It’s more than necessary to slap “symbolic” in front of “halfway point” as this year’s All-Star break arrives across Major League Baseball.
After all, every time sailed past the 81-game mark weeks ago, with the 100-game plateau looming once the second half begins. And so many teams have already lived and died enough that this season must feel like an eternity.
This week, several clubs with renewed life are making a dent in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
The Boston Red Sox? Firmly in playoff position and knocking on the door of the ostensibly transcendent Orioles and Yankees. The Houston Astros? The Texas Rangers? Those ALCS combatants nearly looked down for the count yet suddenly, both are within striking distance of the always-scuffling Seattle Mariners.
And let’s welcome everybody into the pool for the National League wild card, led by the New York Mets, a team with virtually no identity a few weeks back but – OMG – suddenly are charismatic and competitive.
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A look at our updated rankings:
1. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- All-Star total now up to eight. Mike Schmidt probably waiting by the phone.
2. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
- First team to have No. 1 overall pick while ranked No. 2 in power rankings? We’ll look it up.
3. Baltimore Orioles (-1)
- Five-game losing streak exposed pitching deficiencies.
4. New York Yankees (+1)
- Aaron Judge leads world in homers (34), OPS (1.113), slugging (.681) and RBIs (85) at break.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
- Clayton Kershaw nearly perfect in second rehab outing.
6. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Max Fried a late and worthy add to NL All-Star team.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
- Manager Pat Murphy admits club wheezing into break.
8. Boston Red Sox (+1)
- Eleven shutouts matches Braves for most in majors.
9. Minnesota Twins (-1)
- It’s early – just-10-games early – but Brooks Lee looks fantastic.
10. Kansas City Royals (-)
- Must improve 21-27 road record if they’re to hang in race.
11. Seattle Mariners (-)
- Losing three straight to Angels sows doubt over break.
12. Houston Astros (+2)
- Tommy John recoveree Luis Garcia’s return likely not until August.
13. St. Louis Cardinals (-)
- Very solid first half for Alec Burleson, with 17 homers and a 123 adjusted OPS.
14. New York Mets (+1)
- And Kodai Senga might be on his way back to Citi Field.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)
- A 9-2 finishing kick to hit the break 50-47.
16. San Diego Padres (-4)
- Sink even more resources into this group at the trade deadline? In for a penny…
17. Texas Rangers (+3)
- Their first-half MVP: Josh Smith and his 3.3 WAR.
18. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
- Zach Eflin will either figure in Rays’ second-half run – or someone else’s.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates (+2)
- They’re 8-3 in Paul Skenes’ starts.
20. San Francisco Giants (-3)
A sell-off won’t exactly invigorate skeptical fan base.
21. Cincinnati Reds (+2)
- Seven years after he was second overall pick, Hunter Greene is an All-Star.
22. Chicago Cubs (+1)
- Sweep at Baltimore gets them back in wild-card conversation.
23. Washington Nationals (-4)
- Got a really nice return for set-up man Hunter Harvey in trade with Royals.
24. Detroit Tigers (-)
- In less than a month, Colt Keith boosts OPS from .579 to .706.
25. Toronto Blue Jays (-)
- Just how deep will the fire sale go?
26. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Might be a raid on the bullpen come deadline time.
27. Oakland Athletics (-)
- Sacramento’s forecast: 99 to 104 degrees next weekend.
28. Colorado Rockies (-)
- German Marquez makes return from Tommy John surgery.
29. Miami Marlins (-)
- As Jazz Chisholm shifts to second, CF replacement Dane Myers fractures ankle.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
Garrett Crochet makes a two-inning start as club begins to ration his innings.
