The San Francisco Giants have overtaken the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals to secure the top spot in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings.
A 21-7 record in the last 28 games before the All-Star break gives the Giants the best record in baseball.
Teams moving up this week include the Seattle Mariners, from 19 to 16, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 22 to 19. Going the other way, the Texas Rangers with pitching injuries sink from five to 11, the Kansas City Royals drop from 13 to 18 and the Colorado Rockies fall from 16 to 20.
Coming out of the All-Star break, a look at team needs for the contenders, along with who might be available from the sellers.
San Francisco Giants
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 2 | Record: 57-33
-
RS
424
-
RA
351
-
Diff.
+73
-
OPS
.742
-
ERA
3.55
If the Giants can get three regulars back from injuries, they will have a strong lineup -- at least as strong as they have had in championship seasons -- but they might add some pitching help. The top of their rotation (Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija) is great, but with Jake Peavy and Matt Cain struggling, rookie Albert Suarez may be their best No. 4 option. This relatively strong team doesn't need to make major moves to be in the title hunt, but could upgrade pitching depth or add a power bat for the outfield.
Key Injuries: RHP Matt Cain (hamstring), RF Hunter Pence (hamstring), 3B Matt Duffy (Achilles), 2B Joe Panik (concussion)
Chicago Cubs
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 53-35
-
RS
460
-
RA
321
-
Diff.
+139
-
OPS
.786
-
ERA
3.36
Chicago's midseason stumbles may cause some concern, particularly since their previously dominant pitching has gone off the rails (7.45 staff ERA in July), but a healthy Dexter Fowler would give the Cubs a lineup that is more than capable of winning. A bullpen upgrade or two would be enough to keep the Cubs in the hunt.
Key Injuries: LF Kyle Schwarber (knee), LF Jorge Soler (hamstring), CF Dexter Fowler (hamstring)
Boston Red Sox
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 7 | Record: 49-38
-
RS
490
-
RA
424
-
Diff.
+66
-
OPS
.833
-
ERA
4.43
The Red Sox have the most potent lineup in baseball, one that should be dangerous down the stretch and into the postseason, but they may not have the pitching to make the playoffs. Their best starter has been knuckle-baller Steven Wright; David Price and Rick Porcello have been up and down and Clay Buchholz has been mostly down. If the Red Sox are going to make a serious push, a starting pitcher would seem to be a major need. Presuming that Craig Kimbrel can return as expected (3-6 weeks) from his knee injury, the Boston bullpen may not need more than minor tweaking.
Key Injuries: RHP Craig Kimbrel (knee)
Toronto Blue Jays
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 8 | Record: 51-40
-
RS
447
-
RA
372
-
Diff.
+75
-
OPS
.774
-
ERA
3.76
Toronto's lineup is, once again, fearsome, and should eventually get Jose Bautista back from the DL. The major issue this season has been the bullpen, so adding relief help would make sense, but if Aaron Sanchez moves to the bullpen, that would certainly shore up the late innings. The question is whether the Jays would press forward with Drew Hutchison (who has a 2.78 ERA in 15 Triple-A starts this season) in the rotation or seek outside help. Given the new management, it would come as a shock if Toronto made a major deadline acquisition, but they should be contenders nevertheless.
Key Injuries: RF Jose Bautista (toe), RHP Marco Estrada (back)
St. Louis Cardinals
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 46-42
-
RS
455
-
RA
366
-
Diff.
+89
-
OPS
.780
-
ERA
3.86
As usual, the Cardinals are in the playoff hunt, and they'll probably find ways to improve their chances. The lineup has been great, even as CF Randal Grichuk struggled through much of the first half, and while there have been some inconsistencies from starting pitchers, it's difficult to imagine that they would replace the starters they already have. Where the Cardinals could improve, is in the bullpen, where closer Trevor Rosenthal has struggled, giving 33-year-old rookie Seung Hwan Oh a shot at finishing games.
Key Injuries: 2B//3B Matt Carpenter (oblique)
New York Mets
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 11 | Record: 47-41
-
RS
335
-
RA
315
-
Diff.
+20
-
OPS
.725
-
ERA
3.39
The Mets have been reeling a bit, and the wheels could really fall off if starting pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz run into further problems with the bone spurs in their pitching elbows. If those wheels stay on, though, the Mets added SS Jose Reyes, but could still use some help at left field and/or first base.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), 1B Lucas Duda (back), 3B David Wright (neck), RHP Matt Harvey (shoulder)
Texas Rangers
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 54-36
-
RS
443
-
RA
427
-
Diff.
