Every week, the California Post ranks all 30 MLB teams. Here’s a look at the latest standings as of Thursday night:
1) Braves (45-23*)
Ronald Acuña Jr. is back on the injured list, yet the Braves are holding steady with the top record in the majors. Interestingly, Acuña isn’t even Atlanta’s standout outfielder this season; that title might go to Michael Harris II, who boasts a batting average over .300 with 13 home runs. (Last week: 1st)
2) Dodgers (43-25*)
The Dodgers have hit a rough patch, largely due to multiple bullpen issues. Still, they had the best record in the league last month and hold a significant lead in the National League West, boasting a nearly certain playoff chance. I guess I’ll check back in October. (Last week: 2nd)
3) Yankees (31-26)
The Yankees have managed well in Aaron Judge’s absence. They’ve won four consecutive games and are tied for first in the American League East. (Last week: 3rd)
4) Brewers (41-25)
The Brewers had a successful trip, going 4-2 at some of the most hitter-friendly parks, averaging 8.5 runs per game. (Last week: 4th)
5) Phillies (37-31)
Kyle Schwarber has been a game-changer for the Phillies. After considering a move in free agency, he now leads the majors in home runs and slugging percentage, aiming for a career-high 57 homers. This has played a crucial role in their impressive 29-13 record since late April. (Last week: 5th)
6) Rays (36-23)
A matchup against the Red Sox proved beneficial for the Rays, who bounced back after a tough stretch. With strong performances from pitchers Nick Martinez and Drew Rasmussen, they’ve turned things around. (Last week: 6th)
7) Cardinals (37-29*)
Dustin May has transformed from a tough start to becoming one of the league’s standout pitchers, throwing six scoreless innings against the Mets recently as the Cardinals enjoyed a six-game winning streak. (Last week: 9th)
8) Mariners (36-33*)
The Mariners have been struggling lately, currently sitting at .500 after a strong previous run. Yet, that’s still enough to keep them leading a not-so-competitive American League West. (Last week: 8th)
9) White Sox (36-31*)
The White Sox have been an exciting story this year and are now emerging as playoff contenders. Winning a series against the Braves, highlighted by Braden Montgomery’s walk-off home run, has brought them to the top of the AL Central. (Last week: 14th)
10) Guardians (37-33)
The Guardians have seen a sharp decline lately. They’ve gone 3-8 since the end of May, and their below-average scoring offense is finally showing its impact. (Last week: 7th)
11) Cubs (35-34)
Things haven’t gotten any better for the Cubs; their earlier double 10-game winning streaks are just a fading memory. A big issue might be Alex Bregman’s subpar performance since joining. (Last week: 10th)
12) Pirates (35-33*)
As they prepared to face the defending champion Dodgers, pitcher Paul Skeens surprised everyone by dropping into a local Little League practice. Unfortunately, his outing didn’t go as planned, giving up multiple runs. (Last week: 11th)
13) Diamondbacks (34-34)
The Diamondbacks have hit a groove of déjà vu, unable to win four consecutive series. Coach Tori Lovullo is reportedly frustrated with Ketel Marte, though attempts have been made to squash those stories. (Last week: 12th)
14) Padres (35-32)
Manny Machado expressed some frustration regarding advanced analytics this week. His batting average is low, but maybe it reflects broader team issues, as they struggle offensively. (Last week: 13th)
15) Blue Jays (33-36)
Dylan Schiess and Max Scherzer are back, the latter racking up career strikeouts, but the Blue Jays remain mired in inconsistency. (Last week: 16th)
16) Athletics (33-35)
With their move to Las Vegas approaching, it might be good advice to assume scoring will be high. This week, a showcase game highlighted that desert conditions aren’t forgiving for certain pitchers. (Last week: 17th)
17) Nationals (35-34)
Just when the Nationals seemed to find some stability, they allowed eight runs in one inning to the Giants. Their top-ranked offense is being held back by a concerning bullpen. (Last week: 18th)
18) Rangers (33-34*)
After a strong start, Brandon Nimmo’s performance has declined, raising questions about the Mets-Rangers trade. (Last week: 19th)
19) Marlins (34-35)
The Marlins are surging with six straight wins and eight of nine in June. They might have found a lucky charm this season with their teal throwback jerseys—victories seem to stack up when they wear them. (Last week: 25th)
20) Reds (32-35)
The Reds have slumped hard, with a 12-24 record since early May, and it’s high time for a change. (Last week: 15th)
21) Orioles (32-37*)
The Orioles’ season has been a tough one, complicated now by issues regarding young catcher Samuel Vassallo’s recent wrist injury. (Last week: 20th)
22) Astros (31-39)
After a brief resurgence, the Astros fell back, ending the week with a couple of wins against the Angels. Their future doesn’t look promising. (Last week: 21st)
23) Mets (30-38)
The Mets continue their rough run, recently suffering a significant home loss to the Cardinals. The Knicks might distract them for only so long. (Last week: 22nd)
24) Red Sox (27-39)
Thought of the week: Craig Breslow seems to be having one of the roughest seasons as a GM, given the disappointing state of the Red Sox. Rumors suggest job security might not be an issue for him right now, though. (Last week: 23rd)
25) Twins (31-39)
In what seems to be another lost season, Byron Buxton may want to consider waiving his no-trade clause to seek new opportunities. (Last week: 24th)
26) Royals (28-40)
Injuries continue to plague the Royals, with Seth Lugo narrowly escaping a serious mishap from a hard-hit ball. This year has been tough on them. (Last week: 26th)
27) Giants (28-41)
This week’s quote from rookie Bryce Eldridge came after he hit a walk-off home run. He expressed a desire to be the “face of the franchise,” a role no existing superstars seem to have filled. (Last week: 27th)
28) Tigers (29-40)
Tarik Skubal is making a comeback from elbow surgery—we’ll see if it’s too late to salvage the Tigers’ season as the trade deadline approaches. (Last week: 28th)
29) Rockies (26-42*)
Congrats to Kyle Freeland for breaking the Rockies’ innings pitched record this week, though it’s not exactly a celebration for most pitchers. (Last week: 29th)
30) Angels (27-42)
This week, some buzz emerged online about Mr. Beast showing interest in purchasing the Angels. It poses an interesting question: would that be an upgrade over Arte Moreno? (Last week: 30th)
Award Tracker: National League MVP
1) Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (.299 average, 12 HR, 39 RBI, .940 OPS, 6-2 pitching record, 1.06 ERA, 67 2/3 innings, 0.84 WHIP)
The race for second place is heating up, but unless he gets injured, Ohtani’s chances of claiming a fifth MVP seem strong. His ability to potentially lead in batting average, OPS, and ERA makes him a standout.
2) Jordan Walker, Cardinals (.303, 17 HR, 56 RBI, .850 OPS)
Walker’s emergence has helped the Cardinals secure a wild-card spot. He’s performing well at the plate and in the field.
3) Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (.239, 24 HR, 42 RBI, .933 OPS)
Schwarber leads the National League in homers again and may hit 57 this season; however, Ohtani’s stellar performance may overshadow his efforts.
