The good stayed good, and the bad…well, they stayed bad.
| RANK | TEAM | CHANGE | SCHEDULE | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
— 0 |
vs WAS @ NYM |
So, I guess the Braves *can* lose…but they've still only lost consecutive games twice since the beginning of July. |
| 2 |
 |
— 0 |
vs KC vs MIN |
This series with the Royals can either effectively wrap up the AL Central, or open the door a bit. |
| 3 |
 |
 +1 |
@ PHI @ MIA |
The Braves might have the best record in the NL, but the Dodgers might be the best team. They're playing some incredible baseball right now, and haven't lost consecutive games since the middle of June. |
| 4 |
 |
+2 |
vs SEA vs HOU |
11-2 in August is a great way to make a statement. |
| 5 |
 |
 -2 |
vs AZ @ SD |
Pittsburgh's lost five out of six. EVERYONE PANIC! |
| 6 |
 |
-1 |
vs NYY @ SF |
Boston blew a great chance to get some separation in the AL East this week. |
| 7 |
 |
+1 |
@ CHC @ MIL |
Yes, they took the series from the Pirates. No, I'm not impressed by a pair of extra inning wins aided by a dropped fly ball. |
| 8 |
 |
-1 |
vs TOR @ BAL |
Lose six in a row, still two out? Fortune favors the Rays. |
| 9 |
 |
+4 |
@ MIL vs AZ |
The Reds aren't content to just win the second wild card. They want the division, and they're making this a three horse race. |
| 10 |
 |
-1 |
vs CLE vs SEA |
You absolutely, positively cannot lose a series to the Astros in the heat of a pennant race. |
| 11 |
 |
+4 |
@ PIT @ CIN |
This ten game road trip to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Philly will define the Diamondbacks' season. |
| 12 |
 |
-2 |
@ DET vs CHW |
All of that hard work undone by three straight losses, including two to the Marlins. The Royals *need* to win this series in Detroit. |
| 13 |
 |
-1 |
@ OAK @ LAA |
The Indians need to cheer for the Royals to beat the Tigers…I think. It's all moot if they don't have a good west coast road trip, though. |
| 14 |
 |
-3 |
vs COL vs TB |
After being so good a year ago, Jim Johnson has blown nine saves this year, including three in a row. Yikes. |
| 15 |
 |
-1 |
@ SD @ MIN vs ATL |
This is an erratic team, but they're in better shape than a few teams in the league for sure. |
| 16 |
 |
+2 |
vs SF |
I wouldn't bet against Miami not finishing last in the NL East, though that might say more about the Phillies than the Marlins. |
| 17 |
 |
-1 |
@ LAA @ TEX |
Rest easy, 1962 Mets: the Astros aren't going to catch you this year. |
| 18 |
 |
+4 |
vs CIN vs STL |
Milwaukee's 5-4 road trip might be the highlight of their season. |
| 19 |
 |
— 0 |
vs HOU vs CLE |
The Angels haven't won more than three in a row since the end of June. They've had five losing streaks or three or more in that same time period. |
| 20 |
 |
-3 |
vs NYM vs PIT |
There really is nothing compelling about the Padres right now. |
| 21 |
 |
— 0 |
@ ATL @ CHC |
The Nationals haven't been a .500 team since the All-Star Break. |
| 22 |
 |
+1 |
@ BOS vs TOR |
Not good enough to contend, not bad enough to stop caring about. |
| 23 |
 |
-3 |
vs STL vs WAS |
They're just playing out the string. |
| 24 |
 |
— 0 |
@ TB @ NYY |
Alex Anthopolous needs to figure out how to fix this rotation for 2014. |
| 25 |
 |
+2 |
@ BAL @ PHI |
The battle for the NL West basement is mindnumbingly painful. |
| 26 |
 |
-1 |
@ MIA vs BOS |
The only question for the Giants is "will they finish .500?" |
| 27 |
 |
-1 |
@ TEX |
Since improving to 49-53 on July 26th, Seattle is 6-12. True talent level always win. |
| 28 |
 |
+2 |
vs CHW vs NYM @ DET |
The poor Twins are in purgatory: not a contender, yet not completely disastrous. |
| 29 |
 |
-1 |
vs LAD vs COL |
5-19 since the All-Star Break. I don't think anyone expected them to fall off *this* quick. 90 losses is in play for the first time since 2000. |
| 30 |
 |
— 0 |
@ MIN @ KC |
Speaking of completely disastrous… |
