As we move closer towards the final month of the MLB season, we now enter a stretch where every game carries outsized significance, and the race for playoff spots is becoming increasingly intense. For the most part, we have a pretty good understanding as to which teams will be in a race to claim their respective division titles, which teams are fighting for Wild Card positioning, and which teams are beginning to look forward to 2026, so we’re in for an exciting next five weeks ahead. With that in mind, this week’s schedule brings a mix of rivalry matchups, divisional showdowns, and critical tests of depth and execution, all of which could have lasting effects on momentum, so as teams navigate both road trips and pivotal homestands, performance under pressure will separate those capable of sustaining playoff runs from those who fall short. Here’s a look at how each MLB squad fared last week and what lies ahead:

1. Milwaukee Brewers (81-50)

8/18 – @ Cubs – Won 7-0

8/18 – @ Cubs – POSTPONED

8/19 – @ Cubs – Lost 6-4

8/19 – @ Cubs – Lost 4-1

8/20 – @ Cubs – Lost 4-3

8/21 – @ Cubs – Won 4-1

8/22 – vs. Giants – Won 5-4

8/23 – vs. Giants – Lost 7-1

8/24 – vs. Giants – Lost 4-3

For the Brewers, the week started with a jolt and ended with perspective. A dominant opener gave way to a series of one-run edges that turned on execution, not talent, but this lineup still stretches pitchers, but the timing game wavered with a few chase swings here, a missed take there, and suddenly leverage shifted. Even so, the depth is real with length in the order, a bench that answers matchups, and defense positioned to erase hard contact, which is why they’ve been 20-7 over the past month. The rotation’s plan remains clear: steal strike one, expand late, keep barrels off balanced shapes. When that sequence holds, they suffocate innings, which is why I decided to keep them in the top spot this week. A compelling homestand and a marquee trip now arrive, perfect for stress-testing a contender’s habits and proving that short turbulence won’t derail a month of high-end baseball.

Up next: vs. Diamondbacks (8/25-28, 4 Games), @ Blue Jays (8/29-31)

2. Detroit Tigers (78-54)

8/18 – vs. Astros – Won 10-0

8/19 – vs. Astros – Won 1-0 (10)

8/20 – vs. Astros – Won 7-2

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Royals – Won 7-5

8/23 – vs. Royals – Won 4-2

8/24 – vs. Royals – Lost 10-8

Detroit leaned into its identity and, once again, let the details do the talking. Dominant early pitching framed the week, with crisp tempo and strike-throwing that kept bats defensive and in-between. Offensively, their overall build from top to bottom are filled with players who embrace layered contact, selective thump, and situational swings that moved runners without chasing big moments at the plate. There were a few hiccups, especially late, but their backbone held. What stands out most is steadiness as they stack clean innings, avoid freebies, and play the extra ninety feet without recklessness. Even a wild finale didn’t undercut the broader arc. A two-city trip against the Athletics and Royals now demands portable strengths as command, defense, and table-setting that travels are going to be crucial against high-powered batting lineups, which is precisely the profile they’ve fashioned over the last month and what should keep them afloat again this week.

Up next: @ Athletics (8/25-27), @ Royals (8/29-31)

3. Philadelphia Phillies (76-54)

8/18 – vs. Mariners – Won 12-7

8/19 – vs. Mariners – Won 6-4

8/20 – vs. Mariners – Won 11-2

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Nationals – Lost 5-4

8/23 – vs. Nationals – Won 6-4

8/24 – vs. Nationals – Won 3-2

The Phillies put on a fireworks show against Seattle to begin the week, but their ability was then tested to win tight games when the fuse started running short. Early on, patience created damage with deep counts, mistakes punished, and traffic that overwhelmed pitchers before the bullpen could exhale. Then the tone changed after losing a stunner early on against the Nationals, and even though they were challenged all weekend long, they were able to maintain composure to hang on and survive. The rotation supplied needed length, keeping the bullpen fresh enough to slam doors when asked, but they were hit hard with the recent news of Zack Wheeler missing the rest of 2025. Now comes a divisional gut-check against the Mets followed by a weekend series against the Braves that’ll stress consistency, and if they can dominate this week as well, they could potentially challenge the Brewers at the top of the NL.

