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MLB power rankings: Padres keep falling after series loss to Yankees

Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY
·4 min read

It is not yet getting too late for the San Diego Padres. Yet it's not unfair to wonder what table scraps will be available to fight for if they right themselves.

The Padres, who overcame years of sizzle over substance with a stirring run to the National League Championship Series in 2022, will lurch into June closer to last place in the NL West than even third, and perhaps more significant, with the 10th-best record − 24-30 − in the NL.

From an inopportune offense to a skittish pitching staff, there's little manager Bob Melvin can rely on and Sunday, the latest piece to misfire was ace Yu Darvish, who had completed at least five innings in 37 consecutive starts. That ended when the New York Yankees chased him in the third inning of an eventual 10-7 loss to the Yankees.

It was San Diego's sixth series loss in its last seven, a stretch that included losing five of six games to the Dodgers, perhaps casting the die for this season. For now? A three-game set at 28-26 Miami − just another NL team looking down at the Padres, who fell to a season-low 20th in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

Juan Soto reacts after striking out against the New York Yankees.
Juan Soto reacts after striking out against the New York Yankees.

NIGHTENGALE'S NOTEBOOK: What we know and what we don't at Memorial Day weekend

A look at this week's rankings:

1. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

  • Another challenge, accepted: Go 7-3 on homestand against Brewers, Blue Jays, Dodgers.

2. Baltimore Orioles (+1)

  • 10-6 record in one-run games.

3.  Texas Rangers (+1)

  • They've forced opponents to use a position player on the mound seven times.

4.  Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)

  • A Dodgers-Rays World Series rematch would be a 15-round heavyweight affair.

5. Atlanta Braves (-3)

  • One year after chasing down Mets, suddenly they're the leaders after one furlong.

6.  Houston Astros (-)

  • Jose Altuve reaches base in his first seven games of season.

7. New York Yankees (+2)

  • Cutting bait on Aaron Hicks and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's super sub role changes dynamic of club.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)

9. Boston Red Sox (-)

10. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)

  • Series win in Minnesota quiets the clatter of 10 losses in 13 games.

11. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)

12. Minnesota Twins (-)

13. Los Angeles Angels (+1)

  • Ben Joyce - he of the 105-mph fastball - joins teammate Zach Neto as lone 2022 draftees to reach majors.

14. New York Mets (-1)

  • Francisco Alvarez has eight homers in 33 games - more than all but two Mets.

15. Seattle Mariners (+2)

  • Bryce Miller starts his career with a crisp 28-3 strikeout-walk ratio.

16. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)

17. Miami Marlins (+1)

18. San Francisco Giants (+1)

  • A 5-2 road trip and officially a solid wild-card contender.

19. Philadelphia Phillies (+3)

20. San Diego Padres (-4)

  • Too many dead spots in the lineup, none moreso than catcher (Austin Nola .131, .434 OPS).

21. Cleveland Guardians (-)

  • Bo Naylor lurking in minors as anemic catching production continues.

22. Detroit Tigers (+1)

  • Officially a find: Infielder/leadoff hitter Zach McKinstry batting .295 with .860 OPS.

23. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)

  • Steven Matz (.888 OPS against) kinda-sorta loses spot in rotation.

24. Cincinnati Reds (+1)

25. Washington Nationals (-)

  • 6-for-6 night gave Luis Garcia 47-point OPS bump.

26. Chicago Cubs (-4)

27. Colorado Rockies (-)

28. Chicago White Sox (-)

  • Dylan Cease's 4.16 walks per nine innings up nearly 10%.

29. Kansas City Royals (-)

30. Oakland Athletics (-)

  • The record: 10-45. The run differential: -191. The time a stadium funding bill was presented to Nevada lawmakers: Friday night on a holiday weekend.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: San Diego Padres drop, New York Yankees rise