MLB Power Rankings: Once-formidable Houston Astros continue to sink in meek AL West

Oddly enough, the American League West is, objectively, a bad division. Stranger still, it seems increasingly unlikely that the Houston Astros will finish on top.

The division that produced the two AL finalists a year ago will crown a champion, as required by Major League Baseball’s bylaws. But only one team is above .500 as we approach the halfway point — this, a year after three teams won at least 88 games, and the Astros and Texas Rangers met in the series. AL championship.

But the Astros’ streak of six consecutive division titles becomes more and more threatened with each cold streak and subdued displays of competence from the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners won three of Houston’s four games this week and then, because they played so poorly at the plate this year, they fired their bench coach and offensive coordinator, Brant Brown.

The Astros then lost a weekend series at home to Minnesota, only to lose 7½ games and drop three more spots in the USA TODAY Sports power rankings.

A preview of this week’s rankings:

Houston Astros shortstop Mauricio Dubon (14) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) attend a game against the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park on May 31, 2024.

1. New York Yankees (-)

2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

3. Baltimore Orioles (-)

4. Cleveland Goalies (+1)

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)

6. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)

7. Atlanta Braves (-1)

8. Kansas City Royals (-1)

9. Seattle Mariners (-1)

10. Minnesota Twins (-)

Jhoan Duran had just 14 strikeouts in 15 innings.

11. San Diego Padres (+1)

12. Boston Red Sox (+4)

13. Texas Rangers (+4)

14. Detroit Tigers (+1)

15. Chicago Cubs (-4)

16. San Francisco Giants (-3)

17. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

18. Washington Nationals (+5)

19. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)

20. Toronto Blue Jays (+5)

Throwback Weekend: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. starts a game at third base.

21. Arizona Diamondbacks (-3)

22. Houston Astros (-3)

23. Cincinnati Reds (-3)

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-2)

25. New York Mets (-1)

26. Oakland Athletics (-)

27. Los Angeles Angels (-)

28. Colorado Rockies (-)

29. Miami Marlins (-)

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros continue to sink into weak AL West