MLB power rankings: Mets falling out of playoff race

The New York Mets keep plumbing new depths. Putting it in perspective requires a trip back in time.

We're not about to call their 5-1 loss − sealed with a most embarrassing error − to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday the low point of the season. Heck, it's only mid-July and there's no shortage of horrors that may still befall them. And they did rally to salvage the finale of the three-game set Sunday night in extra innings.

But dropping the first series of the second half cools any notion that the All-Star break might provide a reset, that the most expensive team in baseball history would will its way to contention, and that the breaks might start falling their way.

Instead, the Mets are simply a 43-50 team, trailing their division by almost 20 games, unlikely to make up the 8 1/2 games and vault the five teams needed for a courtesy playoff invite via the wild card. Their latest series loss dropped them to 22nd in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

Flash back to March, when the air in Queens featured both a chill and a sense of hope. Sure, the Mets had just lost closer Edwin Diaz for the season, but in our season-opening rankings, they were tied for sixth with the Philadelphia Phillies. Save for the almost-equally disappointing Padres, the five other top teams at the outset − Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Yankees and Phillies − are either in playoff position or acquitting themselves respectfully.

No, the Mets are an outlier here, and unless they unload much of the roster at the trade deadline, will pay nearly $500 million in payroll and taxes for that privilege. Barring a rapid and unexpected turnaround, the season's remaining tension will only be how low they can go.

• After getting roughed up by White Sox, Spencer Strider has given up at least five runs in five starts.

• An impressive sweep of the Marlins. A series win vs. Dodgers will really get some attention.

• No pressure, kid: Michael Grove needs to be effective with Clayton Kershaw out until August.

• Lead the AL in run differential (+159), passing the Rays, whom they host for three games this week.

• Swept at Toronto, and suddenly visits to Atlanta, Cincinnati take on some urgency.

• Four of their nine starting pitchers used are rookies; perhaps a veteran addition is in order.

• Legitimate needs (starter, reliever, bat(s)) and legitimate playoff odds as deadline nears.

• Shaping up to be a four-way battle for two playoff spots with Astros/Rangers, Yankees, Red Sox.

• A statement sweep to start the second half at Cincinnati.

• In last four games Brewers held them to three runs in 36 innings.

• If they really want Shohei Ohtani, they can beat his team three times this week and knock them further into sell mode.

• Uh-oh: Bryce Harper getting it going.

• This space is now a Masataka Yoshida weekly tribute.

• Carlos Correa has .417 OBP, .871 OPS batting leadoff.

• Trade deadline approaching nightmare do-they, don't-they status.

• .231 team average outranks only the the Tigers and A's in AL.

• Josh Naylor setting high standard for little brother: .308 average, .844 OPS.

• Could have won all four in Philly. Won just one. The beat goes on.

• Cody Bellinger's red-hot streak is well-timed.

• Reminder: Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have full no-trade clauses.

• Is it time to give Henry Davis a shot behind the plate?

• All-Star Michael Lorenzen might not be a bad trade fit with his old mates in Cincinnati.

• Just how much trade value do their non-core dudes have?

• If not for that Ohtani fellow, Luis Robert would be dredging up the whole "MVP on a terrible team" debate.

• CJ Abrams' two-month look in leadoff spot a key sample.

• Win series at home against Yankees, disappointing roughly 100,000 Yankee fans.

• If they're hard to watch, at least it goes quickly - Royals involved in three of 10 MLB games taking two hours or less.