MLB Power Rankings: Pirates, Mets among hottest teams in baseball

1. St. Louis Cardinals (89-54 previous No. 1) – While the Cardinals have the top spot, things have changed as St. Louis is no longer rolling. The team has dropped seven of 10 games and now is only 2.5 games up over the Pirates in the division. While the Cardinals are a lock for the postseason, it would be a disappointment not to win the division.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates (86-56, previous No. 3) – Here come the Pirates. With the Cardinals in a bit of a funk, the Pirates are surging, winners of seven of 10 to now sit just 2.5 games out in the division. Andrew McCutchen’s 92 RBIs are tied for fourth in the National League.

3. Kansas City Royals (84-58, previous No. 2) – The Royals aren’t playing their best baseball of late, but it doesn’t matter all that much as they have the AL Central all but wrapped up. Lorenzo Cain’s .317 average is fourth in the AL and his 7.2 WAR is third.

4. Chicago Cubs (82-60, previous No. 4) – Chicago has won seven of 10 and while the division may be out of reach, the Cubs are locks for the Wild Card as they have a 7.5 game lead for the second spot. The NL Central will have three representatives making the postseason and it will be an all NL Central Wild Card game.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-60, previous No. 6) – The Dodgers are on their way to another NL West title as they lead the Giants by 7.5 games. They continue to be led by their starting rotation, as Zack Greinke has an NL-leading 1.61 ERA and Clayton Kershaw is third at 2.15.

6. New York Mets (82-61, previous No. 8) – The Mets keep on rolling as they are the hottest team in baseball, winners of eight straight, and now lead the NL East by 9.5 games. Yoenis Cespedes has proven to be a major pickup at the trade deadline, as his 6.2 WAR is fourth in the NL.

7. Toronto Blue Jays (82-61, previous No. 5) – The Blue Jays remain atop the AL East standings, as they currently sit 3.5 games up over the Yankees. Their offense has led them to a plus-198 run differential, which is good for the best in the majors. Adding a pitcher like David Price at the deadline should pay off in the postseason.

8. New York Yankees (78-64, previous No. 9) – The Yankees have dropped six of 10 and are now 3.5 games back of the Blue Jays in the AL East. The good thing for the Yankees is if they cannot win the division they will in all likelihood be one of the AL Wild Card teams. Moving forward and into the postseason, it will come down to how well the Yankees can pitch.

9. Houston Astros (77-66, previous No. 7) – Houston is battling with the Rangers for the AL West title. It has dropped six of 10 to allow the Rangers to get back into the race. The Astros do have a plus-105 run differential, which is the second-best in the AL behind the Blue Jays.

10. Texas Rangers (75-67, previous No. 11) – As it stands now, the Rangers would be the second Wild Card team in the American League. Cliff Lee gets a lot of the credit for turning the Rangers’ staff around, but Colby Lewis has quietly had a solid season, as his 15 wins are tied for fourth in the AL.

11. San Francisco Giants (75-68, previous No. 10) – With the Giants 7.5 games back in the NL West and the NL Central running away with the Wild Card, the Giants are virtually eliminated from the playoffs. Madison Bumgarner’s 18 wins are second in the National League.

12. Minnesota Twins (74-68, previous No. 12) – Even though the Royals have the division all but wrapped up, the Twins are still in playoff contention as they are a game out in the Wild Card. The Twins may be the team that has surprised the most people this season. Glen Perkins is tied for third in the AL with 32 saves.

13. Los Angeles Angels (72-70, previous No. 13) – The Angels are still in the playoff race as they are three games out of the final Wild Card spot. With not much time left, they will need to get hot fairly soon. Albert Pujols’ 35 home runs are fifth in the American League.

14. Washington Nationals (72-70, previous No. 14) – The Nationals are the league’s most disappointing team, as after offseason of loading up on big name players, they will miss the postseason. Bryce Harper’s 36 home runs are third in the NL.

15. Cleveland Indians (70-70, previous No. 16) – Being four games out may not seem that much to overcome in the Wild Card, there are two teams ahead of them, so it seems unlikely they will qualify for the postseason. Michael Brantley’s .317 average is third in the AL.

16. Tampa Bay Rays (69-73, previous No. 15) – Tampa Bay is another disappointing team, as they have lost seven of 10 and never really challenged in the division this season. Chris Archer’s 2.95 ERA is fifth in the AL, but besides him their rotation underperformed.

17. Baltimore Orioles (69-73, previous No. 19) – There is a three-team race in the AL East, but not for the division title, but rather who will not finish in last place between the Orioles, Rays and Red Sox.

18. Seattle Mariners (69-75, previous No. 22) – While being 8.5 games out in the AL West doesn’t seem all that bad, it’s been a disappointing season in Seattle. With that being said, not much has to change for them to be back in contention next year.

19. Boston Red Sox (68-74, previous No. 21) – The Red Sox have been playing better of late, as they battle the Orioles and Rays for last place in the AL East. The biggest story with the Red Sox is David Ortiz hitting his 500^th career home run over the weekend in Tampa.

20. Arizona Diamondbacks (68-75, previous No. 18) – Arizona has dropped seven of its last 10 sits in third place in the NL West. They might not be that far away from being a contender as many think. With a few offseason moves, they could be a contender next year.

21. Chicago White Sox (67-74, previous No. 20) – Chicago has a good foundation to build around in Chris Sale and Jose Abreu, but the team needs to make a few majors moves in the offseason to get back into contention.

22. San Diego Padres (67-77, previous No. 17) – The Padres have lost four straight and eight of 10. San Diego has a decision to make this offseason on their manager, which will be the first order of business.

23. Detroit Tigers (64-77, previous No. 23) – The Tigers have dropped three straight and seven of 10 games. Things are so bad that they are even in last place in the AL Central.

24. Milwaukee Brewers (62-81, previous No. 25) – The Brewers have lost three straight and six of 10, but they aren’t the worst team in the NL Central thanks to the Reds. It will be a season of change in Milwaukee.

25. Oakland Athletics (61-82, previous No. 24) – A year after losing the AL Wild Card game, the A’s are about to finish in last place in the AL West. Despite the poor season, Sonny Gray ‘s 2.28 ERA is second in the AL.

26. Miami Marlins (61-82, previous No. 29) – Miami has actually won seven of 10 games and with the young talent they have, it was a tough year with injuries that they could be back in the hunt next year.

27. Cincinnati Reds (60-82, previous No. 26) – Cincinnati has been a disaster since the All-Star break and are is now in last place in the NL Central. With a number of solid players, there could be a lot of trade opportunities this offseason.

28. Colorado Rockies (60-83, previous 28) – It’s been a season to forget for the Rockies as not only are they in last place in the NL West, they lost their franchise player in Troy Tulowitzki at the trade deadline.

29. Atlanta Braves (56-88, previous No. 27) – The Braves can’t wait for the season to end, as they have lost four straight and eight of 10 to fall 26.5 games behind the Mets – not what they had hoped for to open the season.

30. Philadelphia Phillies (56-88, previous No. 30) – The last few weeks of the year will be a battle for who will be the worst team in baseball and it looks like it will come down to the Braves and Phillies.