The theory is things even out over a 162-game season. Yet in the American League West, everyone's finding out the only water level they're going to reach still has them submerged.
Major League Baseball's worst division could have restored some pride to the AL this weekend, when three teams played interleague series and another staged a rematch of the 2025 ALCS. Instead, the Astros, Rangers, Mariners, Athletics and Angels went a combined 3-12, the latter three getting swept.
And the Mariners continued their stunning downfall.
They got trucked in Toronto, where ill-timed pitching changes and an offense prone to disappearing - the Mariners were one-hit over seven innings by 42-year-old Max Scherzer - led to a sweep. The preseason AL favorites dropped
to 64-73 and down to No. 25 in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
Are they out of the playoff picture? Of course not! They're still in the AL, which means 13 losses in 21 games barely puts a dent in your hopes. Seattle's five games back in both the wild card and West chases. And congrats to the Astros, who clawed above .500 and perhaps might win the division with a non-losing record.
Check back in a month.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
- Dustin May knows he needs to justify why the Brewers traded for him.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)
- A raucous sweep of the Padres at the Trop. Almost a shame they're leaving.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
- How much will Shohei Ohtani's reduced pitching output affect his MVP chances?
4. Atlanta Braves (-)
- Spencer Schwellenbach nearly made it all the way back, but elbow surgery was unavoidable.
5. New York Yankees (+1)
- Winning three of four from Red Sox restores order, clinches season series, sets up another wild-card battle.
6. Chicago Cubs (-1)
- Who knew Greg Maddux could channel 50 Cent so strongly?
7. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- Thirteen wins in 15 games, Zack Wheeler looks good again, a September to remember on deck.
8. Boston Red Sox (+1)
- Went 60-41 with Roman Anthony out. Now he's back in leadoff spot.
9. Chicago White Sox (+1)
- Colson Montgomery's strikeout rate up to 34.1%.
10. San Diego Padres (-2)
- A lost weekend in St. Pete included losing Luis Rengifo to grisly injury.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
- 7-6 since The Ketel Affair began.
12. Cleveland Guardians (+4)
- Jose Ramírez should reach 300 home runs in September.
13. Houston Astros (+1)
- Jose Altuve tied for first in AL with 20 successful ABS challenges.
14. Toronto Blue Jays (+3)
- Max Scherzer climbs to ninth on all-time strikeout list with seven-inning, 10-strikeout gem.
15. Miami Marlins (-3)
- Heriberto Hernández has 22 homers in 105 games.
16. St. Louis Cardinals (-3)
- JJ Wetherholt's wrist injury might end his season, but he's still Gold Glove-worthy - and eligible.
17. Baltimore Orioles (+2)
- Beating up on bad teams, as they should. Can they complete road trip trifecta in Denver?
18. Texas Rangers (-3)
- Have lost 14 of last 17 on the road. Yet are just two games out of first, of course.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)
- Have won four of last five series.
20. Minnesota Twins (-2)
- Small sample size, but Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins make the future look pretty sweet.
21. Cincinnati Reds (-)
- Chase Burns now 15-3 on a 65-72 team. That ain't easy.
22. Detroit Tigers (-)
- Just about time to turn out the lights. The party's over.
23. Washington Nationals (+1)
- Finally register first walk-off win of season, thanks to Dylan Crews.
24. Seattle Mariners (-1)
- Kade Anderson pulled after 85 pitches, sees bullpen blow lead. Welcome to Seattle.
25. New York Mets (-)
- Juan Soto back in lineup just five weeks after serious calf injury.
26. Kansas City Royals (-)
- Not for nothing, they've won 12 of their last 14.
27. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Matt Wilkinson, Seth Lonsway, Nate Furman, Turner Hill - 2026 Giants, all of them.
28. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Cole Carrigg (finger) placed on six-inning IL.
29. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Leadoff hitter Wade Meckler's OBP up to .363.
30. Athletics (-)
- A former Athletic says he hopes to never step foot in Yolo County again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Baseball's worst division gets embarrassed again
