The National League West usually looks like a powerhouse, but 2024’s been weird. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who normally cruise, just can’t seem to find their rhythm this year.
They’ve gone 11-14 over the past month and are only 50-49 since mid-May. Sure, injuries have played a part, but honestly, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Other teams, like the San Diego Padres, haven’t stepped up either. That’s left the door wide open for the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks to make things interesting.
Meanwhile, across MLB, there’s this odd sense of parity. Nobody’s really pulling away, and the latest power rankings look pretty scrambled compared to what most people expected.
Dodgers’ Stumble Has Changed the NL West Race
The Dodgers have set the standard in the NL West for over a decade. This year, though, things feel off.
Since mid-May, they’ve basically been a .500 team. That recent 11-14 stretch? It’s not a fluke—both their offense and pitching have gone hot and cold.
Injuries have stung, but they don’t explain why Los Angeles can’t seem to string wins together. The momentum just isn’t there right now, and it’s a little baffling.
Padres Fail to Capitalize on Opportunity
If anyone was going to take advantage of the Dodgers’ slump, you’d think it’d be the Padres. Instead, they’ve dropped nine of their last 13 games.
Rather than closing the gap, San Diego’s let their own playoff hopes get shaky. This lack of urgency could be a real problem when things tighten up in September.
Unexpected Contenders Emerge
No one really saw this coming, but the Giants and Diamondbacks—who looked like sellers at the deadline—are suddenly back in the picture. The Giants, basically written off earlier in the year, have rattled off 11 wins in 12 games.
Now, they’re just four games out of a wild card and only seven behind the Dodgers. That’s a wild turnaround.
Diamondbacks Within Striking Distance
The Diamondbacks are riding the chaos, too. Even after a rough first half and trading away pieces, they’re only 7.5 games back in the division.
To put it another way, the Cubs have the same gap in the NL Central, but Arizona’s situation just feels more hopeful—maybe it’s the way the division’s shaking out.
The Bigger MLB Picture: Power Rankings Shake-Up
Zooming out, the 2024 season’s been all about unpredictability and parity. Most teams can’t keep a hot streak going, so the power rankings have been all over the place.
- Milwaukee Brewers – They’re cruising, playing at a crazy 113-win pace since late May.
- Philadelphia Phillies – Staying right on the Brewers’ heels with steady, impressive play.
- New York Yankees – After a rough patch, they’ve bounced back with a strong week against tough teams.
- Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs – All three are climbing the rankings lately.
- Los Angeles Dodgers – Down to seventh, which really sums up their recent struggles.
Parity Defines the 2024 Season
The Dodgers’ slide, combined with the Brewers and Phillies rising, really shows that nobody’s safe this year. Consistency has just vanished league-wide.
The playoff race is still packed, with a bunch of teams hanging around contention well past midseason. Who knows how it’ll shake out?
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
As summer heads into its final stretch, the NL West — and honestly, most of MLB — feels unpredictable. The Dodgers still look like the favorite on paper, but their recent struggles have cracked the door open for challengers.
The Padres look vulnerable. Meanwhile, the Giants and Diamondbacks are riding some surprising surges.
The Brewers, Phillies, and Yankees have all put themselves in the mix as real October threats. But can any of them actually keep up this momentum?
If there’s anything we can say about the 2024 season, it’s this: expect the unexpected. Parity rules right now, and one hot month could throw any team straight into the postseason race — even in a division most people thought was already decided.
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Here is the source article for this story: MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers and Padres wasting away in wild NL West, plus a surging Yankees team fights back
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