One of the toughest weeks to assemble the power rankings, with only a couple of teams on a hot streak and some of the best teams treading water. 

First 4

1. (3/9/2/3/5/15) A’s: The Royals and Cubs were no match for Oakland, but it was the head-to-head win over last week’s No. 1 in Pittsburgh that clinched this week’s No. 1 for the A’s. Still two more to play, though.

2. (4/3/1/1/1/1) Cardinals: A sweep against the Marlins wasn’t enough to reclaim the top spot here, but it was in the NL Central. Maybe finally getting that walk-off win will provide a lift.  

3. (2/4/8/4/2/3) Rangers: Took care of business in their rivalry series against the Astros and in the first game of their showdown in Baltimore. But what happened against Seattle?

4. (1/¼/6/6/9) Pirates: The Pirates were thorns in the Cubs’ sides when they were good five years ago. The Cubs have been returning the favor the past few years. For this Pittsburgh team, it should only be a bump in the road. Still one of only two teams playing .600 ball.

Middle of the majors 

5. (5/8/7/7/7/12) Red Sox: We were all set to swallow our pride and move the Red Sox into our elite during that 5-game winning streak, but then they lose 3 straight. So they’ll stay put.

6. (9/7/9/10/11/5) Tigers: Winning 3 out of 4 both in Toronto and Cleveland after losing the AL Central lead can be considered a statement.

7. (11/19/18/14/13/17) Rays: Winning 3 out of 4 in Houston and sweeping the White Sox might be the definition of bumslaying, but you beat who’s in front of you – and they have. Plus, the Twins and Astros are up next.

8. (13/12/13/9/14/6) Yankees: Erased last week’s 5-game skid with a 6-game winning streak. Yet another team with a hot streak early in the week that cooled off before deadline. But in a week like this, that moves you up anyway.

9. (8/2/3/5/3/2) Reds: Three wins and a rainout against the Giants started the week off right, but struggles against the Mariners and Brewers are red flags.

10. (7/6/6/11/8/13) Orioles: The only two games the White Sox have won in the past 11 are against Baltimore, good for a series win. Following that up with a series loss to the Yankees was more costly.

11. (6/13/17/27/12/7) Indians: Find themselves 3 ½ back again after being on top of the division just a week ago. To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. And they can’t beat the Tigers.

12. (10/11/5/2/4/4) Braves: Lost 2 of 3 to the Marlins before traveling to Philly and doing the exact same thing. Their second shot at the Marlins started with a win that was closer than it appeared on the scoreboard: 7-1 in 14 innings.

13. (24/24/23/20/27/25) Dodgers: Won 8 of 10 while Giants and Padres lost 9 of 10 in same stretch. That why those two teams are now in L.A.’s rear-view mirror. They’re coming for the Diamondbacks.

14. (19/23/24/24/23/21) Angels: Let the L.A. teams have their time in the sun. Despite overall losing records, they’re two of the hottest teams in baseball. Only one’s a contender, though. 

15. (15/21/19/17/19/14) Nationals: Are they finally waking up? No, they just played San Diego this week.

16. (14/10/11/8/9/10) Diamondbacks: It’s starting to look like they should have pulled away when they had the chance. A first-place team that’s only 5 games over .500 at this point is not safe, even if the rest of the division is under.

17. (18/17/12/19/26/23) Royals: Took 2 of 3 to dethrone Cleveland. Quick reign. Will K.C. get a shot at the crown?

18. (12/5/10/13/16/20) Blue Jays: The Dodgers are doing what we thought the Blue Jays would be doing right now. Tougher to do in the AL East.

19. (16/15/14/15/10/8) Rockies: There is opportunity in the NL West, but Colorado isn’t taking advantage of it.

20. (21/20/20/16/18/19) Phillies: Doing what they do. Nothing less, nothing more. The four-game series against the Nationals presents a chance to change that.

21. (22/18/22/22/22/22) Mariners: Had a good week by their standards, so we let them out of 22 hell again. Don’t make us regret it.

22. (25/25/25/23/24/27) Cubs: There are no international slots in these power rankings, so they’ll have to find another way to trade up.

23. (26/28/29/29/25/24) Mets: Bobby Bonilla thanks you.

24. (20/14/16/12/15/11) Giants: The defending champs in last place. They can thank the skidding Padres for making sure that it didn’t last too long, not that it’s any consolation.

25. (23/22/21/21/20/30) Twins: Let the Yankees come into Target Field and take all 4 games. Life on the road in Toronto and Tampa Bay hasn’t been any kinder.

26. (28/27/26/25/28/26) Brewers: If they were a hitter, that .409 would look spectacular.

Final 4

27. (27/30/30/30/30/29) Marlins: They’ve got more company in the sub-.400 club. But getting out of our Final 4 seems highly unlikely.

28. (29/26/27/28/29/28) Astros: Had a shot at that elusive series win in Texas. They’ll get more chances in the AL.

29. (30/29/28/26/21/16) White Sox: They have found a home among our Final 4 and there is no sign that they will get out any time soon. How does a team on a 4-game losing streak move up in the rankings? When a team goes 0 for the week. And then some.

30. (17/16/15/18/17/18) Padres: A 10-game skid took them from 40-40 to 40-50. Like the Twins, Indians and White Sox before them, teams on long losing streaks fall hard. That San Diego plays in what might be the weakest division in baseball only helps justify this position.