Up next: @ Mets (8/25-27), vs. Braves (8/28-31, 4 Games)

4. Chicago Cubs (76-55)

8/18 – vs. Brewers – Lost 7-0

8/18 – vs. Brewers – POSTPONED

8/19 – vs. Brewers – Won 6-4

8/19 – vs. Brewers – Won 4-1

8/20 – vs. Brewers – Won 4-3

8/21 – vs. Brewers – Lost 4-1

8/22 – @ Angels – Won 3-2

8/23 – @ Angels – Won 12-1

8/24 – @ Angels – Won 4-3

The Cubs used the week to prove their blueprint works with a massive series victory over the division-rival Brewers before a sweep in Anaheim against the Angels. Even when they seem down, they continue to prove how much deeper their lineup is than in years past, with pressure from the top and disruptors late who can make plays with any swing of the bat. Defensively, positioning saved runs, converting tweener liners into routine outs from elite fielders like Nico Hoerner. The margin still feels thin, and yet their response time improved with each game with the road sequence demanding poise, which they carried. Another travel set awaits as they stay out west in both San Francisco and Colorado, featuring contrasting parks and altitude variables, which will be a good test of whether their contact-heavy plan and layered bullpen can travel without losing bite.

Up next: @ Giants (8/26-28), @ Rockies (8/29-31)

5. Toronto Blue Jays (76-55)

8/18 – @ Pirates – Lost 5-2

8/19 – @ Pirates – Won 7-3

8/20 – @ Pirates – Lost 2-1

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – @ Marlins – Won 5-2

8/23 – @ Marlins – Won 7-6 (12)

8/24 – @ Marlins – Lost 5-3

Toronto’s trip blended left a lot to be desired with plenty of reminders and revelations in a week that should’ve been a breeze, but splitting the week against both the Pirates and Marlins for a team like the Blue Jays should be unacceptable for their standard, especially with how they had been playing. They even got away with Saturday’s game in Miami as they became the first team in the MLB to blow leads in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings and still manage to win the game. Still, their run prevention stood up in big pockets, and the bullpen layered roles to protect leverage to do just enough to keep them ready for a couple of home series next week. They’ll meet two very different visitors, including the struggling Twins and the elite Brewers, so they should be able to get a tune-up in before their blockbuster of a series this weekend.

Up next: vs. Twins (8/25-27), vs. Brewers (8/29-31)

6. San Diego Padres (74-57)

8/18 – vs. Giants – Lost 4-3

8/19 – vs. Giants – Won 5-1

8/20 – vs. Giants – Won 8-1

8/21 – vs. Giants – Won 8-4

8/22 – vs. Dodgers – Won 2-1

8/23 – vs. Dodgers – Won 5-1

8/24 – vs. Dodgers – Lost 8-2

San Diego’s week-long homestand started off a little rugged, but they were able to dominate from then on before finally taking a series against the rival Dodgers to match their record. They were able to stack authoritative innings by controlling the zone early, attacking mistakes, and turning routine contact into outs with crisp positioning, and that momentum carried into the next set on Saturday, where they put together one of their more impressive performances of the season before stumbling at the finish line. Still, the larger story is encouraging with plenty of layers of offense, flexible bullpen roles, and a defense that converts contact at a high clip, but a tricky trip follows, starting in a pitcher-friendly park before shifting to a fly-ball environment, a good test for how the revamped lineup travels.

Up next: @ Mariners (8/25-27), @ Twins (8/29-31)

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (74-57)

8/18 – @ Rockies – Lost 4-3

8/19 – @ Rockies – Won 11-4

8/20 – @ Rockies – Lost 8-3

8/21 – @ Rockies – Won 9-5

8/22 – @ Padres – Lost 2-1

8/23 – @ Padres – Lost 5-1

8/24 – @ Padres – Won 8-2

The Dodgers lived the full spectrum with altitude chaos, rivalry stress, and just enough backbone to finish on an much-needed upswing. Their early four-game stop in Colorado, which should’ve been an absolute stomping, produced crooked numbers both ways, magnifying mistakes on the edges and balls struck just a hair off the barrel. Then against the Padres, run prevention tightened, but opportunities slipped with runners in motion and two strikes, creating narrow defeats that felt avoidable. Credit the staff for resetting pitch shapes and tempo to reclaim the zone late in the week, while the offense re-committed to line-drive swings and timely advances. If they can once again control the controllables, trust the depth, and win the details, they’ll be just fine and be able to get themselves quickly back into the much larger overall picture of back-to-back World Series. A homestand now offers more predictable conditions and a chance to rediscover the drumbeat of clean performances feeding structured leverage.

