MLB power rankings: Brewers and The Miz rise after conquering Philly

[ASFN Admin]

It was just a series in early June, and no, the two best pitchers in baseball this year did not square off against each other.

Yet it's hard to minimize the symbolic power of the Milwaukee Brewers and Jacob Misiorowski's ' weekend conquest of Cristopher Sánchez and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Misiorowski pitched the game of his life Friday, June 12, a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts that set all kinds of high-water marks for maximum velocity and utter, bloodless efficiency.

Two days later, after the Phillies squared the series, Jackson Chourio jumped on the great Sánchez for a leadoff home run, jump-starting a series-winning 4-0 victory that dealt Sánchez just his third loss in 15 starts.

By weekend's end, The Miz had a firm lead over Sánchez - who posted a 55-inning scoreless streak, a record for a left-hander earlier this month - in virtually every key pitching category. And the Brewers clawed their way into the No. 2 slot in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

"I’m happy for the guys to be in a battle like this with a team built for the World Series," says Brewers manager Pat Murphy. "That’s what this whole thing’s about – to be in these environments as much as you can, keep your poise."

A look at our updated rankings:

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1. Atlanta Braves (-)​

• A second IL stint for Ronald Acuña Jr. due to barking hamstring.

2. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)​

• Kyle Harrison overcomes 10-run Vegas debacle to outpitch Cristopher Sánchez.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)​

• One of these times, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will get his no-hitter - or perfect game.

4. New York Yankees (+1)​

• Now 14-10 against AL East after winning series in Toronto.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)​

• Craig Kimbrel wobbly in first two appearances off IL.

6. Cleveland Guardians (-)​

• How does one replace Jose Ramírez? You simply hope he's a fast healer.

7. St. Louis Cardinals (-)​

• Alec Burleson having a first half worthy of MVP consideration, non-Ohtani division.

8. Chicago White Sox (+2)​

• Uhhh they just took a series off the Dodgers. This is getting alarming.

9. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)​

• Adolis Garcia's likely season-ending injury will have them scouring for outfielders on trade market.

10. San Diego Padres (-1)​

What a week for Samad Taylor: First major league homer, nine hits, eight RBIs.

11. Chicago Cubs (+1)​

• Win three in a row for first time in five weeks.

12. Seattle Mariners (-1)​

• Should get that Big Dumper back this week.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)​

• Gabriel Moreno's hot streak means eight consecutive starts, six at catcher.

14. Washington Nationals (+4)​

• 8-1-1 over their last 10 series.

15. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)​

• Paul Skenes has given up eight home runs, nearly matching the 11 he yielded last season.

16. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)​

• Catcher Tyler Heineman designated for assignment as Brandon Valenzuela (seven homers, 115 adjusted OPS) proves worth during Alejandro Kirk's absence.

17. Texas Rangers (-)​

• Corey Seager misses third straight game with "mild concussion symptoms."

18. Miami Marlins (+4)​

• Max Meyer goes 15 starts without a loss, longest streak to start season since...Tony Gonsolin in 2022.

19. Athletics (-)​

• After 100-degree temperatures, a rock-hard infield and balls flying at altitude in Summerlin, Yolo County never looked so good.

20. Cincinnati Reds (-4)​

• A homer in every game from Noelvi Marte can't prevent fifth consecutive series loss.

21. Baltimore Orioles (-1)​

• Nine-game West Coast swing seems to have a lot more sink than swim potential.

22. Houston Astros (-1)​

• Mike Burrows has highest batting average against (.297), second-most homers given up (18) in AL.

23. New York Mets (-)​

• Sean Manaea graduates to starter; no opener necessary. "He's earned it," manager Carlos Mendoza says.

24. Minnesota Twins (-)​

• Outfield prospect Tyler Fedko getting big league call-up.

25. Boston Red Sox (-)​

• Aroldis Chapman cashes in 29 consecutive save chances, tying career high.

26. Detroit Tigers (-)​

• Weird return: Tarik Skubal beaten by Guardians, who lose three players in the effort

27. Kansas City Royals (+1)​

• Oof: Vinnie Pasquantino undergoes hamate surgery, out up to six weeks.

28. Los Angeles Angels (+1)​

• Another physical malady strikes Grayson Rodriguez, as he leaves start with back injury.

29. San Francisco Giants (-2)​

• Pitching staff ranks 22nd with 4.52 ERA. Not much Pride, indeed.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)​

• Chase Dollander UCL injury a major setback to pitching rebuild.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings:Brewers Misiorowski rise in NL standings

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