
MLB power rankings: Free-falling Phillies now stuck without Bryce Harper
MLB power rankings: Free-falling Phillies now stuck without Bryce Harper
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Seattle Mariners' newest player shares promotion with family
Cole Young announces his move to the big leagues playing for Seattle Mariners during an emotional phone call with his family.
The Philadelphia Phillies can't win. And Bryce Harper can't swing.
Once comfortably perched atop the National League East, the Phillies are in danger of losing touch with the New York Mets and falling into a deep thicket of NL playoff contenders.
With nine losses in their past 10 games and franchise slugger Harper tossed on the injured list with a recurring wrist injury, the free-falling Phillies have dropped three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
Sunday, they were swept in Pittsburgh for the first time since June 2015 and now trail the Mets by four games. Next in town? The dynamic Chicago Cubs, neck-and-neck with the Mets for the NL's best record.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Detroit Tigers (+1)
World Series atmosphere in the D as Tigers take two of three from Cubs.
Rank second in the NL in defensive runs saved.
3. New York Mets (-)
Pete Alonso passes David Wright for second on franchise home run list. Next: Darryl Strawberry.
4. New York Yankees (+2)
Jazz Chisholm roars off the IL with eight hits in 16 at-bats.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-4)
Tony Gonsolin latest pitcher to land on IL heap – though at least his UCL is intact.
Score six runs yet take two of three games at Milwaukee, thanks to pair of Manny Machado homers.
Folk hero Late Night LaMonte Wade cut loose, but Dom Smith provides quick impact for flaccid offense.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (-3)
After giving up 20 runs in two starts, Jesús Luzardo wonders if tipping pitches is to blame.
9. Houston Astros (+3)
Jeremy Peña trails only Aaron Judge in AL WAR.
10. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
When it's going well: Yoshinobu Yamamoto shuts them down, but they somehow prevail.
11. Tampa Bay Rays (+6)
That's 14 wins in 18 games and what's this, a playoff race?
Louis Varland leads AL pitchers with 32 appearances – yet has a 0.99 WHIP.
Brandon Woodruff's rehab road hits bump after he's struck in elbow by 108-mph line drive.
George Springer's 2025 OPS-plus: 138. In 2024: 91.
15. Cleveland Guardians (-5)
They sink to 24th in runs scored, once again imperiling good work of pitching staff.
Jac Caglianone's Kauffman Stadium debut Tuesday against Yankees.
George Kirby halts a five-game skid by striking out career-high 14.
18. Cincinnati Reds (+1)
Christian Encarnacion-Strand returns from IL with a bang, homering in consecutive games.
19. Texas Rangers (-1)
Jacob deGrom dominating, offense flailing. Is this the 2018 Mets?
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2)
"Overall, I don't feel great," says manager Torey Lovullo while getting swept in Cincinnati.
21. Boston Red Sox (-1)
An off day for Roman Anthony at Worcester and New England freaks out. Hey, not much else to get pumped about.
22. Washington Nationals (+1)
Scored 11 runs in seven games as CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz slump.
23. Los Angeles Angels (+1)
They scoop LaMonte Wade Jr. off the scrap heap from Giants.
No love from California: 0-10 mark in Golden State after Giants sweep.
Colton Cowser is back, and shows why they missed him.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates
They finally win a Paul Skenes start but are 5-6 in his outings. (His ERA is 1.88).
27. Athletics (-)
When they return to Yolo County, temperatures projected to hit 96 degrees.
After a nearly 21-month absence, Eury Perez makes return from Tommy John surgery Monday.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
So when will that Ishbia cash kick in?

