It’s officially August! The trade deadline has come and gone, and some huge names changed teams over the weekend in search of a World Series. The Dodgers made arguably the biggest splash at the deadline, adding three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner from the Nationals. The Giants, Padres, Rays, and Yankees all also made huge moves as they look to compete this year in what looks to be a wide-open field to win the 2021 World Series.

We’ve got two months left before the playoffs roll around, and only the leaders of the two central divisions have leads greater than 3 games. We’re in for an exciting finish to the regular season as teams jockey for postseason positioning. 

 

• It seems like the top 10-15 teams all made significant additions at the trade deadline, and we should start to see a clear separation between the top half of the league and the bottom half of the league in the coming weeks.
• The Rays jumped two spots to 4th in this weeks ratings after a 3-game sweep over their division rivals in Boston. The Rays currently have a 1-game lead over the Red Sox at the top of the American League East.
• The NL East is currently sputtering. The Mets, Phillies, and Braves were all buyers at the deadline, but things are still a mess as the Mets only hold a 2.5 game lead over the Phillies and a 2.5 game lead over the Braves.
• The National League West is still an incredible story this season as the Dodgers (#1), as the Giants (#3), and the Padres (#8) all hold top-ten spots in this week’s rankings. The Giants hold a 3-game lead over the Dodgers, but Los Angeles is coming on strong, and the Padres have the talent to close the gap as well.

• The Astros and the Dodgers play a quick two-game series this week in what could potentially be a World Series preview of star-studded lineups.
• The Yankees look to continue gaining ground in the American League as they take on the Orioles and the Mariners this week.
• The Milwaukee Brewers will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants this week as they look to stretch their NL Central lead even further.
• Oakland will look to keep pace with the Astros in the AL West as they take on the Padres and the Rangers this week.