MLB Power Rankings Week 20: Brewers pass Dodgers for No. 1
For the primary time in almost two months, the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t the highest group in baseball.
Instead, the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers take the No. 1 spot on this week’s MLB Power Rankings — ending a Dodgers run that dates again to Week 12.
As for remainder of the highest 10? The greatest strikes are the Tampa Bay Rays leapfrogging the Atlanta Braves into the No. 3 spot and the San Diego Padres becoming a member of the social gathering at No. 10, with the Chicago White Sox slipping to No. 11.
Our knowledgeable panel has ranked each group primarily based on a mixture of what we have seen to date and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that may be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB consultants Alden Gonzalez, Jorge Castillo and David Schoenfield to weigh in with an commentary for all 30 groups.
Week 19 | Second-half preview | Preseason rankings
Record: 74-47
Previous rating: 2
With rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt sidelined till late August as a result of a hamstring pressure and Joey Ortiz quickly out with a stiff neck, Brice Turang began at shortstop on Tuesday for the primary time since 2023. Starting at second base: Jihwan Bae, who was signed final week after the Mets launched him from Triple-A Syracuse. Andrew Vaughn even began at third base on Sunday and Monday because the Brewers look for extra offense from that place. It’s a little bit of scrambling for the Brewers — and never nice timing, as they head to L.A. for a four-game sequence towards the Dodgers that commences Thursday. — Schoenfield
Record: 73-48
Previous rating: 1
Heading into the week, earlier than sweeping the last-place Royals, the Dodgers had misplaced eight of 9 video games and have been simply 14-18 because the begin of July. During that 32-game span, their offense ranked twenty first in OPS and their pitching ranked twenty third in ERA. Their concern is not excessive, although: Tarik Skubal, who made his Dodger Stadium debut on Monday, continues to be getting acclimated; Blake Snell got here again and appeared sharp on Tuesday; Tyler Glasnow and Will Smith are making progress; and this group is clearly actually good. But Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts publicly challenged his gamers earlier than this seven-game homestand. “We’re a wild-card team right now,” he stated. “We’ve got to get going and play with urgency.” — Gonzalez
Record: 74-46
Previous rating: 4
The Rays have owned the perfect file within the American League since June 28, they usually’re not slowing down, profitable 9 consecutive video games and 18 of their previous 22. Tampa Bay’s 41-18 file at Tropicana Field is the perfect residence mark within the majors. The Rays’ 13 sequence sweeps are probably the most in baseball. In quick, after two seasons with out a playoff berth, they’re actual contenders once more, because of one of many high pitching staffs within the sport. The Rays will likely be a tricky out in October if the Junior Circuit runs by means of The Trop. — Castillo
Record: 73-48
Previous rating: 3
The Braves will want extra performances like they bought from Grant Holmes throughout his previous two begins: six-inning scoreless outings that lowered his ERA to three.47. Holmes all the time has a fairly restricted pitch depend, and he threw simply 72 and 77 pitches in these contests; however he had most effectivity to permit for longer outings. Meanwhile, Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep have been cleared to begin throwing, however supervisor Walt Weiss stated the group is not relying on them returning this season. — Schoenfield
Record: 71-50
Previous rating: 5
Since getting back from the IL on June 25, Matthew Boyd is 6-0 with a 2.65 ERA and the Cubs are 8-1 in his 9 begins. Some of the peripheral numbers do not match the ERA — simply 35 strikeouts in 55⅔ innings and 7 residence runs allowed — however he is letting the Cubs’ standout protection assist him. Chicago leads the majors in two defensive metrics: +85 in defensive runs saved and +62 in Statcast’s fielding run worth (a whopping 33 runs higher than the Blue Jays, the No. 2 group). — Schoenfield
Record: 68-52
Previous rating: 6
It was a sight to behold at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon: Giancarlo Stanton operating the bases. The train was an necessary step within the slugger’s highway to a return. Stanton has been out since April with two proper calf strains — the preliminary one he suffered in April and a second he sustained in July to ship him again to sq. one. Aaron Boone stated Stanton “does feel like he’s getting closer,” however the New York supervisor was quick on particulars. Boone stated he does not know Stanton’s subsequent step and that the group hasn’t determined whether or not Stanton will go on a rehab task. Boone indicated Cody Bellinger (hamstring) will possible return earlier than Stanton, with Aaron Judge (rib) third in line. Bellinger, who has been on the injured checklist since July 26, has progressed to hitting and fielding. Judge, out since May 31, has not been cleared for baseball actions. The Yankees hope they will have all three within the lineup for October. — Castillo
Record: 64-56
Previous rating: 7
The Red Sox are all of the sudden enjoying like a World Series contender. Come October, two reinforcements may make them scarier. Roman Anthony, out since early May with a finger harm, lately started hitting excessive velocity from a Trajekt machine and is “getting closer” to a rehab task, based on Boston supervisor Chad Tracy. Garrett Crochet, on the injured checklist since late April with shoulder irritation, resumed throwing final week. There won’t be sufficient time for Crochet to construct up a starter’s workload, however having him in a aid function is on the desk. Anthony and Crochet have been thought of Boston’s two greatest gamers going into the season. Having them for the postseason may make Boston the favourite to win the pennant. — Castillo
Record: 64-58
Previous rating: 8
After ending July with eight losses in 9 video games, the Phillies started August with seven wins in 11 outings. They bought an enormous win on Sunday after blowing a 5-2 lead within the eighth inning, scoring twice within the tenth on RBI singles from Bryson Stott and Derek Hill. Kyle Schwarber homered twice within the win, snapping a 17-game homerless drought. The Phillies additionally bought an enormous elevate from Andrew Painter on Monday, because the rookie took a no-hitter into the sixth. He has a 2.93 ERA in three begins since returning to the majors. — Schoenfield
Record: 64-58
Previous rating: 10
The Diamondbacks are 21-16 because the begin of July and are at the moment tied with the Phillies for the ultimate NL wild-card spot, with an enormous highway journey by means of Atlanta and Boston forward. With 6½ weeks remaining within the common season, it’s essential that Arizona’s greatest hitters get going. Corbin Carroll is slashing simply .180/.290/.396 because the begin of July. Ketel Marte hasn’t been a lot better in that stretch (.221/.304/.364). Somehow, the D-backs have nonetheless managed to common greater than 5 runs per recreation. But that may’t be sustained for for much longer. — Gonzalez
Record: 65-57
Previous rating: 11
On Monday evening, Jackson Merrill homered for the third time in as many video games with a seventh-inning two-run shot that propelled the Padres to a victory over the first-place Brewers. It was Merrill’s ninth residence run because the All-Star break, tied for probably the most within the majors since that time. Since the beginning of July, his OPS is .945. Fernando Tatis Jr., in the meantime, has appeared like his famous person self mainly since June, whereas Ty France and Luis Rengifo have offered main contributions. The Padres’ offense is lastly getting in gear, which makes the Robbie Ray and Casey Mize additions — to not point out the potential Joe Musgrove return — really feel that rather more necessary. — Gonzalez
Record: 62-57
Previous rating: 9
The White Sox stay atop the AL Central regardless of obvious regression from their beginning rotation. Chicago starters have posted a 4.34 ERA because the All-Star break, twenty first within the majors. As a end result, the entrance workplace hunted for beginning pitching on the commerce deadline and emerged with one underwhelming acquisition: Luis Castillo. The right-hander arrived with a 5.06 ERA in 20 outings with the Mariners and gave up 5 runs over 4 innings in his first begin with the White Sox. Chicago will want higher performances throughout the board from its rotation to carry off the Guardians, Twins and Tigers for the division crown. — Castillo
Record: 62-60
Previous rating: 12
There has maybe been no greater growth within the Astros’ surge to the highest of the AL West standings than Bryan Abreu discovering himself as a late-game weapon. The hard-throwing right-hander had a 12.54 ERA on the finish of April and no actual function within the Astros’ bullpen. But over a stretch of 35 appearances since May 3, he is 4-1 with six saves, a 1.87 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 33⅔ innings. Veteran nearer Josh Hader joined Abreu within the again finish of the bullpen on June 3, and since then, no group has obtained a greater ERA from its relievers. The Astros’ rotation stays a priority, however a stout bullpen to enhance a good-enough offense is likely to be sufficient to take the division this yr. — Gonzalez
