MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Astros lead; Cubs, Orioles on the rise
Tampa Bay Rays 57-53
Last week: 4-4
Last rank: 7th
The Rays faced one of the toughest schedules in the majors over the past eight days, with a pair of four-game series against the first place Yankees and Astros on the road. The stretch didn’t start well, with Tampa Bay dropping the first three games in the Bronx, but after salvaging Game 4, the Rays beat the Astros in the final three games in Houston.
The Tampa Bay pitching staff performed admirably in the short three-game winning streak, holding the Astros to just seven runs total, including a shutout Wednesday. Austin Pruitt did much of the heavy lifting and tossed 6.1 scoreless innings. It was a terrific bounce back performance for Pruitt, who allowed five runs and three home runs in five innings against the Yankees July 28.
New York Yankees 57-50
Last week: 4-4
Last rank: 9th
By beating the Rays in three out of four games to start the week, the Yankees briefly retook the lead in the AL East. However, four losses in their next four games, including three in a row heading into Friday, pushed New York back into second place.
The Yankees trotted out new acquisition Sonny Gray for his first start in pinstripes Thursday against the Indians. Gray allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out six, and took the loss, having been outdueled by Corey Kluber.
Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino were much more successful. Tanaka posted a 1.29 ERA in two starts and struck out 21 hitters in 14.0 innings last week. Severino allowed one run and struck out eight in five innings.