It's blockbuster season, in more ways than one.
We're a few weeks away from the trade deadline, and how it'll go is anyone's guess: This year, with an expanded postseason picture, teams will either stay comfortable with where they're at and choose not to add, or stay busy to try and make a push for the playoffs.
It's tough to tell how it'll work out, considering the current state of the division and wild-card races. In addition to the three teams in AL wild-card spots heading into the second half — the Rays, Mariners and Jays — four more teams are within 3 1/2 games of a playoff berth.
In the Senior Circuit, the picture isn't as murky: The Giants and Cardinals sit within a half game each of the final wild-card spot, while the NL East and NL Central are far from being settled.
Through it all, there are familiar faces at the top of this edition of the Power Rankings: The Yankees, Dodgers and Astros still jockey for the label of "best in baseball," as has been the case all season (and, really, for like the last three or four seasons).
We're in the middle of summer blockbuster season, so here are post All-Star break Power Rankings, with a bit of a movie twist. As always, do not @ us:
MLB Power Rankings
The blockbusters
1. Yankees
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, the Yankees remind you it's not.
There are no perfect teams, and the Yankees showed signs of humanity in recent weeks, going 8-7 in July before entering the All-Star break by demolishing Boston.
New York was scuffling, and the Yankees still have questions to answer the rest of the season despite their 13-game lead in the AL East. Despite that, they remain the great white sharks of the American League.
2. Dodgers
The Dodgers have no clear weaknesses and still boast a deep enough farm system to swing a trade for whatever they may need come the deadline.
Baseball's version of "The Avengers" doesn't rest solely on the success of one guy: Walker Buehler's time off has just allowed Tony Gonsolin and other members of the Dodgers rotation to put together stellar season. That includes All-Star Game starter Clayton Kershaw, who looks vintage this season.
3. Astros
If the Dodgers are the Avengers, does that make the Astros the "Justice League?"
While they're much better than either version of the movie that released, the Astros are just as powerful
They've closed the gap on the Yankees for the best record in the American League, and they should be getting MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez back in due time to keep pushing for that top mark.
4. Mets
The Mets were on the brink before taking two of three from the Braves the week before the break. Now, they'll be getting reinforcements, namely in the starting pitching ranks.
"Mad Max" Scherzer recently returned from an oblique injury, and he looks just as Max (and arguably more mad) as ever. He's thrown 19 1/3 innings and allowed just three runs and has struck out 31 since returning.
They'll also be getting Jacob deGrom back at some point in the near future.
5. Braves
"The Hangover" is done: After sleepwalking the first two months of the season in defense of their World Series crown, the Braves are 33-11 since the start of June and were hot on the Mets' heels for first place in the NL East in recent weeks.
Spencer Strider has been excellent for Atlanta: Since entering the rotation, Strider has pitched to a 3.43 ERA (2.33 FIP), allowing 19 earned runs to score over 50 innings pitched in that span. Also, he's thrown 77 strikeouts, too. Not bad for a rookie.
6. Padres
The Padres are certainly missing Fernando Tatis Jr. — but you'd never know it.
Don't forget, Manny Machado is still in a league of his own: San Diego's third baseman is having an MVP-caliber campaign with the Dads and is on pace to have one of the best overall seasons of his career.
Ultimately, the Padres could use a little more offense. They could get that soon with Tatis, but maybe even sooner if they swing a trade for a certain available outfield talent.
7. Brewers
Corbin Burnes is somewhat quietly putting together another Cy Young-type season. He's thrown 144 strikeouts to 29 walks, boasts 11.4 Ks per nine and a 2.14 ERA (2.90 FIP) this season. That's all pretty good.
He's got competition from Miami's Sandy Alcantara and another few aces in the NL, but Burns is still "Top Gun" in the Crew's rotation.
8. Twins
Minnesota is largely here because it leads the AL Central. It doesn't look like Carlos Correa is going anywhere by the trade deadline, which was a hot narrative when Minnesota first signed him this offseason.
