MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox creep up, Mets continue to tumble

1. Chicago Cubs (73-43, previously No. 1) – Even though the Cubs have lost two straight games, they still have won eight of their last 10 and have increased their NL Central lead to 12 games with around two months left in the season. As it stands now, the Cubs are the odds on favorites to win the World Series.

2. Washington Nationals (69-47, previously No. 2) – The Nationals are one of the hottest teams in the league as they have now won seven of their last 10 games and have built a 8.5-game lead in the NL East. Aside from the Cubs, Washington may be the next team people peg to make the World Series out of the NL as they’ve been knocking on the door of late.

3. Texas Rangers (69-50, previously No. 3) – Texas has dropped two straight and while it made a number of moves at the deadline, it’s hard to tell exactly what they are. They have a minus-1 run differential, which typically doesn’t happen for playoff teams. The Rangers still lead the AL West by 5.5 games.

4. Cleveland Indians (67-48, previously No. 6) – After slowing down for a few weeks, the Indians have kicked it into high gear as they have now won four straight and seven of their last 10 to now lead the AL Central by five games. Mike Napoli has had a huge turnaround season as his 84 RBIs are fifth in the AL.

5. Toronto Blue Jays (67-51, previously No. 7) – The Blue Jays lead the AL East by half a game, but may be the team best equipped for the rest of the season. Along with their powerful offense, they are starting to get contributions from the mound as J.A. Happ is tied for the MLB-lead in wins with 16 and Aaron Sanchez’s 2.84 ERA is third in the AL.

6. Baltimore Orioles (66-51, previously No. 4) – It’s been a solid all-around season for the Orioles as they have been steady throughout. Everyone knows about Mark Trumbo and his homers and Manny Machado’s impressive play in the field and at the plate, but the unsung hero has been reliever Zach Britton and his AL-leading 37 saves.

7. San Francisco Giants (66-51, previously No. 5) – The Giants and Dodgers continue to go back-and-forth in the NL West, with the Giants clinging to a one-game lead. Madison Bumgarner’s 2.11 ERA is currently second-best in the National League.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (65-52, previously No. 8) – Winners of six of their last 10 games, the Dodgers are closing he gap in the NL West. Everyone knows about Clayton Kerhsaw at the top of the rotation, but closing out games has been Kenley Jansen who has 35 saves, good for second in the NL.

9. Boston Red Sox (64-52, previously No. 10) – The roller coaster ride of the 2016 Red Sox has continued of late, but they are coming off a sweep of the Diamondbacks and feeling good about themselves. Mookie Betts had his second three-homer game of the season on Sunday and is putting himself in the MVP conversation.

10. Detroit Tigers (63-54, previously No. 9) – About a month ago it seemed almost impossible for the Tigers to reach the postseason, but they have been one of the hottest teams in the game of late and have put themselves in a position to make a run at the Wild Card. Michael Fulmer’s 2.25 ERA is currently the best in the American League.

11. St. Louis Cardinals (62-56, previously No. 12) – With the Cubs running away with the NL Central, the Cardinals have turned their attention to the Wild Card, which they are in a dead-heat with the Marlins for the second spot, but they seem to be better prepared to make a run as the playoffs near. Regardless, the Cardinals should be in the mix right up all the way through September.

12. Miami Marlins (61-56, previously No. 11) – The Marlins are right in the thick of things for the final NL Wild Card spot, but their chances took a huge it this week when it was learned Giancarlo Stanton would be done for the season. They are also making headlines with potentially being interested in Alex Rodriguez.

13. Seattle Mariners (62-54, previously No. 13) – One of the hottest teams in the league is the Mariners as they have won two straight and eight of their last 10. While they may not be able to catch the Rangers in the division, they are making a strong run at the Wild Card, especially with Robinson Cano being a potential MVP.

14. Houston Astros (61-57, previously No. 14) – The Astros have picked a bad time to go in a slump, as they have been passed by a number of teams in the Wild Card race. Jose Altuve still remains one of the best players in the league, as his .362 average is the best in the American League.

15. New York Yankees (60-57, previously No. 16) – Even though the Yankees sold away their bullpen at the trade deadline they’ve played quite well since and are actually in the Wild Card mix. The last week was all about the Alex Rodriguez farewell tour, but now that it’s all about on the field stuff it will be interesting to see how the team responds.

16. Pittsburgh Pirates (59-56, previously No. 17) – Things don’t look good for the Pirates as they just have too many teams in front of them. They aren’t getting the pitching they have received in years past. Starling Marte’s 4.4 WAR is third in the National League.

17. New York Mets (59-58, previously No. 15) – The Mets are another team that have a lot of teams ahead of them in their quest to make the postseason. The biggest thing for them this season has been the number of injuries they’ve had to deal with. Jacob deGrom’s 2.30 ERA is fourth in the National League.

18. Kansas City Royals (57-60, previously No. 20) – It’s been a tough year for the Royals as it seems like the postseason is not going to happen. Despite the team’s struggles, Danny Duffy is having a solid season as his 2.82 ERA is second in the American League.

19. Chicago White Sox (56-61, previously No. 19) – In the end this will be called a disappointing year for the White Sox as they have one of the best starting rotations on paper in the game, but just cannot hit. It will be interesting to see what they do in the offseason with all the offers they will get.

20. Colorado Rockies (56-62, previously No. 18) – Colorado has dropped three straight and eight of its last 10 games. They never really were in the playoff mix this season, but it’s clear moving forward they have the offense to do so.

21. Philadelphia Phillies (56-63, previously No. 21) – The Phillies have won four straight and six of their last 10 games. The biggest thing for them for the rest of the season is to keep playing well to build momentum going into 2017.

22. Milwaukee Brewers (52-64, previously No. 22)

23. Oakland Athletics (52-66, previously No. 24)

24. San Diego Padres (50-67, previously No. 25)

25. Los Angeles Angels (49-68, previously No. 23)

26. Cincinnati Reds (48-68, previously No. 27)

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (48-69, previously No. 28)

28. Tampa Bay Rays (47-69, previously No. 26)

29. Minnesota Twins (47-71, previously No. 29)

30. Atlanta Braves (44-74, previously No. 30)