MLB Power Rankings: Brewers and Mariners streaking, reeling Mets fall out of top 10
(Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook)
Let's get started!
Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, August 11.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
Last week: 1
The Brewers can do no wrong right now. Capped by a walk-off homer from Isaac Collins against the Mets on Sunday, Milwaukee has won nine straight games and currently find themselves on pace for a 101-win season.
I could show you the walk-off homer from Sunday, but it doesn't get much better than this picture perfect throw from Blake Perkins to seal Friday's win.
The Brewers beat the Mets 3-2 with the final out coming at home plate. Blake Perkins to William Contreas wins it. Sweet sassy molassy.
Hopefully Ueck was up there watching this ninth inning. pic.twitter.com/juvuOFYlvD
2) Philadelphia Phillies ⬆️
Last week: 6
The Phillies have won six out of seven to build a 5 1/2 game lead over the Mets in the NL East. Jhoan Duran has been exactly what the doctor ordered as the team's new closer, as he's gone 4-for-4 in save chances with just one hit allowed through his first four appearances since the trade from the Twins.
3) Los Angeles Dodgers
Last week: 3
With this blast, Shohei Ohtani became the fastest player in Dodgers history to reach 40 homers in a season. He now has four 40-homer seasons to his credit, which leads all active players. Of course, Aaron Judge is just three homers away from joining that club.
Shohei Ohtani DESTROYS this ball for his 40th home run of the season! 😮 pic.twitter.com/mhlqSzerXA
4) Toronto Blue Jays
Last week: 4
One last time for the road? Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw squared off on Saturday for likely the final time in their respective Hall of Fame careers. Scherzer did his part with two runs allowed over six innings, but Kershaw was just a little bit better six innings of one-run ball. What a treat.
Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw did a jersey swap after they pitched against each other last night 🤝
📸: @BlueJays pic.twitter.com/jZNcPpRiqR
5) Detroit Tigers
Last week: 5
Kerry Carpenter is one of the most aggressive hitters in the majors, but it's working for him. Despite the lowest walk rate among players with at least 300 plate appearances, he's hitting .361 (13-for-36) with five homers and a 1.313 OPS since returning from the injured list late last month.
6) Chicago Cubs ⬇️
Last week: 2
Rookie Matt Shaw is beginning to find his footing in the big leagues. He's slashing .328/.349/.770 with seven homers, 15 RBI, three steals, and 12 runs scored over 20 games since the All-Star break.
7) Houston Astros ⬆️
Last week: 9
Can the Astros hold off the red-hot Mariners? At least they have help en route. After Spencer Arrighetti made his first start in four months last week, Christian Javier is set to make his return from Tommy John surgery on Monday. Luis Garcia, also on his way back from Tommy John surgery, is currently rehabbing in Triple-A.
8) Seattle Mariners ⬆️
Last week: 11
The Mariners are rolling. With a sweep of the Rays over the weekend, they've now won seven straight and sit just a half-game behind the Astros in the AL West. Cal Raleigh crushed his 45th homer on Sunday as he continues to chase history and perhaps the AL MVP Award.
No. 45 for Cal Raleigh! 💪 pic.twitter.com/1xXZKiWgNw
9) San Diego Padres ⬆️
Last week: 10
The Padres made all sorts of improvements at the deadline, but they also got Michael King back from the IL on Saturday after he missed nearly three months with a throracic nerve issue in his right shoulder. He lasted just two-plus innings his his return, but remains capable of providing a big lift down the stretch.
10) Boston Red Sox ⬇️
Last week: 7
Roman Anthony has shown that he belongs during his short time in the majors and the Red Sox are making sure he sticks around for the long haul. The 21-year-old inked an eight-year, $130 extension last week, which ensures that he will be part of a long-term core which also includes long-term agreements with Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Kristian Campbell, and Cedeanne Rafaela.
11) New York Mets ⬇️
Last week: 8
Losers of seven straight and 11 out of 12, the Mets have been more bad than good for an extended period. They are 18-31 dating back to June 12, with the starting rotation being the biggest issue of all.
On a more positive note, with his next homer, Pete Alonso will pass Darryl Strawberry for the Mets' all-time record.
