MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Astros lead; Cubs, Orioles on the rise
Kansas City Royals 56-51
Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 14th
The Royals climbed out of a huge early season hole to surge into a Wild Card spot just before the trade deadline, making Kansas City buyers instead of the projected sellers we expected them to be earlier in the summer. The Royals were swept in three games in Baltimore, halting the momentum from a nine-game winning streak earlier in the month, but picked up a win in Game 1 of a pivotal four-game series with the Mariners Thursday.
K.C. added Trevor Cahill and Brandon Maurer at the deadline in an effort to reinforce the pitching staff, though both have struggled in the early days of their Royals careers. The club also reunited with Melky Cabrera, who is 4-for-13 since coming over from the White Sox in a deadline deal.
Milwaukee Brewers 57-53
Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 8th
The Brewers lost control of the AL Central after the All-Star break, losing six in a row from July 16-21, and dropping 12 of 17 since that streak began. However, Milwaukee is still within striking distance of the first place Cubs, and enter an important weekend series in Tampa Bay just 1.5 games back in the division standings.
All-Star Corey Knebel and the Brewers bullpen was terrific last week. Knebel earned three saves in four appearances and struck out seven hitters while allowing two hits and three walks in four shutout innings. Starters Matt Garza, Jimmy Nelson, Bret Suter and Zach Davies all posted ERAs under 4.00 for the week.
Unfortunately, the Brewers failed to provide much offense. No player had more than six hits or three RBI in six games over the past week.