The Phillies continue to tumble while the Blue Jays and Rays are rising in this week’s MLB power rankings.
1. Detroit Tigers (43-24) | Last week: 1
A four-game split with the White Sox wasn’t ideal to begin the week, but Detroit rebounded nicely by taking two-of-three games versus the Cubs. Having an athlete like Javier Báez able to go from making highlight plays in centerfield to doing so at his natural position of shortstop helps.
2. New York Mets (42-24) | Last week: 3 (+1)
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Mets were down 2.0 games in the NL East with the Phillies having the best record in baseball—but New York suddenly has a 4.5-game cushion and looks like they might even run away with the division. In yesterday’s win, Juan Soto went three-for-three with three walks to reach base safely six times (the first such occurrence in his career).
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (39-27) | Last week: 2 (-1)
The Dodgers had to fall back behind the Mets after dropping a home series to them last week, and it was followed up a series loss in St. Louis. Los Angeles remains a powerhouse squad and heavy World Series favorites, but their Achilles heel might be trying to piece enough starting pitching together in October.
4. New York Yankees (39-25) | Last week: 4
A weekend battle between the Red Sox and Yankees saw plenty of offense with 15+ runs scored in every game, but New York was unable to take the series. We’ll see if they fare better in the win column with a rematch in Boston this weekend.
5. Chicago Cubs (40-25) | Last week: 6 (+1)
The Cubs ran into the first-place Tigers and had to face Tarik Skubal on Friday night, so they did well to at least avoid a sweep on the road and deserve a spot in the top five. Although the Phillies are struggling, coming away with a series win in Philadelphia starting tonight would only boost the belief that they are for real.
6. San Diego Padres (37-27) | Last week: 7 (+1)
The Padres had a four-game road split in San Francisco and then took two of three in Milwaukee, so momentum is on their side with the Dodgers coming to town tonight—and first place is on the line in the NL West. Starting tonight with Nick Pivetta (6-2 record, 3.16 ERA) on the mound, San Diego has the edge in all three pitching matchups.
7. Philadelphia Phillies (37-28) | Last week: 4 (-3)
Philadelphia has gone 1-9 over their past 10 games, and they have simply not looked like a contending team in recent weeks. The absence of Bryce Harper (wrist) has been a factor and the Phillies have been more prone to cold stretches than anyone, but they must rebound quickly with the Cubs and surging Blue Jays visiting this week.
8. San Francisco Giants (38-28) | Last week: 9 (+1)
The Giants have won five games in a row, and they are in great position to work their way atop the NL West by next Monday with three games against the Rockies to extend their winning streak before taking on the Dodgers. Robbie Ray (8-1 with a 2.44 ERA) has gone 6.0+ innings in eight consecutive starts dating back to the end of April.
9. St. Louis Cardinals (36-29) | Last week: 8 (-1)
St. Louis flips with San Francisco because the Giants got hot, but the Cardinals beat the Dodgers over the weekend and have the second-best record in the NL versus teams above .500 at 21-17. They’ll need to keep that going with the Blue Jays and Brewers up next on the schedule.
10. Houston Astros (36-29) | Last week: 11 (+`1)
Houston has climbed to the top of the AL West, and former World Series MVP Jeremy Pena is a major reason for it with a .316 average thanks to a 13-game hitting streak that was snapped yesterday. Since being moved to leadoff, Pena had hit .357 with an OPS of .945.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (35-30) | Last week: 15 (+4)
12. Milwaukee Brewers (35-31) | Last week: 13 (+1)
13. Tampa Bay Rays (35-30) | Last week: 17 (+4)
14. Seattle Mariners (33-31) | Last week: 10 (-4)
15. Minnesota Twins (35-30) | Last week: 14 (-1)
16. Cleveland Guardians (34-30) | Last week: 12 (-4)
17. Kansas City Royals (34-32) | Last week: 16 (-1)
18. Cincinnati Reds (33-33) | Last week: 22 (+4)
19. Boston Red Sox (32-35) | Last week: 19
20. Texas Rangers (31-35) | Last week: 18 (-2)
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (31-34) | Last week: 21
22. Los Angeles Angels (30-34) | Last week: 24 (+2)
23. Washington Nationals (30-35) | Last week: 23
24. Atlanta Braves (27-37) | Last week: 20 (-4)
25. Baltimore Orioles (26-38) | Last week: 27 (+2)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (26-40) | Last week: 28 (+2)
27. Oakland Athletics (26-41) | Last week: 26 (-1)
28. Miami Marlins (24-39) | Last week: 25 (-3)
29. Chicago White Sox (22-44) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (12-53) | Last week: 30