Two weeks removed from the MLB All Star Break, the playoff picture is beginning to sharpen, and so are the identities of the league’s true contenders. With trade deadline buzz heating up and division races tightening, every game feels a little more meaningful, and while slumps can no longer be written off as midseason fatigue, hot streaks are no longer flukes either. This week’s power rankings reflect the clubs that are either surging at the right time or proving they have staying power down the stretch.

1. Toronto Blue Jays (63-43)

7/21 – vs. Yankees – Won 4-1

7/22 – vs. Yankees – Lost 5-4

7/23 – vs. Yankees – Won 8-4

7/24 – @ Tigers – Won 11-4

7/25 – @ Tigers – Won 6-2

7/26 – @ Tigers – Won 6-1

7/27 – @ Tigers – Lost 10-4

Toronto was dominant for most of the week, taking five out of seven games in series wins over the Yankees and Tigers, two of the best teams the AL has to offer, and now staring at two more winnable series against Baltimore and Kansas City. These Blue Jays are starting to find their identity in all phases, and they’re now potentially staring at their first ever 100-win season and a deep postseason run.

Up next: @ Orioles (7/28-30, 4 Games), vs. Royals (8/1-3)

2. New York Mets (62-44)

7/21 – vs. Angels – Won 7-5

7/22 – vs. Angels – Won 3-2

7/23 – vs. Angels – Won 6-3

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Giants – Won 8-1

7/26 – @ Giants – Won 2-1

7/27 – @ Giants – Won 5-3

As they continue to rebound from their rough June with a strong July, the Mets have now extended their current winning streak to seven with a sweep of the Giants in San Francisco after handling the Angels at home earlier in the week. Their pitching staff has been dominant, and the offense continues to deliver in big spots as they continue to hold off the Phillies in the NL East race.

Up next: @ Padres (7/28-30), vs. Giants (8/1-3)

3. Chicago Cubs (62-43)

7/21 – vs. Royals – Lost 12-4

7/22 – vs. Royals – Won 6-0

7/23 – vs. Royals – Lost 8-4

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ White Sox – Lost 12-5

7/26 – @ White Sox – Won 6-1

7/27 – @ White Sox – Won 5-4

The Cubs bounced back from an ugly start this week against Kansas City and a blowout to the White Sox with two gritty wins over their cross-town rival to close out the week. Despite some recent rotation shakiness, the offense remains steady and they’ve maintained their spot atop the NL Central as they travel to Milwaukee for a big midweek series to hold onto the division’s top spot.

Up next: @ Brewers (7/28-30), vs. Orioles (8/1-3)

4. Milwaukee Brewers (62-43)

7/21 – @ Mariners – Won 6-0

7/22 – @ Mariners – Lost 1-0

7/23 – @ Mariners – Won 10-2

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Marlins – Lost 5-1

7/26 – vs. Marlins – Lost 7-4

7/27 – vs. Marlins – Won 3-2

After a two-for-three special in Seattle for another encouraging series win, Milwaukee stumbled at home against the Marlins, dropping their first two games of the series before winning today. The offense struggled to produce consistently, raising questions about whether they’ll be buyers at the deadline to bolster the lineup, and they need something going quick as they battle the Cubs for the NL Central’s top spot early in the week.

Up next: vs. Cubs (7/28-30), @ Nationals (8/1-3)

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (61-45)

7/21 – vs. Twins – Won 5-2

7/22 – vs. Twins – Lost 10-7

7/23 – vs. Twins – Won 4-3

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Red Sox – Won 5-2

7/26 – @ Red Sox – Lost 4-2

7/27 – @ Red Sox – Lost 4-3

The Dodgers edged out their series with a stumbling Minnesota lineup before dropping two of three at Fenway against the Red Sox, with the offense going cold late in the week. Though the team still remains arguably the favorite to win back-to-back World Series, they’ll look to regain consistency everywhere while still battling it out on the road.

Up next: @ Reds (7/28-30), @ Rays (8/1-3)

6. Philadelphia Phillies (60-45)

7/21 – vs. Red Sox – Won 3-2 (10)

7/22 – vs. Red Sox – Won 4-1

7/23 – vs. Red Sox – Lost 9-8 (11)

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Yankees – Won 12-5

7/26 – @ Yankees – Won 9-4

7/27 – @ Yankees – Lost 4-3

Philadelphia took care of business for the most part against Boston and dominated the Yankees in two out of three games, led by a scorching offense. Despite close losses on Wednesday and Sunday, their week was a complete success, especially with the fiery bat of Kyle Schwarber and the bullpen showing more stability.