Up next: vs. Reds (8/25-27), vs. Diamondbacks (8/29-31)

8. Houston Astros (72-59)

8/18 – @ Tigers – Lost 10-0

8/19 – @ Tigers – Lost 1-0 (10)

8/20 – @ Tigers – Lost 7-2

8/21 – @ Orioles – Won 7-2

8/22 – @ Orioles – Won 10-7

8/23 – @ Orioles – Won 9-8

8/24 – @ Orioles – Lost 3-2

The Astros experienced a roller coaster as well after getting swept in dominant fashion by the Tigers and then nearly sweeping the Orioles before Sunday’s blunder. The road opener exposed a number of timing issues and chase tendencies, and contact authority lagged behind standard, but midweek adjustments sparked longer innings and layered rallies. The pitching lineup and the defense, however, showed that there needs to be more consistency as mostly rough outings proved to be the difference maker in why teams were able to stay in the fight for longer than they should’ve been. They remain dangerous because the pieces still fit, and now that they’re back home, recalibrating against a contact-oriented opponent should reveal whether any fixes they make before then truly stuck against two easy opponents in the Rockies and Angels.

Up next: vs. Rockies (8/26-28), vs. Angels (8/29-31)

9. Boston Red Sox (71-60)

8/18 – vs. Orioles – Lost 6-3

8/19 – vs. Orioles – Lost 4-3 (11)

8/20 – OFF

8/21 – @ Yankees – Won 6-3

8/22 – @ Yankees – Won 1-0

8/23 – @ Yankees – Won 12-1

8/24 – @ Yankees – Lost 7-2

The Red Sox rode a pendulum of their own with two tight losses early on against the Orioles at home and then taking down the rival Yankees in three of their four contests in the Bronx. The early set stung with the little things slipping through their fingers with the bullpen struggling to keep things together and the batting going cold late. Then the road flipped the script. Starters attacked the zone, the defense vacuumed contact, and the lineup manufactured runs with sacs, backside grounders, and smart reads. As long as they continue seeing bigger strides from young talent like Roman Anthony, they’re going to continue being a threat for a while and maybe in a significant way in the postseason if they hang just inside the picture. Next up is a measuring-stick week against two disciplined opponents: the Orioles challenging their bullpen once again for a four-game set and the Pirates testing the batting lineup with its strong pitching.

Up next: @ Orioles (8/25-28, 4 Games), vs. Pirates (8/29-31)

10. New York Mets (69-61)

8/18 – OFF

8/19 – @ Nationals – Won 8-1

8/20 – @ Nationals – Lost 5-4

8/21 – @ Nationals – Lost 9-3

8/22 – @ Braves – Won 12-7

8/23 – @ Braves – Won 9-2

8/24 – @ Braves – Lost 4-3

The Mets continue to experience struggles of their own, with their difficulties coming against the bottom two teams in their division, and with the way they looked all week long, it was surprising that they were even able to maintain a .500 week. A promising start in Washington dissolved into two uneven days where free passes and defensive miscues extended innings, forcing high-stress pitches that caught too much plate and then in Atlanta, the tone shifted a little bit as they worked deeper counts, protected the baseball, and turned contact into outs with rangy positioning, grabbing two wins before a tight finale slipped away. The current lineups, both batting and pitching, needs to start emphasizing balance once again with contact up top, damage in the middle, and late-inning speed that can nudge a run across, but there’s still a month of baseball left to fix those issues. They’ll need that precision for two more rivalry sets featuring the Phillies and Marlins, two more series that will be a little more challenging, but they’ll luckily get the luxury of playing at home to build some comfort once again.

Up next: vs. Phillies (8/25-27), vs. Marlins (8/28-31, 4 Games)

11. Seattle Mariners (70-61)

8/18 – @ Phillies – Lost 12-7

8/19 – @ Phillies – Lost 6-4

8/20 – @ Phillies – Lost 11-2

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Athletics – Won 3-2

8/23 – vs. Athletics – Lost 2-1 (10)

8/24 – vs. Athletics – Won 11-4

Seattle’s week opened with a cold splash, running into a buzzsaw in Philadelphia that punished mistakes and refused to chase, but they then reset at home with tighter zone control against the A’s, which brought crisp pitch economy and a throw-through that cut down a budding rally, only for the next night’s extras to magnify one missed spot before Sunday’s performance responding in a loud way. Their lineup is way too talented to be getting swept in any capacity with the table-setters on base, a middle built for damage, and depth ready for situational asks, but they’ll surely get it together as the players they traded for will start settling in nicely again and make them one of the league’s most powerful batting lineups that features Cal Raleigh, the new single-season home run record-holder for catchers. As the schedule tightens, the goal is consistency, and they get a big opportunity to showcase that at home when the hot Padres arrive to the Pacific Northwest before their road trip back east to Cleveland.

