MLB power rankings: Giants-Dodgers showdown looms in a potentially fateful week
Fighting for first place in the National League West, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers enter what could prove to be a fateful week in the race, both facing NL division leaders before meeting for a weekend series in San Francisco.
The Giants host the Milwaukee Brewers for a four-game set to start the week while the Dodgers welcome the Atlanta Braves for three games with an off day before the NL West showdown begins Friday.
The three-game series at Dodger Stadium will be the last time the Giants and Dodgers meet in the regular season.
San Francisco holds a 2Β½-game lead heading into Monday, with both teams having dropped two of three games over the weekend β the Giants in Atlanta and the Dodgers at home against the Colorado Rockies.
Rank (movement from last week)
1. San Francisco Giants (β)
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- Top prospect Joey Bart could be the X-factor for Giants down the stretch β and into the postseason.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (β)
- Tough stretch ahead with series vs. Braves, Giants, Cardinals and Padres.
3. Tampa Bay Rays (β)
- Won 18 of 19 games against the Orioles this season.
4. Houston Astros (β)
- Five different Astros pitchers are striking out more than a batter per inning
5. Milwaukee Brewers (β)
- Christian Yelich hit .315 with 13 RBI in 21 August games.
6. New York Yankees (β)
- Corey Kluber making long-awaited return to rotation.
7. Chicago White Sox (β)
- Jose Abreu becomes first player to reach 100 RBI in 2021.
8. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Jorge Soler hit seven homers with 15 RBI in first 25 games with Braves.
9. Boston Red Sox (+2)
- All-Star reliever Matt Barnes gave up 10 earned runs in 11 August appearances.
10. Oakland Athletics (-2)
- Starling Marte stole 20(!) bases and hit .342 in first 28 games with Oakland.
11. Cincinnati Reds (-1)
- Joey Votto leads MLB with 17 HR and 43 RBI in the second half.
12. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)
- Robbie Ray has a real shot at winning the AL Cy Young Award.
13. San Diego Padres (-1)
- Joe Musgrove has been (even more) dominant in the second half.
14. Seattle Mariners (β)
- Ty France's second half: .341 average with 8 HR, 23 RBI in 40 games.
15. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)
- Only two series remaining against teams above .500.
16. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
- Alex Reyes' struggles have Cardinals re-evaluating the ninth inning.
17. Cleveland (+2)
- Myles Straw batting .276 with five stolen bases since trade from Houston.
18. New York Mets (-1)
- Lineup is finally at full strength but there may be too much ground to make up.
19. Los Angeles Angels (-1)
- Shohei Ohtani has a better slugging percentage against lefties than vs. RHP.
20. Detroit Tigers (β)
- Casey Mize is quietly having a terrific rookie season: 3.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in 24 starts.
21. Kansas City Royals (+2)
- Starter Brady Singer has 106 strikeouts in 103 innings.
22. Colorado Rockies (-1)
- C.J. Cron's last 44 games: 1.038 OPS, 12 HR and 42 RBI.
23. Minnesota Twins (-1)
- Rookie Bailey Ober has a 4.06 ERA through 15 starts.
24. Miami Marlins (β)
- Edward Cabrera impresses with quality start in MLB debut.
25. Washington Nationals (β)
- Juan Soto has 11 HR in 39 games since Home Run Derby β equaling his first-half total.
26. Chicago Cubs (β)
- Cubs touched up former teammate Craig Kimbrel for six runs in three games.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (β)
- Getting 23-year-older starter Bryse Wilson for Richard Rodriguez was a good move.
28. Texas Rangers (β)
- Rangers looking to avoid first 100-loss season since 1973.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks (β)
- Zac Gallen back on track (2.12 ERA in last three starts) after an inconsistent stretch.
30. Baltimore Orioles (β)
- Cedric Mullins has 24 home runs and 24 steals through Sunday.