MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Astros lead; Cubs, Orioles on the rise
New York Mets 49-57
Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 22nd
New York’s disappointing 2017 season continued with another losing week, as Lucas Duda and Addison Reed were shipped out-of-town to Tampa Bay and Boston, respectively, where they will compete against one another in both the AL East and Wild Card races. Others like Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce, Jerry Blevins and Asdrubal Cabrera are candidates to go in August.
However, the Mets made a couple of interesting moves, first by acquiring A.J. Ramos from Miami to be the new closer, and then by promoting top prospect Amed Rosario from Triple-A Las Vegas. Ramos coughed up two runs in his first two innings with the club, but Ramos got three hits in his first three games, including two triples.
Texas Rangers 52-56
Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 19th
Yet another preseason playoff contender forced to make a tough decision to sell at the trade deadline, the Rangers parted ways with Yu Darvish just before the clock struck Monday. As an impending free agent who took a step back statistically, Darvish didn’t bring back the huge prospect haul he potentially could have over the winter, but the decision to move him was a smart one.
Andrew Cashner, who somewhat surprisingly was not traded, allowed just two runs in 13 innings across two starts, earning a pair of victories in the process. A.J. Griffin was also solid and allowed just one run on two hits and a walk in six innings in his only appearance.
Offensively, Rougned Odor is finally heating up at the plate. The infielder had nine hits, including four home runs and a team-leading nine RBI in seven games. Joey Gallo matched Odor’s four homers, and drove in eight. Elvis Andrus, who homered twice and drove in five, led the club with 10 hits.