Up next: vs. Padres (8/25-27), @ Guardians (8/29-31)

12. Cincinnati Reds (68-63)

8/18 – @ Angels – Won 4-1

8/19 – @ Angels – Won 6-4

8/20 – @ Angels – Lost 2-1

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – @ Diamondbacks – Lost 6-5 (11)

8/23 – @ Diamondbacks – Lost 10-1

8/24 – @ Diamondbacks – Won 6-1

Cincinnati navigated turbulence with just enough bite to finish on a high note as they handled their first stop in Anaheim against the Angels by building early leads through contact, pressure, and clean situational swings, then defended those edges with economical innings. Arizona, however, proved to be trickier with deep counts multiplied, a few elevated pitches found seats, and the margin tightened until late, but credit the bullpen for answering the moment on Sunday, stacking outs with tempo and conviction to halt the slide. The offense remains streaky but dangerous when the bottom third reaches and hands the baton to the middle, proving that this type of DNA can translate against anyone. A tough road test awaits against the heavyweight Dodgers in LA, followed by a divisional set against the Cardinals that tends to go on scoring streaks late in contests and challenge bullpens to maintain composure.

Up next: @ Dodgers (8/25-27), vs. Cardinals (8/29-31)

13. New York Yankees (70-60)

8/18 – OFF

8/19 – @ Rays – Won 13-3

8/20 – @ Rays – Won 6-4 (10)

8/21 – vs. Red Sox – Lost 6-3

8/22 – vs. Red Sox – Lost 1-0

8/23 – vs. Red Sox – Lost 12-1

8/24 – vs. Red Sox – Won 7-2

The Yankees finally strung together the kind of innings that shift a clubhouse mood, walloping through a pair of road games before the archrival Red Sox arrived in the Bronx with a purpose. The middle of the week hurt, and Saturday’s game was one of their worst performances of the season, but the Sunday reset was able to halt the bleeding with much cleaner at-bats and solid pitching from Carlos Rodón. Like I’ve been saying for several weeks now, if the Yankees want to go on another postseason run, their on-base threats at the top, thump in the middle, and role players will need to settle in again and start showing up to ballparks read to dominate at the plate, making run prevention is the swing lever as everything really begins falling into place when the strike zone is theirs. With two very easy series coming up, including a home set against the Nats and a four-game road series against the White Sox, this is a great opportunity for this squad to reset and start building some momentum again.

Up next: vs. Nationals (8/25-27), @ White Sox (8/28-31, 4 Games)

14. Kansas City Royals (67-64)

8/18 – vs. Rangers – Won 4-3

8/19 – vs. Rangers – Won 5-2

8/20 – vs. Rangers – Lost 6-3

8/21 – vs. Rangers – Won 6-4

8/22 – @ Tigers – Lost 7-5

8/23 – @ Tigers – Lost 4-2

8/24 – @ Tigers – Won 10-8

It might’ve been a back-and-forth week for the Royals, but even with frustrating lulls every now and then, sharp execution helped them stand tall when taking three out of four games against the Rangers and handing the Tigers their only loss of the week on Sunday. Early on, they seized momentum at home with clean situational swings and a willingness to take the free ninety, stacking leads that simplified bullpen choices, and while back half featured tougher at-bats from the opposition and a few defensive missteps, a wild finale showcased the club’s improved ability to answer immediately, something that’ll be needed for a postseason run if they’re able to slide into the playoff picture. Bobby Witt Jr. is still embracing his role as one of the league’s most athletic and consistent offensive players, which opens the door for everyone else to pressure pitchers without waiting on hero swings. More consistency from the rest of the lineup remains the next step, but the ingredients are clear as they face a familiar division stretch against the struggling White Sox and red-hot Tigers again, where every extra base and cutoff will matter.

Up next: @ White Sox (8/25-27), vs. Tigers (8/29-31)

15. Texas Rangers (66-66)

8/18 – @ Royals – Lost 4-3

8/19 – @ Royals – Lost 5-2

8/20 – @ Royals – Won 6-3

8/21 – @ Royals – Lost 6-4

8/22 – vs. Guardians – Won 4-3

8/23 – vs. Guardians – Won 10-0

8/24 – vs. Guardians – Won 5-0

The Rangers absorbed bruises early in Kansas City, missing chances in leverage and watching close frames tilt on one missed spot or a late defensive read, but the response was emphatic with a sweep against the Guardians at home, a series where they dominated in all aspects and potentially set the tone for another big run. Yes, Marcus Semien’s injury definitely stings as he’s now out for the season with a left foot fracture, but there should be enough talent in place from the rest of the lineup to keep them prepared for the biggest remaining series. The task now is to bottle the complete-game version, where baserunning complements power and the pen inherits clean frames, and a favorable stretch against two division rivals in the Angels and Athletics can accelerate that momentum if they keep winning those battles at the plate.

