MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets Keeping Pace

Aug 30, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder

(39) gets a gatorade bath after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Tropicana Field. The Rays won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

18. San Diego Padres (63-67) It was a tough week for the Padres. They were unable to carry over the success from their series win over the Cardinals last weekend, losing to the Nationals and Phillies this weekend for an unsuccessful road trip. This offense is just not consistent enough, as Matt Kemp has the highest batting average of qualified players with a pedestrian .265. That will not get it done, especially when a pitching staff doesn’t deliver results like you were expecting as well.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks (63-67) The Diamondbacks were feeling good over .500, but then ran into the powerhouses Cardinals, who swept them in four games. Things didn’t get any better over the weekend, as they dropped a series to the Athletics to make for a disappointing week following a high note. They will now head on the road to Colorado and Chicago this week; there is no better place to get an offense going than Coors Field, as Paul Goldschmidt and company should have a field day in the thin air of Colorado.

16. Tampa Bay Rays (64-66) The Rays aren’t out of the race, but they didn’t do themselves any favors this past week, losing series to the Twins and Royals. But, this upcoming week will make or break their season as they go on the road to take on the Orioles and Yankees; two teams also fighting for playoff positioning. They have their rotation set up well for this week though, as it will begin and end with Chris Archer, and they will not be outmatched based on who their opponents are using. This week will be the most important one for the Rays on the season; if they can win both series, they’re right back in the thick of things, but if they lose, their season is more than likely over.

Next: Red Hot Indians