MLB power rankings
Red-hot Cardinals move into tie for 10th
How USA TODAY’s eight-person panel voted this week: 1. Dodgers (movement from last week: –) Defense further weakened if Enrique Hernandez is out for a while. 2. Astros (+1) Just another playoff shoo-in urgently searching for bullpen help.
3. Yankees (-1) It’s painful to give up prospects but also painful to bow out in the ALDS two consecutive years.
4. Twins (–) Hard to imagine their system wasn’t deep enough to win the Marcus Stroman bidding.
5. Braves (–) They have all the capital: division lead, prospects to burn, money to spend.
6. Indians (+1) Let it all out, Trevor.
7. Red Sox (+4) Rough night for Chris Sale 8. puts Nationals damper (+2) on big Stephen week. Strasburg’s next win will equal his career high. 9. Rays (-3) Two-way guy Brendan McKay might get ball at Fenway Park this week. T-10. Cardinals (+3) Shame on anyone who thought Paul Goldschmidt still wasn’t that dude. T-10. Cubs (-2) You could argue no club has more at stake these last two months. T-10. Athletics (-1) Noah Syndergaard surrounded by emerging arms would be intriguing this year and the next two. 13. Brewers (-1) Jhoulys Chacin’s injury (and poor performance) ramps up need for pitching help.
14. Phillies (–) You wonder what the standings look like if they had beaten Atlanta to Dallas Keuchel.
15. Giants (+3) Farhan Zaidi probably better off drafting his own guy with a Madison Bumgarner comp pick, anyway. 16. Angels (+1) Playoff teams don’t lose three in a row at home to Baltimore. 17. Diamondbacks (-2) In perfect position to be both a buyer and a seller. 18. Rangers (-2) Mike Minor’s ERAplus of 169 far better than any other pitcher’s on the trade block.
19. Mets (+4) Any chance Marcus Stroman’s Mets career resembles Mike Piazza’s Marlins run?
20. Padres (+2) A Syndergaard package that includes Kirby Yates makes sense for both clubs.
21. Reds (+2) Have a better run differential than the Cardinals, Brewers and Phillies. 22. Rockies (-2) Season probably doomed from the start, or at least when they never replaced Adam Ottavino.
23. Pirates (-3) Jolly Roger comes down and white flag goes up as GM admits it’s selling time. 24. White Sox (–) Yoan Moncada’s slash line up to .301/.358/.535.
25. Mariners (+1) 90 runs worse than their nearest AL West competitor. 26. Blue Jays (–) Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagini, Devon Travis only guys left from the 2016 playoff team. 27. Royals (–) Kudos if they find a trade partner willing to take all of Ian Kennedy’s salary.
28. Marlins (–) 7-8 since the All-Star break. 29. Orioles (+1) Adley Rutschman lands in Aberdeen, first of three Maryland stops before Baltimore. 30. Tigers (-1) Maybe they can get a king’s ransom for Matthew Boyd.