Up next: vs. Angels (8/25-27), @ Athletics (8/29-31)

16. Cleveland Guardians (64-65)

8/18 – @ Diamondbacks – Won 3-1

8/19 – @ Diamondbacks – Lost 6-5

8/20 – @ Diamondbacks – Lost 3-2 (10)

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – @ Rangers – Lost 4-3

8/23 – @ Rangers – Lost 10-0

8/24 – @ Rangers – Lost 5-0

After Cleveland’s starting getting themselves quickly back to form and taking their weekly opener, that momentum came to a strong halt as tight games turned on small execution gaps and the weekend exposed a thin margin for error, ultimately resulting in five straight losses in Arizona and Arlington and suffering eight defeats in their last nine contests dating back to last week. They saw José Ramirez continue his solid play, but guys like Steven Kwan and Kyle Manzardo can’t afford to struggle. Pitching also hasn’t been exactly playing up to its standard either, so clearly some adjustments need to be made and consistency needs to be more present as well. In order to get themselves back on track, they’ll be back at home for two straight series against the Rays and Mariners, so it’ll be important for more complete performances to be present throughout the week if they want to keep themselves in the postseason picture as well.

Up next: vs. Rays (8/25-27), vs. Mariners (8/29-31)

17. Tampa Bay Rays (63-67)

8/18 – OFF

8/19 – vs. Yankees – Lost 13-3

8/20 – vs. Yankees – Lost 6-4 (10)

8/21 – vs. Cardinals – Lost 7-4

8/22 – vs. Cardinals – Won 10-6

8/23 – OFF

8/24 – vs. Cardinals – Won 7-2

Tampa Bay’s homestand began with two difficult losses to the Yankees that revealed persistent issues with plate discipline and situational hitting. Early at-bats often produced baserunners who were stranded, and the bullpen was forced into extended innings, creating stress on the defense and leaving fatigue visible. Over the weekend, the Rays began to execute situational hitting more consistently, turning pressure moments into multi-run innings and trimming free passes to improve run prevention. The team’s offense looked sharper, with better sequencing and aggressive baserunning that put opponents on edge. While flashes of strong fundamentals appeared, the key will be sustaining that performance across multiple series. The upcoming road trip offers a chance to maintain momentum, first against a Guardians team searching for consistency and then against the Nationals, who challenge plate discipline and run creation. Execution and focus will determine whether the positive finish can extend into a meaningful stretch.

Up next: @ Guardians (8/25-27), @ Nationals (8/29-31)

18. San Francisco Giants (63-68)

8/18 – @ Padres – Won 4-3

8/19 – @ Padres – Lost 5-1

8/20 – @ Padres – Lost 8-1

8/21 – @ Padres – Lost 8-4

8/22 – @ Brewers – Lost 5-4

8/23 – @ Brewers – Won 7-1

8/24 – @ Brewers – Won 4-3

The Giants, who had been struggling very badly as of late, began the week with an opening road win before consecutive losses exposed cracks in defense and situational hitting. Early struggles were compounded by missed plays in the infield and basepaths that allowed opponents to build separation during middle innings. By the weekend, the pitching staff improved its length and consistency, allowing the offense to generate timely hits and manufacture runs that resulted in a pair of well-earned victories. These results highlighted both potential and fragility, as the team possesses the pieces to succeed but has a very narrow margin for error. The upcoming homestand against the Cubs and Orioles will be a critical test of whether the improvements seen in pitching, defense, and situational hitting can be maintained over multiple games. Success will depend on executing fundamentals consistently while minimizing mistakes that have cost them previously.

Up next: vs. Cubs (8/26-28), vs. Orioles (8/29-31)

19. St. Louis Cardinals (64-67)

8/18 – @ Marlins – Won 8-3

8/19 – @ Marlins – Won 7-4

8/20 – @ Marlins – Lost 6-2

8/21 – @ Rays – Won 7-4

8/22 – @ Rays – Lost 10-6

8/23 – OFF

8/24 – @ Rays – Lost 7-2

The Cardinals opened the week strongly on the road, winning early games with contact hitting and smart baserunning, but then fell into inconsistency, leaving the team searching for a more reliable approach. The bullpen absorbed longer innings than usual, revealing questions about depth and stamina. Offense produced well early but struggled to sustain rallies once opponents adjusted. There were encouraging signs, including aggressive first-pitch swings, crisp defensive plays, and timely baserunning that forced mistakes from opponents. These flashes of effectiveness show what St. Louis is capable of when fundamentals are executed consistently. The upcoming homestand, which includes four games against Pittsburgh followed by a divisional series with Cincinnati, provides a prime opportunity to reestablish steady pitching usage and offensive sequencing. Success in these series could stabilize the team’s rhythm and allow them to regain competitiveness in the division, making consistent execution in all phases of play essential.

