—where they have an AL-best 34 wins on the season—all week with the Diamondbacks and Cubs coming to town. On Sunday, it was veteran Seth Lugo that led the way by throwing his first complete game to lower his ERA to 2.38 and win his 12th game of the year.
10. Houston Astros (52-47) | Last week: 12 (+2)
Houston looked done in May after starting the season with a 12-24, but their remarkable turnaround now has them in first place in the AL West as a team that no one will want to face in October—especially with Kyle Tucker (shin) and Justin Verlander (neck) returning soon.
11. Boston Red Sox (53-45) | Last week: 9 (-2)
12. Seattle Mariners (53-48) | Last week: 10 (-2)
13. St. Louis Cardinals (52-47) | Last week: 13
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (51-49) | Last week: 15 (+1)
15. New York Mets (50-48) | Last week: 14 (-1)
16. San Diego Padres (52-50) | Last week: 16
17. Tampa Bay Rays (50-49) | Last week: 17
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (50-49) | Last week: 19 (+1)
19. Texas Rangers (47-52) | Last week: 18 (-1)
20. Detroit Tigers (49-51) | Last week: 23 (+3)
21. Chicago Cubs (48-53) | Last week: 21
22. San Francisco Giants (48-52) | Last week: 22
23. Cincinnati Reds (47-53) | Last week: 20 (-3)
24. Washington Nationals (47-53) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (45-54) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Los Angeles Angels (42-57) | Last week: 26
27. Oakland Athletics (39-62) | Last week: 27
28. Colorado Rockies (36-64) | Last week: 28
29. Miami Marlins (35-64) | Last week: 29
30. Chicago White Sox (27-74) | Last week: 30