12. Washington Nationals (46-45)
Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 2-1 @ BOS, 1-2 vs. PIT
In their three wins this week, the Nationals scored a combined total of 27 runs. And in the three losses, they allowed a combined total of 24 runs. Business as usual for a squad that simultaneously feels too proficient on offense to be this mid and too hapless on the mound to have as much of a postseason pulse as it does. Cade Cavalli had a 13-strikeout gem in Boston, but incited a benches-clearing fracas in the process and got pulled in the third inning of his subsequent disappointing outing.
11. Seattle Mariners (47-44)
Previous Rank: No. 17
Last Week: 3-0 vs. LAA, 2-1 vs. TOR
Seattle’s six-man rotation is really starting to cook. Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo each tossed a quality start this week, with Hancock, Gilbert and Miller each going at least seven shutout innings. And if that wasn’t enough, the bullpen went a combined 12.1 innings while allowing just one run.
They did lose Julio Rodríguez to the concussion IL, though. Got to hope he makes it back sooner rather than later, and that Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor eventually show some signs of life, too.
10. St. Louis Cardinals (47-40)
Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 2-1 @ ATL, 2-1 @ CHC
There are only six teams with at least 50 wins this season, and St. Louis just won back-to-back road series against two of the members of that club. The Cardinals put up 11 runs in the final game in Atlanta before exploding for 17 runs the following day in Chicago. And if they can stay hot against 50-win teams, look out. They’ve got five games against Milwaukee and three against Atlanta coming up in their pre-All Star Break homestand.