Every week, the Pitcher List team publishes an update to our MLB Power Rankings, reviewing the biggest risers and fallers of the past seven days. As always, the full rankings can be found at the bottom of this article … but where’s the fun in that?
As the dust settled from the trade deadline, some teams caught fire last week while others took a cold shower. The Mariners, Dodgers, and Rangers are rolling, while the Diamondbacks and Reds are in a tailspin. The stretch run is upon us, and we could be in for a wild September, as only nine teams are genuinely out of the playoff picture.
Our two featured teams this week couldn’t be on more opposite ends of the momentum spectrum. The Mariners are on a seven-game winning streak and have won nine of their last ten and 12 of their previous 14. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have dropped eight straight and are five and 19 since the All-Star break. The club’s strong start to the season has completely eroded, and they are now chasing a playoff berth. Arizona still has time to turn things around, but the clock is ticking.
Movin’ On Up
Record: 61-52
Rank change: +6 (14 to T-8)
After breaking their long playoff drought in 2022, there was much optimism surrounding the Mariners heading into the season. However, the club couldn’t find much momentum in the first half, hovering around .500 for most of the season despite one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Something has clicked for the team, though, and they are the hottest team in MLB. Seattle swept a four-game series against the Angels last weekend, then took both games in a short series against the Padres this week. Most of their victories came in close contests, but they found ways to put wins in the bank.
As has been the case most of the season, Seattle’s recent success starts with their pitching staff. In the six games, the team had an ERA of 2.45 and averaged 10.3 Ks and only two walks per nine innings. All of their starters fared well except for the guy who’s been their best this season, Luis Castillo, who the Angels battered. After Bryan Woo hit the IL after his last start, fellow rookie Emerson Hancock took his spot in the rotation and held the Padres to one run over five innings. The M’s bullpen was likewise effective. No Paul Sewald, no problem, as Andrés Muñoz converted all three of his save opportunities last week.
The offense wasn’t spectacular last week for Seattle, but it did it’s part, averaging 4.7 runs over the six games. Julio Rodríguez did a bit of everything at the plate, slashing .375/.464/.625 with a home run, four runs, four RBI, and two stolen bases on the week. Dylan Moore played four positions and had an OPS of 1.533 over 14 plate appearances, and Cade Marlowe and Ty France each drove in five runs.
Hittin’ The Skids
Record: 57-57
Rank change: -7 (13 to 20)
Perhaps the changing fortunes of the Mariners and Diamondbacks will become known as the curse of Paul Sewald, whom Arizona acquired at the deadline from Seattle. But seriously, the D’backs issues started long before they consummated the deal for the closer on July 31. This past week they continued a trend that’s been going on for nearly a month. The Diamondbacks have forgotten how to win. Arizona began the week by being swept in a three-game series in Minnesota, then fell further in the standings to the Dodgers after losing both games in a short series.
Arizona didn’t hit or pitch well on the week, though only one of the five losses was a blowout. Three losses were pinned on the bullpen, which had a rough week. Sewald was lit up for three runs in his second outing for the club before recording an out on Sunday, blowing a save opportunity and taking the loss. Kyle Nelson and Scott McGough recorded the other two losses, though McGough only gave up one run. Conversely, the Dodgers torched Nelson, who allowed two runs off two hits and two walks without recording an out.
The offense did little to pick the club up, scoring only ten runs over the five games. Only Lourdes Gurriel Jr. did much, mashing two HRs and driving in three. The rest of the core struggled, especially Ketel Marte, who managed only two singles over 20 plate appearances. After averaging close to five runs per game before the All-Star break, Arizona has put up only 3.6 runs since. That must change if the club wants to stay in postseason contention.
Week 19 MLB Power Rankings