The Toronto Blue Jays have cracked the top five in Sportsnaut’s MLB Power Rankings after their four-game sweep over the New York Yankees. What other teams moved up and down? Check out how the list shakes out.
- Detroit Tigers ( OG. 1 )
- Houston Astros ( OG. 2 )
- Los Angeles Dodgers ( OG. 3 )
**Statistics as of Monday July 7**
1. Detroit Tigers (Last week: 2)
The Detroit Tigers reclaim the top spot in Sportsnaut’s MLB Power Rankings as they send four players to the All-Star Game: Tarik Skubal, Riley Greene, Javier Baez and Gleyber Torres. More players probably should’ve been added.
“If there are any replacements, you wonder if there’s potentially space for Zach McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson or Casey Mize, all of whom are clearly deserving,” writes MLB.com’s Will Leitch.
2. Houston Astros (Last week: 3)
No Jeremy Pena, no Yordan Alvarez, no problem. The Houston Astros rolled into Chavez Ravine and swept the Los Angeles Dodgers, including an 18-1 beatdown Friday night. Jose Altuve smashed three home runs in those games.
“The Astros only have 24 games remaining against teams currently with a record of .500 or better and six of those are against the Red Sox (who are only one game over),” notes CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Before getting swept by the Astros, the Dodgers had one of the season’s best moments as future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw recorded his 3,000th strikeout. They also received good news on the Max Muncy front as he will only miss six weeks with a knee injury. Their rotation will soon return to full health with Tyler Glasnow back this week and Blake Snell heading out on a rehab assignment.
“It’s not very often that you learn a key player is out six weeks and it’s good news, but considering how bad Max Muncy’s knee injury looked in the moment, six weeks is the best case scenario. As always, the Dodgers injury list is extensive, but if all goes well, look at all the players who will be back for them as they start rolling into the playoffs: Muncy, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol. And remember: They’re already really good right now,” states Leitch.
4. Chicago Cubs (Last week: 4)
After sweeping the Cleveland Guardians, the Chicago Cubs took two of three from National League Central division rival St. Louis Cardinals, including hitting eight home runs in Friday’s 11-3 win. Michael Busch put three of his own into the seats.
“What a weekend at Wrigley: An eight-homer game and a gem from All-Star Matt Boyd,” writes USA Today’s Gabe Lacques.
5. Toronto Blue Jays (Last week: 12)
The Blue Jays decimated the Yankees during a four-game sweep at home, taking over first place in the American League East. But can they maintain the top spot? They have the worst run differential in baseball for a first-place team at plus-12.
“After last Saturday’s 15-1 shellacking at the hands of the Red Sox, Toronto was three games back in the AL East with a minus-6 run differential, loosely maintaining grip on a projected playoff spot,” explains Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter. “Eight wins later, the run differential (plus-12) remains highly suspect, but hard to argue with a three-game lead in what is again looking like the best division in baseball. And for it, they largely can thank George Springer going 12-for-22 with five home runs in his first five games in July.”
6. Philadelphia Phillies (Last week: 6)
Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler pitched one of the best games of his life Sunday — allowing just one hit, one run, no walks and 12 strikeouts in a complete game 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. If not for an Austin Hays home run, Wheeler would’ve tossed a perfect game. However, Philadelphia’s offense remains an issue.
“The Phillies have gotten outstanding starting pitching for a month-plus now, but they’re not really taking advantage of it; they’re essentially a .500 team during that time,” notes Leitch. “Sad to say, but Bryce Harper is part of the problem: He’s 4-for-28 since the beginning of June (accounting for this three weeks on the IL, of course), and, damningly, he hasn’t driven in a batter other than himself since … May 24?”
7. New York Mets (Last week: 10)
The New York Mets righted the ship after losing 13 of 16 by going 4-2 last week, including taking the weekend’s Subway Series against the Yankees. Surprisingly, Juan Soto was not named to the NL All-Star team, despite posting a .904 OPS, 160 OPS+, 21 home runs and 65 runs scored, while leading baseball in walks with 72.
“Good teams win series. The Mets won series against the Brewers and Yankees last week. They’re fine,” states Snyder.
8. Milwaukee Brewers (Last week: 8)
The Milwaukee Brewers rotation got a boost with the return of Brandon Woodruff after missing all of 2024 due to shoulder surgery. The two-time All-Star went six innings Sunday against the Miami Marlins, striking out eight while allowing just two hits and one run.
“With him back in the fold, the Brew Crew now have a rather formidable six-man rotation, with a none-too-shabby bullpen to boot. Two of their next three series will come against the Dodgers, so we’ll have a better sense in two weeks just how legitimate this contender is,” writes Reuter.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (Last week: 7)
The Tampa Bay Rays have hit a wall, going 4-5 over their last nine games against the Baltimore Orioles, Athletics and Minnesota Twins.
“After a stretch in which they were essentially hitting like the 1927 Yankees, the Rays have fallen back to earth, losing three straight series. The major culprit has been their bullpen, which as an ERA over 9.00 during this brutal stretch,” writes Leitch.
