MLB Power Rankings: Week Eighteen Update

Friday night didn’t disappoint in the baseball world.

There were five walkoff wins around the league, including two game-winning homers and massive comebacks. It saw the Rockies come back from 9-0 and 16-7 deficits, and the Marlins from 6-0 and 9-4.

The last walkoff, and most important in terms of playoff implications, came from J.P. Crawford in the wee hours of the morning. The Mariners’ shortstop blasted a two-run bomb in the ninth off Robert Garcia to steal a win over the Rangers, who went 16-9 in July to push themselves into the American League wild card hunt.

Thursday also marked the 2025 trade deadline. There were obvious winners and losers, with the Mets, Padres, and Mariners being among the biggest winners. You can read more about it by clicking here.

1. Brewers

The Brew Crew has been dominant. There’s no way around it.

They entered August 1 with the best record in baseball, which was the first time the franchise had ever held the best record entering the month. They’re 65-44, took two of three against the Cubs to take possession of first in the National League Central, and are getting some production from Andrew Vaughn (1.220 OPS and six homers in 17 games).

They might lose Jackson Chourio for a month due to a right hamstring problem, but they’re team is built around their pitching and defense. It’s time we all acknowledge the Brewers as a pennant threat.

2. Cubs

Second on the list, and second in the division.

Still, that’s nothing to scoff at. Chicago enters August with the second-best record in baseball (64-45) and a lineup that’s third in runs (571) and homers (158).

Pete Crow-Armstrong is a legitimate MVP candidate, leading the NL in bWAR (6.4) while slashing .273/.309/.560 with 27 homers. The entire lineup continues to be potent, and the pitching got some help with the addition of Andrew Kittredge. This team is dangerous and would have been the World Series favorite if they added another starter at the deadline.

3. Dodgers

We’re accustomed to seeing the Dodgers add the big name at the trade deadline. But that didn’t happen this year. Their big acquisition was Brock Stewart, helping a bullpen that’s been overtaxed with injuries to the starting rotation.

Still, the club continues to dominate baseball despite lackluster performances from their future Hall-of-Famers. They’re second in the majors in runs (573), homers (164), and OPS (.772). Freddie Freeman has helped with those numbers, as the first baseman is heating up and has slashed .321/.406/.518 in his last 15 games.

Blake Snell also returns Saturday to face his former team in the Rays, marking his first start in a Dodgers’ uniform since April 2. With health, the Dodgers should round out their 4.20 team ERA (20th in majors).

4. Tigers

Detroit was subtle at the deadline. But the pieces they picked up plugged some holes.

They pick up Charlie Morton, Paul Sewald, Kyle Finnegan, Rafael Montero, and Codi Heuer, all moves that should help relieve a bullpen that’s been overworked due to a top-heavy rotation.

The Tigers entered today with the fourth-best starting ERA in baseball, but only 19th in bullpen ERA (4.20). Tommy Kahnle has thrown the fewest innings out of the go-to guys, and he’s at 43 IP. That number could climb near 70 by the end of the season. Brant Hurter, Tyler Holton, and Brenan Hanifee have all already passed the 50 IP mark.

Retooled and loaded, the Tigers should breeze to an American League Central title come September. At 64-47, Detroit is October-bound, and their moves should help rejuvenate the top guys for a deep push.

5. Astros

Carlos Correa back in H-Town? Queue the trash can memes.

The Astros made a big splash acquiring their former All-Star at the deadline, a move that should help since Isaac Paredes hit the shelf for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

We’ll see if it’s enough to stave off the Mariners. But for now, the Astros are sitting atop the AL West with a healthy 3.5 game lead and 62-48 record. They suffered a walkoff loss to the Red Sox in 10 games, but the retooled look with Correa and Jesús Sánchez, and the addition of Yordan Alvarez later this month could lead to another pennant in Houston.

6. Phillies

Philadelphia paid a king’s ransom for Jhoan Duran at the deadline. But no one will care if they win the division and in October.

The Phils got their first glimpse of Duran Friday, who shut down the Tigers to seal a comeback 5-4 win to retake the top spot in the NL East. Their bullpen finally has a lockdown closer to pair with their star-studded lineup, making the Phillies a real threat in October. The days of Jeff Hoffman, Jordan Romano, and Orion Kerkering trying to seal games are over.

7. Padres

San Diego’s hot. In every facet of the game.

Firstly, they traded the third overall prospect in baseball for four years of Mason Miller. Was it necessary? No, absolutely not. The Padres already had the best bullpen ERA in baseball. But that’s AJ Preller for you.

Lost in the addition of Miller was the trade for Ramón Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn. Those two are absolute studs, Laureano especially with his 15 homers in 75 games this season. The club has won six games in a row, is within three games of the Dodgers, and might actually pull off an NL West crown.

8. Mets

The Mets had a top-three deadline in the majors. They added Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers to the bullpen, providing Carlos Mendoza with a real path to Edwin Díaz in the ninth. They also added Cedric Mullins as the center fielder, who plays gold glove defense and has a .736 OPS this season.

The only reason the club is so low is their offensive production. With runners in scoring position, the Mets are 20th in runs, 13th in homers, 18th in slug, 21st in OBP, 19th in OPS, and last in batting average. Those numbers are ridiculously low for a team that rosters Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Juan Soto.

And to continue harping on the “Fab Four,” they’re collective slumps are the sole reason this club hasn’t run away with the division. They’re 99-for-453 over their last 30 games, combining for a collective .219 batting average. Yet, despite the numbers, they’re 62-48 and only half a game back of the Phillies.

9. Yankees

The Yanks also had a strong deadline. Yet, everyone they added contributed to their worst loss of the season Friday.

Jake Bird, David Bednar, and Camilo Doval all blew a 6-0 and 9-4 lead to the Marlins, then José Caballero had a costly error in the bottom of the ninth to lead to the Marlins’ eventual 13-12 walkoff win.

Not a great start to the post-deadline season, but the Yanks are still one of the best teams in the majors. They’re first in runs (576), homers (177), OPS (.785), slug (.453), and walks (416). They hit the ball, they just don’t field it all that well.

Plus Anthony Volpe deserves his flowers. He’s slugged .679 over his last 15 games and clubbed seven homers. Sure, he’s still a liability in the field, but at least the bat is coming around.

10. Blue Jays

The Jays added much-needed pitching help at the deadline. Their major move was for Shane Bieber, a starter who can impact the rotation and help solidify the division race if healthy.

Outside that, the bullpen got reinforcements in Seranthony Domínguez and Louis Varland, and the lineup added Ty France. They’re in first place and 64-47, but have a tough stretch with three series against the Dodgers, Cubs, and Rangers after they’re done with the Royals and Rockies.

Rest of the Field

11. Mariners
12. Red Sox
13. Rangers
14. Guardians
15. Reds
16. Giants
17. Royals
18. Rays
19. Marlins
20. Cardinals
21. Diamondbacks
22. Angels
23. Orioles
24. Braves
25. Twins
26. Pirates
27. Nationals
28. Athletics
29. White Sox
30. Rockies

 

The post MLB Power Rankings: Week Eighteen Update appeared first on Metsmerized Online.