MLB power rankings: The National League wild-card race is living up to its name

2024-12-20 08:30:14 News

The National League wild-card standings are well, wild, with six teams separated by just 3½ games entering Monday.

The Philadelphia Phillies (67-57) hold the top spot, with the San Francisco Giants in second (65-59) and Chicago Cubs (64-59) in possession of the final postseason berth. Just one game behind the Cubs are the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins, all 64-61.

We could see some shakeup in the days to come as the Phillies (two games up) host the Giants for three games mid-week and the Reds visit the Diamondbacks over the weekend.

It's been an uneven August for a few teams in the hunt, with the Diamondbacks winning seven of their last nine (after a nine-game losing streak) and the Giants dropping nine of 12. All that streakiness in the NL West comes, of course, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have run away with the division.

Those Dodgers have broken into the top three in this week's MLB power rankings:

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Rank (movement from last week)

1. Atlanta Braves (–)

They need 72 home runs in their last 39 games to break the single-season home run record of 307.

2. Baltimore Orioles (–)

Ryan Mountcastle in 67 August at-bats: .403/.474/.612.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)

Entering Monday up 11 ½ games in the NL West.

4. Texas Rangers (-1)

Max Scherzer (2.66 ERA in four starts with Texas) moves into 11th place on all-time strikeout list with 3,343rd career K.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (–)

New everyday shortstop Osleivis Basabe had a solid first week in the majors.

6. Houston Astros (–)

After miserable first half, Rafael Montero has a 1.98 ERA in 14 appearances since the break.

7. Seattle Mariners (+3)

Weekend sweep of Astros, six-game winning streak coincided with Rangers getting swept, pulling Seattle to within three games in the AL West.

8. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)

They're 2-8 against the Orioles this season, heading to Baltimore for a three-game set.

9. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)

Trea Turner coming on strong with August with .303 average, .928 OPS in 17 games.

10. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)

NL Central leaders got swept by the Dodgers then turned around and swept the Rangers.

11. Boston Red Sox (+2)

Rough stretch to end August with seven vs. Astros, three vs. Dodgers.

12. Chicago Cubs (–)

Nico Hoerner is the first Cub to steal 30 bases since Tony Campana in 2012.

13. San Francisco Giants (-2)

They've lost five series in a row, with tough matchups against Philadelphia and Atlanta this week.

14. Minnesota Twins (+2)

Dallas Keuchel takes a perfect game into the seventh inning of his third start for Twins.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks (+3)

Followed up an ugly nine-game losing streak by winning seven of nine.

16. Miami Marlins (-2)

July acquisition David Robertson having a rough go, giving up seven earned runs in eight appearances ffor Miami.

17. Cincinnati Reds (-2)

Manager David Bell says Noelvi Marte will start at third base every day following promotion.

18. Los Angeles Angels (+1)

Matt Moore (1.82 ERA since start of 2022) has been one of baseball's most reliable relievers.

19. New York Yankees (-2)

Eight-game losing streak has Yankees (60-64) staring down their first losing season since 1992.

20. Cleveland Guardians (+1)

Manny Ramirez inducted into club's Hall of Fame.

21. San Diego Padres (-2)

Ha-Seong Kim's 5.8 WAR is fourth in baseball.

22. Detroit Tigers (–)

Eric Haase designated for assignment as new catcher Carson Kelly joins the team.

23. New York Mets (+2)

Francisco Lindor has a .935 OPS over his last 195 at-bats.

24. Washington Nationals (–)

Lane Thomas (15 steals through Sunday) pushing for a surprise 20-20 season.

25. Pittsburgh Pirates (-2)

Andrew McCutchen is on 298 career home runs.

26. St. Louis Cardinals (–)

Cardinals have their worst winning percentage (.440) since they went 62-81 in the shortened 1995 season.

27. Chicago White Sox (–)

Big changes could be coming this winter on the South Side

28. Colorado Rockies (–)

Bud Black says Kris Bryant could see time at first base upon his return from the injured list.

29. Kansas City Royals (–)

Bobby Witt Jr. 30/30 watch: 24 HR, 37 steals through Sunday.

30. Oakland Athletics (–)

Mathematical elimination from division on Aug. 20 was the earliest in franchise history – breaking last season's mark.

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