Up next: vs. Pirates (8/25-28, 4 Games), @ Reds (8/29-31)

20. Los Angeles Angels (61-69)

8/18 – vs. Reds – Lost 4-1

8/19 – vs. Reds – Lost 6-4

8/20 – vs. Reds – Won 2-1

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Cubs – Lost 3-2

8/23 – vs. Cubs – Lost 12-1

8/24 – vs. Cubs – Lost 4-3

The Angels demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift when timely hitting and run prevention fail to align, as close early losses revealed difficulty converting baserunners into runs, and defensive miscues later created additional traffic that stressed the pitching staff. A narrow victory showcased a blueprint that could work if consistently executed, emphasizing pitching to contact and clean defensive play. The team’s next road series against the Rangers and Astros will demand sharper fundamentals, more efficient bullpen innings, and consistent situational offense. The club must find ways to translate adjustments into a steady performance across multiple games, rather than relying on isolated flashes. Improving execution in all phases is critical to preventing extended losing stretches and giving the Angels a chance to compete in their division, particularly as they face teams with strong pitching and disciplined defenses that expose weaknesses in plate discipline, baserunning, and sequencing.

Up next: @ Rangers (8/25-27), @ Astros (8/29-31)

21. Miami Marlins (61-69)

8/18 – vs. Cardinals – Lost 8-3

8/19 – vs. Cardinals – Lost 7-4

8/20 – vs. Cardinals – Won 6-2

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Blue Jays – Lost 5-2

8/23 – vs. Blue Jays – Lost 7-6 (12)

8/24 – vs. Blue Jays – Won 5-3

Miami had several highs and lows this week, starting with early struggles in games that exposed defensive lapses and inconsistent pitching. Despite these challenges, the team responded later in the week with steadier at-bats, effective bench usage, and smarter in-game decisions that allowed them to remain competitive. The offense began to extend counts and pressure bullpens, while situational hitting improved in key moments, forcing defensive choices that created opportunities. Even with uneven outcomes, the week demonstrated that the team can maintain intensity when fundamentals are executed correctly. The upcoming divisional-rivalry series against the Braves at home and the Mets on the road will test whether the Marlins can sustain this focus over multiple games, execute consistently on offense and defense, and capitalize on scoring chances, as maintaining this level of discipline will be essential to staying competitive in their division and avoiding prolonged slumps that can define a season.

Up next: vs. Braves (8/25-27), @ Mets (8/28-31, 4 Games)

22. Baltimore Orioles (60-70)

8/18 – @ Red Sox – Won 6-3

8/19 – @ Red Sox – Won 4-3 (11)

8/20 – OFF

8/21 – vs. Astros – Lost 7-2

8/22 – vs. Astros – Lost 10-7

8/23 – vs. Astros – Lost 9-8

8/24 – vs. Astros – Won 3-2

The Orioles experienced several sharp swings throughout the week, starting with narrow wins on the road that showed early command from starters and strong defensive plays, followed by a tough stretch at home where mistakes and long innings stressed the bullpen. The team’s best moments came when pitching controlled counts, allowing the defense to limit damage, and the offense generated timely hits that turned pressure moments into runs. Late-inning volatility remains a concern, but Sunday’s recovery demonstrated resilience and an ability to respond when mistakes occur. Execution will need to be consistent moving forward, as sporadic flashes will not be enough against disciplined teams. The upcoming home series against the Red Sox followed by a trip to face San Francisco offers a crucial opportunity to build sustained momentum. These games will test whether the Orioles can string together clean pitching, situational hitting, and sound defensive play to climb in the standings.

Up next: vs. Red Sox (8/25-28, 4 Games), @ Giants (8/29-31)

23. Arizona Diamondbacks (64-67)

8/18 – vs. Guardians – Lost 3-1

8/19 – vs. Guardians – Won 6-5

8/20 – vs. Guardians – Won 3-2 (10)

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Reds – Won 6-5 (11)

8/23 – vs. Reds – Won 10-1

8/24 – vs. Reds – Lost 6-1

The Diamondbacks posted a couple of productive series wins, demonstrating late-inning resilience and authoritative performances that produced multiple wins before a tough finale. Strengths included patient at-bats that forced pitchers into deeper counts, aggressive baserunning that pressured defenses, and starters who consistently ate innings to keep the bullpen fresh and effective. The offense hasn’t quite played up to standard for most of the season, but many fans have learned lately that if it’s able to line gaps and generate multi-run frames, the team is difficult to contain, applying sustained pressure on opponents. Despite the setback in the finale, the week reflected positive momentum and the ability to execute fundamentals across pitching, hitting, and fielding. Maintaining discipline in high-leverage situations will be crucial as the team moves forward. The upcoming road trip begins with four games against Milwaukee, a team testing defensive adjustments, followed by a visit to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers, a club with elite offensive firepower. Success will hinge on limiting mistakes, sustaining situational hitting, and keeping the bullpen fresh to maximize every scoring opportunity.