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
29 minutes ago
- USA Today
Three big questions for New York Mets as injured players near return
Three big questions for New York Mets as injured players near return Show Caption Hide Caption Seattle Mariners' newest player shares promotion with family Cole Young announces his move to the big leagues playing for Seattle Mariners during an emotional phone call with his family. After a week on the West Coast, the New York Mets are returning home in high spirits. They just rolled to a three-game sweep of the Rockies in Colorado after splitting a four-game set and clinching the season series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. The Mets ended the trip in emphatic fashion, with Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil each homering twice, Juan Soto reaching base six times, and Francisco Alvarez collecting three hits in a 13-5 rout of the Rockies. With Alonso's two blasts, he moved past David Wright and into sole possession of second place in Mets franchise history with 243 home runs. POWER RANKINGS Free-falling Phillies now stuck without Bryce Harper MLB MOCK DRAFT: Who will Nationals take with No. 1 pick? Everything seems to be going well for the Mets, who at 42-24 hold the best record in the National League. Their starting rotation has the best ERA in Major League Baseball, the bullpen the second-best ERA and collectively they have the fourth-best run differential in baseball. The Mets have good problems as they try to build their lead in the National League. With several pitchers and positional players' returns on the horizon, the front office must make some difficult calls. Here are three looming roster questions that will need to be answered this month: Mets starting rotation: Who is the odd man out? Frankie Montas is making progress on his way back from a high-grade lat strain, which he suffered early in spring training. The veteran right-hander, who signed a two-year, $34 million contract this offseason, made his fourth rehab start Sunday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks across 3⅔ innings for Triple-A Syracuse. Notably, Montas threw 76 pitches and will make at least one more rehab assignment this week. After allowing eight earned runs in 7⅔ innings, the Mets could like some crisper performances before his return. Sean Manaea is not far behind either. The lefty, who is rehabbing an oblique injury, made his first rehab appearance on June 6 for High-A Brooklyn and is slated for another one early this week. The Mets have not had the need to rush either pitcher back to one of the top units in baseball. Now, as their returns loom, might Tylor Megill be the odd man out, despite quality efforts thus far? Megill is 5-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 64⅔ innings, but he has one minor league option remaining. Kodai Senga and David Peterson are the only other arms with options in the Mets' rotation. Senga has been the Mets' ace, while Peterson is 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA. Megill's spot could be protected if the Mets go with a six-man rotation until Manaea's return but then he could be a victim of a squeeze once Manaea is ready. Where does this leave Mets' bullpen? Paul Blackburn, who entered spring training as a contender to grab a rotation spot, has already nestled into a long relief role after making just one start in his return from injury. Blackburn notched a four-inning save Sunday, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts. The Mets called up Justin Garza on Monday. They acquired the right-hander in a trade with the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for cash. Once Montas and Manaea both return, Garza's bullpen spot is one that could be eliminated to produce a six-man rotation and keep Senga, Peterson, Griffin Canning and Clay Holmes all fresh. The only other Mets relievers with options are Huascar Brazoban and Reed Garrett, who has been arguably the team's most dependable high-leverage arm this season. Which infielder stays: Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuna or Ronny Mauricio? The Mets received encouraging news after Mark Vientos crumbled to the infield dirt with a low-grade hamstring strain at Dodger Stadium. Vientos is now a week into the 10- to 14-day treatment period before being ramped up to return to the field. The 25-year-old's injury has opened the window of opportunity for Ronny Mauricio, who has delivered encouraging results in his first five games back in the major leagues. Mauricio is 5-for-19 with four runs, two stolen bases and a 456-foot moon shot since joining the team last week. He also committed an error at third base. The question when Vientos returns is who do the Mets deem to provide the biggest potential impact at the MLB level? Mauricio, Luisangel Acuña or Brett Baty? They can likely only keep two. Acuña provides a flash of speed and arguably the most polished glove of the trio, but his bat could use some refinement. He's slashing .243/.293/.287 with six doubles, six RBI, 22 runs and 11 stolen bases. At this point, it appears Baty might have finally locked in his major league spot. With a torrid close to May, Baty is now slashing .229/.272/.431 with seven home runs, 23 RBI and 15 runs.


NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Undrafted Otto Kemp gets 3 hits and sparks rally in 1st home game for Phillies
PHILADELPHIA — Otto Kemp wandered alone for about 20 minutes in his first trip to Citizens Bank Park — 'people were (like) what is this guy doing in this place?' — when he spotted Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Hours before Realmuto would score the winning run in an extra-innings comeback — a run set up in large part by Kemp's bunt single in the two-run rally — he found the rookie and showed him the way to the clubhouse. 'I kind of walked with him and let him take me,' Kemp said, laughing. 'Just trying to enjoy it. Get the lay of the land. Every clubhouse is different. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment.' Kemp's improbable rise from undrafted Division II prospect out of Point Loma Nazarene University in California to signing a free-agent minor league deal with the Phillies in 2022 through four minor league stops finally brought him for the first time to Citizens Bank Park. Not as a fan such as reliever Orion Kerkering, who had to scrounge for upper deck tickets as a prospect to watch the 2022 World Series. Or even former Phillies pitcher Tyler Phillips, who practically grew up at the ballpark as a diehard fan of the team. Kemp saved his first trip to the ballpark for when he finally made the major leagues. 