MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Astros lead; Cubs, Orioles on the rise
Miami Marlins 51-55
Last week: 5-2
Last rank: 24th
The Marlins are headed in the opposite direction. Miami took the first three games of a four-game set against the Reds and then upset the Nationals in two of three games in Washington during the week. Miami has now won six of eight and seven of its last 10.
Dee Gordon has been red-hot at the top of the order, collecting 10 hits and scoring eight runs for the club in his last six games. Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich each homered twice and led the team with seven and six RBI, respectively.
Jose Urena, Adam Conley, Vince Worley and Dan Straily all posted quality starts for the Fish, including seven shutout innings from Worley against the Nats Wednesday.
Toronto Blue Jays 51-57
Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 23rd
The Blue Jays entered the trade deadline with a similar plan to the Giants: trade impending free agents, but despite disappointing results so far this season, avoid a full roster shakeup in order to compete again in 2018. The club traded Francisco Liriano to Houston and Joe Smith to Cleveland but stood pat with some of the other highly rumored players. Expect Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ and Steve Pearce to be August trade candidates, however.
Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak each launched three homers during the club’s last six games. Smoak led the club with 10 hits and six RBI, which Pearce (who homered twice) tied. Estrada allowed just one run in seven innings July 31, and Happ posted a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings spread across two starts.