Updated Aug. 12, 2025 — With fewer than two months left in the regular season, the focus narrows from 30-team power lists to the clubs most relevant for the postseason. This weekly contender ranking highlights teams within five games of a playoff spot and tracks which clubs are separating themselves, surging after deadline moves, or slipping as the stretch run approaches.
Top takeaways
– The Milwaukee Brewers have surged well ahead of the field, winning 48 of their last 64 games and riding a nine-game win streak to a clear top spot in the NL Central. Their run since a slow start (they were 25-28 earlier) is the biggest reason they look like the season’s best team right now.
– The Philadelphia Phillies have asserted themselves in the NL East behind a lockdown late-inning addition: Jhoan Duran is 4-for-4 in save chances and has allowed just one baserunner since taking over ninth-inning duties. The Phillies have allowed only 13 runs in their last seven games and have widened their lead over the Mets.
– The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres are among the biggest risers. Seattle’s offense caught fire after deadline moves and a hot streak from Cal Raleigh (homering in three straight games during a sweep of Tampa Bay) helped them win nine of 10. San Diego has won 11 of 14 despite struggles from key sluggers, an encouraging sign of depth and productive deadline additions.
Weekly contender rankings (teams within five games of a playoff spot)
18. San Francisco Giants (59-59, 3rd NL West)
A 10-loss drop in 15 games and a 7-14 mark since selling at the break has the Giants trending the wrong way.
17. Kansas City Royals (58-60, 3rd AL Central)
Kansas City bought at the deadline but stumbled in a weekend series vs. Minnesota; upcoming matchups with weaker opponents offer a chance to rebound.
16. St. Louis Cardinals (record around .500)
Despite selling bullpen pieces, the Cards have been resilient and enter a favorable stretch hosting Colorado.
15. Texas Rangers (60-59, 3rd AL West)
After an encouraging early July, the Rangers have lost nine of 13 and are struggling to sustain offensive production.
14. Cincinnati Reds (62-57, 3rd NL Central)
A top-10 rotation ERA and Hunter Greene set to return give Cincinnati pitching stability, but they face the toughest remaining schedule of the contenders.
13. New York Yankees (62-56, 3rd AL East)
Bullpen issues persist after deadline moves; the offense has dipped (second-lowest OPS this month), yet they would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
12. New York Mets (63-55, 2nd NL East)
From a late July winning streak to dropping 11 of 12, the Mets are in a spiral. August pitching and offense have been problematic.
11. Cleveland Guardians (61-56, 2nd AL Central)
Despite off-field distractions and trades, the Guardians are 9-2 in their last 11 and have closed to within a game of a wild-card slot.
10. Houston Astros (66-52, 1st AL West)
Carlos Correa’s acquisition has been impactful; the Astros rebounded with series wins after a rough outing in Boston.
9. Seattle Mariners (66-53, 2nd AL West)
A bold front office at the deadline paid off: Seattle’s nine wins in 10 games and positioning as the top AL wild-card make them a major threat.
8. Boston Red Sox (65-54, 2nd AL East)
Boston is 23-10 since July began and extended Roman Anthony long-term; veterans Trevor Story and Alex Bregman have been major catalysts.
7. Detroit Tigers (68-51, 1st AL Central)
Still leading the division, but the Tigers have cooled (9-13 since the break) and saw their August pitching rank slip.
6. San Diego Padres (66-52, 2nd NL West)
Despite underperforming stars, San Diego has won four straight series and 11 of 14, a sign their deadline moves improved depth and flexibility.
5. Chicago Cubs (67-50, 2nd NL Central)
August slumps from key bats have the Cubs trailing in the division after recent series losses.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (69-50, 1st AL East)
Holding a four-game AL East lead, the Blue Jays’ pitching and hitting have had swings but the division cushion remains meaningful. Concerns include George Springer’s ongoing concussion protocol recovery.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (68-50, 1st NL West)
The rotation is trending up (Blake Snell back; MLB-best 1.46 ERA in August), plus Mookie Betts’ recent hot streak and a healthier lineup with Max Muncy boost L.A.’s outlook despite bullpen questions.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (68-49, 1st NL East)
A stingy recent run (13 runs allowed in seven games) combined with Jhoan Duran’s perfect save log have pushed the Phillies ahead in the NL East. Monitor Zack Wheeler’s shoulder soreness.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (73-44, 1st NL Central)
The league’s most consistent team over the last two months, Milwaukee’s 48-16 stretch since earlier struggles is the biggest reason they’re clearly separated from most contenders.
Context and implications
– Deadline activity is shaping the playoff picture: teams that added reinforcements (Astros, Mariners, Padres, Phillies) are generally trending up, while some deadline-heavy New York clubs have yet to see the desired payoff.
– Pitching health and bullpen reliability will be decisive down the stretch. Examples: Wheeler’s shoulder, Springer’s concussion recovery, and the Yankees’ still-warbling relief corps.
– Strength of schedule matters: the Reds’ tough remaining slate tempers optimism about their chances, while teams with softer runs can capitalize.
Additional notes and recommended watchlist
– Jhoan Duran: his early perfection in save chances has stabilized Philadelphia’s late innings.
– Cal Raleigh: a recent power surge makes him one to watch as Seattle chases a division crown.
– Blake Snell and the Dodgers rotation: Snell’s return coincides with an elite August ERA for L.A.’s starters.
– Hunter Greene (Reds): his return should materially improve Cincinnati’s rotation performance.
Short summary
As the regular season heads into its final stretch, the Brewers have pulled away as the league’s hottest team. The Phillies have fortified the back end of their bullpen and are protecting a lead in the NL East, while the Mariners and Padres have momentum after productive deadline moves. Several traditional contenders (Yankees, Mets, Cubs) face uphill climbs after recent slumps. Pitching health, bullpen performance, and remaining schedules will likely determine which of these contenders sustain their runs into October.
Hopeful angle
Even with injuries and late-season slumps affecting some clubs, the stretch run is producing new contenders and compelling storylines: teams that trusted the trade market or leaned on depth are being rewarded, and several rosters show multiple paths to October baseball. For fans, the next six weeks should deliver intense pennant races and meaningful matchups that can reshape the postseason field.
Suggested additions for publication
– A compact infographic showing the top 6–8 contenders, their records, and recent win streaks would help readers quickly grasp the current pecking order.
– A short “Games to Watch” schedule for the next two weeks highlighting head-to-head matchups among these contenders (e.g., Brewers vs. Dodgers, Phillies vs. Mets) would add immediate value.
– Consider an interactive “What if” playoff simulator widget showing current standings and how a handful of key series outcomes change the wild-card picture.
Logical note
The separation at the top is driven by sustained performance (Brewers) and by immediate, high-leverage acquisitions that stabilized weak spots (Phillies’ closer), while the most volatile factors remaining are health and bullpen dependability — areas known to swing outcomes late in the season.