Every week, the Pitcher List team will publish an update to our 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?
Movin’ On Up
Record: 63-52
Rank change: +6 (10 from 16)
The Snakes are on a tear. Ketel Marte is among the league’s hottest hitters (slashing .364/.431/.784 for a 226 wRC+ over the 30 days), leading a lineup that leads baseball in hitting fWAR over the past month (7.8).
We aren’t talking enough about Ketel Marte pic.twitter.com/tWLT6OEhgH
— Kyle Bland (@blandalytics) August 1, 2024
Arizona is 36-20 since the start of June and 22-9 since the start of July. Thanks to a rough start, the Snakes have been overlooked all season, but they’re beginning to look like the reigning NL Pennant winners.
Although the Snakes overpaid, I loved the deadline acquisition of A.J. Puk, a dominant left-handed reliever who was undervalued due to his disastrous start in Miami’s rotation. Over the past two weeks, the Diamondbacks rank third in bullpen fWAR (0.9), and Puk leads the way (0.3), allowing one earned run across seven appearances. He also takes some pressure off Joe Mantiply, Arizona’s only other southpaw reliever, who is having a rough year.
Also, Josh Bell has been a timely addition, as he’s bashed four homers since the trade.
The Diamondbacks and Padres are within three games of the Dodgers for the NL West lead, and both those squads are dangerous.
Hittin’ the Skids
Record: 59-55
Rank change: -3 (11 from 8)
Houston has been slowly creeping up the standings, getting healthier, and performing better on the mound. The Astros should be in a dogfight for the division with Seattle, but I still believe they are the better squad.
That said, they’ve slid in our power rankings following a tough recent stretch, going 7-8 since June 21 against the Mariners, Athletics, Dodgers, Pirates, Rays, and Rangers. That tough stretch has coincided with hot streaks from the Royals, Padres, and Diamondbacks.
I still feel good about the Astros, who I expect to win the AL West—especially if Kyle Tucker ever returns from injury.
The Red Sox beat the Mariners 2-1 in the series, beat the Rangers 2-1 in the series, and then beat the Royals 2-1 in the series. But they go down 1 and the Royals go up 2. Make it make sense!