12) New York Yankees
Last week: 12
Including Sunday's loss against the Astros, Max Fried holds a 6.00 ERA with 15 walks in 36 innings in his last seven starts dating back to the start of July. Not the best timing for the scuffling Yanks.
13) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️
Last week: 14
The Reds are mostly hanging around in the Wild Card race by virtue of the Mets struggling, but they'll happily take advantage of the opening. Hunter Greene has a chance to be a major difference-maker for the stretch run as he makes his return from the injured list on Wednesday. The 26-year-old had a 2.73 ERA through 11 starts before going down two months ago with a groin injury.
14) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️
Last week: 15
The Guardians won five straight before falling to the White Sox on Sunday, but still find themselves very much in the mix in the AL Wild Card race. Gavin Williams, who carried a no-hitter in the ninth inning against the Mets last week, owns a 1.63 ERA over his last six outings.
15) Texas Rangers ⬇️
Last week: 13
I've watched this play at least 10 times and I still think Adolis Garcia caught this ball. Perhaps in the multiverse, he did?
Wyatt Langford covered 75 feet to make this catch. I know Wyatt played linebacker in high school, but if any team needs a wideout, he might be the guy. pic.twitter.com/DfKlISx7Hg
16) Kansas City Royals
Last week: 16
The Royals opted against selling at the deadline after going 15-9 in July, but they've lost five out of their last eight games. They have a chance to make some hay this week with series against the Nationals and White Sox.
17) St. Louis Cardinals ⬆️
Last week: 19
Even after trading their closer, Ryan Helsley, as well as Steven Matz and Phil Maton, the Cardinals are still within striking distance in the NL Wild Card race. They get the Rockies to begin the week before a series against the scuffling Yankees, so there's opportunity this week.
18) San Francisco Giants
Last week: 18
While the Giants lost to the Nationals on Sunday, Justin Verlander became just the 10th player in MLB history to reach the 3,500 strikeout plateau. Just another accolade in his Hall of Fame resume.
MLB HISTORY
Justin Verlander becomes just the 10th pitcher with 3,500 career strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/WoiEBQlhjb
19) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬆️
Last week: 22
The Diamondbacks set a new franchise record with nine consecutive hits in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Rockies. It helps to face bad pitching staffs like the Rockies and the home Athletics, but the D-Backs are tied for fourth in the majors in runs scored this month.
20) Miami Marlins ⬇️
Last week: 17
It's probably a little too early to call Jakob Marsee the next Mr. Marlin, but he's well on his way. The 24-year-old rookie is hitting .419 (13-for-31) through 11 games since his call-up.
21) Tampa Bay Rays
Last week: 21
With four homers in the span of three games last week, Junior Caminero is now up to 32 home runs in his age-21 season. He's on pace to be the second-ever player on the Rays to reach 40 homers. The only other was Carlos Pena, who slugged 46 homers in 2007.
22) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️
Last week: 20
If you are planning what to watch this week, be sure to tune in on Wednesday, as Shohei Ohtani will face the Angels for the first time as a pitcher. Another Ohtani-Trout showdown? Yes please.
23) Baltimore Orioles
Last week: 23
With the Orioles out of contention, the big question at this stage is when we'll see prospects like Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers.
24) Athletics ⬆️
Last week: 25
Carlos Cortes being a member of the 'Athletics' is a little too on the nose. The 28-year-old entered Sunday's game as a left-handed outfielder before serving as a right-handed second third baseman in the ninth inning.
Left-handed right-fielder 🤝 Right-handed third baseman
Carlos Cortes pic.twitter.com/5qayzPCI3u
25) Minnesota Twins ⬆️
Last week: 27
The Twins unloaded a good chunk of their roster at the trade deadline, but they've swung the bats well in recent days, most notably from rookie Luke Keaschall. The 22-year-old is hitting .455 (10-for-22) with two homers and 10 RBI since coming off the injured list, highlighted by this walk-off blast on Sunday.
Luke Keaschall #WALKOFF homer!
