MLB power rankings: How low can New York Yankees go after ugly series vs. Red Sox?
To what extent will the New York Yankees collapse?
In their last seven attempts, they have failed to win a series. They are now three games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East, having dropped from first place.
Furthermore, it only took less than a month for it to drop from No. 1 to No. 5 in the USA TODAY Sports power rankings.
The most recent humiliation occurred on Sunday night when they suffered a series loss for the second time in a row against the Boston Red Sox. This puts them just 4 ½ games ahead of their struggling rivals, or almost as close to first place as they are to third. Following the exuberance of rookie Ben Rice’s three-home run performance, the Yankees were unable to win consecutive games for the second time since June 12.
With one week left until the All-Star break, things can only get better.
Taking a peek at our revised rankings:
1. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- A club-record seven All-Stars – and it should’ve been more.
2. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- Heston Kjerstad 11 for 30 (.367) with 12 RBIs in 10 games since return from minors.
3. Cleveland Guardians (-)
- José Ramírez celebrates 10 years of service time and sixth All-Star selection on same day.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)
- Shohei Ohtani first player to 20 homers, 20 steals.
5. New York Yankees (-1)
- Back pages react gently to rookie’s three-homer game: BEN THRICE, ALL RICE, THE BENBINO.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)
- Christian Yelich on a heater, boosts OPS to .940.
7. Atlanta Braves (-1)
- Have won 11 of last 19 to simply tread water, eight games back.
8. Minnesota Twins (-)
- Have won 10 of last 14 – and shaved deficit from 7 1/2 to six games.
9. Boston Red Sox (+3)
- On a 16-6 tear, and have won 12 of last 17 vs. Yankees.
10. Kansas City Royals (-)
- This might have seemed impossible a year ago, but they’re sending two starting pitchers – Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans – to the All-Star Game.
11. Seattle Mariners (-2)
- As division lead goes up in flames, J.P. Crawford tries burning some sage.
12. San Diego Padres (-1)
- Luis Arraez will represent third team in three years – Twins, Marlins, Padres – at All-Star Game.
13. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)
- Manfred Rule strikes again, as Ryan Helsley loses consecutive-save streak when Ghost Runner crosses home.
14. Houston Astros (-)
- Made up eight games on Seattle in 18 days.
15. New York Mets (-)
- OMG – they’re a .500 team.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)
- Christian Walker on pace for 40 homers, 115 RBIs.
17. San Francisco Giants (+1)
- Heliot Ramos went from Sacramento shuttle to All-Star in a hurry.
18. Tampa Bay Rays (-2)
- Pivotal stretch before trade deadline begins with 10 games vs. Yankees, Guardians.
19. Washington Nationals (-)
- What a week for James Wood: A hit in first at-bat, changes numbers, homers, drives in five runs.
20. Texas Rangers (+1)
- Bid to save season perks up a bit with sweep of Rays.
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)
- Paul Skenes’ last five starts: 1.39 ERA, 40 strikeouts in 32 ⅓ innings.
22. Cincinnati Reds (-2)
- Sweep Yankees in Bronx, get swept at home by Tigers? Seriously?
23. Chicago Cubs (-)
- Shota Imanaga joins Sam Jones (1955) as just the second Cubs rookie pitcher to make All-Star team.
24. Detroit Tigers (+1)
- Tarik Skubal, All-Star starter? Seems like a no-brainer.
25. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)
- In 12 games, George Springer has boosted his OPS from .559 to .672.
26. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Shut out three times in past five games, but Anthony Rendon is back.
27. Oakland Athletics (+1)
- Would a contending team acquiring Mason Miller treat him as carefully as A’s?
28. Colorado Rockies (+1)
- With 14 home runs, All-Star Ryan McMahon should easily surpass his career high of 24.
29. Miami Marlins (-1)
- Jake Burger’s walk-off home run lets the No. 30 White Sox know just who’s boss.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
- Now 26-66, if you’re still counting.