Up next: @ Brewers (8/25-28, 4 Games), @ Dodgers (8/29-31)

24. Atlanta Braves (59-71)

8/18 – vs. White Sox – Lost 13-9

8/19 – vs. White Sox – Won 11-10

8/20 – vs. White Sox – Won 1-0

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Mets – Lost 12-7

8/23 – vs. Mets – Lost 9-2

8/24 – vs. Mets – Won 4-3

There has been so much volatility that has surprisingly defined the Braves’ season this year, and that proved to be true after this week’s performances, including a high-scoring outburst, tense low-scoring duels, and mixed results followed their strong week from before, showing their problematic inconsistency. The offense displayed the ability to generate crooked numbers when patient approaches aligned while extended dry spells exposed vulnerabilities, and defensive miscues lengthened innings and increased pressure on a bullpen that already had to absorb heavy workloads. Encouragingly, the Braves demonstrated resilience in some close frames, finding ways to squeeze out wins and maintain focus under pressure. Mental toughness and situational awareness will be critical as they prepare for upcoming divisional matchups against the Marlins and then the Phillieswhich will both demand cleaner execution, sharper fundamentals, and more consistent strike-zone discipline, and if the Braves can turn transient bursts into steady performance and maintain discipline, the team has a chance to convert flashes of quality into sustained success, which could potentially help them remain competitive in a division that punishes mistakes quickly.

Up next: @ Marlins (8/25-27), @ Phillies (8/28-31, 4 Games)

25. Athletics (60-72)

8/18 – OFF

8/19 – @ Twins – Won 6-3

8/20 – @ Twins – Won 4-2 (10)

8/21 – @ Twins – Won 8-3

8/22 – @ Mariners – Lost 3-2

8/23 – @ Mariners – Won 2-1 (10)

8/24 – @ Mariners – Lost 11-4

The Athletics’ road trip offered both validation and instruction, highlighted by a sweep that demonstrated the team’s upside and a competitive series that showed how slim margins can be. When the team attacked early, kept pitch counts low, and executed defensively, the bullpen inherited manageable innings while the offense generated meaningful opportunities. Close losses underscored the consequences of a single missed location or defensive miscue, but the Athletics maintained focus and often forced the action rather than waiting for mistakes. The upcoming homestand against Detroit and Texas provides an opportunity to translate flashes into consistent results, relying on aggressive zone approaches, quicker defensive rotations, and smarter in-game adjustments. If the Athletics continue limiting late errors while maximizing opportunities at the plate, they have the potential to sustain stretches of solid play and improve their record. This week’s lessons reinforce the importance of fundamentals, situational hitting, and disciplined pitching in close contests.

Up next: vs. Tigers (8/25-27), vs. Rangers (8/29-31)

26. Minnesota Twins (59-71)

8/18 – OFF

8/19 – vs. Athletics – Lost 6-3

8/20 – vs. Athletics – Lost 4-2 (10)

8/21 – vs. Athletics – Lost 8-3

8/22 – @ White Sox – Won 9-7

8/23 – @ White Sox – Lost 7-3

8/24 – @ White Sox – Lost 8-0

Outside of the Braves and Orioles, the Twins might be one of the MLB’s biggest disappointments this season, and they proved that again this week after struggling at home and finding limited success on the road against a White Sox team. A single road victory on Friday provided a glimpse of how their pitching has struggled so much that the bats have to be the strength if they want to start winning games, as inconsistencies on the mound have frequently led to long innings and overworked relievers, while rallies often fizzled with runners stranded in scoring position, highlighting the need for sharper execution. The batting must heat up more consistently to stabilize their performances and find more wins, as inconsistencies have defined recent results, and they’re now in for another brutal stretch this week with an upcoming road series in Toronto and a home series against San Diego this weekend.