Some of that is thanks to Royce Lewis' unfortunate ACL injury that'll sideline him the rest of 2022 and likely a big chunk of 2023.
The All-Star break came at the perfect time for the Twins, who are 7-8 in July and posted a 13-15 June. They seem to be avoiding being "Superbad" for now, but they'll need to pick it back up the second half of the season.
9. Rays
Low budget and tons of heart just screams "(500) Days of Summer," doesn't it?
Shane McClanahan anchors a solid Rays rotation, but Tampa Bay isn't quite getting the offensive production it did in 2021 and years prior. The Rays will likely make it to the postseason, but still have a whole host of games vs. AL East opponents the rest of the season: The Red Sox and Jays will likely be battling them for a wild-card spot the rest of the way.
10. Blue Jays
Truth be told, it does feel like a wasted year for the Blue Jays, who decided to make some "Risky Business" after firing Charlie Montoyo in hopes of turning their season around.
The Jays rattled off five wins in six games heading into the break, so maybe they're onto something.
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11. Mariners
The Mariners are putting together the "Sorry To Bother You" season of all seasons. Winners of 14 straight heading into the break, Seattle looks like it finally may be figuring things out. But, man, it's been super weird along the way.
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12. Red Sox
The Red Sox came crashing back down to Earth after a promising June. Things were looking up with Chris Sale's return, but with him back on the shelf, it looks like they're heading for another disappointing end. Kind of like "Signs."
13. Cardinals
You either get the Cardinals or you don't. They're the typical arthouse movie that just hangs around and wins all sorts of awards despite having no idea how they do it. "The Lighthouse" fits here. (Would that make Paul Goldschmidt Willem Dafoe?)
14. Phillies
Like firing a director in the midst of production, the Phillies canned Joe Girardi and got better. He must be the Steven Soderbergh in this "Moneyball" situation.
15. Giants
Not quite as good as its precursor, but still pretty fun. Consider them the "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" of this year.
16. Guardians
Every now and then you'll be reminded that the Guardians are still in the AL Central hunt, kind of like being reminded that a sequel exists. "S. Darko" fits well here. (Yeah — a "Donnie Darko" sequel exists.)
17. White Sox
Great cast, bad movie, should be better than what it is. Chicago is the "Ocean's Twelve" of this season.
18. Marlins
Sandy Alcantara is the star in an otherwise average season for the Marlins. Does that make him the Raul Julia of the "Street Fighter" Marlins?
19. Rangers
"The Lone Ranger" seems too spot-on to not use it: Corey Seager is having a down offensive season, but got red-hot in July. He's one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise meh Texas offense.
20. Orioles
Surprisingly better than you thought it would be, and a lot more fun, too. That's right: The Orioles are "The Lego Movie."
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21. Rockies
A lot like a good action movie with a bad plot, the Rockies can hit but can't pitch. Consider them the "Bad Boys II" of 2022 MLB.
22. Diamondbacks
The D-backs are a lot like "The Phantom Menace" — it's better than you remembered it being, but it's still not very good.
23. Angels
Based out in the west. Star-studded cast. It's so bad, but you always tune in when you can. Am I talking about the Angels or "Wild, Wild West"?
24. Tigers
The Tigers spent a fair amount of money this offseason for a middling result. A lot like "Waterworld."
25. Reds
"Stayin' Alive" is a decent way to describe the Reds' July: They went 8-8 in the month with four walk-off wins. Signs of life. Still bad, though.
26. Pirates
"A New Hope" wasn't only the first Star Wars flick, but also a perfect way to describe Oneil Cruz.
27. Cubs
Seiya Suzuki has rebounded well after a tough May and subsequent injury. Carrying the Cubs to contention alongside Willson Contreras might be "Mission: Impossible," though.
28. Royals
Low-budget, forgetful and at times comedic are all descriptors of the 2022 Royals, but also, "Speed 2: Cruise Control."
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29. Nationals
It's gonna get a lot uglier than "Shrek" once Juan Soto hits the bricks.
30. Athletics
As if turning the roster "Inside Out" was bad enough, now Oakland might actually lose its team. Brutal.
