Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll address the first issue on everyone’s minds: Where are the Marlins?
I’m somewhat joking, but I try to give love to all the streaking teams as the weeks go by. The Marlins won eight games in a row from June 22 to July 1, taking down teams such as the Braves, Giants, and Diamondbacks. Who saw that coming?
In that run, the Fish scored 53 runs and had some exciting wins, including a 9-8 comeback win in against the Snakes. Did that raise their ranking? No, and spoiler alert, they’re still in the bottom five in the league. But hey, we’re still talking about them.
Noting the Marlins’ run is also important in explaining why the Giants were left off the list. They’re 3-7 in their last 10 games, and 6-11 since trading for Rafael Devers. The move seemed to bring them in contention for the National League West with the Dodgers, but instead they’ve fallen nine games behind.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
1. Dodgers
The Dodgers continued to beat up on struggling teams last week. After sweeping the Rockies on the road for three, the Dodgers took a series on the road from the Royals and went home to sweep the White Sox.
Overall, they’re 9-2 in their last 11 games and keep pulling away from the Giants and Padres, who can’t get out of their own way. Friday was a rare blip as they were beaten down by the Astros 18-1, but it doesn’t take anything away from their major league-best 56-33 record.
2. Tigers
Detroit went 1-1 in their two series last week, but took care of business in the one against their division rival.
They took two against the Twins — who continue to be buried after a hot stretch in May — then surprisingly gave up 20 runs in two games to the offensively challenged Nationals. Friday was a nice bounce-back that featured a 2-1 win over the Guardians, but this week revealed a need to address for the Tigers at the trade deadline: One impact starting pitcher.
Tarik Skubal would be the AL Cy Young if the season ended today, and Casey Mize has pitched to a 2.86 ERA this season, but the rest of the field is muddied with names you wouldn’t trust in a playoff series. And yes, that includes Reese Olson despite holding a 2.89 this season.
3. Cubs
Talk about another team that needs a starting pitcher.
The Cubs continue to absolutely dominate at the plate, featuring a lineup where every player — excluding rookie Matt Shaw — holds an OPS+ over 100.
The issue lies in the starting rotation. Shota Imanaga‘s return has helped, and Matthew Boyd laughs in Father Time’s face with a 2.86 ERA, but the rest of the field has been decimated by poor play and mediocrity.
They’ve lost Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele for the year, which would be a gut punch to most. They’ve managed so far, including last week when they swept the Guardians in three games and dominated the Cardinals 11-3 on July 4, but there’s no doubt they’ll need another arm in October. Maybe Cade Horton will develop into that guy, after all, he did just go seven scoreless in his last start against Cleveland.
4. Phillies
Philadelphia continues to win series after their disastrous 1-9 stretch at the end of May into June.
They took two of three from Atlanta on the road, then came home to take another two of three against the Padres. Friday was a rough go-around for Jesús Luzardo, who allowed six earned runs in two innings, leading to a 9-6 loss to the Reds.
The team is winning at a steady, playoff-bound pace. They ony lost one series since their sweep in Pittsburgh, and hold a slim margin over the Mets for first in the NL East. Bryce Harper also returned on June 30, and should help an offense that has relied heavily on Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber.
5. Mets
Everyone take a deep breath. I don’t want to be the one to jinx, but it seems the Mets have stabilized themselves.
A historically bad stretch was righted with a series win over the Brewers at home and a Friday comeback win over the Yankees. Juan Soto continued his torrid June with a homer against the Yankees and 3-for-4 day.
The pitching — which surpassed Cubs level of injury — should be getting Sean Manaea back before the All-Star break, and Tylor Megill earlier than expected. David Peterson and Clay Holmes have also held down the fort the last two weeks, helping the Mets surpass the 50-win mark while treading water with the Phillies.
6. Yankees
Last week was a nightmare for the Bronx Bombers.
They went into Toronto for a four-game series with the Blue Jays, got swept, and lost control of first place in the AL East. That then led to a blown lead loss Friday to the Mets, securing a current five-game losing streak and 48-40 record.
Pair that with a six-game losing streak earlier in June, and the Yankees might need to address their roster before the deadline. Getting Jazz Chisholm Jr. back has helped, but guys like Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice have faded. It’ll be interesting to see where this team falls at the All-Star break, as they have the Mariners and Cubs at home through July 13.
7. Astros
Wow, the Astros have really established themselves as the AL West front runners. And that’s with the Mariners having an insane rotation and Big Dumper.
The catalysts of the team have been from the fruits of the Kyle Tucker trade. Isaac Paredes has a .830 OPS with 18 homers, while Cam Smith is slashing .292/.359/.446. It’s also helped that Christian Walker has started to hit after a historically slow start.
Mix in a rotation that features Hunter Brown‘s AL-leading 1.82 ERA and Framber Valdez‘s 2.72, and this roster has the gusto to upset the favored Yankees or Tigers in a five-game series. We should probably highlight what this team did last week again, which was a series win over the Cubs and Rockies, plus a dominating 18-1 win over the Dodgers.
8. Rays
Tampa has cooled off a little after their dominating 17-10 June.
They lost back-to-back series against the Orioles and Athletics, then dropped Friday’s game 4-3 to the Twins. The offense was going to explode for double-digit runs the rest of the season, but still, those are two series you expect to win.
The stats, however, still favor Tampa as one of the AL’s best. They hold a +68 run differential, an expected record of 51-37, and only trail the Blue Jays by two games.
9. Blue Jays
Despite what the experts say, the Blue Jays are in fact a first-place team. Literally! They’re in first right now.
Okay, I got my quip in, but the Blue Jays hold first place over the Yanks and surging hot Rays. Who saw that coming? It was possible after taking a three-game series last week against Cleveland and Boston, then sweeping the Bombers for four games at home.
A lot can be credited to George Springer, who’s having a bounce-back season at age 35. He’s slashing .284/.379/.513 with 15 homers and 51 RBIs. Plus, a lot of this winning has been without Anthony Santander and Bo Bichette, two guys you’d expect to be contributing at the top of the lineup.
We’ll see how the Jays hang during the rest of the season. The rotation is less than spectacular. The bullpen has been surprisingly good. Plus, the expected stats don’t hold them in the same categories as the Rays and Yankees. But I still have to give them their flowers.
10. Brewers
The Brew Crew’s week was nothing to be ashamed of.
They took a series from the Rockies at home, then lost a series to the Mets on the road. Friday then featured a nice 6-5 win over the shockingly hot Marlins to right the ship on the road.
The Brewers continue to win in gusty ways. They’re eighth in runs in the majors (415) and third overall in stolen bases (101). The one thing this team is truly missing is an impact bat in the middle of the order. Someone like an Eugenio Suárez.
Rest of the Field
11. Giants
12. Padres
13. Mariners
14. Reds
15. Cardinals
16. Red Sox
17. Rangers
18. Diamondbacks
19. Twins
20. Braves
21. Angels
22. Royals
23. Guardians
24. Pirates
25. Orioles
26. Marlins
27. Athletics
28. Nationals
29. White Sox
30. Rockies
