Perhaps the Houston Astros truly are unstoppable.
After dispatching two of their bedrock players in Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker last winter, they got off to an appropriately middling start that suggested their revamped lineup might have, finally, lost too many pieces from their championships in 2017 and 2022.
Yet look who’s nearly atop USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
Despite losing All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña to a rib injury this week, and missing slugger Yordan Alvarez for almost all of the first half, the Astros continued their stunning roll toward the break, dealing the Los Angeles Dodgers their worst loss ever at Chavez Ravine as if it were the late 2010s all over again.
And after a road sweep of their old adversaries, the team many love to hate has won 24 of its last 32 games, completing a startling five-week rise from No. 12 to No. 2 inpower rankings the rankings. With All-Star ace Hunter Brown and should-be All-Star Framber Valdez fronting the rotation, the club may put the American League West to bed by the trade deadline.
Soon enough, they may have the No. 1 Tigers in their sights.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Detroit Tigers (-)
- The D is taking over The A, with Tarik Skubal the likely All-Star starter backed by rejuvenated veterans.
2. Houston Astros (+1)
- Jose Altuve slams three home runs at Dodger Stadium, thrilling the locals.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
- Should soon have a reunion with the Blakes – Snell and Treinen heading out on rehab assignments.
4. Chicago Cubs (-)
- What a weekend at Wrigley: An eight-homer game and a gem from All-Star Matt Boyd.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- Zack Wheeler named pitcher of month – then twirls a one-hit, 12-strikeout gem.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (+3)
- What a return for Brandon Woodruff, who beats Marlins in first outing since September 2023.
7. Toronto Blue Jays (+5)
- How did they vault to the top of the AL East? Arguably the most dominant bullpen in the AL, for one.
8. New York Mets (-)
- Pete Alonso already has 46 extra-base hits.
9. New York Yankees (-3)
- Clarke Schmidt’s elbow injury adds to an even heavier trade deadline to-do list.
10. Tampa Bay Rays (-3)
- Ha-Seong Kim is back, and infield depth is enviable.
11. San Diego Padres (-)
- Manny Machado two hits shy of joining 2,000 club.
12. St. Louis Cardinals (-2)
- They’re calling Brendan Donovan ‘Donnie All-Star.’
13. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Players’ vote really nailed it sending Randy Rodriguez – perhaps NL’s best reliever – to All-Star Game.
14. Seattle Mariners (+1)
- Julio Rodriguez takes a .695 OPS into All-Star Game.
15. Cincinnati Reds (-1)
- Hunter Greene set to start rehab assignment Tuesday.
16. Boston Red Sox (+1)
- Huge boost from Lucas Giolito, who has 0.83 ERA over his past five starts.
17. Texas Rangers (+1)
- After a six-year absence, Jacob deGrom once again an All-Star.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-2)
- With Eugenio Suarez and Zac Gallen in hand, perhaps the most volatile team leading up to trade deadline.
19. Los Angeles Angels (+2)
- Sometimes off-season pitching additions work out: Yusei Kikuchi is an All-Star.
20. Minnesota Twins (-)
- Georgia man Byron Buxton is heading to his second All-Star Game.
21. Cleveland Guardians (-2)
- Carlos Santana will be a nice pickup for a contender needing a bat.
22. Kansas City Royals (+1)
- Seth Lugo, another should-be All-Star, looking like strong candidate to opt out after the season.
23. Baltimore Orioles (+2)
- Trevor Rogers provides trade deadline dividend – just a year after he was traded.
24. Atlanta Braves (-2)
- Marcell Ozuna batting .159 with one homer in past 30 games.
25. Miami Marlins (-1)
- Kyle Stowers is an All-Star – and he oughta do the Home Run Derby, too.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)
- Hey, they passed the Nationals.
27. Washington Nationals (-1)
- They fire their security blankets – and a very uncertain future looms.
28. Athletics
- Luis Severino’s given up the second-most earned runs in the game – 48 of the 64 yielded in Yolo County.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
- They win two of three against Rockies, likely locking in pecking order for future Power Rankings.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Hey, at least Hunter Goodman is a legit – not a courtesy – All-Star pick.