Jason Heyward
, The Canadian Press
The St. Louis Cardinals remain on top of the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the rising Washington Nationals.
Other teams on the move up include the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.
Heading the other way are the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants.
St. Louis Cardinals
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 53-28
-
RS
320
-
RA
229
-
Diff.
+91
-
OPS
.719
-
ERA
2.59
Injuries haven't been a problem for the Cardinals to this point in the season, but the list is starting to get longer. If rookie Randal Grichuk can continue to hold his own in left, that would give St. Louis some flexibility.
Key Injuries: RHP Adam Wainwright (Achilles), 1B Matt Adams (quad), LF Matt Holliday (quad), LHP Jaime Garcia (groin), CF Jon Jay (wrist)
Los Angeles Dodgers
This Week: 2 | Last Week 2 | Record: 46-37
-
RS
345
-
RA
288
-
Diff.
+57
-
OPS
.757
-
ERA
3.30
Ace starter Zack Greinke is having a career year, with a 1.48 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, but he's dodged some (relative) trouble, as his 89.4% strand rate is the highest among qualified pitchers.
Key Injuries: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), LF Carl Crawford (oblique), RHP Brandon McCarthy (elbow).
Washington Nationals
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 9 | Record: 46-36
-
RS
358
-
RA
319
-
Diff.
+39
-
OPS
.728
-
ERA
3.59
11-3 in the past 14 games, the Nationals have proven to be fairly resilient through injuries and a mess of a season, both in terms of injuries and performance, from former staff ace Stephen Strasburg, who has a 5.16 ERA in 13 starts.
Key Injuries: RF Jayson Werth (wrist), RHP Stephen Strasburg (oblique), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (foot), 3B Anthony Rendon (quad), .
Houston Astros
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 48-36
-
RS
379
-
RA
322
-
Diff.
+57
-
OPS
.735
-
ERA
3.58
Star rookie SS Carlos Correa isn't waiting to get on base, he's recorded 34 hits, including seven home runs, and four walks in his first 25 games.
Key Injuries: SS Jed Lowrie (thumb), RF George Springer (wrist).
Chicago Cubs
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 7 | Record: 44-36
-
RS
314
-
RA
293
-
Diff.
+21
-
OPS
.695
-
ERA
3.32
Despite the mashing of corner infielders Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, the Cubs have been struggling at the plate. Good thing their pitching has been so good, and getting LHP Clayton Richard should help them on the hill even more.
Key Injuries: None.
Pittsburgh Pirates
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 8 | Record: 47-34
-
RS
328
-
RA
271
-
Diff.
+57
-
OPS
.700
-
ERA
2.90
Pirates starters have a 3.08 ERA, third-best in baseball. Sure, Gerrit Cole has been an ace-in-the-making for a while, but A.J. Burnett and Francisco Liriano both have ERAs under 3.00 and the complementary guys -- Jeff Locke, Charlie Morton and Vance Worley -- have all been at least decent, and sometimes a little competence is all that's needed at the back end of the rotation.
Key Injuries: 3B Josh Harrison (thumb).
Kansas City Royals
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 46-33
-
RS
331
-
RA
285
-
Diff.
+46
-
OPS
.718
-
ERA
3.52
The silliness of the All-Star voting does overshadow that some of the Royals are legitimately having strong years. Defensive stalwart outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, for example, are both among the top 30 in fWAR.
Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow), RHP Yordano Ventura (elbow)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This Week 8 | Last Week 15 | Record: 44-38
-
RS
336
-
RA
313
-
Diff.
+23
-
OPS
.701
-
ERA
3.63
Angels manager Mike Scioscia apparently won a showdown with GM Jerry DiPoto, who ended up resigning, and the Halos have won seven of eight to move into contention after scuffling around .500 all season.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Skaggs (elbow), RHP Jered Weaver (hip).
New York Mets
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 14 | Record: 42-41
-
RS
290
-
RA
301
-
Diff.
-11
-
OPS
.656
-
ERA
3.34
It's easy to say the Mets should trade an arm for a bat, maybe two, but now that Steven Matz is pushing for a spot, the Mets' rotation is ridiculously deep, and complemented by one of the worst offenses in baseball.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), RHP Jenrry Mejia (suspension), 3B David Wright (hamstring), C Travis d'Arnaud (elbow).
Tampa Bay Rays
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 43-41
-
RS
306
-
RA
304
-
Diff.
+2
-
OPS
.682
-
ERA
3.40
It says something about the Rays' offense when they add Grady Sizemore, but it wouldn't be the first time Tampa Bay found value on the scrap heap.
