MLB power rankings: Big shakeups after the MLB trade deadline
By Kevin Henry
The San Diego Padres made a lot of noise at the MLB trade deadline, setting their roster for what they hope will be a deep postseason run. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers sent a reminder over the weekend that they were still the leaders of the National League West … and of this week’s MLB power rankings.
After winning Sunday night’s game, the Los Angeles Dodgers have now taken 17 of their last 19 meetings against the San Diego Padres (including a weekend sweep at Chavez Ravine). They also have an eight-game winning streak and a 10-1 mark over their last 11 games, helping them jump over the New York Yankees in this week’s MLB power rankings.
In our latest MLB power rankings, the Los Angeles Dodgers knock the New York Yankees out of the top spot.
While the Padres may have made a splash at the MLB trade deadline, it is the Philadelphia Phillies that join the Dodgers as the hottest MLB team ahead of Sunday Night Baseball, going 9-1 over the last 10 games. However, the hot streak has done little for Philadelphia in the National League East standings as they have gained just one game on the division-leading New York Mets.
Sinking this week in our MLB power rankings are the Milwaukee Brewers (down four spots to 10) and the Yankees and Houston Astros, who each lost a spot to the Dodgers and Mets, respectively.
Below, you will find this week’s MLB power rankings. As always, we are including one note of interest about one team in each of the thirds of our list.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (last week: 2)
After Sunday’s win over the Padres, the Dodgers are 30-5 (.857 winning percentage) since June 29 and paced MLB with a +226 run differential on the season, just ahead of the Yankees (+204). This season, Los Angeles pitchers have given up just 345 runs this year, the fewest in MLB.
2. New York Yankees (last week: 1)
3. New York Mets (last week: 4)
4. Houston Astros (last week: 3)
5. Atlanta Braves (last week: 5)
6. Philadelphia Phillies (last week: 9)
7. St. Louis Cardinals (last week: 10)
8. San Diego Padres (last week: 8)
9. Toronto Blue Jays (last week: 7)
10. Milwaukee Brewers (last week: 6)
11. Seattle Mariners (last week: 11)
12. Minnesota Twins (last week: 12)
13. Tampa Bay Rays (last week: 13)
14. Baltimore Orioles (last week: 16)
15. Cleveland Guardians (last week: 14)
16. Chicago White Sox (last week: 15)
17. San Francisco Giants (last week: 17)
18. Boston Red Sox (last week: 18)
Tommy Pham’s two-run home run in Kansas City on Sunday was his first in a Red Sox uniform and his first home run in his last 30 games dating back to a June 30 tilt at the Chicago Cubs when he was with the Cincinnati Reds. That 30-game drought was the second-longest homer-less stretch of his career.
19. Texas Rangers (last week: 20)
20. Miami Marlins (last week: 19)
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (last week: 22)
22. Colorado Rockies (last week: 21)
23. Los Angeles Angels (last week: 23)
24. Cincinnati Reds (last week: 26)
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25. Kansas City Royals (last week: 28)
26. Detroit Tigers (last week: 24)
27. Chicago Cubs (last week: 25)
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (last week: 27)
When the Pirates defeated Baltimore on Sunday, it was just the second win in Pirates history at Oriole Park (joining a Pittsburgh win on July 15, 2008). Pittsburgh is now 2-10 all-time in Baltimore and 3-9 this season against American League teams.