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The dominance of the Dodgers has continued as we enter the final week of August, with Los Angeles on tempo for 112-plus wins on the season.
Within the battle of New York, the Yankees confirmed indicators of life by sweeping the Mets in a two-game collection, although the Astros nonetheless have a wholesome three-game lead over them for the highest spot within the American League. The Mets, in the meantime, will flip to the division race and try and lock up the title over the surging Braves.
Issues are additionally starting to warmth up in St. Louis, as Albert Pujols tries to succeed in 700 profession house runs, Paul Goldschmidt vies for the elusive Triple Crown title and the Cardinals jockey for a division title for the second time since 2015.
The place do all these high groups stand earlier than the struggle for a postseason berth actually ramps up in September?
Our skilled panel has mixed to rank each staff in baseball primarily based on a mixture of what we have seen to date and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that may be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB specialists David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Joon Lee and Alden Gonzalez to weigh in with an statement for all 30 groups.
Week 19 | Second-half preview | Preseason rankings
Report: 85-37
Earlier rating: 1
There’s sizzling, after which there’s the present Dodgers. Coming off a 10-1 victory over Corbin Burnes and the Brewers on Tuesday, they put their run-differential at plus-100 for the second half. They’re an astounding 39-9 for the reason that begin of July, have received 18 of twenty-two video games this month, and their magic quantity to clinch a division title is already simply 19. The Dodgers, with an eight-game lead* the No. 1 seed within the Nationwide League, should go solely 14-25 the remainder of the way in which to safe 100 wins. To tie the regular-season report of 116 wins, set by the 2001 Mariners and the 1906 Cubs, they should go 30-9. Unlikely, however not essentially out of attain for this staff. — Alden Gonzalez
Report: 79-45
Earlier rating: 2
Rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena has loved a superb debut season within the mixture, however after establishing himself as a Rookie of the 12 months candidate early, Pena has regularly slid behind a number of different rookies. His protection has remained regular, and with Houston that includes a lot offense round him, maybe that is adequate. On the All-Star break, he ranked fourth amongst shortstops with minus-eight defensive runs saved. That determine is now minus-12, and he is nonetheless fourth amongst shortstops. The offense, nonetheless, has fallen off badly behind an over-aggressive method. Pena is hitting simply .224/.259/.366 since June 1. His chase fee for the season ranks within the high 20 amongst 145 certified hitters. It has been an thrilling debut for Pena, however he nonetheless has work left to do. — Bradford Doolittle
Report: 79-46
Earlier rating: 3
The 2-game sweep at Yankee Stadium damage, however of their subsequent 23 video games, 20 of them are towards shedding groups (the exception being three video games at house towards the Dodgers). How about Francisco Lindor within the MVP dialogue? OK, it is powerful to take a look at anybody aside from Goldschmidt proper now, however Lindor is seventh within the NL in WAR. He is missed only one sport and has hit .318 with 9 house runs and 28 RBIs for the reason that starting of July. He is on tempo to drive in 100 runs for the primary time in his profession. Lastly, Jacob deGrom by means of his first 4 begins has 37 strikeouts, one stroll and .138 common allowed. Alas, the Mets are simply 2-2 in his begins. — David Schoenfield
Report: 77-48
Earlier rating: 5
Have they constructed the Vaughn Grissom statue but at Truist Park? In his first 14 video games, the 21-year-old rookie hit .420/.463/.660 with three house runs, 10 RBIs and 14 runs. The Braves went 12-2 in these video games. He is the thirty first participant within the wild-card period (since 1995) to hit .400 by means of his first 14 video games (minimal 40 plate appearances) — an inventory that features Pujols and Corey Seager, in addition to Jeff Francoeur, who did it for the Braves in 2005 (and lots of others you have not heard of). It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what the Braves do with Grissom as soon as Ozzie Albies returns. He has began taking batting apply as he returns from his damaged foot. — Schoenfield
Report: 76-48
Earlier rating: 4
There’s hope as soon as once more in New York. The Yankees are inching away from the panic button after successful three straight video games towards the division-rival Blue Jays and two straight towards the Subway Collection-rival Mets. Aaron Judge continued his house run tear towards the Mets, hitting two moon photographs in two video games. Because the Yankees slowly come again to well being with the return of Giancarlo Stanton imminent, Choose will must be a constant power within the lineup. — Joon Lee
Report: 71-52
Earlier rating: 6