Key Injuries: RHP Alex Cobb (forearm), DH John Jaso (wrist), LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder), RHP Jake Odorizzi (oblique), CF Desmond Jennings (knee).
Toronto Blue Jays
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 43-41
-
RS
460
-
RA
374
-
Diff.
+86
-
OPS
.783
-
ERA
4.24
It's amazing, the Jays have a lineup that crushes so often that it's barely an issue that their leadoff hitter (SS Jose Reyes) has a .304 on-base percentage.
Key Injuries: RHP Marcus Stroman (knee), LF Michael Saunders (knee), RHP Aaron Sanchez (lat).
Minnesota Twins
This Week: 12 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 43-39
-
RS
340
-
RA
336
-
Diff.
+4
-
OPS
.694
-
ERA
3.86
The Twins have been defying odds to this point, but they just received a legitimate boost with Ervin Santana's return from suspension.
Key Injuries: RHP Ricky Nolasco (ankle).
New York Yankees
This Week: 13 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 44-38
-
RS
379
-
RA
361
-
Diff.
+18
-
OPS
.748
-
ERA
4.01
Still leading the AL East, but now missing two-thirds of their outfield, the Yankees have had practically miraculous seasons from A-Rod and Mark Teixeira, who lead the Yanks in OPS at .902 and .889, respectively.
Key Injuries: CF Jacoby Ellsbury (knee), LHP Andrew Miller (forearm), RF Carlos Beltran (oblique).
Baltimore Orioles
This Week: 14 | Last Week: 20 | Record: 43-39
-
RS
370
-
RA
319
-
Diff.
+51
-
OPS
.734
-
ERA
3.68
Went on an 18-5 run to get back into contention, but have since dropped five of seven to slide one game behind the Yankees in the AL East. With good health, the Orioles may be as well-positioned as any in the AL East right now.
Key Injuries: None.
Detroit Tigers
This Week: 15 | Last Week: 11 | Record: 41-40
-
RS
359
-
RA
371
-
Diff.
-12
-
OPS
.762
-
ERA
4.22
So, aside from Justin Verlander not being able to get anyone out -- a 6.75 ERA in four starts -- and 1B Miguel Cabrera going on the DL for six weeks, everything is going just great in the D.
Key Injuries: RHP Joe Nathan (elbow), 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf).
San Francisco Giants
This Week: 16 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 42-41
-
RS
346
-
RA
335
-
Diff.
+11
-
OPS
.730
-
ERA
3.92
Six straight losses knocks the Giants back -- they're now four back of the Dodgers in the NL West -- but they need some healthy arms, with Matt Cain and Jake Peavy coming off the DL, to get their pitching back to typical levels.
Key Injuries: RF Hunter Pence (wirst), LF Norichika Aoki (fibula), RHP Tim Hudson (shoulder), RHP Tim Lincecum (forearm).
Texas Rangers
This Week: 17 | Last Week: 13 | Record: 41-42
-
RS
354
-
RA
373
-
Diff.
-19
-
OPS
.715
-
ERA
4.20
Five wins in the past 17 games leaves the Rangers fighting uphill, although fighting with a healthier lineup than they've had for most of the season.
Key Injuries: RHP Yu Darvish (elbow), LHP Matt Harrison (back), LHP Martin Perez (elbow), LHP Derek Holland (shoulder).
Atlanta Braves
This Week: 18 | Last Week: 17 | Record: 40-42
-
RS
322
-
RA
349
-
Diff.
-27
-
OPS
.681
-
ERA
3.92
CF Cameron Maybin is having a nice season, .778 OPS with 15 stolen bases, and now the Braves are faced with a decision on whether they want him to hang around and be part of their rebuilding plan.
Key Injuries: LHP Mike Minor (shoulder), 1B Freddie Freeman (wrist), RHP Williams Perez (foot).
Arizona Diamondbacks
This Week: 19 | Last Week: 26 | Record: 40-42
-
RS
374
-
RA
373
-
Diff.
+1
-
OPS
.727
-
ERA
4.26
C Welington Castillo, who couldn't get on the field for the Cubs, has an .874 OPS in his first 20 games with the D-Backs, a nice addition to an improving lineup.
Key Injuries: C Tuffy Gosewisch (knee), RHP Archie Bradley (shoulder), LF Ender Inciarte (hamstring).
Oakland Athletics
This Week: 20 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 38-47
-
RS
372
-
RA
323
-
Diff.