Record: 62-59
Previous rating: 15
Eury Perez is beginning to reside as much as the excessive ceiling he projected as a rookie in 2023, earlier than he missed the 2024 season with Tommy John surgical procedure. He beat the Pirates on Tuesday with a dominant seven scoreless innings, and he has a 1.82 ERA over his previous 11 begins (with a stint on the IL combined in). He walked simply 16 batters and allowed simply three residence runs in 64 innings throughout that stretch. If you are trying for a sleeper Cy Young Award decide for 2027, Perez is likely to be the man. — Schoenfield
Record: 59-61
Previous rating: 20
The Tigers simply traded their two greatest beginning pitchers — and stay very a lot within the playoff hunt. Yes, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize are gone, however they have been removed from the one causes the Tigers have been one of many high groups in baseball after an atrocious May. Their 37-23 file since June 1 ranks fifth within the majors. Their plus-126 run differential throughout that span is first. Jackson Jobe changed Skubal within the rotation and was dominant in his return from Tommy John surgical procedure on Saturday. The 23-year-old right-hander, who wields a triple-digit fastball, held the Giants to at least one hit over 5 scoreless innings. Top prospect Max Clark made his main league debut days earlier than Skubal was dealt, and Clark seems the half on the plate and in heart discipline. Dillon Dingler is the perfect catcher in baseball. Colt Keith has an OPS north of .900 because the All-Star break. Rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle continues enjoying with metronomic consistency. The Tigers nonetheless is likely to be the perfect group within the AL Central — and there is time to show it. — Castillo
Record: 60-61
Previous rating: 18
If it feels as if the Rangers have been a .500 group all yr, it is as a result of they mainly have been. They have been 45-45 then 50-50 then 55-55 — and, after dropping to the Angels on Tuesday evening, then 60-60. And but, they have been merely a half-game out of first place within the AL West by that time. Their rotation lately misplaced Nathan Eovaldi to elbow irritation. And whereas it may very well be a comparatively quick stint on the injured checklist for Eovaldi, there’s discuss that maybe Jordan Montgomery, who hadn’t pitched since September 2024 till returning to a bullpen function on Sunday, may occupy his vacant spot. The final time Montgomery began video games for the Rangers, they gained the World Series. Just saying. — Gonzalez
Record: 59-62
Previous rating: 13
Parker Messick can be on tempo to be named AL Rookie of the Year throughout most seasons. But most seasons do not have a rookie of Kevin McGonigle‘s caliber delivering end-to-end manufacturing. It’s been nonetheless a exceptional rookie All-Star marketing campaign for Messick, a second-round decide in 2022. The left-hander’s 2.57 ERA is sixth within the majors, behind Jacob Misiorowski, Chris Sale, Cam Schlittler, Dylan Cease and Cristopher Sanchez. Those are all main Cy Young contenders. The 25-year-old Messick belongs in that dialog. — Castillo
Record: 61-60
Previous rating: 19
The Cardinals introduced they are going to be carrying their navy blue caps on the highway the remainder of the season. The blue caps had been a part of the Cardinals’ major away uniforms from 1992 to 2012; however after that, they wore the blue caps solely for Sunday residence video games and highway video games towards groups such because the Reds that wore pink caps. The membership despatched a questionnaire to followers, with 80% of the 15,000 surveyed in favor of the blue caps. Meanwhile, Andre Pallante matched zeroes with Phillies’ ace Cristopher Sanchez on Tuesday, a recreation the Cardinals gained 2-0 after scoring towards the Philly bullpen. — Schoenfield
Record: 59-63
Previous rating: 22
When pitcher Miles Mikolas laid down an RBI sacrifice bunt within the eleventh inning final week, it was the primary plate look all season the Nationals gave to a hitter age 29 or older. Using the average-age technique at Baseball-Reference, which adjusts for enjoying time, the common for Nationals place gamers is simply 24.9 — youngest within the majors. Yet they proceed to guide the majors in runs scored (and likewise stolen bases). We’ll see if they’ll stick with it with James Wood on the IL with an indirect pressure and after the trades of Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr., nevertheless it’s been a terrific breakout season for the lineup. — Schoenfield