The Cardinals roared into first place and have not regarded again, extending their lead over the Brewers within the NL Central to 5 video games. Goldschmidt may be the season’s MVP however Pujols’ chase for 700 profession house runs is the story in baseball this month. The 2 gamers shared participant of the week honors because the latter one hit .526 with 4 house runs. St. Louis pitching produced a 1.80 ERA over a seven-day span by means of Tuesday. Add all of it up and it equals a seven-game win streak. — Jesse Rogers
Report: 66-55
Earlier rating: 9
The Blue Jays are slowly making their means again into competition after weeks of struggling, enjoying nicely towards the Yankees and Crimson Sox. The offense is beginning to discover some consistency, with pitchers like Ross Stripling stepping up whereas the staff moved struggling starter Yusei Kikuchi to the bullpen. If Toronto catches hearth on the proper time, will probably be a power to be reckoned with in October. — Lee
Report: 67-55
Earlier rating: 11
Tyler Glasnow may very well be making a return to Tampa Bay ahead of later as he recovers from Tommy John surgical procedure, making him an addition that might push this deep Rays staff into the World Collection dialog, particularly as gamers like Wander Franco and Manuel Margot come again from the injured checklist. The Rays activated Margot, however Franco skilled a setback in his rehab task, leaving Tampa Bay to eagerly await his return to the lineup. — Lee
Report: 68-55
Earlier rating: 8
Rookie Bryson Stott‘s total stat line would not impress, however after enjoying sporadically the primary two months of the season (and hitting .123), he is just about been in there each day for the reason that starting of June and has hit .261/.321/.424 since June 1. The previous first-round choose is now the common shortstop after the discharge of Didi Gregorius and is definitely a defensive improve. He seems just like the long-term answer at a place the Phillies had struggled to fill for the reason that finish of the Jimmy Rollins period in 2014. — Schoenfield
Report: 68-57
Earlier rating: 7
Padres gamers obtained what they described as some much-needed readability on Tuesday, when Fernando Tatis Jr. spoke to them about his positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. The thought was that this may enable the Padres the closure to maneuver on and get in gear. That is the hope, at the very least. The lineup, now sure to be with out Tatis for the complete season, has but to click on within the wake of basic supervisor A.J. Preller’s spectacular additions earlier than the commerce deadline. The Padres have scored three runs or much less in eight of their final 9 video games. And now Juan Soto is coping with a again subject. — Gonzalez
Report: 67-56
Earlier rating: 10
Because the Mariners battle for the wild card, the offense continues to battle to attain runs. Two keys: Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford. Santana is beginning to lose some enjoying time, and it seems like the perfect Seattle lineup has Jesse Winker at DH (his left-field protection is completely atrocious) and Sam Haggerty and Dylan Moore platooning in left area. Crawford had an enormous April, however has an OPS beneath .600 since then and barely drives the ball (one house run in his previous 89 video games). Nonetheless, he is batted fifth or sixth a lot of the time in August, and whereas he takes some walks and places the ball in play, it is in all probability time to maneuver him down within the order. — Schoenfield
Report: 65-56
Earlier rating: 13
Steven Kwan started the season as the most recent sensation in baseball after going 10-for-15 over his first 5 huge league video games. By the top of the primary week in June, it appeared as if the league had rapidly figured Kwan out, as he hit .197 over 36 video games, dropping his season common to .248. However in the event you forgot about Kwan, it is time to bear in mind him, as he is not simply re-adjusted to the sport’s highest stage. In some ways, he has come to typify the younger Guardians along with his protection and wizardry with the bat. Since that .248 low level, Kwan has hit .323/.385/.413 over 68 video games with sturdy defensive metrics. Kwan is not more likely to catch Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez or Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman within the AL’s Rookie of the 12 months race, however he could have cemented himself as a powerful No. 3. — Doolittle
Report: 65-57
Earlier rating: 12
Milwaukee has been in a little bit of a free fall. Dropping two of three to the Cubs over the weekend did not assist issues. The backend of the pen has been shaky whereas the offense continues to wobble as nicely. Lefty Eric Lauer is at the very least doing his half to maintain the Brewers within the playoff race with a powerful month that included a five-inning shutout efficiency towards the Dodgers on Monday. That helped decrease his ERA to 2.16 in August. — Rogers
Report: 62-59
Earlier rating: 14
Because the Twins’ season has slowly unraveled, there was growing scrutiny on an offense that was anticipated to energy a Minnesota return to competition. Between accidents and underperformance, the assault has fallen brief, and this has led to a highlight on the so-so season by high-priced acquisition Carlos Correa.
