One other week of MLB Energy Rankings means one other week of Milwaukee atop our listing, because the Brewers are nonetheless rolling alongside as the most effective group in baseball, although could be slowing down after dropping three of 4 video games to the division rival Cubs.
Sitting a minimum of 5 video games behind the Brewers within the Nationwide League standings are the Phillies, Dodgers and Cubs, who’re all neck and neck because the battle for playoff positioning begins and we strategy the stretch run. The 4 powerhouse NL groups all reside in our prime six.
In the meantime, within the American League, two juggernauts have continued to set themselves aside: Detroit and Toronto. The Tigers, who jumped again into the highest three this week, are a recreation and a half up on the Blue Jays, who spherical out our prime 5. And after a slight hunch following the commerce deadline, the Yankees appear to have discovered their footing as soon as once more as they try to chop into Toronto’s division lead.
Our knowledgeable panel has ranked each group based mostly on a mixture of what we have seen and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that may be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB specialists Bradford Doolittle, Jorge Castillo and David Schoenfield to weigh in with an commentary for all 30 groups.
Week 20 | Second-half preview | Preseason rankings
Document: 79-48
Earlier rating: 1
Milwaukee’s lead over Philadelphia within the race for the NL’s prime seed is at 5 video games regardless of the Brewers dropping three in a row in Chicago, giving them round an 82% shot at touchdown the coveted No. 1 slot. It is a good omen. Milwaukee has entered the postseason as a 1-seed twice, each instances parlaying it into deep playoff runs. In 1982, the Brewers received the AL pennant and, of their solely World Collection look, took the Cardinals to seven video games. In 2018, Milwaukee was the NL’s No. 1 and took the Dodgers to a seventh recreation within the Nationwide League Championship Collection. — Doolittle
Document: 74-53
Earlier rating: 2
Though the principle concern is actually Zack Wheeler’s well being, his potential season-ending blood clot will take a look at the depth of the Phillies’ rotation. Aaron Nola‘s return Sunday did not go properly, however Ranger Suarez broke out of a mini-slump with a powerful outing Monday (his first 10-strikeout, no-walk recreation) and Cristopher Sanchez continued to point out he deserves Cy Younger consideration with a 12-strikeout efficiency Tuesday. Oh, and a primary for Bryce Harper in Monday’s win: He hit his longest residence run since 2023 within the first inning after which topped that distance later within the recreation with a 448-foot blast, changing into the primary Phillies participant with two 440-foot residence runs in the identical recreation (and the primary within the majors this season) since Statcast started in 2015. — Schoenfield
Document: 76-53
Earlier rating: 5
Tarik Skubal continued to solidify his case for a second straight AL Cy Younger Award by twirling seven scoreless innings Tuesday towards the Astros. He struck out 10 batters, changing into the primary pitcher to achieve 200 strikeouts this season. The left-hander has a 2.32 ERA in 159⅓ innings throughout 25 begins. He leads main league starters in FIP and fWAR. Garrett Crochet and Hunter Brown have loved stellar seasons, nevertheless it’s Skubal’s award to lose. — Castillo
Document: 72-55
Earlier rating: 4
Eighteen years into his MLB profession, Clayton Kershaw continues to be a marvel. By 15 begins, he has gone 7-2, elevating his profession victory whole to 219. His 3.01 ERA interprets to a 139 ERA+, not fairly peak Kershaw however numbers any group would like to have in its rotation. He has accomplished this with plain previous pitching, as his as soon as elite strikeout charge continues its ongoing deterioration. Kershaw’s charge of 5.7 whiffs per 9 innings is down 1.5 from final season and is almost 4 whiffs shy of his profession common. It is lower than half his peak results of 11.6 in 2015. — Doolittle
Document: 74-54
Earlier rating: 3
The Blue Jays acquired a scare this week when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left Monday’s recreation with a hamstring damage after stretching to make a play at first base. An MRI showed just inflammation, a constructive improvement contemplating the chances, nevertheless it’s one thing they must monitor down the stretch. Guerrero is Toronto’s $500 million franchise cornerstone. He has been among the best hitters within the sport once more this season, batting .298 with 21 residence runs and an 0.894 OPS in 124 video games. Dropping him for an prolonged stretch might torpedo the Jays’ World Collection hopes. — Castillo
Document: 73-54
Earlier rating: 7
If there’s a vibrant aspect to the Cubs’ second-half woes on offense it is that it would shine a light-weight on a pitching workers that has been a bit underrated all season. And it has remained strong even throughout Chicago’s post-break downturn. Although the group ERA (3.81, eleventh in MLB) is extra good than nice and its ERA+ (100) signifies league-average pitching, the Cubs’ run distribution tells a narrative of consistency. Chicago has held opponents to 3 runs or fewer 70 instances this season, most in baseball. The Cubs’ file in these video games: 57-13. — Doolittle
Document: 71-56
Earlier rating: 8
The Padres’ deadline-fortified offense hasn’t carried out a lot in a different way for the reason that additions of Ramon Laureano, Freddy Fermin and Ryan O’Hearn. The Padres are fourth in OBP in August and stay the hardest membership to strike out. San Diego is twenty second in runs on the season, largely as a result of it ranks twenty ninth in homers. The Padres’ various assault has been much less reliant on homers for scoring than any group in baseball. The query for October stays: When the playoffs arrive and the flexibility to string collectively hits turns into tougher, will a shortfall of residence runs show to be San Diego’s deadly flaw? — Doolittle
Document: 69-57
Earlier rating: 12
The Yankees are scariest with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton each within the lineup — simply take a look at Tuesday’s residence run barrage in Tampa. However that will not occur day by day till Choose recovers sufficient from his flexor pressure to be cleared to return to the outfield. When that can occur stays unclear. Choose elevated his throwing to 150 toes this week, which qualifies as a constructive improvement, however a return date to proper discipline has not been publicly set.
For now, Choose is the Yankees’ every-day designated hitter, which suggests Stanton, who’s 35 and would not transfer properly, has to play proper discipline to be within the lineup. The Yankees are making it work, however getting Choose cleared to play the outfield — even simply often, if not day by day — might make a major distinction. — Castillo
Document: 69-58
Earlier rating: 9
The Astros had among the best bullpens within the first half, however that group has struggled for the reason that All-Star break with an ERA over 5.00 — and now will likely be with out Josh Hader till a minimum of late September, as he’ll shut down for 3 weeks to relaxation his shoulder. He mentioned he’s hopeful about returning for the postseason. In the meantime, the Astros had been shut out three video games in a row (and 4 of their previous 5 video games), together with back-to-back losses of 12-0 and 10-0 to the Orioles and Tigers, respectively. Excellent news on that entrance: Yordan Alvarez started his rehab project Tuesday. — Schoenfield
Document: 68-60
Earlier rating: 6
The highs of an eight-game profitable streak had been instantly adopted by a troublesome street journey to Baltimore, New York (with a pit cease in Williamsport) and Philadelphia. Logan Gilbert‘s implosion Monday symbolizes the issues the rotation has had all season on the street. Solely Bryan Woo has an ERA beneath 4.92 away from T-Cellular Park, and Gilbert noticed his street ERA climb to six.00 after his latest outing. He has allowed a .141 common at residence however .293 on the street. Woo, in the meantime, noticed his streak of six-inning begins proceed, as he has now gone a minimum of six innings in all 24 of his outings. — Schoenfield
Document: 68-59
Earlier rating: 10
The Crimson Sox had received 16 of 18 video games at Fenway Park earlier than dropping three straight to the Marlins and Orioles to shut their latest homestand. General, Boston is 41-25 at residence — with 10 walk-off wins — and 27-34 on the street. The membership’s surge into the postseason image for the reason that finish of June has been fueled by its play at residence in entrance of an invigorated fan base that has rapidly forgotten concerning the franchise’s stunning choice to commerce Rafael Devers in mid-June. The emergence of 21-year-old Roman Anthony has helped. However an eight-game street journey to New York and Baltimore awaits, and the Crimson Sox might want to play higher away from Fenway to carry on to a wild-card spot. — Castillo
Document: 67-59
Earlier rating: 11
The Mets quickly broke out of their deep hunch by taking two of three towards Seattle, together with profitable the Little League Basic on Sunday evening, with Mark Vientos slugging a key three-run residence run to the other discipline. However the largest carry got here Saturday as rookie Nolan McLean made his MLB debut and regarded very spectacular in hanging out eight batters in 5⅔ scoreless innings. He confirmed off his deep repertoire of pitches — Statcast categorised six totally different pitches — and although he’ll have to scrub up his command (4 walks), he might make a huge impact down the stretch. — Schoenfield
Document: 67-61
Earlier rating: 13
Cue the previous Pete Rose-Bud Harrelson highlights as a result of the Reds have fought their manner right into a scuffle with the Mets for the NL’s final playoff spot. Cincinnati hasn’t actually gotten red-hot, nevertheless it has been profitable sequence whereas rising its playoff odds. The Reds received two of three towards the Mets at Citi Discipline in July. The golf equipment have a key return sequence at Nice American Ball Park looming after Labor Day, a three-game set starting Sept. 5. Buckle up. — Doolittle
Document: 64-62
Earlier rating: 14
The Guardians, as soon as eight video games beneath .500 in early July, are inside hanging distance of a wild-card spot — regardless of nearer Emmanuel Clase happening depart on July 28 as part of a sports gambling investigation — as a result of their bullpen stays elite. Cleveland’s reduction corps ranks fourth within the majors with a 3.07 ERA and eighth in Win Chance Added in Clase’s absence. Cade Smith has continued dazzling because the membership’s main nearer with a 2.13 ERA throughout 12⅔ innings — although he blew the save in Wednesday’s extra-inning loss — and rookie left-hander Erik Sabrowski hasn’t allowed a run in 7⅔ frames. — Castillo
Document: 65-62
Earlier rating: 18
On Tuesday, Bobby Witt Jr. grew to become the fourth participant in main league historical past to register a minimum of 100 residence runs and 100 steals via his first 4 seasons, becoming a member of Julio Rodriguez, Darryl Strawberry and Bobby Bonds. The feat serves as a reminder of Witt’s elite talents, which have gone beneath the radar this 12 months after ending as AL MVP runner-up final season. Witt, quite quietly, is third within the majors in fWAR whereas batting .291 with 17 residence runs, 32 steals and a .843 OPS and rating second amongst big-league shortstops in Outs Above Common. He is the whole package deal. — Castillo
Document: 63-65
Earlier rating: 15
The August hunch continues because the Rangers have dropped properly off within the wild-card race and seen their playoff probabilities dip to beneath 10%. The pitching, which had been so good all season, lastly broke a bit and posted a 5.66 ERA throughout a 2-9 latest stretch. Phil Maton, acquired on the commerce deadline, misplaced back-to-back video games, and fellow reliever Danny Coulombe, one other deadline pickup, additionally misplaced a recreation. Joc Pederson continues to get common at-bats for some motive, and Marcus Semien, after hitting higher in June and July, is scuffling once more. The Astros and Mariners have not fairly slammed the door on Texas, however time is working out. — Schoenfield