Record: 60-62
Previous rating: 17
The Twins, based on FanGraphs, had a 33.8% probability to succeed in the postseason on July 30. That evening, they acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to assist their foundering bullpen, which began a sequence of acquisitions forward of the commerce deadline. In the following days, they added right-handed starter Dean Kremer and relievers Jeff Hoffman and Tommy Nance to the pitching workers for a playoff push. But these additions do not make up for ace Joe Ryan touchdown on the injured checklist with a glute pressure final week. The two-time All-Star recorded a 2.85 ERA by means of his first 20 begins earlier than permitting 16 earned runs in 15⅓ innings over three outings forward of his IL stint. — Castillo
Record: 58-64
Previous rating: 14
The questions surrounding Paul Skenes proceed after he was pulled from his Tuesday begin after throwing simply 65 pitches and permitting two runs (one earned) in 5 innings. Manager Don Kelly stated it wasn’t injury-related. “Anybody this time of year is … not injured, but guys in August aren’t 100%,” he stated. Skenes pitched greater than 5⅓ innings simply twice in his previous 9 begins and posted a 5.79 ERA over that stretch. The Pirates dropped to 9-16 in video games he has began this season. — Schoenfield
Record: 56-65
Previous rating: 16
The Mariners have been seven outs from their first World Series berth final fall then entered 2026 with among the best and deepest rosters within the AL. Now, they’re in a free fall. The Mariners have misplaced six in a row to drop to 5½ video games out of first place within the AL West. Since the beginning of July, they’re 12-22 whereas posting the third-lowest OPS within the majors. After one other loss at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Cal Raleigh stated “the approach is not there” offensively. “To me,” he stated, “it’s just off-balance swings. Late to the heater and early on the off-speed. I’m not pointing fingers. Ultimately, I’m the worst of the group right now.” — Gonzalez
Record: 58-63
Previous rating: 21
Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson have been presupposed to function the muse for an annual World Series contender. Instead, Rutschman, after a sequence of accidents and underperformance over the previous three seasons, was traded to the rival Red Sox final week, and Henderson has been a disappointment this yr. Two years faraway from belting 37 residence runs with a 155 OPS+ and eight.8 bWAR in an All-Star marketing campaign, Henderson is slashing .214/.297/.390 with a 93 OPS+ and 1.5 bWAR in 120 video games. Henderson’s under-the-hood numbers recommend the drop-off will not be a fluke; his bat pace, barrel price, hard-hit price, strikeout price and common exit velocity have all plummeted over the previous two years. The excellent news for Baltimore is that Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo, two different members of a hyped younger core, have discovered their stroke lately. Mayo is slashing .293/.328/.586 because the All-Star break, whereas Holliday has a slash line of .290/.375/.382 throughout that span. — Castillo
Record: 59-63
Previous rating: 23
The Blue Jays, ravaged by accidents this season, took one other blow when Trey Yesavage underwent surgical procedure Tuesday to restore his left meniscus. Manager John Schneider stated the rookie right-hander may return this season, however the membership will not know for a number of weeks. Yesavage, who took final postseason by storm, has a 3.65 ERA with 91 strikeouts over 18 begins this season. He’s one in all seven beginning pitchers on Toronto’s injured checklist. Jameson Taillon, acquired final week from the Cubs, grew to become the newest addition with proper forearm tendinitis. — Castillo
Record: 57-62
Previous rating: 24
Chase Burns noticed his streak of 12 straight profitable selections finish Saturday when he allowed 5 runs in a loss to the Nationals. It was the longest such streak by a Reds pitcher since Brooks Lawrence gained 13 in a row in 1956. Meanwhile, the offense continues to battle, rating final alongside the Mariners with a .228 group common. Elly De La Cruz is the one place participant with greater than 1.6 WAR, though barring a late-season stoop, Sal Stewart ought to change into the primary Reds rookie since Jim Greengrass in 1953 to drive in 100 runs. — Schoenfield