In actuality, it is a consultant season for Correa, at the same time as we assume that his ceiling in any given season is MVP candidacy. He is struggled with accidents, which is nothing new, however his 125 OPS+ is just six factors shy of the 131 he put up for the Astros in 2021. His defensive metrics are optimistic however down from his Platinum Glove marketing campaign a season in the past, and he is on tempo to put up round 4.4 WAR. Not dangerous, however for $35.1 million, the Twins have been hoping for one thing nearer to that MVP ceiling. — Doolittle
Report: 64-58
Earlier rating: 15
Gunnar Henderson‘s arrival in Baltimore seems to be impending because the younger Orioles don’t have anything to lose this yr, exceeding all expectations. The staff is only a few video games out of a playoff spot even after the trades of Trey Mancini and Jorge Lopez on the deadline, leaving Baltimore wanting up at simply the Rays, Mariners and Blue Jays within the wild-card race. Henderson may very well be the spark that brings Baltimore excessive because it tries to make a push for October. — Lee
Report: 62-61
Earlier rating: 17
In dire want of center infield assist in the wake of Tim Anderson‘s harm, the White Sox handed on veterans Gregorius and Andrelton Simmons after they hit the market, however moved rapidly to select up Elvis Andrus when he was set adrift by Oakland. Andrus, who turns 34 this weekend, put up a 97 OPS+ with minus-6 defensive runs saved throughout his closing season with the Athletics.
One attention-grabbing facet of the acquisition is the query of what occurs to Andrus when Anderson returns. He has appeared in 1,877 video games within the area as a giant leaguer and has by no means appeared at a defensive place aside from shortstop. Nonetheless, with the White Sox clinging to hopes of a spirited end at the same time as core gamers like Anderson, Yasmani Grandal and Michael Kopech maintain hitting the injured checklist, that is a problem supervisor Tony La Russa will fear about later. — Doolittle
Report: 61-61
Earlier rating: 16
The Giants have mainly been treading water this month and nonetheless discover themselves inside cheap distance of the ultimate wild-card spot within the NL. However their playoff odds are down to only 2.9%, and this season cannot be regarded upon as something aside from a disappointment. The query, long run, is whether or not the Giants merely underperformed, or in the event that they regressed to the imply after a 107-win 2021 season that shocked many outsiders. Mike Yastrzemski, particularly, is somebody who warrants shut examination. The 32-year-old outfielder broke out through the COVID-19-shortened season and regarded like a fixture of their subsequent section, however he produced an adjusted OPS of solely 106 final season and is batting solely .211/.310/.377 in 2022. The one certified hitter with a decrease OPS within the second half has been Myles Straw. — Gonzalez
Report: 60-63
Earlier rating: 18
The accidents maintain holding this Boston staff again, with Enrique Hernandez, Trevor Story and Chris Sale all out. Nathan Eovaldi and Eric Hosmer additionally each hit the injured checklist, so Boston’s playoff hopes for the season are fading rapidly. Issues have gotten dangerous sufficient that Bobby Dalbec is enjoying shortstop. The power is low in Boston proper now, even with out the query of what’s going to occur to Xander Bogaerts looming over the way forward for the membership. — Lee
Report: 56-67
Earlier rating: 19
Did the Rangers get a lift from their managerial change? Texas had certainly one of its higher collection wins of the yr beneath interim supervisor Tony Beasley when it received three of 4 on the street in Minnesota over the weekend. Pitching was the secret for the Rangers as they gave up a complete of simply six runs within the collection. That success on the mound helped them to a 5-2 over the previous seven video games whereas compiling a 2.18 ERA. — Rogers
Report: 56-66
Earlier rating: 20
The D-backs are navigating one other forgettable season, however Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen proceed to be shiny spots, combining to go 6-0 with a 1.27 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP and a 4.19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 85 innings for the reason that All-Star break. Gallen and Kelly, the latter of whom pitched six scoreless innings in Wednesday’s loss to the Royals, are each on the books by means of 2025 and have solidified themselves as strong rotational constructing blocks for the foreseeable future. — Gonzalez
Report: 52-71
Earlier rating: 22
Arte Moreno announced his plans to doubtlessly promote the staff on Tuesday, close to the top of his twentieth yr because the Angels’ proprietor. The hope is {that a} contemporary face may right a few of the flaws in Moreno’s ownership tenure — particularly, in keeping with varied individuals all through the business who’ve spoken on the topic in recent times: meddling in baseball-operations choices, most notably for high-priced contracts which have backfired; refusing to exceed the luxury-tax threshold; and never inserting sufficient significance on placing the correct infrastructure in place to maximise scouting and participant growth.
