Indians, Giants have surged into summer
Dodgers, Yankees, Astros still lead pack as season hits homestretch and playoff races start to pick up steam
The Cleveland Indians began the season as one of MLB’s most disappointing early storylines of the year. On June 4, they were 29-30 and 11½ games behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.
Since then, they have gone 28-11 with the best winning percentage (.718) in the majors.
Look out Minnesota, the Indians are only three games back and now hold the No. 1 wild-card spot in the American League.
The San Francisco Giants also made a dramatic turn for the better over the last few weeks. A month ago, it looked like the Giants were going to sell just about everything of value on their roster.
Now? Who knows.
The surging Giants are a .500 (50-50) ballclub for the first time all season having won 15 of 18. They sit within 2½ games of a National League wild card spot.
These two teams were the biggest movers in this week’s MLB power rankings.
Here’s how our panel voted this week:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Can they convince the Giants to give them WIll Smith?
2. New York Yankees
Aaron Judge quietly coming on strong in July.
3. Houston Astros
Yuli Gurriel’s first 15 games in July: .381 average, 10 homers, 23 RBI.
4. Minnesota Twins
Don’t look now, but the Indians are only a few games back.
5. Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. eyeing 30 (homer)-30 (stolen base) season.
6. Tampa Bay Rays
Tyler Glasnow may be done for the season, which is a major blow.
7. Cleveland Indians
Now holding a wild-card spot, hard to imagine them trading Trevor Bauer.
8. Chicago Cubs
Craig Kimbrel settling in with six consecutive scoreless outings.
9. Oakland Athletics
Next seven games vs division rivals: Astros and Rangers.
10. Washington Nationals
Must be doing everything in their power to add a reliever or two.
11. Boston Red Sox
Crucial stretch: next 14 games are against the Rays and Yankees.
12. Milwaukee Brewers
Keston Hiura’s first 19 games after promotion: .370/.432/.658.
13. St. Louis Cardinals
Considering he’s extended through 2024, they should be worried about Paul Goldschmidt.
14. Philadelphia Phillies
Aaron Nola has a 1.55 ERA in last six starts.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
In the wild-card race but Zack Greinke’s value will never be higher ...
16. Texas Rangers
Rough stretch out of the All-Star break may persuade them to sell.
17. Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout cruising towards career-highs in homers and RBI.
18. San Francisco Giants
Firesale was always imminent, so of course they got hot right before the deadline.
19. Colorado Rockies
Ian Desmond from June 6-July 20: .330 average, 27 RBI.
20. Pittsburgh Pirates
Keone Kela’s return will be a big boost for the bullpen.
21. San Diego Padres
In the market for a starting pitcher.
22. Cincinnati Reds Yasiel Puig, on pace for career-highs in HR and RBI, could be traded. 23. New York Mets
Bullpen has been better, but they just can’t seem to generate any momentum.
24. Chicago White Sox
Eloy Jimenez goes to the IL for the second time this season.
25. Toronto Blue Jays
Marcus Stroman’s days in Toronto are numbered.
26. Seattle Mariners
Still plenty of assets to deal and you know Jerry Dipoto won’t hesitate.
27. Kansas City Royals
Jorge Soler’s breakout year has been fun to watch.
28. Miami Marlins
Wei-Yin Chen (7.75 ERA in 28 games) is due $22 million in 2020.
29. Baltimore Orioles
Adley Rutschman homered in his pro debut on Saturday.
30. Detroit Tigers
Their Class AA rotation is stacked, so there’s some hope for the future. (USA Today/TNS)