Up next: @ White Sox (7/28-30), vs. Tigers (8/1-3)

7. Detroit Tigers (61-46)

7/21 – @ Pirates – Lost 3-0

7/22 – @ Pirates – Lost 8-5

7/23 – @ Pirates – Lost 6-1

7/24 – vs. Blue Jays – Lost 11-4

7/25 – vs. Blue Jays – Lost 6-2

7/26 – vs. Blue Jays – Lost 6-1

7/27 – vs. Blue Jays – Won 10-4

A disastrous six-game skid finally ended on Sunday with a strong win to stop the bleeding, but the damage to their top standing in the AL was done. Detroit’s pitching staff was battered all week long against a weak Pirates team and a red-hot Toronto squad, and they’ll need to regroup fast to avoid slipping further behind in the AL Central.

Up next: vs. Diamondbacks (7/28-30), @ Phillies (8/1-3)

8. Houston Astros (60-46)

7/21 – @ Diamondbacks – Won 6-3

7/22 – @ Diamondbacks – Won 3-1

7/23 – @ Diamondbacks – Won 4-3

7/24 – vs. Athletics – Lost 5-2

7/25 – vs. Athletics – Lost 15-3

7/26 – vs. Athletics – Lost 5-1

7/27 – vs. Athletics – Lost 7-1

After sweeping Arizona, the Astros stunningly got swept at home by the A’s, scoring just seven total runs in four games and being on the receiving end of the beatdown given by Nick Kurtz. The timing couldn’t be worse with the division race tightening and the offense looking lifeless, but they have a good opportunity at another tune-up against Washington before traveling to Fenway next weekend.

Up next: vs. Nationals (7/28-30), @ Red Sox (8/1-3)

9. New York Yankees (57-48)

7/21 – @ Blue Jays – Lost 4-1

7/22 – @ Blue Jays – Won 5-4

7/23 – @ Blue Jays – Lost 8-4

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Phillies – Lost 12-5

7/26 – vs. Phillies – Lost 9-4

7/27 – vs. Phillies – Won 4-3

Even after acquiring former Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon and Nationals infielder Amed Rosario, the Yankees still had one of their more frustrating weeks of the season, losing both series to the red-hot Blue Jays and Phillies. A win on Sunday prevented a full sweep at home, and with this team desperately needing a spark to get themselves back in the AL East race, two winnable series await them.

Up next: vs. Rays (7/28-31, 4 Games), @ Marlins (8/1-3)

10. San Diego Padres (57-49)

7/21 – @ Marlins – Won 2-1

7/22 – @ Marlins – Lost 4-3

7/23 – @ Marlins – Lost 3-2

7/24 – @ Cardinals – Lost 9-7

7/25 – @ Cardinals – Lost 3-0

7/26 – @ Cardinals – Won 3-1

7/27 – @ Cardinals – Won 9-2

After poor showings throughout the middle of the week against the Marlins and Cardinals, the Padres salvaged their road trip with back-to-back wins in St. Louis to split the series featuring strong outings from their top batters. San Diego’s inconsistency continues to be its theme, and they have a massive home series against the Mets before getting another shot at the Cardinals next weekend.

Up next: vs. Mets (7/28-30), vs. Cardinals (8/1-3)

11. Boston Red Sox (57-50)

7/21 – @ Phillies – Lost 3-2 (10)

7/22 – @ Phillies – Lost 4-1

7/23 – @ Phillies – Won 9-8 (11)

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Dodgers – Lost 5-2

7/26 – vs. Dodgers – Won 4-2

7/27 – vs. Dodgers – Won 4-3

The Red Sox lost two close contests in Philadelphia to begin the week, but after pulling through on Wednesday, they followed that with two much-needed confidence-boosting wins over the Dodgers at home. They got exactly what they needed this week from Alex Bregman, and with an improving pitching rotation and talented bats, Boston’s a team to keep an eye on for the next two months.

Up next: @ Twins (7/28-30), vs. Astros (8/1-3)

12. Texas Rangers (56-50)

7/21 – vs. Athletics – Won 7-2

7/22 – vs. Athletics – Won 6-2

7/23 – vs. Athletics – Won 2-1

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Braves – Won 8-3

7/26 – vs. Braves – Won 6-5 (10)

7/27 – vs. Braves – Won 8-1

The Rangers have now won nine of their last ten games, including dominant sweeps this week over the Athletics and Braves at home by outscoring them by a combined 37-14. With Corey Seager and Marcus Semien both heating up, the Rangers are suddenly surging back into the playoff conversation and looking like their 2023 World Series squad.

