Each week, the California Post will power rank MLB’s 30 teams and check in on one intriguing awards race. Records as of Saturday morning:
1) Rays (74-47)
For the first time this year, the Rays climb to the top of these standings thanks to their recent nine-game win streak. Amazingly, they might be coasting the rest of the way, with a 6 ½ game gap between themselves and anyone else in the American League. (Last week: 5th)
2) Cubs (72-51)
For much of this season, it appeared the Brewers were running away with the NL Central. But with the Cubs remaining red-hot (8-2 in their last 10), the division race might just be heating up, with the gap down to three games. (Last week: 3rd)
3) Dodgers (74-49)
The Dodgers course-corrected after their 1-8 slump last week, winning four of five back at Dodger Stadium this week. Edwin Díaz remains a question mark, but their rotation is quickly emerging as the best in the majors –– and that’s with Shohei Ohtani having yet to return to pitching. (Last week: 6th)
4) Brewers (75-48)
The Brewers can only hope this week wasn’t a postseason preview. They were swept in San Diego by a resurgent Padres team they could see again in October. Then, they needed a ninth-inning collapse from Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz to avoid losing two more in a row in Los Angeles. (Last week: 1st)
5) Braves (73-49)
It was a fine week for the Braves, but could’ve been better had they been more emphatic about an ABS challenge opportunity that was missed by umpires against the Mets on Monday. Let that moment be a lesson ahead of October: If you’re gonna challenge, make sure the umpires see it. (Last week: 2nd)
6) Yankees (68-54)
The George Lombard Jr. era is upon us, spawning big hopes, bigger expectations and perhaps the best jersey-related use of masking tape we’ve ever seen. Not that it’s helping the banged up Bombers play better than .500 ball this month. (Last week: 7th)
7) Red Sox (65-57)
Welcome back to Earth to the Red Sox, who followed up their ridiculous 32-5 stretch by dropping six of their last seven. Still, they remain five games clear of the final wild card spot. An unbelievable month has allowed them to absorb a bad week. (Last week: 4th)
8) Padres (66-57)
If you were among the growing contingent of those counting the Padres out a month ago (full transparency: we were) then it’s time to reconsider. San Diego has won six in a row, buoyed by another aggressive trade deadline from GM AJ Preller. Also, Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta are getting close to comebacks. (Last week: 11th)
9) White Sox (63-58)
This might be a fairy tale season for the White Sox, but it won’t be flawless. Not after they lost on “Pope Hat Night” on the Southside. Hopefully a certain Sox fan in Rome wasn’t staying up late to watch. (Last week: 8th)
10) Phillies (65-58)
There were a couple days this week the Phillies were back outside the National League playoff picture. It’s a reminder that, amid another lull in their season, there is much to do if this veteran group is going to get another shot at October. (Last week: 9th)
11) Diamondbacks (65-58)
This week in #JustBaseballThings: The Dbacks won a dramatic series against the Dodgers last weekend … to then turn around and drop two of three at home to the Rockies immediately after. That helps explain why they can’t separate in the NL playoff picture. (Last week: 10th)
12) Astros (63-60)
If you needed another sign of the magical run that the Astros, who were so bad during the first couple months of the season, are on right now: Look no further than Friday, when they scored five runs in the bottom of the 10th to win on a Christian Walker walk-off. (Last week: 12th)
13) Marlins (62-61)
We’re still not convinced the Marlins can actually propel themselves into October. But at least they’ll be playing meaningful late-season baseball, still only three games back in the wild-card race. (Last week: 15th)
14) Cardinals (61-61)
The Cardinals are in the exact same spot as the Marlins: Unlikely to make the playoffs, but still having something to play for on the fringes of the wild-card race. That might be even more valuable for their young roster. (Last week: 16th)
15) Tigers (56-60)
We buried the Tigers in these rankings after their trade deadline sell-off. Now, we must apologize as they’ve climbed back into a wild-card spot. Even more surprising: Their plus-82 run differential is second-best in the AL. Even without Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, their season is far from over. (Last week: 23rd)
16) Twins (60-63)
For the latest feat in their surprise season, the Twins survived a couple weeks with star outfielder Byron Buxton injured. Now, they could use a huge closing stretch from him to try and catapult themselves into the postseason. (Last week: 14th)
17) Blue Jays (60-64)