+49
-
OPS
.719
-
ERA
3.37
The A's are a study in how much underlying numbers matter. They have had strong run differentials, supporting by offensive and pitching stats, but they've been making gains recently and still sit nine games under .500. Would they have enough faith to stay the course if they still don't have a winning record by the end of the month?
Key Injuries: RHP A.J. Griffin (elbow), RHP Jarrod Parker (elbow), RHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder).
Cleveland Indians
This Week: 21 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 38-43
-
RS
325
-
RA
346
-
Diff.
-21
-
OPS
.708
-
ERA
3.89
As Indians pitching gets better, their bats are going cold; most notably, 1B Carlos Santana, whose average has plummeted to .206 for the season. He still has a respectable .345 on-base percentage, but it would be nice to have more than walks in the first baseman's offensive arsenal.
Key Injuries: RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow).
Boston Red Sox
This Week: 22 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 39-45
-
RS
354
-
RA
397
-
Diff.
-43
-
OPS
.723
-
ERA
4.48
The Red Sox lineup is formidable enough to overcome the six-game deficit they face in the AL East, but only if they have better pitching. Rookie Eduardo Rodriguez has helped, but he's not enough to get them back in the race.
Key Injuries: C Christian Vazquez (elbow), 2B Dustin Pedroia (hamstring).
Cincinnati Reds
This Week: 23 | Last Week: 19 | Record: 36-44
-
RS
318
-
RA
353
-
Diff.
-35
-
OPS
.716
-
ERA
4.08
A team that has some talent, but is nowhere near contending, the Reds may be prime for trade activity leading up to the July 31 deadline. There's already been lots of talk about Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman having appeal to contenders.
Key Injuries: RHP Homer Bailey (elbow), SS Zack Cozart (knee), C Devin Mesoraco (hip).
San Diego Padres
This Week: 24 | Last Week: 18 | Record: 39-45
-
RS
336
-
RA
380
-
Diff.
-44
-
OPS
.665
-
ERA
4.00
The Padres were hanging around .500, but losing five of seven, and six more on the road before the break, has them on the brink of losing the season.
Key Injuries: LHP Cory Luebke (elbow), RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder), CF Wil Myers (wrist).
Seattle Mariners
This Week: 25 | Last Week: 23 | Record: 38-44
-
RS
278
-
RA
318
-
Diff.
-40
-
OPS
.664
-
ERA
3.66
How bad is this Robinson Cano deal going to be for the Mariners? In the second year of a 10-year deal with the Mariners, he has a .652 OPS.
Key Injuries: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (lat), LHP James Paxton (finger).
Milwaukee Brewers
This Week: 26 | Last Week: 30 | Record: 36-48
-
RS
336
-
134
387
-
DIFF
-51
-
OPS
.696
-
ERA
4.26
Pitching remains a problem, but the Brewers' bats have been waking up and helping to lift them from the bottom of the rankings.
Key Injuries: LF Khris Davis (knee).
Miami Marlins
This Week: 27 | Last Week: 28 | Record: 35-48
-
RS
300
-
RA
339
-
Diff.
-39
-
OPS
.682
-
ERA
3.97
Just when there was reason for optimism, with Jose Fernandez returning to the mound, the Marlins lost Giancarlo Stanton and, in this lineup, that's devastating.
Key Injuries: RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder), RF Giancarlo Stanton (wrist).
Chicago White Sox
This Week: 28 | Last Week: 25 | Record: 36-43
-
RS
271
-
RA
351
-
Diff.
-80
-
OPS
.653
-
ERA
4.08
While the White Sox lineup wasn't necessarily feared coming into the season, there was little reason to suspect that they might have the worst OPS in baseball.
Key Injuries: None.
Colorado Rockies
This Week: 29 | Last Week: 27 | Record: 35-47
-
RS
361
-
RA
419
-
Diff.
-58
-
OPS
.742
-
ERA
4.88
For a team that gives up tons of runs and scores a bunch, of course the biggest standout they have might be 3B Nolan Arenado, who is the best defensively of a good group at the hot corner this year.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Chatwood (elbow), RHP Adam Ottavino (triceps), 1B Justin Morneau (concussion), LF Corey Dickerson (foot).
Philadelphia Phillies
This Week: 30 | Last Week: 29 | Record: 28-56
-
RS
285
-
RA
418
-
Diff.
-133
-
OPS
.659
-
ERA
4.60
The faintest of silver linings for the Phillies: the play of 2B Cesar Hernandez, who has a .770 OPS and 11 steals.
Key Injuries: LHP Cliff Lee (elbow), LF Domonic Brown (Achilles), RHP Jonathan Pettitbone (elbow), RHP Chad Billingsley (shoulder).
Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca