MLB Power Rankings: Where Sox stand to start second half
The second half of the 2021 MLB season is in full swing.It hasn't been the start the Boston Red Sox were hoping for. After having their series opener vs. the New York Yankees postponed, the Red Sox proceeded to lose two of three, making them 4-6 in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays have gone 8-2 in their last 10 and find themselves only a half-game behind Boston in the AL East.There are more tight division races where that came from across the league. The Oakland A's are keeping pace with the Houston Astros, trailing only 3 1/2 games in the AL West. The NL East is up for grabs with the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves each in the mix. The San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres continue to do battle for the NL West crown.Where does each team stand in our updated MLB Power Rankings? Let's take a look.
Previously: 30
Nothing new here. The Diamondbacks are 12-55 since May 2.
Tomase: Verdugo incident latest example of unacceptable fan behavior
Previously: 29
The Trey Mancini story continues to amaze as the Orioles slugger put on a show in the Home Run Derby. It was cool to see Cedric Mullins get the attention he deserves in the All-Star Game too.
Other than that, not much to be excited about in Baltimore.
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It seems as though it's a matter of when -- not if -- Kyle Gibson and Joey Gallo will be traded. Gallo has 11 homers since June 26.
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It's been a predictably rough year in Pittsburgh but that Jacob Stallings walk-off grand slam against the Mets over the weekend is worth a mention. Incredible moment.
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The Royals have plummented to the bottom of the AL Central and near the bottom of our rankings since their impressive start to the 2021 campaign. Now, they're a team to watch at the trade deadline with starting pitcher Danny Duffy likely to be their primary trade chip.
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The Twins' 2021 season has been a bizarre one, to say the least. Many had them penciled in to win the AL Central. Instead, they're fighting to stay out of the cellar and could part ways with a number of pieces before the July 30 trade deadline.
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German Marquez has been a stud for Colorado this season, going 8-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 19 starts and earning his first All-Star nod. Marquez, Jon Gray, and Trevor Story each have a solid chance to be moved at the trade deadline.
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The Marlins remain in last place in the NL East despite their +16 run differential, which is second-best in the division. They'll likely be active at the trade deadline with Starling Marte and Jesus Aguilar as attractive options for contending clubs.
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No one expected the Tigers to be ahead of both the Twins and Royals in the AL Central, but they've unquestionably been the better team as of late. Much of that success has to do with starter Wily Peralta coming out of nowhere to post a 1.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 33 innings pitched. Perhaps Detroit will capitalize on the right-hander's skyrocketed value at the trade deadline.
Previously: 16
The Nats haven't had a great season by any stretch of the imagination but still are only six games back in the tight NL East. Going 3-7 in their last 10 games certainly hasn't helped their case, but they could make things interesting over these next couple of months. Especially if Juan Soto stays hot.
Previously: 20
It's unquestionably been a disappointing year in St. Louis, who many picked to take home the NL Central after it acquired superstar Nolan Arenado from the Rockies. Instead, they find themselves nine games behind the first-place Brewers and 7 1/2 games back in the wild card race.
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We're inching closer to the possible exodus of Craig Kimbrel, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and/or Javier Baez. The end of an era in Chicago.
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It's the same old story with the Angels. They'll likely end up with the AL MVP (Shohei Ohtani taking the place of Mike Trout) and miss the postseason. On the bright side, Trout appears close to returning from injury.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. going down with a torn ACL is some of the worst news of the entire 2021 MLB season. Atlanta responded by going out and acquiring slugger Joc Pederson from the Cubs and catcher Stephen Vogt from the D'Backs. They aren't packing it in just yet as they sit only four games out of the NL East lead.
Previously: 13
Give the Mariners plenty of credit for being a 50-win team at this point in the season. It's safe to say no one expected that to happen. That said, their -51 run differential more accurately sums up what they are as a club.
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Philadelphia has won seven of its last 10 and is only two games behind the first-place Mets in the NL East race. Look for the Phillies to acquire some bullpen help at the trade deadline.
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The Indians won't catch the White Sox in the AL Central, but they still have a shot at a Wild Card spot. They'll have to overcome a really tough second-half schedule to make that happen.
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After being swept by the Brewers over the weekend, the Reds now have some serious ground to make up in the NL Central. Seven games, to be exact.
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Are the Yankees starting to figure it out? They took their series against the Astros prior to the All-Star break then just took two of three from the Red Sox. If they can continue this hot stretch for another week or so, expect them to be buyers at the deadline.
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Just when things are looking up for the Mets, the baseball Gods have other ideas. They lost two of three vs. the lowly Pirates over the weekend and, even worse, lost both Jacob deGrom and Francisco Lindor to injuries. The NL East is up for grabs.
Previously: 10
Red Sox fans will see plenty of the Blue Jays over the next couple of weeks. Seven of Toronto's next 10 games are against Boston. If the Sox can't snap their cold streak, this AL East race suddenly will get very interesting. Don't sleep on this Blue Jays team in the second half, especially if they add pitching at the deadline.
Previously: 9
The A's are only 3 1/2 games behind the Astros in the AL West but they need to start playing better baseball if they're to make a push for the division. They're a mediocre 4-6 in their last 10 games and 9-14 since June 18.
Previously: 5
It's fair to say no one thought the Padres would be a third-place team in the NL West, but here we are. That isn't the fault of superstar Fernando Tatis Jr., who leads the NL in homers (28), steals (22), slugging percentage (.649), OPS (1.021), and runs scored. Pretttty good.
Previously: 8
The Rays are hot again. They're 8-2 in their last 10 games and only a half game behind the Red Sox for the division lead. The two teams will meet again July 30 in Tampa.
Previously: 3
The Red Sox are going through a bit of a rough patch. They stumbled into the All-Star break with a series loss to the Phillies, then dropped two out of three vs. the Yankees. They'll look to get back on track with a big series against the Blue Jays, followed by another series vs. the Yankees at Fenway Park.
While it hasn't been a great couple of weeks for Boston, there's plenty of reason for optimism. Ace Chris Sale could return sooner rather than later if his rehab starts continue to go well, plus top prospects Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck were called up and could be difference makers down the stretch.
Tomase: Skidding Sox have gotten away from what made them great
Previously: 6
The Brewers are sitting pretty with a seven-game lead in the NL Central following their sweep over the second-place Reds. It'll be interesting to see who they target in trades this month now that they've established themselves as a legit contender.
Previously: 4
The Astros continue to mash and maintain a first-place spot in the AL West. Expect them to go after a bullpen arm at the deadline (Craig Kimbrel, perhaps?).
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Barring an absolute stunning collapse, the White Sox are a lock to take home the AL Central crown. They'll be getting reinforcements soon with Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert returning from injury. Those likely won't be the only additions before the trade deadline.
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L.A. has the best run differential in baseball (+152) and is only one game behind the Giants in the division. Mookie Betts has been red-hot as of late following a less-than-stellar first half, though he's currently battling through a hip injury.
Previously: 1
The Giants begin a four-game series vs. the Dodgers in L.A. on Monday. They'll also be getting Kevin Gausman and Buster Posey back soon. Get your popcorn ready.
