MLB Power Rankings

Can the Red Sox hit the 116-win mark? Can the A's sustain their blazing play? Find out next week!

1. Boston Red Sox: The bad news for the Red Sox was that Chris Sale went back on the DL with shoulder issues. The good news is that Boston still has the best record in baseball by a long shot and is still chasing history.
   
2. New York Yankees: If key Yankees can cut back on the strikeouts, New York can be a World Series threat. Giancarlo Stanton (29.3 K%) and Aaron Judge (30.6 K%) can be even scarier to face in October if they stay patient, especially when Judge returns from the DL.
   
3. Oakland A's: Standing toe-to-toe with the defending champs has shown the A's are legitimate. Khris Davis (36 homers, 98 RBIs, .898 OBP) has been a beast at the plate in the second half. He will make serious money in the offseason if he keeps up his torrid pace. Oakland will have a crucial three-game series with Houston in a week to determine AL West supremacy.
   
4. Houston Astros: The Astros will go on a long winning streak after their series with the A's to re-establish themselves as a World Series contender. Book it.
   
5. Chicago Cubs: In his four starts as a Cub, Cole Hamels has an ERA of 0.72, a WHIP of 0.88, and a WAR of 1.2. Hamels has helped shore up a rotation that has seen Jon Lester go south quickly in the second half. Hamels will be key for a Cubs' World Series run.
   
6. Cleveland Indians: Losing Trevor Bauer (right fibula fracture) will hurt the rotation a bit for Cleveland's World Series run. Bauer (2.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 214 SO) has been a key member of Cleveland's run, providing the Indians with another arm for the postseason.
   
7. Atlanta Braves: Losers of four straight, the Braves somehow remain on top of the NL East. That's a good thing, considering they have the rest of August to go on a good winning streak with matchups against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Miami. Can the Braves hang on to make the postseason?
   
8. St. Louis Cardinals: Ever since firing Mike Matheny, the Cardinals have blazed all the way to contention for the second wild card spot, making the NL race even more interesting. Matt Carpenter (.303 ISO, 33 homers) has hit with so much power that it has catapulted St. Louis back into the NL race, making him a catalyst for the Cardinals' resurgence.
   
9. Arizona Diamondbacks: It's nice to see Clay Buchholz revive his career. What's unusual is that he revived it in a hitter's haven in Arizona. Buchholz (1.97 BB/9, .258 Opp. BABIP, 2.47 ERA) has not given his opponents much to work with with his pace, making him a tough pitcher to face.
   
10. Colorado Rockies: 8-2 in their last ten games, Colorado isn't just making the NL wild card race interesting. They're coming in hot in the race for the NL West. Nolan Arenado (.309 BA, 30 homers, 86 RBIs) is making a serious case for being the NL MVP.
    

In the Hunt: Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays