After the trade deadline, it’s a race to the playoffs in Major League Baseball. This week, MLB teams showed their strength as they fought for seeding in pursuit of a World Series.
Which MLB teams climbed the rankings in week 18 of games?
30. Chicago White Sox (Last Week's Rank: 30)
I know other MLB teams would love to see the White Sox on their schedule right now. This team isn’t just bad. They’re on pace to be the worst team ever.
29. Colorado Rockies (Last Week's Rank: 29)
The Rockies ‘ home-field advantage has been no advantage this season. While they split their games last week, they have the second-worst record in the league.
28. Miami Marlins (Last Week's Rank: 28)
The Marlins have now DFA’d or traded away all of their star power and are simply relying on prospects to finish the season. 2024 has been a disappointing season.
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27. Los Angeles Angels (Last Week's Rank: 26)
The Angels season was over a long time ago, but now it’s likely they won’t see Mike Trout again for the rest of the season.
26. Oakland Athletics (Last Week's Rank: 27)
Most MLB teams began playing for pride in the last few weeks as their playoff hopes dwindled. The Athletics have known this fate the entire season. The benefit is this will be a much more competitive team next season, which is showing in their recent wins going 5-4 in their last nine games.
25. Washington Nationals (Last Week's Rank: 25)
Early in the season, the Washington Nationals showed promise as they were competitive. In recent weeks, they’ve been far from it, going 4-8 in their last 12 games.
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24. Cincinnati Reds (Last Week's Rank: 24)
The Reds split another week, going 3-3; at this pace, their season will be over in a few weeks.
23. Tampa Bay Rays (Last Week's Rank: 22)
The Rays are 2-0-1 in their last three series. An impressive record that’s being overshadowed by letting go of so many ket pieces at the trade deadline. While they might not keep this up, things have been going well in Tampa Bay.
22. Detroit Tigers (Last Week's Rank: 21
Tampa Bay is another MLB team that teams have no fear of right now. Last week they were the punching bag of the AL Central.
21. Toronto Blue Jays (Last Week's Rank: 23)
Giving the Blue Jays a break after a tough week is one thing, but winning two games in two series against the top two teams in your MLB division should be a clear sign you should have traded more pieces before the deadline.
20. Texas Rangers (Last Week's Rank: 20)
Things get worse in Texas as the Rangers lose Max Scherzer to the IL again. This team needs to be at full strength to avoid falling out of the AL West race.
19. Chicago Cubs (Last Week's Rank: 19)
The Cubs are like the boy who cried wolf. One week, they look amazing; the next, they show why you should have never believed they were good.
18. St.Louis Cardinals (Last Week's Rank: 17)
The Cardinals aren’t out of the playoff race, but they haven’t gotten any closer to the third spot in weeks, as every win streak is met with losses.
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (Last Week's Rank: 18)
Like the Cardinals, the Pirates are not helping themselves get into the postseason. Their benefit is their bullpen, as they have a talented staff that can help them win defensive battles against other MLB teams.
16. San Francisco Giants (Last Week's Rank: 16)
The Giants continue to impress as they now approach .500 on the season with a series against the struggling Nationals approaching. They’re another team to keep an eye on as the NL Wild Card race heats up.
15. Seattle Mariners (Last Week's Rank: 14)
The Mariners made some big moves to help their lineup at the trade deadline. The offensive helped Seattle take control of the AL West, but they have a long road ahead before they win it.
14. Houston Astros (Last Week’s Rank: 13)
The Astros control their own destiny with a few weeks remaining in the season. After a rough start to 2024, they are happy to be here.
13. Atlanta Braves (Last Week's Rank: 12)
The Braves have lost so many players due to injury and not due to trade. So while they want to make the playoffs, their IL list will likely be the reason they don’t. They’re still dangerous with a lot of veterans and quality pitchers, but their offense has let them down in big games.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (Last Week's Rank: 14)
Right now, the Diamondbacks are playing like one of the best teams in MLB, winning 11 of their last 15 games. Their performance has put them into second place in the NL Wild Card race.
11. New York Mets (Last Week's Rank: 8)
The Mets ballon that was flying high last month is slowly losing its helium down the stretch. As good as this team has played over the last two months, they are still 1.5 games away from a playoff spot.
10. Minnesota Twins (Last Week's Rank: 5)
Minnesota is dangerous offensively, but their bullpen is average. While they’re still winning, they aren’t as dangerous as the MLB teams ahead of them.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (Last Week's Rank: 6)
The Brewers had a tough week, losing back-to-back series. A series loss to the Braves is one thing, but a series loss to the Nationals is unacceptable.
8. Boston Red Sox (Last Week's Rank: 11)
Boston just keeps finding ways to win, going 5-2 last week. This team has World Series potential because they can compete with anyone offensively and defensively.
7. Kansas City Royals (Last Week's Rank: 7)
If you don’t think the Royals are dangerous, Bobby Whitt Jr is. The SS is playing at an MVP level and would likely be in first if he wasn’t in the same division as Aaron Judge.
6. San Diego Padres (Last Week's Rank: 10)
While other MLB teams are fighting for playoff spots, the Padres keep climbing the standings; they’re another team playing like the best, as they’ve won 11 of their last 13.
5. New York Yankees (Last Week's Rank: 9)
The Yankees slump is officially over after trading for their spark, Jazz Chisolm Jr. The team has found new life going 7-1 in their last eight overall.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (Last Week's Rank: 4)
There is no counting the Dodgers out; this team made moves, as always, at the trade deadline to bolster their roster. Also, Mookie Bets’ return from the IL is likely coming in the next few weeks.
3. Baltimore Orioles (Last Week's Rank: 2)
The Orioles are going through their cold streak just like every other team does through such a long season. The positive is their cold is much better than other MLB teams.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (Last Week's Rank: 1)
Last week, the Phillies endured a six-game losing streak, which is why they fell from the #1 spot. They will snap out of their funk soon, but they look really bad as of recently.
1. Cleveland Guardians (Last Week's Rank: 2)
The Guardians have taken over the #1 spot and the best record in the MLB. This team was aggressive at the trade deadline as well to help improve an already talented roster.
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