As the saying goes, don’t let ‘em get hot. Last year, the Blue Jays made a stunning surge down the stretch that carried them to the World Series. That feels infinitely less likely this fall –– especially after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entered concussion protocol this weekend –– but a 7-3 run has put them back on the verge of a wild-card spot. (Last week: 24th)
18) Pirates (60-64)
The most popular question in baseball this week was: What’s wrong with Paul Skenes? Until the Pirates can find an answer (a lot of focus has gone to his arm path) their playoff hopes appear slim. (Last week: 19th)
19) Reds (56-59)
The Reds can’t make the playoffs … right? They’ve quietly almost climbed back to .500, and are only five games out of the wild card. (Last week: 22nd)
20) Rangers (60-63)
The Rangers’ maddening season has continued with a road trip from hell this week. After winning five of six last week, they dropped four in a row to the Angels and A’s. The Angels and A’s! Playoff teams don’t do that. (Last week: 17th)
21) Nationals (60-64)
The Nationals made a big change regarding their future, sliding All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base –– and clearing a pathway for two of their top prospect at the shortstop position. (Last week: 20th)
22) Orioles (59-63)
Since winning seven in a row last month, the Orioles have returned to mediocre form: 10-12 since. Then again, in this year’s AL, that has been enough to keep them within a game of a playoff spot. (Last week: 21st)
23) Guardians (59-64)
The Guardians aren’t out of the AL playoff picture by any means. But they’ve sure let themselves slide to the periphery by dropping eight of 10. Four teams now sit between them and a wild-card slot. (Last week: 13th)
24) Mariners (57-66)
It’s officially time to panic in Seattle. The M’s are a season-worst nine games under .500. They’ve all but fallen out of the division race in even an exceedingly weak AL West. And though they’re still within 3 ½ games of the wild card, they have six teams to jump. (Last week: 18th)
25) Mets (54-69)
There was finally something to smile about in Queens this week. Converted starter Kodai Senga is auditioning as a closer, and has already aced his entrance music by using Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” (Last week: 25th)
26) Giants (50-72)
Interesting profile of Buster Posey in The Athletic this week. Our takeaway: This whole GM’ing thing seems to be even tougher than he imagined. It’s reflected in the way this Giants season has gone. (Last week: 26th)
27) Royals (50-73)
The Royals might not be the worst team in the majors this year. But they’re pretty easily having the most forgettable, anonymous, unremarkable campaign. No on-field controversy. No glaring example of organizational incompetence to rile up the fan base. Just one routine, miserable loss after another. (Last week: 27th)
28) Athletics (48-74)
Don’t ask us why, but we were researching this week which pitching staffs have been worse against opposing teams’ Nos. 7-9 hitters. It was not a surprise that the A’s were second-worst with a .763 OPS allowed. (Last week: 28th)
29) Rockies (49-73)
To the above point, it was even less surprising to see the Rockies rank dead last in that category with an .800 OPS allowed. Rule of thumb: If you let the other teams’ worst hitters produce at near-All-Star levels, you won’t win much. (Last week: 29th)
30) Angels (48-75)
John Mozeliak continues to put his stamp on the Angels, shaking up the coaching staff this week with three firings and not being shy about explaining why. (Last week: 30th)
Award Tracker: National League MVP
1) Shohei Ohtani (.290 average, 27 home runs, 74 RBIs, .931 OPS as hitter; 8-2, 1.79 ERA as pitcher)
We’re keeping tabs on the National League MVP race again this week, as it has become the most interesting battle entering the stretch run of the season. Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s offensive numbers remain neck and neck. But, Ohtani is now back on the road to pitching. If he can add even 10-15 more innings this year, it might be enough to lock up the award.
2) Pete Crow-Armstrong (.279 average, 27 HR, 87 RBIs, .912 OPS)
Crow-Armstrong continues to have the WAR edge (7.8 to 6.6, per Fangraphs) thanks to his defense and base-running. Something else that could help his case down the stretch: Leading the Cubs to a division title with a surprise comeback in the NL Central over the Brewers. The way he and the Cubs are playing right now, it’s possible.
3) Jacob Misiorowski (11-5, 1.76 ERA, 204 strikeouts, 133 innings)
A new entry to this top-three ranking, Misiorowski is starting to look like more than just a Cy Young frontrunner. Especially after the Brewers failed to add another real ace at the deadline, his value to the club can’t be overstated –– nor can his dominance in this breakout season.