Up next: @ Angels (7/28-30), @ Mariners (8/1-3, 4 Games)

13. Seattle Mariners (56-50)

7/21 – vs. Brewers – Lost 6-0

7/22 – vs. Brewers – Won 1-0

7/23 – vs. Brewers – Lost 10-2

7/24 – @ Angels – Won 4-2

7/25 – @ Angels – Lost 3-2 (10)

7/26 – @ Angels – Won 7-2

7/27 – @ Angels – Lost 4-1

Seattle went 3-4 this week, alternating wins and losses while struggling to generate consistent offense. Cal Raleigh continues his home run tear, but with the Athletics and Rangers up next on the schedule riding off of their strong win streaks, the Mariners will need more from the lineup to make up some ground on the Astros in the AL West.

Up next: @ Athletics (7/28-30), vs. Rangers (7/31-8/3, 4 Games)

14. Cincinnati Reds (56-50)

7/21 – @ Nationals – Lost 10-8

7/22 – @ Nationals – Lost 6-1

7/23 – @ Nationals – Won 5-0

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Rays – Won 7-2

7/26 – vs. Rays – Won 6-2

7/27 – vs. Rays – Won 2-1

Cincinnati responded to two rough games in Washington where they gave up 16 combined runs with a shutout and then a convincing home sweep of the Rays. They only allowed a combined five runs in their last four games, which was needed with their massive week ahead against the Dodgers and then the Braves in a four-game series that includes the MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol.

Up next: vs. Dodgers (7/28-30), vs. Braves (7/31-8/3, 4 Games, 8/2 MLB Speedway Classic)

15. San Francisco Giants (54-52)

7/21 – @ Braves – Lost 9-5

7/22 – @ Braves – Won 9-0

7/23 – @ Braves – Won 9-3

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Mets – Lost 8-1

7/26 – vs. Mets – Lost 2-1

7/27 – vs. Mets – Lost 5-3

The Giants followed a strong road series win in Atlanta with a disappointing home sweep at the hands of the surging Mets. Devers looked everything but confident playing first base while the bats also struggled, and with them now outside of the Wild Card, they’ll need to regroup quickly to stop the bleeding with another weekend series against the Mets before hosting the Pirates.

Up next: vs. Pirates (7/28-30), @ Mets (8/1-3)

16. St. Louis Cardinals (54-53)

7/21 – @ Rockies – Won 6-2

7/22 – @ Rockies – Lost 8-4

7/23 – @ Rockies – Lost 6-0

7/24 – vs. Padres – Won 9-7

7/25 – vs. Padres – Won 3-0

7/26 – vs. Padres – Lost 3-1

7/27 – vs. Padres – Lost 9-2

The Cardinals suffered an embarrassing series loss to the Rockies earlier in the week, and while things started seeming better against the Padres early on, they once again failed to take home a series win. They might still be remaining competitive with a winning record, but their postseason hopes definitely took a pretty big hit this weekend now that they’re fourth in their division.

Up next: vs. Marlins (7/28-30), @ Padres (8/1-3)

17. Tampa Bay Rays (53-53)

7/21 – vs. White Sox – Lost 8-3

7/22 – vs. White Sox – Won 4-3

7/23 – vs. White Sox – Lost 11-9

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Reds – Lost 7-2

7/26 – @ Reds – Lost 6-2

7/27 – @ Reds – Lost 2-1

Tampa Bay might’ve had the worst week out of everyone, suffering a rough series defeat to the White Sox at home and then getting dominated all weekend long in Cincinnati. The batting and pitching just never clicked simultaneously, and with a .500 record heading into August with a full week of the Yankees and Dodgers ahead, I find it hard to imagine the Rays recovering and making the postseason.

Up next: @ Yankees (7/28-31, 4 Games), vs. Dodgers (8/1-3)

18. Cleveland Guardians (52-53)

7/21 – vs. Orioles – Won 10-5

7/22 – vs. Orioles – Won 6-3

7/23 – vs. Orioles – Won 3-2

7/24 – vs. Orioles – Lost 4-3

7/25 – @ Royals – POSTPONED

7/26 – @ Royals – Lost 5-3 (10)

7/26 – @ Royals – Won 6-4

7/27 – @ Royals – Lost 4-1

Yes, the Guardians did come out of the week with four wins, but losing three of their last four to return to below .500 has been the story of their season. It has been a very disappointing season for a team that had a first-round bye in the postseason just one year ago, but they have an easy week ahead with Colorado and Minnesota up next, giving them hope for a catch-up to Wild Card contention.

