The Tigers are back on track, and the NL West is tied again in our final MLB power rankings of August.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (81-50) | Last week: 1
Milwaukee has cooled off since their 14-game winning streak was snapped, including three losses in a five-game series against the Cubs that narrowed the NL Central to 5.0 games. Still, the Brewers are the only club to reach 80 wins, and this week and the start of next week will be a great test with series against the Blue Jays and Phillies.
2. Detroit Tigers (78-54) | Last week: 4 (+2)
Detroit has won five consecutive series to snap their struggles, including a sweep over the Astros to begin last week. In an odd month of August, starter Jack Flaherty has been roughed up by the Twins, White Sox, and Royals (18 earned runs in 14.0 innings) but excellent versus Philadelphia and Houston (one earned run in 13.0 innings).
3. Toronto Blue Jays (76-55) | Last week: 3
The Jays would have liked to have done better than 3-3 with trips to Pittsburgh and Miami last week, but they’ll finish the month at home—with the headlining matchup versus the Brewers this weekend. After appearing as a pinch hitter yesterday following a few days out of action with a hamstring injury, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should be back in the lineup as early as tonight.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (76-54) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Philadelphia dropped last week due to the news of Zach Wheeler (blood clot) almost certainly being done for the year—and that news was confirmed last week. However, the team responded with a 6-1 stretch, and starting pitching should not be an issue come October with Christopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, and Aaron Nola.
5. Chicago Cubs (76-55) | Last week: 6 (+1)
The Cubs almost had to win the five-game series against Milwaukee (especially at home) to remain within striking distance in the division, and the momentum was carried into a sweep of the Angels. If Chicago can stay hot with matchups against the Giants and Rockies this week, the month of September could be very interesting.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (74-57) | Last week: 2 (-4)
Los Angeles ended the weekend on a high note with a Shohei Ohtani home run silencing a heckler in San Diego—but that was needed to avoid a sweep and losing control of the NL West altogether. Overall, the defending World Series champions don’t feel like the powerhouse squad of recent years to this point.
7. San Diego Padres (74-57) | Last week: 8 (+1)
San Diego did what they need to by taking two-of-three games over the Dodgers to share claim of the division with seven days left in August, and the rivals won’t meet again until a potential October showdown. It’s worth noting that a tie will do the Padres no good in the NL West with LA winning the season series, 9-4.
8. Houston Astros (72-59) | Last week: 7 (-1)
The Astros suffered a sweep to the Tigers that decreases their chances of earning homefield advantage in the AL, but they at least bounced back by taking three-of-four games against Baltimore over the past four days. The Rockies and Angels visiting this week will give Houston an opportunity to rebuild a cushion in the AL West with their lead sitting at 2.0 games.
9. Boston Red Sox (71-60) | Last week: 11 (+2)
I mentioned last week that the Red Sox and Yankees would sort themselves out in the power rankings with a showdown over the weekend—which saw Boston come out on top with three road wins before New York avoided a sweep last night. The concern right now is the rotation, which is being shaken up after Walker Buehler’s struggles put him in the bullpen.
10. Seattle Mariners (70-61) | Last week: 9 (-1)
Cal Raleigh breaking the single-season home run record for catcher (49) was one of the top stories of the week—and he still has a month to add to the total. As a team, Seattle following up last weekend’s series loss to the Mets by getting swept by the Phillies prevented them from making a move in the AL West.
11. New York Yankees (70-60) | Last week: 10 (-1)
12. New York Mets (69-61) | Last week: 12
13. Cincinnati Reds (68-63) | Last week: 13
14. Kansas City Royals (67-64) | Last week: 15 (+1)
15. Texas Rangers (66-66) | Last week: 16 (+1)
16. Cleveland Guardians (64-65) | Last week: 14 (-2)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (64-67) | Last week: 17
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (64-67) | Last week: 20 (+2)
19. Tampa Bay Rays (63-67) | Last week: 18 (-1)
20. San Francisco Giants (63-68) | Last week: 21 (+1)
21. Los Angeles Angels (61-69) | Last week: 19 (-2)
22. Miami Marlins (61-69) | Last week: 22
23. Baltimore Orioles (60-70) | Last week: 24 (+1)
24. Atlanta Braves (59-71) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Oakland Athletics (60-72) | Last week: 26 (+1)
26. Minnesota Twins (59-71) | Last week: 23 (-3)
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (57-74) | Last week: 27
28. Washington Nationals (53-77) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (47-83) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (37-94) | Last week: 30