To his credit score, Moreno’s groups have been all the time inside the high 10 in payroll. However these aforementioned points are pointed to by many as the explanation the Angels are already near clinching their seventh consecutive shedding season — with no clear path to rapid competition in sight. — Gonzalez
Report: 54-69
Earlier rating: 24
Not that the disappointing season is supervisor Don Mattingly’s fault, however provided that his contract is up and that the one successful and playoff season in seven years as supervisor got here within the shortened 2020 season, it is beginning to really feel increasingly seemingly that the Marlins may have a brand new supervisor for 2023. It is also truthful to level out that younger hitters merely have not developed beneath Mattingly, because the offense continues to be an issue (14th within the NL in runs, final in walks, thirteenth in batting common). — Schoenfield
Report: 53-70
Earlier rating: 21
Chicago pitching has been excellent for the reason that All-Star break, compiling the second lowest ERA in baseball behind the mighty Dodgers. Lefty Justin Steele is making a reputation for himself after recording 9 or extra strikeouts in three consecutive house begins — solely the third lefty to ever try this at Wrigley Area. The opposite two hurlers? Sandy Koufax and Randy Johnson. Steele has a 3.25 ERA in 23 begins as he is established himself within the league. — Rogers
Report: 54-70
Earlier rating: 23
Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron obtained off to a blistering begin, the kind that earned him an invite to the All-Star Recreation. However his bat has noticeably slowed ever since, producing solely a .177/.231/.319 slash line within the second half. Within the midst of that, the Rockies have gone 11-21. They produce other, larger issues, in fact, as Wednesday’s 16-4 loss to the Rangers exemplified. — Gonzalez
Report: 48-73
Earlier rating: 26
Even when Cincinnati will get a great outing out from a starter, it appears to go dangerous. On Monday, lefty Nick Lodolo took a no-hitter into the sixth inning towards the Phillies solely to surrender 4 runs that inning earlier than being knocked out. The Reds’ 1-0 shutout by Lodolo every week in the past — a sport that did not get away — looks like a distant reminiscence as their employees compiled a 4.22 ERA since final Wednesday. — Rogers
Report: 50-75
Earlier rating: 25
It hasn’t been that lengthy since prospect hounds would debate about who the centerfielder of the long run may be for the Braves. Cristian Pache or Drew Waters? Pache was the higher glove, so perhaps he sticks in middle with Waters sliding over to left. Properly, the reply to Pache or Waters is … neither. Pache was dealt to Oakland over the offseason, Michael Harris II simply signed a $72 million contract to be the Braves’ middle fielder of the current and future, and Waters simply made his huge league debut for the Royals.
Waters, picked up midseason for a compensatory draft alternative (No. 35 within the latest draft), drove within the successful run towards the White Sox on Monday with a bases-loaded stroll. After posting a .698 for the Braves’ Triple-A staff, he boosted that to .940 after the commerce, enjoying for the Royals Triple-A membership in the identical circuit. — Doolittle
Report: 47-76
Earlier rating: 27
The Pirates and Reds are buying and selling turns in final place within the NL Central as Pittsbugh has had points with pitching recently. The Pirates’ employees gave up 23 runs in a weekend collection loss to the Reds. It is no marvel the staff ERA ranked twenty seventh over the previous week as each its rotation and bullpen struggled. You realize issues are going dangerous when the Pirates lose 1-10 to Mike Minor of the Reds. In fact, Zach Thompson was on the shedding finish of that sport, dropping him to an nearly equally dangerous mark of 3-10 with a 5.51 ERA. — Rogers
Report: 47-77
Earlier rating: 28
The match between Tigers free-agent prize Javier Baez and Comerica Park seems to be a match made, nicely, let’s simply say it isn’t in heaven. Contemplate this slash line: .262/.300/.467. Baez has executed higher, however that is not dangerous, particularly for a shortstop. Sadly, that is simply what Baez has executed on the street. At Comerica, Baez has hit a daunting .180/.229/.258 over 210 plate appearances. That is nearly pitcher-hitting territory. Baez’s .486 house OPS is the worst in Tigers house historical past amongst gamers with at the very least 200 plate appearances within the Motor Metropolis. Since 2000, when Comerica Park opened, the bottom such determine was the .565 OPS posted by James McCann in 2018. — Doolittle
Report: 45-79
Earlier rating: 29
The hunt to maintain the Athletics in Oakland appears to be a shedding one as extra stories emerge in regards to the possession group’s curiosity in Las Vegas. Billionaire resort magnate Phil Ruffin met with A’s management, and negotiations appear to be gaining steam, with MLB looking for round $275 million to fund a brand new stadium. Final week, the Athletics drew 2,630 followers towards the Marlins. — Lee
Report: 41-83
Earlier rating: 30
A feel-good story for the Nats has been 30-year-old rookie Joey Meneses, who was referred to as up after Josh Bell was traded and has offered some pop his first three weeks within the majors whereas hitting over .300. Initially signed by the Braves in 2011 out of Mexico, he additionally hung out with the Phillies, Crimson Sox and abroad in Japan. He is not likely a constructing block for the long run, nevertheless it’s enjoyable watching a man like this benefit from his cup of espresso and, who is aware of, perhaps he’ll get a shot subsequent season if he retains hitting. — Schoenfield
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