Up next: vs. Rockies (7/28-30), vs. Twins (8/1-3)

19. Kansas City Royals (52-54)

7/21 – @ Cubs – Won 12-4

7/22 – @ Cubs – Lost 6-0

7/23 – @ Cubs – Won 8-4

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Guardians – POSTPONED

7/26 – vs. Guardians – Won 5-3 (10)

7/26 – vs. Guardians – Lost 6-4

7/27 – vs. Guardians – Won 4-1

The Royals won four of six this week, including a 10-inning victory in the first part of Saturday’s doubleheader following Jonathan India’s walk-off blast to highlight gritty series wins against the Cubs and the Guardians. However, they still have a ways to go before we can consider them a Wild Card contender, and it doesn’t help having to play new AL leader Toronto on the road next weekend.

Up next: vs. Braves (7/28-30), @ Blue Jays (8/1-3)

20. Arizona Diamondbacks (51-55)

7/21 – vs. Astros – Lost 6-3

7/22 – vs. Astros – Lost 3-1

7/23 – vs. Astros – Lost 4-3

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Pirates – Won 1-0 (11)

7/26 – @ Pirates – Lost 2-0

7/27 – @ Pirates – Lost 6-0

The Diamondbacks look lost as well, and their only win this week being a 1-0 win against the Pirates in 11 innings, continuing their free fall out of postseason contention. They traded one of their bigger bats in Josh Naylor to the Mariners, Eugenio Suárez is now another strong trade candidate before Thursday’s deadline, everyone else has been ice cold with a road series in Detroit starting tomorrow.

Up next: @ Tigers (7/28-30), @ Athletics (8/1-3)

21. Miami Marlins (50-54)

7/21 – vs. Padres – Lost 2-1

7/22 – vs. Padres – Won 4-3

7/23 – vs. Padres – Won 3-2

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Brewers – Won 5-1

7/26 – @ Brewers – Won 7-4

7/27 – @ Brewers – Lost 3-2

The Marlins have actually been quite impressive as of late with an impressive home series victory over the Padres and a massive road series win in Milwaukee, just two runs away from shocking series sweeps. Considering where this franchise was a year ago, they’re definitely showing strong signs of life as they inch closer to .500 and prepare for another big week with the Cardinals and Yankees up next.

Up next: @ Cardinals (7/28-30), vs. Yankees (8/1-3)

22. Los Angeles Angels (51-55)

7/21 – @ Mets – Lost 7-5

7/22 – @ Mets – Lost 3-2

7/23 – @ Mets – Lost 6-3

7/24 – vs. Mariners – Lost 4-2

7/25 – vs. Mariners – Won 3-2 (10)

7/26 – vs. Mariners – Lost 7-2

7/27 – vs. Mariners – Won 4-1

Mike Trout hit a massive milestone with his 1,000th RBI, and although he and his Angels teammates hung steady over the weekend for a series split with Seattle, their week still wasn’t ideal without coming out of New York earlier in the week with a win. Still hovering below .500, they’ll need a strong August push to keep their playoff hopes alive, but playing the White Sox next weekend helps.

Up next: vs. Rangers (7/28-30), vs. White Sox (8/1-3)

23. Minnesota Twins (50-55)

7/21 – @ Dodgers – Lost 5-2

7/22 – @ Dodgers – Won 10-7

7/23 – @ Dodgers – Lost 4-3

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Nationals – Won 1-0

7/26 – vs. Nationals – Lost 9-3

7/27 – vs. Nationals – Lost 7-2

Yes, the Twins fought tooth and nail until the end in LA early in the week, but following a tight win on Friday, they got absolutely embarrassed by the Nationals, which was the last thing they needed before a pretty big week against Boston and Cleveland. It also doesn’t help that Byron Buxton is injured again, and if he’s out for a while, they’ll have almost no chance at a late run to the Wild Card.

Up next: vs. Red Sox (7/28-30), @ Guardians (8/1-3)

24. Baltimore Orioles (47-58)

7/21 – @ Guardians – Lost 10-5

7/22 – @ Guardians – Lost 6-3

7/23 – @ Guardians – Lost 3-2

7/24 – @ Guardians – Won 4-3

7/25 – vs. Rockies – Lost 6-5

7/26 – vs. Rockies – Won 18-0

7/27 – vs. Rockies – Won 5-1

The Orioles’ week just about defined how they’ve performed all season long with a near sweep to the Guardians and a two-game rally to avoid a series loss to the Rockies at home. They’ve disappointed this year and won’t likely make the postseason, but they’ll eventually find a way to gain some momentum for next year if they win and make quality moves during the trade deadline and offseason.

