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MLB Power Rankings: Yankees, Red Sox climb – Metro US
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MLB Power Rankings: Yankees, Red Sox climb

MLB Power Rankings: Yankees, Red Sox climb
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1. St. Louis Cardinals (54-28, previous No. 1) – The Cardinals keep on rolling, having wonthree straight gamesto now lead the NL Central by six games. It isn’t just Michael Wacha picking up the slack for the injuredAdam Wainwright, as Carlos Martinez has nine wins.

2. Houston Astros (49-36, previous No. 7) – Even with dropping two-of-three over the weekend to the Red Sox, the Astros still have a 3.5 game lead in the AL West. They continue to be led by Dallas Keuchel and his 2.14 ERA, the second-best mark in the AL. Hehas a chance to potentially start the All-Star Game.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates (48-34, previous No. 4) – The Pirates are on a roll, winning three straight and eight of their last 10.But they’re still six games out in the division because of the run the Cardinals are on. Gerrit Cole’s 12 wins remain the most in all of baseball.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (47-37, previous No. 3) – In what was once a tight race the NL West, the Dodgers have rattled off six wins in their last 10 games to open up a five-game lead. Their plus-60 run differential is second in the NL. Zack Greinke’s 1.48 is the best mark in baseball.

5. Kansas City Royals (46-33, previous No. 2) – Even with going 5-5 in their last 10 games, the Royals still lead the AL Central by four games, as the rest of the division has played .500 ball as well. The Royals have an MLB-high six All-Star representatives.

6. Washington Nationals (46-37, previous No. 5) – Led by Max Scherzer’s nine wins and 1.82 ERA, the second-best mark in the NL, the Nationals lead the NL East by 3.5 games. Their plus-38 run differential is the only positive mark in the NL East. Washington has won six of its last 10 games as they are playing good ball leading into the break.

7. New York Yankees (44-38, previous No. 10) – Even though the Yankees are just 5-5 over their last 10 games, they are back on top of the AL East, leading the Orioles by 1.5 games. Mark Teixeria’s 20 homers and 59 RBIs rank fifth and first in the American League respectively.

8. Chicago Cubs (44-37, previous No. 16) – The Cubs have been leap-frogged by the Pirates in the division, as they now trail the Cardinals by 9.5 games. They still have their sights on the Wild Card though and they would be one of the most active teams at the trade deadline.

9. Los Angeles Angels (44-38, previous No. 14) – Winners of three straight and eight of 10, the Angels are making a run at the Astros for the top spot in the AL West as they are only 3.5 games out. Albert Pujols continues to lead the AL in homers with 25.

10. Minnesota Twins (44-39, previous No. 12) – The Twins have continued to play consistent ball and now trail the Royals by four games in the AL Central. Their 18-24 record on the road is something that will need to improve in the second half. Brian Dozier could be on the list of All-Star snubs.

11. Baltimore Orioles (43-40, previous No. 8) – Like most of the AL East, the Orioles have cooled off a bit of late, but they still are in second place in the division, trailing the Yankees by 1.5 games. They will send third baseman Manny Machado, closer Zach Britton center fielder Adam Jones and set-up man Darren O’Day to the All-Star Game.

12. Tampa Bay Rays (43-41, previous No. 9) – It was a tough week for the Rays as they have lost eight of their last 10 games and now sit in third place in the AL East. Chris Archer, fresh off being named to the All-Star game along with reliever Brad Boxberger, has a 2.18 ERA, third-best in the AL.

13. New York Mets (43-41, previous No. 13) – New York has gotten back on track with wins in six of its last 10 games and now trail the Nationals by 3.5 games in the AL East. Starter Jacob deGrom was the team’s lone All-Star representative.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (43-42, previous No. 11) – Toronto is another AL East team struggling, as they have dropped seven of their last 10 games and now trail the Yankees by 2.5 games, even with their AL-leading plus-84 run differential. Jose Bautista’s 57 RBIs are third in the AL.

15. Detroit Tigers (42-40, previous No. 15) – Detroit trails the Royals by 5.5 games in the division, but they suffered a huge blow this week when it was learned Miguel Cabrera will be out six weeks with a Grade 3 calf strain. Losing the best hitter in the AL, it will be tough for the Tigers to get back into the AL Central race.

16. San Francisco Giants (42-42, previous No. 6) – It’s been a rough week for the Giants as they have dropped seven straight games and now are five games out in the NL West. Buster Posey is fifth in the NL with 57 RBIs.

17. Texas Rangers (41-42, previous No. 17) – Texas has dropped three straight games and have fallen seven games out in the AL West. Prince Fielder’s .347 batting average is the second-best mark in the AL and with Miguel Cabrera’s injury, he has a chance to take over the lead.

18. Atlanta Braves (41-42, previous No. 18) – For the Braves to get back into the playoff race, they will need to do something about their 18-25 record on the road. As it stands now, they are five games back of the Nationals in the NL East.

19. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-42, previous No. 19) – Arizona continues to remain in the hunt in the NL West, as at two games below .500 they are six games back. Paul Goldschmidt continues to dominate as his .348 batting average is the best in the National League.

20. Boston Red Sox (39-45, previous No. 24) – The Red Sox are the hottest team in the AL East, winners of seven of their last 10 games, andnow trail the Yankees by six games in the division. It’s a make or break week for the team leading into the All-Star break, especially with a weekend series with the Yankees at Fenway.

21. San Diego Padres (39-46, previous No. 20) – San Diego had thought this year would be going a lot better than it would. Seven games below .500 and a manager change has them 8.5 games out of first place in the NL West. It seems their attention will need to switch to next year.

22. Cleveland Indians (38-44, previous No. 22) – Cleveland has dropped three straight games and with their 19-24 record at home, they trail the Royals by 9.5 in the division. With the team’s struggles, Jason Kipnis’ .340 average is third-best in the AL.

23. Seattle Mariners (38-45, previous No. 23) – Seattle certainly had a lot of hope going into this season, but the first half has been a major disappointment. Felix Hernandez hasn’t been himself from the mound, which is one reason for their lack of success.

24. Oakland Athletics (38-47, previous No. 25) – Despite Oakland’s plus-49 run differential, the A’s have the worst record in the American League and are 11 games out of first in the AL West. Stud hurler Sonny Gray will represent the team in the All-Star Game as his .209 ERA is tops in the AL.

25. Chicago White Sox (37-43, previous No. 27) – Even though the White Sox have won six of their last 10 games, they still hold the second to worst record in the AL, while their minus-78 run differential is the worst.

26. Cincinnati Reds (37-44, previous No. 21) – The Reds have now lost seven of their last 10 games and now are 16.5 games out of first in the division. Aroldis Chapman is the Reds’ lone All-Star representative, which will be played at their home ballpark.

27. Milwaukee Brewers (36-49, previous No. 29) – Despite being 13 games under .500, the Brewers are one of the hottest teams in the game, winning eight of their last 10, but with the poor start it’s too little too late.

28. Colorado Rockies (35-47, previous No. 26) – Colorado has lost seven of its last 10 games and trails the Dodgers by 11 games in the NL West. Despite the team’s struggles, Troy Tulowitzki’s .321 average is fourth-best in the NL.

28. Miami Marlins (35-48, previous No. 28) – Aside from Dee Gordon’s .339 average, third best in the NL, there isn’t much to cheer about in Miami. The Marlins will get Giancarlo Stanton back in the second half to provide some excitement.

30. Philadelphia Phillies (28-57, previous No. 30) – The Phillies are by far the worst team in the majors and now the question is who will they deal at the trade deadline?