MLB power rankings: Brewers return to No. 1 spot without Tarik Skubal

[ASFN Admin]

Perhaps some time in October, the Milwaukee Brewers will regret not trading for Tarik Skubal. For the moment, they're the best team in the major leagues, and have one would-be Skubal pawn to partially thank for it.

The Brewers ascended to No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings thanks to two one-run victories over the Minnesota Twins in a taut battle of Upper Midwest playoff contenders. Their series-clinching victory came in 10 innings on a Jake Bauers walk-off single, but it was a catch by right fielder Luis Lara in the top of the inning - his second fantastic grab of the day - that prevented a huge inning and put Milwaukee in position to win.

Lara, 21, was among the players the Brewers roped off from Skubal talks, having signed him to a team-friendly extension and identifying him as a key part of their future. Ranked by Baseball America as the game's No. 35 prospect, he boosted Milwaukee on a day Jacob Misiorowski made history but couldn't close the deal.

No matter. Milwaukee's 74-44 record gives it a three-game edge over Atlanta for best in the NL as the Brewers maintain a 5 ½-game lead over the relentless Chicago Cubs.

A look at our updated rankings:

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1. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)​

• Four games at Dodger Stadium may evoke bad memories of last October - or a boost toward the next one.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)​

• 9-15 over last 24 games. Still no reason for concern?

3. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)​

• Now 25 games over .500, but Griffin Jax's elbow discomfort a pop-up concern.

4. Atlanta Braves (-1)​

• Nearly swept in Yankee Stadium.

5. Chicago Cubs (+1)​

• Craig Counsell slots PCA in at DH for two games, the better to save his legs for the stretch.

6. New York Yankees (-1)​

• Cody Bellinger performing baseball activities, Aaron Judge receives semi-positive news. Sky, not yet falling.

7. Boston Red Sox (-)​

• Lose consecutive games for the first time since June 30-July 1 - against the Athletics, no less.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)​

• Starters held Dodgers to three earned runs in 19 2/3 innings of series victory.

9. Chicago White Sox (-1)​

• Hagen Smith, fifth overall pick in 2024, pitches two scoreless relief innings in major league debut.

10. Philadelphia Phillies (-)​

• Jesus Luzardo with a 2.25 ERA over his last 100 innings pitched.

11. San Diego Padres (-)​

• An odd setback for Nick Pivetta on rehab start road.

12. Miami Marlins (+1)​

• No one wants to play them at loanDepot Park. Really - they're an NL-best 36-24 at home.

13. Houston Astros (+1)​

• Yordan Alvarez leads all Triple Crown categories and only Junior Caminero (33 homers to Alvarez's 35) can likely prevent it.

14. Cleveland Guardians (-2)​

• Lost five of six after nifty trade deadline additions.

15. Texas Rangers (+2)​

• Jordan Montgomery, their 2023 World Series hero, appears in major league game for first time since 2024.

16. Minnesota Twins (-1)​

• Kaelan Culpepper arrives, homers in second career at-bat.

17. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)​

• Jettison Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Lars Nootbaar at deadline, then win series against Yankees, Rockies.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (-2)​

• Have not won a series since July 19.

19. Washington Nationals (-1)​

• Andrés Chaparro starting to excel in pinch-hitting/platoon role.

20. Baltimore Orioles (+1)​

• Begin a Rangers-Twins-Rays-Yankees-Rays gauntlet by losing two in Texas.

21. Detroit Tigers (+1)​

• Jackson Jobe completes Tommy John surgery comeback with five scoreless innings.

22. Cincinnati Reds (+1)​

• Ace Chase Burns' 12-game winning streak finally ends.

23. Seattle Mariners (-3)​

• This incredibly disappointing year should probably produce consequences.

24. Toronto Blue Jays (-)​

• Daulton Varsho trade gives Brett Bateman a shot to turn heads in centre field.

25. New York Mets (+1)​

• Their season long since ruined, they're now spoiling it for others (Guardians, Pirates).

26. San Francisco Giants (-1)​

• Matt Chapman out for rest of year after sports hernia surgery.

27. Kansas City Royals (-)​

• Luinder Avila and Stephen Kolek both succumb to Tommy John surgery.

28. Athletics (-)​

• GM David Forst learns a lesson as old as time: Few get out of Yolo County alive.

29. Colorado Rockies (-)​

• Zac Veen with a three-homer, 5-for-5 eruption at Class AAA.

30. Los Angeles Angels (-)​

• Trade deadline prize shortstop Arjun Nimmala starts with Class AA Trash Pandas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Brewers return to No. 1 spot without Tarik Skubal

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