MLB power rankings: Weathering the storm

A 3-7 run through the NL West — one win against the Dodgers at Petco Park, one win in Arizona and one win in four games at Dodger Stadium — was costly.

But not debilitating.

The Padre the stretch three games off LA’s pace in the NL West. They are now five games out of after rallying for a series win over Kansas City.

The offense is still a major question, with a .647 OPS in their 39 games (17-22) ranking 28th in the majors.

But Jackson Merrill is back from his second trip to the injured list, Fernando Tatis Jr. showed signs of life over the weekend, Xander Bogaerts is looking as good as he ever has in a Padres uniform and Manny Machado is on his way to starting at third base for the NL in the All-Star game.

It’s reason to believe that A.J. Preller should add to this team, and soon.

“It’s been a lot of good games, a lot of one run games,” Merrill said. “And even games we lose, we feel like we’re right there and in it. … There’s a lot of games that are really close. So playing good baseball, it’s just keep carrying it over.”

1 | Detroit Tigers (49-30, Last week: 2)

A three-game skid has not eased Detroit’s grip on the AL Central one bit.

2 | New York Yankees (45-32, LW: 5)

With Ryan Yarbrough joining the likes of Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman on the injured list, rookie Allan Winans is set to become the Yankees’ eighth starting pitcher this year, matching the number they needed all of last season.

3 | Chicago Cubs (46-31, LW: 1)

The so-called good problem: With Shota Imanaga returning this week, the Cubs are pondering a six-man rotation or jettisoning Ben Brown, Cade Horton or Colin Rea.

4 | Los Angeles Dodgers (48-31, LW: 4)

Shohei Ohtani threw another inning on Sunday. At this rate, it stands to reason that Ohtani will not exactly become a full-fledged starter until next season.

5 | Philadelphia Phillies (47-31, LW: 6)

Maybe the Mets should get their act together. The Phillies have seized control of the NL East with Bryce Harper and Aaro Nola on the injured list.

6 | New York Mets (46-32, LW: 3)

With Francisco Alvarez’s struggles forcing a demotion to the minors, former Padres Rule 5 pick Luis Torrens has become the primary backstop for a $376 million payrolled team. Weird, right?

7 | Houston Astros (45-33, LW: 8)

Who needs Alex Bregman (or Kyle Tucker)? Isaac Paredes, part of the return from the Cubs for Tucker, leads Houston with 16 homers.

8 | San Francisco Giants (44-34, LW: 7)

Justice for Rafael Devers? Not only did he homer against his former team this weekend, the Giants took two of three against the Red Sox in San Francisco.

9 | Milwaukee Brewers (43-35, LW: 11)

First impression: Prospect Jacob Misiorowski’s 11-inning hitless streak to start his career (over two starts) is the longest by a start pitcher since 1900, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

10 | San Diego Padres (42-35, LW: 10)

This Xander Bogaerts would be worth it: He’s 10-for-15 with two doubles, a homer, four runs scored and two walks over his last four games.