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MLB power rankings: Each team’s post-All-Star outlooks

By Sean Sears

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 04: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run in the sixth inning off the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on July 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 04: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run in the sixth inning off the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on July 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 09: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds and the National League pitches against the American League during the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Progressive Field on July 09, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 09: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds and the National League pitches against the American League during the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Progressive Field on July 09, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

22. Cincinnati Reds, 41-46, last in the NL Central

Starter Luis Castillo was letting it rip in the All-Star game this week, touching 98 MPH with minimal effort, as he showed the world what Cincy has been benefiting from all year. Collectively, the Reds rotation has the fourth best ERA at 3.60, with Sonny Gray and Tanner Roark both posting 3.50+ ERAs so far. The Reds pitching is still one of the best groups in baseball but the offense has begun to slow down again.

After a slow start, the Reds offense was finally starting to make some noise with Derek Dietrich and Eugenio Suarez both swinging hot bats. But since those two bats have cooled off, while veterans like Joey Votto continue to perform below career norms, the Reds just can’t seem to get their pitching the run support they need to win games. But they’ll continue to be a thorn in the side of the NL Central teams as the division race remains tight.

21. San Francisco Giants, 41-48, last in the NL West

The Giants went into the All-Star break winning seven of their last 10 games behind Pablo Sandoval and his .895 OPS on the year, toss in 11 home runs and Kung Fu Panda might be playing himself off the roster by the end of July. Will Smith and Sam Dyson are both playing well enough to be elsewhere by the end of the month, add in Tony Watson as well with demand for lefty relievers expected to be high at the deadline.

The Giants really don’t have much to play for at this point, but they arguably have the most assets out of the teams that are expected to sell at the deadline, with the top piece being Madison Bumgarner. The 29-year-old right hander has a 4.04 ERA on the season and was pulled from his most recent start with a left elbow contusion, but is expected to make his next start this weekend. The Giants could be a totally different team come August, and if they’re truly ready to rebuild, they should lean into the seller role this summer.

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