Up next: vs. Blue Jays (7/28-30, 4 Games), @ Cubs (8/1-3)

25. Athletics (46-62)

7/21 – @ Rangers – Lost 7-2

7/22 – @ Rangers – Lost 6-2

7/23 – @ Rangers – Lost 2-1

7/24 – @ Astros – Won 5-2

7/25 – @ Astros – Won 15-3

7/26 – @ Astros – Won 5-1

7/27 – @ Astros – Won 7-1

After getting swept by the Rangers, the Athletics dominated the Astros for four straight games, but it was star rookie Nick Kurtz who had one of the MLB’s best batting performances ever on Friday after going 6-6 with four home runs and 19 total bases. Their record might not indicate it, but there’s so much promise for them with their young core’s development towards a future powerhouse.

Up next: vs. Mariners (7/28-30), vs. Diamondbacks (8/1-3)

26. Atlanta Braves (44-60)

7/21 – vs. Giants – Won 9-5

7/22 – vs. Giants – Lost 9-0

7/23 – vs. Giants – Lost 9-3

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Rangers – Lost 8-3

7/26 – @ Rangers – Lost 6-5 (10)

7/27 – @ Rangers – Lost 8-1

The Braves dropped their last two games to the Giants and all three games in Arlington, even with a near cycle for Michael Harris Saturday along with two other outstanding performances, and they have now lost five straight. It’s been a steep fall from grace for this team, and even with the excitement of this weekend’s Speedway Classic, they could head for a sell-off at the trade deadline.

Up next: @ Royals (7/28-30), @ Reds (7/31-3, 4 Games, 8/2 MLB Speedway Classic)

27. Pittsburgh Pirates (44-62)

7/21 – vs. Tigers – Won 3-0

7/22 – vs. Tigers – Won 8-5

7/23 – vs. Tigers – Won 6-1

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Diamondbacks – Lost 1-0 (11)

7/26 – vs. Diamondbacks – Won 2-0

7/27 – vs. Diamondbacks – Won 6-0

Another team that had a surprisingly impressive week this week was the Pirates as they pulled off the sweep over the Tigers and then took two out of three games over the Diamondbacks by only allowing one run throughout the series. Paul Skenes has continued to show why he has possibly the best arm in baseball, and while there’s really no postseason hopes, there’s still more momentum to build.

Up next: @ Giants (7/28-30), @ Rockies (8/1-3)

28. Washington Nationals (43-62)

7/21 – vs. Reds – Won 10-8

7/22 – vs. Reds – Won 6-1

7/23 – vs. Reds – Lost 5-0

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Twins – Lost 1-0

7/26 – @ Twins – Won 9-3

7/27 – @ Twins – Won 7-2

With a bit of a breather this week, the Nationals were able to take advantage with two series wins over the Reds and Twins, and in both series, they were finally able to tally some runs after a long scoring drought. With that being said, they’re still easily the worst team in the NL East even if they aren’t that far off record-wise, and with the Dodgers and Astros next week, they could drop even further.

Up next: @ Astros (7/28-30), vs. Brewers (8/1-3)

29. Chicago White Sox (38-68)

7/21 – @ Rays – Won 8-3

7/22 – @ Rays – Lost 4-3

7/23 – @ Rays – Won 11-9

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – vs. Cubs – Won 12-5

7/26 – vs. Cubs – Lost 6-1

7/27 – vs. Cubs – Lost 5-4

The White Sox, per usual, have had nothing else to lose by hovering around 70 losses with close to two months left in the regular season, but they just had one of their more solid weeks with a series victory in Tampa Bay and a tight series loss to the cross-town rival Cubs. They’re still looking to create chaos down the stretch with the Phillies arriving in Chicago and a trip to Anaheim next weekend.

Up next: vs. Phillies (7/28-30), @ Angels (8/1-3)

30. Colorado Rockies (27-78)

7/21 – vs. Cardinals – Lost 6-2

7/22 – vs. Cardinals – Won 8-4

7/23 – vs. Cardinals – Won 6-0

7/24 – OFF

7/25 – @ Orioles – Won 6-5

7/26 – @ Orioles – Lost 18-0

7/27 – @ Orioles – Lost 5-1

The Rockies’ week might be highlighted by their trade of Ryan McMahon to the Yankees, but they still snagged a series win over St. Louis and won in Baltimore on Friday. However, they were completely overwhelmed in the next two games, including an 18-0 domination, and with nearly 80 losses before August, they’ve been staring next season down for a while without any hope left for 2025.

Up next: @ Guardians (7/28-30), vs. Pirates (8/1-3)