'I just tried to keep it special,' he said. 'I just tried to keep it something that I get to do on the first day I get to the big leagues. It was kind of just a little bit of motivation to keep me pushing and get to this point.' The 25-year-old Kemp's push took him first to Pittsburgh when he was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley with slugger Bryce Harper on the injured list. Kemp made his third straight start, this one against the Chicago Cubs, and he finished 3 for 5 with an error, his first career hit and run scored. Kemp said he hadn't bunted since he played collegiate summer baseball for the St. Cloud Rox in 2021. 'I popped it up straight to the catcher,' he said with a laugh. The seemingly lost art in baseball came right back to Kemp. It certainly helped that he told the Phillies coaching staff that, yes, he could in fact bunt. Realmuto made it 3-all when he drove in the automatic runner with a single off Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia. The Phillies then got two straight bunt singles, the first from Bryson Stott — a late-inning replacement after he was benched amid a 2-for-24 slump —and then from Kemp, who had the third of his first three big league hits in the game to set up the clutch swing from Brandon Marsh. Marsh — batting just .228 on the season — delivered a 381-foot single to center that scored Realmuto for the 4-3 victory and snapped the Phillies' five game losing streak. Marsh, a fan favorite with his stringy hair and ZZ Top-esque beard, said it was the first walk-off winner of his career at any level of baseball. Kemp singled in the fifth for his first hit — he said he would frame the baseball — and scurried to third on Cubs starter Matthew Boyd's errant pickoff attempt. Kemp scored on Weston Wilson's RBI single for a 2-1 lead. Kemp's surprise call-up at around 11 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Iron Pigs played, turned into a whirlwind trip for him and his family and friends. Kemp had an early morning flight to Pittsburgh while his wife and dog drove from North Carolina and his parents scrambled to find a red eye from California and made it to the game just in time. Kemp had his wife, his dad, three friends and his Point Loma college baseball coach Justin James and his family and friends at the game for the home debut. 'It's cool to execute that bunt and get it down and thank him for raising me in a West Coast baseball program,' Kemp said. 'He's stoked. He's just so fired up. Just to see me in that moment and out on that field, it's cool for him to see one of his products and how he helped me get to this point.' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Kemp could play first base and even the outfield the longer he stays in the majors. Kemp played all over the field this season at Triple-A, with 33 starts at third base, 17 combined starts at second and first base and seven starts in the outfield. It was all enough to impress Thomson and the Phillies' front office. 'He's looked comfortable. He's got great composure,' Thomson said. 'I really like the way he goes about his business.' Kemp, a non-roster invitee to spring training this season, was slashing .313/.416/.594 with a 1.010 OPS, 49 runs, 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 58 games for the Iron Pigs. Going from unwanted in the draft to undeniable on the way to the majors came into focus over the last two seasons. 'Double-A was when it really clicked,' Kemp said. 'Like this is when it can become a real possibility.' As his new Phillies teammates bathed him in sports drinks and water to celebrate his three hits and the win, he soaked in the moment and how that possibility had indeed turned into a reality. 'I'll have that Gatorade bath any day,' he said.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Phillies Manager Issues Strong Response on Coaching Staff Amid Season Struggles
Phillies Manager Issues Strong Response on Coaching Staff Amid Season Struggles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It was a much-needed win Monday night for the Philadelphia Phillies, who used a two-run bottom of the 11th inning to edge the Chicago Cubs, 4-3. Advertisement After the Cubs took the lead in the top of the 11th, the Phillies responded with clutch at-bats. J.T. Realmuto, Bryson Stott, Otto Kemp and Brandon Marsh all delivered singles before an out was recorded, sealing the walk-off victory. The win snapped a frustrating five-game losing streak for Philadelphia, a stretch during which they managed just eight total runs. That recent slump sparked frustration from fans, some calling for changes on the coaching staff. Manager Rob Thomson addressed the criticism pregame, specifically defending hitting coach Kevin Long. 'I think Kevin is the best hitting coach in baseball.' Long has been coaching in Major League Baseball since 2008, beginning with the New York Yankees. Before his MLB coaching career, he played at the University of Arizona and was part of the 1986 Wildcats team that won the NCAA Tournament. He still holds Arizona's record for most extra-base hits in a game with five. Advertisement As a coach, Long has helped guide teams to two World Series championships, first in 2009 with the Yankees and then in 2019 with the Washington Nationals. He joined the Phillies in October 2021 under manager Joe Girardi. When Girardi was fired in June 2022, Long remained on staff. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images The Phillies' lineup has been inconsistent, partly due to injuries. Star slugger Bryce Harper missed seven games this season, including since June 5, with a wrist injury. Even when healthy, he's batting just .258 on the year. Catcher Realmuto also struggled, hitting just .228. As a team, the Phillies rank 8th in MLB with a .253 batting average and sit 10th in total runs scored. Advertisement With Monday's win, the Phillies are hoping to turn the page and build some momentum as the season heads into the summer stretch. Related: Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Dodgers' Max Muncy Announcement Related: Juan Soto's Behavior Toward Starling Marte Catches Attention on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.