Typically, the midpoint of the season is the time when teams mostly remain firm in their respective positions in the Power Rankings. Normally, there are not many big jumps or falls.
However, this campaign has been one of many streaks. The Dodgers, at times, have looked invincible. And in others, Los Angeles has exhibited some lethargy. The same can be said about the Rays, Red Sox, Astros and Cubs. There have been stretches of total dominance and then periods when these teams lose — and badly — to teams below .500.
At the same time, other squads have caught our attention with an improvement that has them rising in the positions (read Mariners and Tigers).
The first half of the year was to define which teams will compete for the postseason. The second tests the durability of the clubs.
The biggest jump: Three teams moved up four spots: The Brewers (from 9 to 5), the Reds (from 16 to 12) and the Mariners (from 18 to 14). Cincinnati has a five-game winning streak heading into its series against the Royals, including a one-series sweep against the Cubs.
The biggest drop: The Rays dropped five spots, from 4 to 9. It’s been a tough stretch for Tampa Bay, which had lost six of its previous 11 games before defeating the Indians on Monday. His schedule will remain strong, with three more games against Cleveland and three more against Toronto.
The Top 5 of the Power Rankings:
1. Dodgers (3 last week)
The Dodgers were left without a hit or run by the Cubs on June 24 and responded with nine straight wins, a streak that ended Monday with a loss to vs. the Marlins. Los Angeles’ pitching has looked solid, posting a 1.64 ERA and a 31.6% strikeout rate throughout the winning streak. Additionally, the relief allowed just three earned runs in 35.1 innings.
The Giants, winners of 27 of their last 35 games, deserve all the accolades they have received in the first half by becoming the first team with 50 wins. But it’s also worth noting that they’ve played the third-easiest schedule among the 30 major league clubs, with team opposition well under .500. More than 25% of his games in the coming weeks will be against the Dodgers and Padres.
Here’s what we know about the Astros: At 52-33, they’re on pace to win 99 games. They just swept the Indians in Cleveland and entered Tuesday with a 3.5 game lead over the Athletics in the AL West. Oakland and Houston will play a three-game series in Houston starting Tuesday.
Before their win over the Angels on Monday, the Red Sox had won nine of 10 games, scoring 62 runs and hitting .337 with running backs in scoring position in that stretch. Plus, his starters had compiled a 1.19 ERA.
The Brewers took advantage of an easier part of their schedule and won 11 games in a row playing the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Pirates and Cubs. The series against Chicago was perhaps the most impressive, with a 31-12 aggregate score in their favor in all three games. Milwaukee entered Tuesday with a 6.0 game lead as a leader in the NL Central.
The rest of the 30 teams:
Voters: Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Jesse Sanchez, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs, Andrew Simon, David Venn
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