MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees Take A Tumble

Aug 9, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees manager

(28) walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change during the eigth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

9. Houston Astros (61-52) The Astros look like they might be starting to feel the pressure of the playoff race. They have lost six of their last seven games and lead the Angels by only 0.5 a game in the AL West. The offense has fallen off recently, as they scored only 11 runs in four games against the Athletics. They scored nine runs against the Rangers in the first game of that series, but the pitching staff was ineffective giving up 12 runs. Carlos Gomez hasn’t gotten going yet with the Astros, as they will need his bat to heat up if they are to hold off the Angels and avoid the Wild Card game.

8. New York Mets (59-52) The Mets are sitting atop the NL East by 1.5 games, which has to make them happy. But, they could and should be up even more, as the Nationals are still struggling to win games. The Mets need to find a way to win more consistently on the road, as a seven-game winning streak was disappointingly stopped in Tropicana Field against the Rays. If the Mets are to become real contenders, they will need to step it up on the road. Part of those problems is Noah Syndergaard, who is becoming quite the liability on the road, where he is winless in eight starts with an ERA of 5.01 in 41 ⅓ innings.

7.New York Yankees (61-49) The Yankees are still ahead 1.5 games in the AL East, but they cannot be comfortable; especially with what happened over the weekend. They were swept by the Blue Jays, as their pitching staff held the vaunted Blue Jays lineup in check but their offense was nowhere to be found. They were shutout in back-to-back games for the first time since 1999, as they got nothing going at the plate. But, one encouraging sign from the week was that C.C. Sabathia finally pitched well in a Yankee win over the Red Sox, throwing six strong innings. Will that continue this week against a better team in the Indians? The Yankees will also get a chance at some revenge against the Blue Jays, as they travel to Toronto this upcoming weekend.

Next: Tough weekend for Dodgers