MLB power rankings: Phillies surge to first place, Mets fall apart in NL East
For the first time in three months, the New York Mets don't lead the National League East.
The Mets' recent decline has coincided with hot streaks from the (now) first-place Philadelphia Phillies and second-place Atlanta Braves, who both made significant improvements at the deadline to make a run in the division.
The Phillies swept the Mets over the weekend in Philadelphia to capture first place, holding the visitors to five runs and 13 hits in the three-game set. Offense has been the main problem for the Mets, with the team batting .179 while going 1-7 to start the month of August.
With a brutal August schedule featuring 13 games in a row against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, the Mets' season is in danger of slipping away.
Here's how our seven-person panel voted this week:
1. San Francisco Giants (–)
Kris Bryant goes 10-for-31 to start his time in San Francisco.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (+2)
Rays take a four-game lead into big three-game set at Fenway.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)
Trea Turner playing second base after COVID positive delayed Dodgers debut.
4. Houston Astros (-2)
Alex Bregman expected back soon after Triple-A rehab stint.
5. Chicago White Sox (+1)
Eloy Jimenez had seven extra-base hits in his first nine games back.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
Rowdy Tellez since the All-Star break: .345/.418/.655 with 5 HR, 17 RBI.
7. Oakland Athletics (+1)
Ramon Laureano suspended 80 games after positive steroid test.
8. New York Yankees (+2)
Weekend series against White Sox will be a big road test.
9. San Diego Padres (–)
Big chance to stack up wins with series vs. Marlins, Diamondbacks and Rockies.
10. Cincinnati Reds (+2)
Jonathan India almost at even odds to win NL Rookie of the Year.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (+2)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (35 HR through Sunday) closing in on Ohtani for MLB lead.
12. Boston Red Sox (-5)
Lost nine of 11 while Rays, Yankees and Blue Jays all won eight of 10.
13. Philadelphia Phillies (+2)
Ian Kennedy converts first two saves – but gave up 3 HR in first four outings.
14. Atlanta Braves (–)
Jorge Soler (3 HR) and Adam Duvall (8 RBI) raked in first week with Braves.
15. New York Mets (-4)
After nearly three months in first place, Mets get overtaken by Phillies.
16. Seattle Mariners (–)
After series win in Tampa, the Mariners won once in four games in the Bronx.
17. Los Angeles Angels (+1)
Tough week ahead with four vs. Blue Jays, three vs. Astros.
18. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)
Jon Lester gave up 11 earned runs in his first two starts with Cardinals.
19. Cleveland (-2)
Cal Quantrill sharp to start August: 0 ER, 16 strikeouts in 13 innings.
20. Detroit Tigers (–)
Infielder Jonathan Schoop signs two-year, $15 million extension.
21. Chicago Cubs (–)
Swept at home by rival White Sox in weekend series.
22. Colorado Rockies (+1)
Trevor Story has been on fire since the trade deadline.
23. Washington Nationals (-1)
Yadiel Hernandez since the All-Star break: 20-for-47 (.426), 9 RBI in 18 games.
24. Kansas City Royals (+1)
Catcher Salvador Perez ties career high with 27 home runs.
25. Minnesota Twins (+1)
Jorge Polanco since the All-Star break: .341/.389/.670 with 8 HR, 18 RBI in 22 games.
26. Miami Marlins (-2)
Outfielder Bryan De La Cruz has been turning heads since his debut.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (–)
Team's 6.05 ERA since the All-Star break is NL's worst
28. Texas Rangers (–)
Nate Lowe with runners in scoring position: .337/.408/.596.
29. Baltimore Orioles (–)
Ryan Mountcastle started August 9-for-16 with two home runs.
30. Arizona Diamondbacks (–)
Madison Bumgarner posts 1.93 ERA (3 ER in 14 IP) in first two August starts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Phillies top NL East standings, Mets fall apart
