The first MLB power rankings for August feature more jockeying towards the top with several teams in contention for the best record in baseball.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (67-44) | Last week: 4 (+3)
We have a decent jump from a team into the No. 1 spot for the second week in a row, but Milwaukee deserves it after taking first place in the NL Central with a series win over the Cubs—which was followed up by them destroying Washington with 38 total runs in a weekend sweep.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (65-47) | Last week: 7 (+5)
The Dodgers are also moving back up after getting off the tracks, as they won two road series last week, including two shutouts over the past three days. Fortunately, the early pitching exit for Shohei Ohtani in his last start was just due to cramping.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (65-48) | Last week: 1 (-2)
Toronto went through a 2-5 stretch after claiming the top record in the majors, so they need to build momentum starting tonight versus the last-place Rockies before a trip to take on the Dodgers. At this point, both the AL and NL appear as open as they’ve been in years.
4. Detroit Tigers (65-48) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Even after a series loss to the Phillies over the weekend, Detroit moves up a spot with all three games being close—and they began last week by sweeping Arizona. Defensively, Riley Greene might have won a Gold Glove based on what he did over the past three days alone.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (63-48) | Last week: 8 (+3)
There are questions if the Phillies did enough in terms of offensive firepower added at the trade deadline, but there is no doubt that Jhoan Duran was a perfect acquisition for them. The closer’s iconic entrance at Citizens Bank Park in October will be as intimidating as it gets.
6. Chicago Cubs (65-46) | Last week: 3 (-3)
Chicago was able to salvage the final game of their series in Milwaukee to avoid a sweep, but they now sit 2.0 games back in the division. As mentioned last month, the five-game series between the squads beginning on August 18 will be massive.
7. New York Mets (63-49) | Last week: 2 (-5)
The Mets and Phillies have bounced back and forth atop the NL East, and the past week saw New York lose the lead with a 1-5 stretch. Another poor start yesterday for offseason signing Frankie Montas pushed his ERA to 6.68 on the season, so New York might need to consider a change in the rotation.
8. Houston Astros (62-50) | Last week: 6 (-2)
Houston suffered a weekend sweep in Boston, and they’ve gone 2-8 over their past 10 games to keep the Mariners and Rangers well within striking distance. Still, bringing Carlos Correa back at the trade deadline adds to the Astros’ championship pedigree.
9. San Diego Padres (62-50) | Last week: 10 (+1)
A sweep over the Mets could have huge implications in the Wild Card race (1.0 game behind New York), and it at least created some breathing room for San Diego (+4.0 games for the final spot). The acquisition of closer Mason Miller highlighted a busy trade deadline by A.J. Preller.
10. Boston Red Sox (62-51) | Last week: 13 (+3)
Boston has started another hot streak with five wins a row, and they have jumped to the top of the Wild Card race—leaping the Yankees and now sitting 3.0 games behind Toronto. In terms of run differential, the Red Sox are at +78 for the fifth-best mark in baseball.
11. New York Yankees (60-52) | Last week: 9 (-2)
12. Seattle Mariners (60-53) | Last week: 12
13. Cincinnati Reds (58-54) | Last week: 11 (-2)
14. Texas Rangers (58-55) | Last week: 14
15. San Francisco Giants (56-56) | Last week: 15
16. Cleveland Guardians (56-56) | Last week: 18 (+2)
17. Miami Marlins (55-55) | Last week: 20 (+3)
18. Kansas City Royals (56-56) | Last week: 19 (+1)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (56-57) | Last week: 16 (-3)
20. Tampa Bay Rays (55-58) | Last week: 17 (-3)
21. Los Angeles Angels (54-58) | Last week: 21
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (53-59) | Last week: 22
23. Minnesota Twins (52-59) | Last week: 23
24. Baltimore Orioles (51-61) | Last week: 24
25. Oakland Athletics (49-65) | Last week: 26 (+1)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (48-64) | Last week: 27 (+1)
27. Atlanta Braves (47-63) | Last week: 25 (-2)
28. Washington Nationals (44-67) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (42-70) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (30-81) | Last week: 30