Document: 61-66
Earlier rating: 19
Steinbrenner Discipline would not belong to the Rays, they usually had been reminded of that reality Tuesday when the Yankees tied a franchise file with 9 residence runs in a 13-3 win at their very own spring coaching facility. Tampa Bay’s Shane Baz gave up 5 of the homers in three innings, persevering with his distress on the homer-happy ballpark. The suitable-hander’s numbers at Steinbrenner Discipline are abysmal: 7.06 ERA, .888 OPS towards and 18 residence runs allowed in 13 outings. All rank worst within the majors amongst pitchers with a minimum of 60 innings at residence this season. — Castillo
Document: 61-66
Earlier rating: 17
Because the Giants’ once-promising season has settled into yawn-inducing mediocrity, we are able to determine when the wave broke and what has occurred because it rolled again. The excessive level was June 11, when San Francisco beat Colorado for a seventh straight win to go a season-best 12 video games over .500. The Giants had been a half-game again of the Dodgers within the division race and topped the early wild-card standings. The Giants had been on tempo to attain 684 runs and permit 567. These paces are actually 656 runs scored and 662 allowed. A slight decline offensively, however a collapse on the pitching aspect. — Doolittle
Document: 63-65
Earlier rating: 16
The Cardinals have neither performed properly nor bottomed out. As a substitute, they continue to be muddled within the average-to-below strata of MLB. This continues the continuing malaise of a franchise and a fan base accustomed to a better customary. If the Cardinals win fewer than 89 video games — a digital certainty — their three-year profitable share will dip beneath .500 for the primary time this century. After the 1999 season, their three-year mark was right down to .475, however they then received 96 video games in 2000 to maneuver again over .500. They’ve stored their rolling common above breakeven ever since till, possible, this season. — Doolittle
Document: 62-66
Earlier rating: 21
The Diamondbacks are tied for fourth within the majors in scoring and rank sixth in OPS throughout August. It is a small pattern however an encouraging one within the aftermath of Arizona’s deadline subtractions of key hitters Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez. On the flip aspect, venerable infield prospect Jordan Lawlar hasn’t had an opportunity to make the most of Suarez’s departure due to a lingering hamstring pressure. Excellent news on that entrance: Lawlar returned to motion on the Triple-A degree Aug. 14 and must be in place for his first MLB recreation motion since final Might earlier than lengthy. — Doolittle
Document: 61-66
Earlier rating: 22
What is the long-term repair for the Angels? They will must discover a approach to develop beginning pitchers who can strike out some batters. They rank close to the underside of the majors in rotation strikeout charge, with Kyle Hendricks and Jack Kochanowicz possessing two of the bottom Ok charges amongst starters. The opposite drawback is the rotation ranks equally in stroll charge, so the Angels compound their lack of swing-and-miss stuff with too many free passes. Apart from 2025 first-round choose Tyler Bremner, there may not be a lot quick assistance on the farm as prime pitching prospects George Klassen (6.55 ERA in Double-A) and Caden Dana (accidents) have had unproductive seasons. — Schoenfield
Document: 59-67
Earlier rating: 24
Samuel Basallo has arrived, and the early returns are downright thrilling for the group. The highest prospect grew to become the youngest place participant to seem in a recreation within the majors this season when he made his debut Sunday in Houston at 21 years and 4 days previous. He proceeded to go 1-for-4 with two RBIs and had a house run robbed as Baltimore’s designated hitter in a 12-0 win over the Astros. He then made his catching debut Monday towards the Crimson Sox and blasted two rockets, together with one off the Inexperienced Monster for his first profession extra-base hit.
