The amazingMilwaukee Brewersare the worst thing to happen to major league owners crying poor. With commissionerRob Manfredand a chorus of aggrieved billionairesinsisting the game needs a salary capand shutting down the industry to get one is inevitable, the Brewers simply went out and beat the Los Angeles Dodgerssix consecutive times in a two-week span. That run was capped by a weekend sweep at Dodger Stadium, which lifted Milwaukee into a first-place tie with Chicago in the NL Central and vaulted them over the Dodgers in overall record. And it boosted them to a season-best No. 3 position in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. They supplanted the Dodgers in that spot, a battle that would seem an unfair fight on paper. After all, the Brewers tote a payroll of around $120 million; that's far less than the mere tax penalty - right now, anestimated$157 million - the Dodgers will pay on top of a payroll exceeding $400 million. It's a scenario that's not supposed to happen, at least among the ownership side of the looming 2026 labor fight that believes payroll most correlates with success. But rich teams have their problems, too - look at the Dodgers' pitcher IL list - and competence and desire have proven about as important as investment. And now the Brewers - winners of 10 in a row - are looking like locks for their seventh playoff berth in the past eight seasons. A look at our updated rankings: Tarik Skubal singlehandedly keeping their precarious hold on the top spot. All they do is hit bombs – and that's been more than enough. A fella named Isaac Collins went 5-for-12 in Dodgers sweep. Vlad Jr.'s first homer since June 29 powers sweep of Giants, 10th straight home win. Freddie Freeman dodges bullet, apparently, after getting struck on wrist by pitch. Isaac Paredes to IL with hamstring injury as five opening-day starters are shelved. Signing David Robertson off the street preferable to burning trade chip on a bullpen arm. Sure, everyone needs bullpen help, but these guys really do. Manage to win two of three at Atlanta without using Carlos Rodón or Max Fried. Jose Iglesias on a 10-for-21 streak. Yep, it's getting to be his time of year. And just like that: Garrett Crochet equals Tarik Skubal in ERA (2.19) and has one more strikeout (165). AfterAll-Star hubbub, Cal Raleighhas a quiet weekend, with two singles in 13 at-bats. New owner looks like a far surer bet than new stadium. They finally hit – 27 knocks in three games – yet are still swept at Toronto. Noelvi Marte moved to outfield in effort to keep Santiago Espinal's bat in lineup. Getting swept at Arizona just might put crimp in contention dreams. If they're near .500, would be stunning to see them sell at deadline. Ketel Marte misses first series afterbreak-in at home. Don't look now, but they just won a series at Philly, are a game below .500. You wonder how much they could restock farm system by trading off best bullpen pieces Joe Ryan saves them from ignominious sweep at Coors Field. Rich Hill, 45, just might emerge as rotation option. Have won six of their last eight series, split another. Might be last week as an O for Cedric Mullins, who debuted in August 2018. "If he's going to be here, he's not going to rot," says Brian Snitker of Marcell Ozuna. Their "ballpark construction cam" just shows a few piles of dirt, not unlike the mound back home in Yolo County. Interim GM says they won't trade pieces acquired from the most recent rebuild. Don't look now, but they're just four games better than the White Sox after getting swept. They're final team to complete a sweep this season. Ryan McMahon heating up a bit as trade deadline lurks. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:MLB power rankings: Brewers rise in NL Central standings with LA sweep