1. Boston Red Sox (75-34) | Previous: 1
The lead has dropped a game from last week, and the Yankees made some big moves before the deadline, but the Red Sox are still in control in the AL East and the American League overall.
2. New York Yankees (68-38) | Previous: 3 (+1)
Zach Britton, J.A. Happ, and Lance Lynn solidify a pitching staff that was already one of the better ones in baseball. They need to make a move up the standings soon to avoid a do-or-die wild-card game, though.
3. Houston Astros (69-41) | Previous: 2 (-1)
A 2-4 week drops the Astros one spot in the power rankings, but they are still in command of the AL West with the Mariners and A’s both five games back.
4. Chicago Cubs (62-45) | Previous: 4
Cole Hamels’ debut for the Cubs was great, as he looked like a true ace with nine strikeouts in five innings. He was probably the most underrated acquisition ahead of the deadline.
5. Cleveland Indians (59-48) | Previous: 9 (+4)
Now 11 games over .500 and ten games up in the division, the Indians move up into the top five of the power rankings. They didn’t pull off a Bryce Harper trade, but there was improvement made.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (60-49) | Previous: 6
The difficult stretch of games continues for the Dodgers, but some reinforcements were added with Brian Dozier and John Axford joining the already-acquired Manny Machado. LA’s lineup is very deep.
7. Oakland Athletics (64-46) | Previous: 7
Despite a three-game sweep at the hands of the Rockies, the Athletics remain the hottest team in the American League, with the fifth best record in baseball. They are tied with Seattle but should feel good about their playoff chances.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (59-48) | Previous: 5 (-3)
The Phillies split a two-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and it was a very positive sign to see both Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta perform like true aces in the two games—it could be a preview of what we see in October. But they drop in the rankings because the Nationals could be catching fire.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (63-48) | Previous: 10 (+1)
A last-minute trade netted the Brewers Jonathan Schoop, who along with Mike Moustakas—acquired a couple of days earlier—helps strengthen and lengthen Milwaukee’s lineup.
10. Seattle Mariners (63-45) | Previous: 8 (-2)
The Mariners have the fourth-best record in the majors, but they have a negative run differential. They continue to fall in the rankings as the Athletics remain hot.
11. Colorado Rockies (58-49) | Previous: 12 (+1)
The Rockies were looking good after a sweep over the Athletics, but they’ve dropped two of three against the Cardinals. A win today to split the four-game series would be big in a tight National League.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (60-49) | Previous: 13 (+1)
Arizona’s moves before the deadline went under the radar, but they were able to upgrade at shortstop with Eduardo Escobar, and they improved the bullpen with Jake Diekman and Brad Ziegler.
13. Atlanta Braves (57-47) | Previous: 11 (-2)
Just one game back in the loss column in the NL East, the Braves are hoping Kevin Gausman, Darren O’Day, Johnny Venters, and Adam Duvall can help them get more consistent over the final several weeks of the season.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (56-53) | Previous: 14
A series split to the lowly Mets and a series split against the Cubs keeps the Pirates around the middle of the power rankings. Giving up Austin Meadows in the trade was a surprise, but the Pirates got Chris Archer to help them with a playoff run this season and beyond.
15. Washington Nationals (54-53) | Previous: 15
At just one game over .500, it’s not time to move the Nationals up yet, but it feels like they could go on a good streak here in what could be Bryce Harper’s final two months with the team.
16. San Francisco Giants (55-54) | Previous: 16
It’s a shame Johnny Cueto is undergoing Tommy John surgery, and it’s a blow to the Giants’ playoff chances in 2018. San Francisco might do some waiver trades in August if they fall out of the playoff race.
17. St. Louis Cardinals (55-53) | Previous: 19 (+2)
After a series win against the Cubs, winning three out of four against the Rockies would be big for the Cardinals ahead of a series versus the Pirates.
18. Tampa Bay Rays (55-53) | Previous: 17 (-1)
Tampa Bay became a seller leading up to the deadline, but the deals they made allow them to remain competitive in 2018. They received a potent return for Chris Archer.
19. Los Angeles Angels (54-55) | Previous: 18 (-1)
It’s unfortunate Mike Trout’s team is seemingly unable to make moves that’ll help get him back to the postseason, instead dealing Ian Kinsler and Martin Maldonado for prospects.
20. Cincinnati Reds (48-60) | Previous: 21 (+1)
The Reds won back-to-back series versus the Cardinals and Phillies, but then they dropped two straight to the Tigers. They just aren’t consistent enough this season, but at least they’ve been competitive.
21. Minnesota Twins (49-58) | Previous: 20 (-1)
Out of playoff contention, the Twins became one of the biggest sellers at the deadline, acquiring a bunch of prospects to add to the farm system.
22. Toronto Blue Jays (48-59) | Previous: 22
Toronto already made a handful of deals, but they are a team to watch for potential August trades. They’ll look to shake up the playoff race with series versus Seattle and Boston coming up.
23. Texas Rangers (46-63) | Previous: 23
The Rangers were on a four-game winning streak including a sweep over the Astros in Houston before their loss on Tuesday to the Diamondbacks.
24. Detroit Tigers (47-62) | Previous: 27 (+3)
With a 4-2 record in the last week, the Tigers move up a few spots in the rankings.
25. Miami Marlins (46-63) | Previous: 24 (-1)
The Marlins will look to give the division-leading Phillies some trouble in a four-game series starting tonight.
26. New York Mets (44-61) | Previous: 25 (-1)
It doesn’t get much worse than the Mets’ 25-4 loss to the Nationals. Some fans are upset none of the starting pitchers were dealt to acquire prospects.
27. San Diego Padres (42-68) | Previous: 26 (-1)
The Padres are on a seven-game losing streak, and they didn’t make moves at the deadline. They might be aggressive in August, if not the offseason.
28. Chicago White Sox (37-70) | Previous: 28
The Royals won two straight against the White Sox, but Chicago remains ahead with a three-game lead in the standings.
29. Kansas City Royals (34-73) | Previous: 29
Kansas City will look to make it their second sweep in the last few weeks.
30. Baltimore Orioles (33-75) | Previous: 30
Adam Jones turned down a trade to the Phillies, and it’s hard to blame him wanting to stay with the team he’s had a lot of success with over the years.
Cubs will win the NL.
Yankees the favorites now
im so mad Cubs got Hamels