Diamondbacks hold top-10 in MLB Power Rankings despite sweep

Aug 19, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) walks to the dugout after a mound visit during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Despite suffering a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Diamondbacks held onto their top-10 spot in Will Leitch’s weekly MLB Power Rankings.

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It was an up-and-down week for the D-backs. After winning the final three games of their series against the Phillies, they swept the Rockies, heading into Tropicana Field with a six-game winning streak.

However, this momentum wasn’t enough, as they played some of their worst baseball in over two months. The first loss came in extra innings, with Corbin Carroll committing an error in centerfield. The second loss was a semi-blowout, with Zac Gallen struggling on the mound. In the series finale, Arizona erased a 6-1 deficit, only to fall 8-7 in extra innings.

Injuries are once again becoming a concern for the Diamondbacks. While they recently welcomed back Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound, a new wave of players has landed on the IL. Christian Walker has been out since the end of July, Gabriel Moreno, their Gold Glove catcher, is sidelined with a groin injury, and most recently, All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte was placed on the 10-day IL with a nagging ankle sprain that kept him out for most of the Rays series.

Regarding the Diamondbacks’ No. 10 ranking in his Power Rankings, Will Leitch at MLB.com noted, “The Diamondbacks had won nine straight series, and six games in a row, until they came into the Trop over the weekend and, out of nowhere, got swept. It’s their first three-game losing streak since late June and it came at a very unfortunate time: If they could have kept that win streak going against the Rays all weekend, they’d be within one game of the Dodgers right now.”

Returning to the No. 1 spot were the Philadelphia Phillies, who briefly dropped out after their 3-1 series loss to Arizona. The top five also include the Yankees, Orioles, Dodgers, and Guardians.

Notably, three NL West teams are in the top 10, with the Padres at No. 8, a couple of spots above the Diamondbacks and a few spots behind the Dodgers.