The @Twins win it in the 11th! pic.twitter.com/zEmFEWVk7C
26) Atlanta Braves ⬇️
Last week: 24
The Braves won four out of five from the Marlins, so they are picking up some steam just in time to potentially play spoiler against the floundering Mets this week.
27) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬇️
Last week: 26
We're all waiting for top prospect right-hander Bubba Chandler, but he's sporting a 6.94 ERA with 11 walks and five homers allowed in 23 1/3 innings over his last five starts. Is the frustration beginning to take a toll on his performance? It would be understandable if it was.
28) Washington Nationals
Last week: 28
It's been a struggle for James Wood since the All-Star break, but he delivered back-to-back multi-hit games in victories against the Giants this weekend after hitting just .111 (6-for-54) with one RBI over his previous 14 games.
29) Chicago White Sox
Last week: 29
This might just be a Colson Montgomery space moving forward. His 452-foot homer against the Guardians on Sunday was the longest at Rate Field this season.
Colson Montgomery belts one 452 feet! 😳 pic.twitter.com/GOnqDa4SMw
Would you believe that the White Sox are third in the majors in runs scored over the past 30 days?
30) Colorado Rockies
Last week: 30
Kyle Karros delivered an RBI single in his first major league at-bat on Friday against the Diamondbacks. Yep, that's Eric Karros' son. Yep, you should be questioning your own mortality.
"I got goosebumps!"
Kyle Karros picks up MLB hit and RBI No. 1 in his first @Rockies at-bat! pic.twitter.com/SPJUx4gUEt
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He extended the Mets' season and gave them a shot at a deep playoff run that only ended by virtue of the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in Game 6 of the NLCS. The Mets' magical season was over, but Alonso's contract negotiations were just beginning. By February, Juan Soto was a Met and Alonso still hadn't signed a deal. Reports surfaced connecting Alonso to the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants. Mets owner Steve Cohen said the negotiations with Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras, were "exhausting," adding, "Soto was tough. This is worse." Once the situation reached rock bottom, the only place to go was up. Finally, on Feb. 6, Cohen and Alonso reached a two-year, $54 million pact (with a player opt-out after this season) that made Alonso the highest-paid first baseman in the major leagues this year. It wasn't the long-term deal Alonso was seeking, but it brought him back to the Mets. "Pete's easy to root for. 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It was hard to describe the face of Pete there. He was enjoying the whole moment. It meant a lot to him." Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar. share
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31 minutes ago
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Pirates hammered 14-0 by the Brewers, lose 4th straight game
Sal Frelick and Brice Turang homered off Paul Skenes, and the Milwaukee Brewers pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-0 on Tuesday night for their 11th consecutive victory. Christian Yelich, Andrew Vaughn and Caleb Durbin also went deep as major league-leading Milwaukee improved to 27-5 in its last 32 games. Freddy Peralta (14-5) pitched six innings of three-hit ball in his second straight win. The Brewers' 11-game winning streak is their second of the season and the second-longest in franchise history. Skenes (7-9) permitted four runs and six hits in four innings. The ace right-hander struck out four and walked two. It was Skenes' first loss since July 11. He allowed a total of four runs in his previous four starts. Frelick hit a leadoff drive in the first for his ninth homer. Turang added a solo shot in the fourth for his 12th homer, lifting the Brewers to a 3-0 lead. Yelich's 23rd homer — a two-run drive off Yohan Ramírez in the fifth — made it 6-0, and Vaughn capped Milwaukee's six-run sixth with a three-run shot. Durbin tacked on a two-run homer in the eighth against Pirates infielder Jared Triolo. Coupled with the Cubs' loss in Toronto, Milwaukee increased its NL Central lead to 7 1/2 games — the largest cushion in the majors. The last-place Pirates were down 2-0 when they put runners on first and second in the fourth. But Andrew McCutchen bounced into an inning-ending double play. The Brewers have a major league-high 23 homers in August. Six of those have come from Turang, doubling his season total. Right-hander Brandon Woodruff (4-0, 2.29 ERA) starts for the Brewers in the series finale on Wednesday. Right-hander Mitch Keller (5-10, 3.86 ERA) get the ball for the Pirates. ___ AP MLB:
