The Milwaukee Brewers have returned to the top of The California Post's weekly MLB Power Rankings, overtaking the Los Angeles Dodgers. Milwaukee, with an 80-49 record as of Saturday morning, earned the No. 1 spot after winning series against the Dodgers and the Mariners, followed by a victory against the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers, now at 78-51, moved up to second place after a recent stretch of winning four consecutive games, their first such streak in nearly a month. Mookie Betts noted the team's improved performance in crucial moments.
National League Cy Young Race
In the National League Cy Young Award race, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski is emerging as the frontrunner. With a 13-5 record, a 1.68 ERA, and 216 strikeouts over 145 innings, Misiorowski is on pace for one of the lowest ERAs this century. His dominance is seen as a key factor in the Brewers' contention.
Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies is also a strong contender, holding a 16-4 record with a 2.51 ERA and 187 strikeouts. His performance, along with that of his rotation mates, positions the Phillies as a potential October threat. Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves rounds out the top three, notable for his dominant second half.
Other Notable Teams and Performances
The Chicago Cubs fell to third in the rankings after winning only one of their last eight games, despite recent walk-off victories against the White Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays, previously at the top, slipped to fourth as their lead in the American League standings tightened. The New York Yankees, despite injuries, climbed to fifth with a five-game winning streak.
The Atlanta Braves, also in first place in their division, have experienced a slump, losing six of their last eight games. Conversely, the Phillies are the majors' hottest team, having won seven consecutive games with a revitalized lineup.
The San Diego Padres are also making a second-half surge, winning 19 of their last 26 games, boosted by strong performances from Fernando Tatis Jr. and recent trade acquisitions Casey Mize and Robbie Ray.
League Standings and Trends
Several teams are making late-season pushes. The Boston Red Sox recovered from a losing streak to win five of their last eight games. The White Sox continue to lead their division, though they recently experienced consecutive walk-off losses.
The Arizona Diamondbacks face challenges with infielder Ketel Marte on the injured list after being placed on the restricted list.
In the American League West, the Houston Astros remain in first place despite a 1-4 stretch, as other teams in the division have also struggled. The Texas Rangers are seeing improved play from Corey Seager.
The Minnesota Twins swept the Braves, keeping their season alive, while the Toronto Blue Jays anticipate the return of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the injured list. Pete Alonso has been a bright spot for the Baltimore Orioles with significant home run production in August.
The Cleveland Guardians have a favorable schedule that presents an opportunity to climb back into wild-card contention. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates are seeing a decline, potentially pushing them out of playoff contention.
The Mariners' season has been difficult, highlighted by a historic 22-0 loss to the Brewers. The Detroit Tigers are facing a tough stretch, with their playoff hopes dimming.
The Washington Nationals are showing promise for the future with strong outings from pitcher Cade Cavalli. The Cincinnati Reds have fallen out of playoff contention after a recent losing streak. The New York Mets experienced a brief winning streak that ended with a walk-off loss.
The Kansas City Royals have won six consecutive games, while the San Francisco Giants are preparing for the return of Rafael Devers to Fenway Park. The Colorado Rockies continue a long winless streak against the Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Angels have moved up from the bottom of the rankings, while the Oakland Athletics are flirting with a 100-loss season.