At 6-foot-4, Basallo can mash. The query is whether or not he’ll stay behind the plate or shift to first base with Adley Rutschman entrenched because the Orioles’ main catcher. A transfer to first is probably going. — Castillo
Document: 60-67
Earlier rating: 20
The Marlins have pale out of the wild-card image with a troublesome August, however one vibrant spot has been outfielder Jakob Marsee, who was known as up Aug. 1. The left-handed hitter had a two-homer, seven-RBI recreation and has showcased an above-average contact charge and good plate self-discipline up to now. A part of final 12 months’s Luis Arraez commerce with the Padres, Marsee was hitting simply .246 in Triple-A (after hitting .200 within the minors in 2024), so we’ll see if the bat is legit, however he has been scoring the ball up to now. And although his velocity is just a tick above common, he did have 47 steals within the minors as properly. — Schoenfield
Document: 58-69
Earlier rating: 25
Shortstop will undoubtedly be on the prime of the offseason procuring listing for the Braves. Nick Allen has been one of many prime defensive shortstops within the league, however his full lack of manufacturing on the plate — no residence runs plus a low batting common — has helped crater the offense. If the remainder of the lineup was hitting, you possibly can play him, however the remainder of the lineup hasn’t hit as anticipated. The free agent shortstop class is skinny apart from Bo Bichette, however Bichette is on the backside of the league in Statcast’s defensive metrics. — Schoenfield
Document: 58-68
Earlier rating: 23
The Pohlad household is not promoting the Twins in any case. In a statement released last week, the household introduced it’ll stay the principal proprietor of the membership and can add new buyers. The choice surfaced two weeks after the Twins traded 10 gamers from their 26-man lively roster forward of the commerce deadline as they head to their lowest attendance whole since Goal Discipline opened in 2010. — Castillo
Document: 58-70
Earlier rating: 26
Nick Kurtz‘s residence run charge has dropped since his four-homer recreation, however he has nonetheless been hitting .300 with an OBP over .400 as his stroll charge continues to climb, partially as a result of pitchers merely aren’t difficult him as typically. He ought to get to 502 plate appearances by season’s finish, which can make him an official certified hitter. If he finishes with an OPS over 1.000, he’ll be a part of Albert Pujols and Aaron Choose as the one rookies to take action since World Conflict II. — Schoenfield
Document: 54-74
Earlier rating: 27
How unhealthy has Pittsburgh’s offense been this season? Properly, the Pirates are on tempo to attain simply 570 runs this season. That will be their worst output over an uninterrupted season since 1985, after they scored 568 runs whereas dropping 104 video games. That was the season earlier than Barry Bonds’ MLB debut. The Pirates, whose pitchers have ranked within the prime half by ERA+ all season after ending at precisely league-average in 2024, would see a drop-off of almost 100 runs over 2024 if they preserve this tempo. Their 665 runs final season ranked twenty fourth in MLB. — Doolittle
Document: 45-82
Earlier rating: 28
The place was this Luis Robert Jr. over the season’s first three months? That is a query the White Sox entrance workplace needs to be asking after the proficient middle fielder sank his commerce worth with dismal manufacturing via the start of July earlier than turning issues round to resemble the participant the membership envisioned him to be. Robert was batting .185 with a .583 OPS in 75 video games via July 9. Since then, he’s hitting .300 with a .833 OPS in 30 video games. With $20 million group choices every of the following two years — and the White Sox mired in a deep rebuild — he will likely be a primary commerce candidate this winter if he continues on this trajectory down the stretch. — Castillo
Document: 51-75
Earlier rating: 29
Dylan Crews is lastly off the IL, enjoying his first MLB video games since Might 20. His 13-game rehab stint in Triple-A wasn’t promising, as he hit .244/.311/.415 with one stroll in 45 plate appearances, however he’ll actually get common obligation within the outfield the remainder of this season. Crews nonetheless has barely 300 PAs within the majors, nevertheless it’s time he begins exhibiting one thing so the Nationals can rely on him for 2026. As some of the hyped collegiate gamers lately and the No. 2 choose in 2023, they clearly want him to develop right into a foundational piece of the roster. — Schoenfield
Document: 37-90
Earlier rating: 30
The Rockies have been simple targets for derision, however they’ve strung collectively an extended sufficient stretch of respectable baseball to offer the barb throwers every week off. Do not get us incorrect — that is nonetheless a group on tempo to lose 115 to 116 video games and permit greater than 1,000 runs. However the offense has been much less unhealthy these days, giving Colorado a superb shot at avoiding the single-season loss file. Because the All-Star break, the Rockies rank within the prime half of the majors in runs and OPS. Coors Discipline inflation performs into that, after all, however earlier this season, the Rockies weren’t hitting there, both. Progress? — Doolittle