Record: 53-69
Previous rating: 25
Nolan McLean‘s rookie season hasn’t been fairly as dynamic as maybe anticipated, with a 3.42 ERA and a couple of.0 WAR, however he has been fairly constant apart from a two-start stretch in May when he yielded 16 runs. He has allowed batters a .210 common, which ranks ninth lowest amongst beginning pitchers. His sinker (.177 common), four-seamer (.218) and curveball (.107) have all been wonderful, however his sweeper (.385) and cutter (.378) have been hit laborious. He additionally throws a changeup, principally to left-handed batters. McLean has used his sweeper much less typically currently in favor of a slider. Let’s see if that helps. Or possibly he must dump the cutter given each his fastballs have been efficient. — Schoenfield
Record: 50-71
Previous rating: 26
If there’s one thing that may be salvaged from this depressing yr in San Francisco, it is the farm system. The trade notion is that Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey did rather well in buying and selling veteran gamers forward of the commerce deadline for future expertise, most notably right-hander Ramon Marquez (for Luis Arraez), shortstop Joniel Hernandez (for Robbie Ray) and left-hander Henry Lalane (for Heliot Ramos). The trio have been added to a farm system during which Giants prospects on the entire have had good showings. When Baseball America up to date its farm system rankings Wednesday, the Giants got here in fourth. — Gonzalez
Record: 49-73
Previous rating: 27
Kansas City signed nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel on Monday to affix a bullpen that ranks twenty ninth within the majors in ERA. The Royals are the 38-year-old Kimbrel’s third group this season — he started with the Mets earlier than becoming a member of the Rays — and twelfth group in his 17-year profession. Kimbrel ranks fifth on the all-time saves checklist with 440. Chances are he will not attain Lee Smith’s 478 for third place. But there’s one other file inside attain for Kimbrel: He is 2 groups shy of tying Edwin Jackson and Rich Hill for most groups performed for in MLB historical past. — Castillo
Record: 47-74
Previous rating: 28
Last week marked the top of an period. David Forst, who had been with the group since 2000 and had served atop baseball operations since 2015, was let go. It was described as a mutual parting of the way, and there had been a long-held perception all through the trade that Forst wouldn’t make the transfer to Las Vegas with the group in 2028. But the fact is that this: The younger A’s have taken an enormous step again this season, sporting the worst run differential in all of baseball. An thrilling offensive core is in place, and a few younger pitchers have taken steps ahead this yr; however this looks like the beginning of a whole entrance workplace reshaping because the franchise approaches its huge relocation. — Gonzalez
Record: 48-73
Previous rating: 29
One of the primary huge acquisitions of the Paul DePodesta period in Colorado was outfielder Jake McCarthy, who possessed the pace and vary that made him a match for what the brand new entrance workplace was attempting to construct. That, a minimum of, has actually labored out. McCarthy was named the NL Player of the Week on Monday after compiling 14 hits in a span of 27 at-bats. He leads the Rockies with a .303 batting common and boasts an .851 OPS, one yr after posting an OPS of simply .591. “Last year, I got away from doing what I do well — and that’s being competitive on a daily basis,” McCarthy advised MLB.com. “A lot of at-bats ended in a popout or early, weak contact. Now, I’m just trying to hit as many line drives around the field as possible.” — Gonzalez
Record: 47-74
Previous rating: 30
The Angels proceed to tear down below interim normal supervisor John Mozeliak. On Tuesday, eight days after a commerce deadline that noticed a number of controllable gamers get moved, the Angels fired their three pitching coaches, most notably Mike Maddux, one of the crucial influential at his place over the previous twenty years. Mozeliak, who had beforehand vowed to not make teaching adjustments till season’s finish, stated the choice was made as a result of the workers was not using the group’s in-house know-how sufficient. If nothing else, the firings have been a snapshot into the quantity of labor it should take to construct the Angels right into a aggressive franchise — and, maybe, an indication of Mozeliak’s willingness to make huge adjustments as a way to try this. — Gonzalez