Up next: @ Blue Jays (8/25-27), vs. Padres (8/29-31)

27. Pittsburgh Pirates (57-74)

8/18 – vs. Blue Jays – Won 5-2

8/19 – vs. Blue Jays – Lost 7-3

8/20 – vs. Blue Jays – Won 2-1

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Rockies – Won 9-0

8/23 – vs. Rockies – Won 5-1

8/24 – vs. Rockies – Won 4-0

Pittsburgh capped a strong week with a sweep of Colorado after splitting the opening series against Toronto, showcasing cohesion and execution across pitching, defense, and offense. The team attacked the strike zone confidently, applied crisp infield defense that converted medium contact into outs, and extended at-bats to pressure opposing bullpens consistently. The rotation handed off manageable workloads to relievers, and late innings were frequently clean, a combination that has been missing at times this season. Timely hitting complemented situational strategies, allowing the Pirates to convert scoring chances into tangible advantages. The challenge moving forward is sustaining this high level on the road, where a demanding four-game slate at St. Louis followed by a trip to Boston will test the team against sharper, more disciplined opponents. Success will depend on continued attention to detail in pitching, consistent defensive execution, and smart situational hitting to translate strong weeks into lasting momentum.

Up next: @ Cardinals (8/25-28, 4 Games), @ Red Sox (8/29-31)

28. Washington Nationals (53-77)

8/18 – OFF

8/19 – vs. Mets – Lost 8-1

8/20 – vs. Mets – Won 5-4

8/21 – vs. Mets – Won 9-3

8/22 – @ Phillies – Won 5-4

8/23 – @ Phillies – Lost 6-4

8/24 – @ Phillies – Lost 3-2

Even with how much they’ve struggled over the past few months, Washington was able to produce a much more encouraging week against the two biggest threats in their division, capturing two quality wins at home against the Mets, one in Philadelphia, and a display of overall progress in fundamentals. They showed that they can still hang in there with some of the league’s better squads, which revealed they still have some work to do under new leadership, but flashes of competent fundamentals were increasingly evident. The upcoming road trip to face the Yankees followed by a home series against the Rays will test whether improvements are sustainable against other quality opponents outside of their division, and success will require maintaining focus in high-leverage situations, executing situational hitting, and keeping defensive and pitching fundamentals sharp. If the Nationals continue building on these improvements, they have an opportunity to challenge more effectively in the division and establish a stronger, steadier approach in the second half of the season.

Up next: @ Yankees (8/25-27), vs. Rays (8/29-31)

29. Chicago White Sox (47-83)

8/18 – @ Braves – Won 13-9

8/19 – @ Braves – Lost 11-10

8/20 – @ Braves – Lost 1-0

8/21 – OFF

8/22 – vs. Twins – Lost 9-7

8/23 – vs. Twins – Won 7-3

8/24 – vs. Twins – Won 8-0

The White Sox played against two of the biggest disappointments of the MLB this season, and they were able to cap off a weekly split following an opening road win in Atlanta before three straight losses and a late surge against the Twins with back-to-back series wins that provided glimpses of a formula that works, which includes aggressive early approaches at the plate, infield defense that limited extra bases, and pitching that minimized free passes. Losses emphasized lingering issues with command and sequencing, turning potentially winnable innings into difficult frames. The focus now and for the future will be on translating bursts of productivity into steady performance to improve long-term competitiveness, so it’ll be important for them to start maintaining strong execution in all phases to determine whether incremental improvements solidify into sustained success over the remaining stretch of not just this season but next season and beyond as well. The next two series at home against Kansas City followed by a four-game home series against the Yankees present opportunities to do just that.

Up next: vs. Royals (8/25-27), vs. Yankees (8/28-31, 4 Games)

30. Colorado Rockies (37-94)

8/18 – vs. Dodgers – Won 4-3

8/19 – vs. Dodgers – Lost 11-4

8/20 – vs. Dodgers – Won 8-3

8/21 – vs. Dodgers – Lost 9-5

8/22 – @ Pirates – Lost 9-0

8/23 – @ Pirates – Lost 5-1

8/24 – @ Pirates – Lost 4-0

We saw the Rockies start off the week on a surprising strong note against the Dodgers after they took two of the first three games, but they followed that with four straight losses to finish the week, including one more loss to LA on Thursday to split their four-game series and an embarrassing sweep in Pittsburgh, where they were outscored 18-1 over the weekend. Flashes of effectiveness have indicated in the past that the Rockies can compete against stronger teams, they have to continue putting up those competitive fights as they still experience series every now and then where they get absolutely dominated from start to finish. The upcoming series against the Astros and Cubs will test whether the Rockies can translate sporadic achievements into steady performance, and execution across all phases of the game will determine if they can remain competitive or continue to struggle so bad that they eclipse over 120 losses by the end of September.

Up next: @ Astros (8/26-28), vs. Cubs (8/29-31)