10. New York Yankees (Last week: 5)
The Yankees not only lost their grip on first place in the AL East following a four-game sweep by the Blue Jays, they lost two of three to the Mets and starter Clarke Schmidt is out for the season with Tommy John surgery.
“Sunday was a badly needed victory, but otherwise that was an unbelievably awful week for the Yankees. They entered the week leading the Blue Jays by three games and left it trailing them by three,” states Snyder.
11. Seattle Mariners (Last week: 14)
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is making his case to be AL MVP. Raleigh has the most home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter before the All-Star break with 35 and he still has six more games to add on.
12. San Diego Padres (Last week: 13)
It’s been nearly a month since the San Diego Padres scored more than six runs in a game (June 14 with seven). They are tied with the San Francisco Giants for the last NL Wild Card spot and will need their lineup to pick it up if they want to pull away.
13. San Franciso Giants (Last week: 15)
The Giants are 8-11 since the Rafael Devers trade as the three-time All-Star is hitting just .239 with two home runs in 19 games.
14. St. Louis Cardinals (Last week: 9)
The Cardinals have been shutout in four of their last six games as the trade deadline nears, including getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are one game out of the last NL Wild Card spot but if they continue treading water, will they sell at the deadline?
15. Boston Red Sox (Last week: 17)
The Boston Red Sox will get a boost to their offense as Alex Bregman could possibly return before the All-Star break. They’ve gone 5-1 in their last six games and are just 2.5 games behind the final AL Wild Card spot.
16. Cincinnati Reds (Last week: 11)
The Reds are only two games above .500 but feel like they should be much better with their pitching staff and offensive talent, led by All-Star Elly De La Cruz.
17. Texas Rangers (Last week: 18)
To shake up their moribund offense, the Texas Rangers demoted 2023 All-Star third baseman Josh Jung to the minors after he slashed .237/.283/.366 with an 87 OPS+ and eight home runs in 75 games. They’re hoping Jung finds his stroke from two seasons ago when he hit 23 home runs.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (Last week: 16)
It’s getting late for the Arizona Diamondbacks. They’re two games under .500 at 44-46, 11.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 4.5 games out from the last Wild Card spot. If they can’t turn it on heading into July 31, they will be sellers at the deadline.
19. Minnesota Twins (Last week: 21)
A healthy Byron Buxton has been named an All-Star for the second time in his career as he has 20 home runs, an .879 OPS and 138 OPS+ on the season. However, Twins starter Joe Ryan, one with a 2.76 ERA, 3.25 FIP and 0.891 WHIP, was snubbed once again.
20. Kansas City Royals (Last week: 21)
The Kansas City Royals continue to have the worst offense in the league, averaging just 3.3 runs per game. Since getting called up, top prospect Jac Caglianone has a .148 average, .441 OPS, 24 OPS+, 26 strikeouts, five walks, two home runs and a minus-1.1 bWAR in 29 games.
21. Los Angeles Angels (Last week: 23)
The Los Angeles Angels are hanging around the Wild Card as they are 4.5 games out of the last spot. They have five players with double-digit home runs as Taylor Ward leads the way with 20.
22. Miami Marlins (Last week: 24)
The Miami Marlins had their eight-game winning streak snapped last week and are 7-3 in their last ten games. They’re 7.5 games out of the last Wild Card spot. Can they hang around?
23. Baltimore Orioles (Last week: 25)
The Orioles are slowly but surely improving after their miserable start to the season. Since June 1, they are 19-13 and swept the Atlanta Braves on the road over the weekend.
24. Atlanta Braves (Last week: 20)
After sweeping the Colorado Rockies and Mets back-to-back last month, the Braves have been in a death spiral, going 5-11 in their last 16 games. They are now in fourth place in the NL East, 13.5 games behind the Phillies, and nine games out of the last Wild Card spot.
25. Cleveland Guardians (Last week: 19)
The Cleveland Guardians are plummeting, losing their last ten games. They are now eight games under .500 at 40-48 a season after making the ALCS last season.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (Last week: 26)
The Pirates were swept by the Mariners in Seattle, getting shutout in every game, including a Paul Skenes start where he struck out 10 over five scoreless innings.
27. Washington Nationals (Last week: 27)
With the Washington Nationals on their way to finishing last for the fifth time since winning the 2019 World Series, the franchise fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez.
28. Athletics (Last week: 25)
Athletics’ Tyler Soderstrom let a ball go off his glove and over the wall for a home run in Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the Giants. Yikes.
29. Chicago White Sox (Last week: 29)
Despite being 30 games under .500 at 30-60, the Chicago White Sox have won four of their last six series. Baby steps.
30. Colorado Rockies (Last week: 30)
Hunter Goodman was rightfully named to the NL All-Star team. The Rockies catcher has an .843 OPS, 124 OPS+, 16 home runs and 18 doubles on the season.
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