12. New York Mets, 67-66, 4th in the NL East (ranked 21st last week)
The magic may be running out for the Mets, who after making serious strides to get back into the postseason conversation, are on the verge of being swept in back-to-back series.
Their starting pitching had been the biggest reason for success this past month, but after a nice run of games against the Royals and then the Indians, they’re pitching has been so-so this past week. Rookie Pete Alonso broke the Mets record for most home runs as a rookie with 42 and he still has a month to improve on that number, but the offense beyond him, Jeff McNeill, and Michael Conforto are tough to rely on.
11. Chicago Cubs, 72-61, 1st in the NL Central (ranked 10th last week)
The Cubs can’t seem to find any consistency, winning two games on the road over the Mets have helped clam some of the woes away from Wrigley Field, but they were just swept by the Nationals this past weekend.
Anthony Rizzo is dealing with a back injury that has kept him out of the lineup this week but doesn’t seem serious. And C Willson Contreras could start a rehab assignment hopefully this weekend and utility player Ben Zobrist will have to join the roster prior to August 31st to be playoff eligible. With an up-coming series against the Brewers at home, the Cubs are in the middle of a fight for the division and the final Wild Card spot with only a month of baseball left to play.