MLB power rankings: As Red Sox dig out of big hole, another big loss looms

· Yahoo Sports

Even when they dig themselves out from the lowest point of their season, the Boston Red Sox can't win.

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After sinking to their lowest point of the season - 15 ½ games out of first, 14 games under .500 - the Red Sox proceeded to win eight of their next 10 games. They were still in last place - but you could almost see fourth place from there.

Yet throughout that period, second-year lefty Connelly Early was diagnosed with elbow inflammation, went for an MRI, received "some good news," according to manager Chad Tracy - yet now is headed for a second opinion with noted orthopedist Keith Meister. Those often don't end well - and the Red Sox's season doesn't figure to, either.

Oh, they've moved up three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. Yet Early's loss would put even more of an onus on a lineup that's surprisingly averaged five runs per game in this hot streak. They best keep it up to avoid a wholesale sell-off by the trade deadline.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • Edwin Diaz - remember him? - aiming for a return shortly after All-Star break.

2. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

3. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)

  • Junior Caminero's crazy home run stretch - 11 in 11 games - deserved more attention.

4. Atlanta Braves (-1)

  • Some of that starting pitching magic is dissipating.

5. New York Yankees (-)

  • For the first time this year, they feel like a not very good team.

6. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

  • Bryce Harper says he'll do the Home Run Derby "if he can find someone to pitch to him."

7. Chicago Cubs (-)

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is their lone All-Star, but he's been as good as three players.

8. Miami Marlins (-)

  • Who needs a perfect game when you're in a virtual tie for the third wild card in early July?

9. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)

  • Non-All-Star JJ Wetherholt leads the majors with 17 outs above average.

10. Chicago White Sox (+2)

  • The joyride continues as they escape Cleveland with a tenuous grip on first place.

11. Cleveland Guardians (-2)

  • José Ramírez eyes return after All-Star break.

12. Seattle Mariners (+3)

  • Logan Gilbert's first-half finishing kick makes his All-Star snub more pronounced.

13. Washington Nationals (-)

  • Luis Garcia Jr. already sets career high in homers, with 19.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates (+2)

  • Big finish to first half, with home series against Atlanta and Milwaukee.

15. Texas Rangers (-1)

  • Life is unpredictable: Jacob Latz loses bid for starting rotation, morphs into All-Star closer.

16. San Diego Padres (-6)

  • They're 44-45, and haven't hit the break below .500 since 2023.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

  • Seven games with Padres, Dodgers before break may determine team's deadline direction.

18. Houston Astros (+1)

  • 12-6 run has them almost back to .500.

19. Minnesota Twins (+4)

  • Byron Buxton reaggravates hip injury, but confident he's playing it wisely.

20. Baltimore Orioles (+1)

  • Coby Mayo crushing lefties, with a 1.038 OPS.

21. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)

22. Boston Red Sox (+3)

  • The kids aren't much for RBIs these days, but Willson Contreras ranks sixth in the AL with 59 of 'em.

23. Cincinnati Reds (-1)

  • Outfielder Will Benson designated for assignment after batting .188 with 33% strikeout rate.

24. Detroit Tigers (-)

  • 18-12 since June 1, still very confounding.

25. Athletics (-7)

  • The Yolo County loyalists booed the Marlins for punting a perfect game, but perhaps a rotation wtih a 5.23 ERA - 29th in the majors - should've been the target of their ire.

26. New York Mets (-)

  • Kodai Senga "throwing the ball really, really well" in relief, interim manager Andy Green says.

27. San Francisco Giants (+1)

  • Rafael Devers, OPS now up to .791, might be the ultimate "water finds its level" hitter.

28. Colorado Rockies (+2)

  • Hunter Goodman getting that "perennial All-Star" vibe.

29. Kansas City Royals (-)

  • John Wathan receives his blue blazer, inducted into Royals' hall of fame.

30. Los Angeles Angels (-3)

  • Mike Trout confident he'll be active shortly, plans to make All-Star post.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: As Red Sox dig out of big hole, another big loss looms

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