The very prime of our Power Rankings this week hasn’t modified all that a lot, however that doesn’t imply some huge strikes aren’t being made all through the rest of the record.
In explicit, the most recent rankings function a pair of American League groups transferring quickly in reverse instructions — one is a standard powerhouse fading from rivalry, and the opposite is a membership that ended a protracted postseason drought final yr and appears to make it back-to-back playoff berths with a late-season surge in 2023.
Here’s a take a look at the place every workforce stands:
Biggest leap: The Mariners, like their celebrity middle fielder Julio Rodríguez, are surging. Seattle jumps three spots within the rankings this week, from No. 9 to No. 6. With their 7-6 win over the Astros to comb Houston over the weekend, the M’s have received six straight and 14 of their final 17 to vault them into an AL Wild Card spot — the new streak additionally has Seattle simply three video games again within the AL West.
Biggest drop: The Yankees’ freefall continues after one other troublesome week for the Bronx Bombers that resulted in a drop from No. 15 to No. 20 in our rankings. New York was swept by the archrival Red Sox at Yankee Stadium over the weekend, and has misplaced eight straight video games general, with any actual likelihood at reaching the postseason for a seventh straight yr fading quick.
1) Braves, 80-43 (final week: 1)
Although they misplaced their collection finale towards the Giants at Truist Park on Sunday, the Braves juggernaut retains rolling towards a sixth straight National League East crown. Atlanta received 5 of six video games this previous week, sweeping the Yankees earlier than taking two of three from San Francisco. The lineup continues to be completely overwhelming for opposing pitchers, as co-NL-MVP favorites Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson paved the way. Now that ace left-hander Max Fried has rejoined a rotation that options the flamethrowing Spencer Strider, veteran Charlie Morton and rising star Bryce Elder, there simply don’t appear to be any weaknesses on the Atlanta roster.
2) Dodgers, 76-47 (final week: 2)
An injury-depleted pitching workers? A 3-game deficit within the NL West in July? Not an issue for the Dodgers, whose potent lineup, led by Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, has carried them to a snug division lead as we close to the ultimate month of the season. Los Angeles opened the week with a three-game sweep of the NL Central-leading Brewers after which took two of three from the Marlins. Despite being with out ace Walker Buehler and different key pitchers by a lot of the season, right here the Dodgers are with a 17-2 August document that has them eyeing yet one more October run.
3) Orioles, 77-47 (final week: 3)
One of the very best tales in baseball, the Orioles proceed their march towards what they hope is the primary AL East title the franchise has received since 2014. Baltimore dropped two of three to the Padres in San Diego to open the week, however then swept the A’s in Oakland. Led by stalwart younger backstop Adley Rutschman and AL Rookie of the Year Award candidate Gunnar Henderson — who completed a single shy of the cycle whereas going 4-for-5 in Sunday’s 12-1 win over the A’s — the O’s proceed to show their mettle regardless of their upstart standing.
4) Rays, 75-51 (final week: 5)
The Rays obtained off to an amazing begin this season, however they’re dealing with adversity proper now, significantly with left-hander Shane McClanahan out for this season and probably all of 2024 as properly, and Wander Franco on the restricted record whereas MLB investigates social media allegations made about his habits. Tampa Bay had a powerful week on the sector, although, successful 4 of six video games on the highway towards the Giants and Angels, together with an 18-4 rout of the Halos within the second sport of Saturday’s doubleheader in Anaheim.
5) Rangers, 72-52 (final week: 4)
Texas was truly a sport below .500 over the months of June and July (25-26), however received 12 of 14 to open August. That consists of victories within the first two video games of the Rangers’ three-game set towards the Angels this previous week. But since then, Texas has dropped 4 straight, culminating in a sweep by the Brewers at Globe Life Field over the weekend. The Rangers have been uncharacteristically chilly on the plate of late, scoring two or fewer runs in three of their final 4 contests. Star center infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien will definitely attempt to get the offense again on observe for what guarantees to be an exciting AL West race with the Astros and the Mariners chasing Texas down the stretch.
Content Source: www.mlb.com