+16
-
OPS
.755
-
ERA
4.42
The way injuries have decimated the Texas rotation, they ought to have serious concerns, even with a 5.5-game lead in the AL West. If Colby Lewis makes it back, to join Cole Hamels, Martin Perez and A.J. Griffin, that could be okay, but another arm would help.
Key Injuries: RHP Yu Darvish (shoulder), LHP Derek Holland (shoulder), RHP Colby Lewis (lat)
Detroit Tigers
This Week: 12 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 46-43
-
RS
426
-
RA
427
-
Diff.
-1
-
OPS
.766
-
ERA
4.57
The Tigers have a dangerous lineup, especially if they get J.D. Martinez back at some point, but pitching has been problematic. Rookie Michael Fulmer is suddenly the staff ace. Justin Verlander and Jordan Zimmermann have been okay, but another viable playoff starter would be great. At four games out of a wildcard spot, however, it may not be a season in which the Tigers are prepared to pay a premium for another arm.
Key Injuries: RF J.D. Martinez (elbow), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (neck)
Houston Astros
This Week: 13 | Last Week: 14 | Record: 48-41
-
RS
401
-
RA
371
-
Diff.
+30
-
OPS
.738
-
ERA
3.87
The Astros have stormed back into contention after a terrible start to the season, and could get a boost from top minor-league prospect Alex Bregman (1.019 OPS in Double-A and Triple-A), a shortstop who could shift to third base. While their pitching staff hasn't been great, Houston may hope that they can simply get better performances from Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers and Collin McHugh. Doug Fister has been pretty good and Mike Fiers has been adequate, so there are some options, that mean the Astros don't necessarily have to pay a big price for pitching.
Key Injuries: None
Los Angeles Dodgers
This Week: 14 | Last Week 15 | Record: 51-40
-
RS
382
-
RA
329
-
Diff.
+53
-
OPS
.708
-
ERA
3.43
If the Dodgers can't get Clayton Kershaw back into the rotation, it may not matter, but if Kershaw is good to go, the Dodgers should have a chance to contend and with RHP Brandon McCarthy returning from injury, RHP Bud Norris added in a deal with Atlanta, and phenom LHP Julio Urias getting more reps, the Dodgers could have sufficient pitching depth beyond Kershaw and Kenta Maeda.
Key Injuries: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), LHP Brett Anderson (back), RHP Alex Wood (elbow), LHP Clayton Kershaw (back), CF Joc Pederson (shoulder)
New York Yankees
This Week: 15 | Last Week: 17 | Record: 44-44
-
RS
371
-
RA
405
-
Diff.
-34
-
OPS
.711
-
ERA
4.45
A .500 team, the Yankees are 5.5 games out of a wildcard spot, which is pretty close to selling time. If the Yankees head down that route, they have a couple of pending free agents that will be valuable trade chips. 39-year-old RF/DH Carlos Beltran has been having a phenomenal season and closer Aroldis Chapman may be morally reprehensible, but he can still throw 103 MPH+. Would there be interest in CC Sabathia, who is no longer an ace, but has a 3.77 ERA in 15 starts?
Key Injuries: None
Kansas City Royals
This Week: 17 | Last Week: 13 | Record: 45-43
-
RS
352
-
RA
378
-
Diff.
-26
-
OPS
.731
-
ERA
4.18
The defending-champion Royals have stumbled, and could be pressed to sell if they don't close the playoff gap quickly. DH Kendrys Morales might have some appeal for AL teams needing a bat, and the Royals have reportedly been shopping RHP Yordano Ventura this season. What about veteran RHP Edinson Volquez?
Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow), 3B Mike Moustakas (knee), CF Lorenzo Cain (hamstring), RHP Wade Davis (forearm)
Pittsburgh Pirates
This Week: 19 | Last Week: 22 | Record: 46-43
-
RS
423
-
RA
416
-
Diff.
+7
-
OPS
.751
-
ERA
4.36
The Pirates appeared to be fading, but have picked up steam lately, to get within 1.5-games of a wildcard spot, which is probably close enough to not sell. If they can get ace Gerrit Cole back at the top of the rotation, and then add some combination of prospects Steven Brault, Tyler Glasnow or, if healthy, Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh should have enough pitching to keep pace.
Key Injuries: RHP Gerrit Cole (triceps), C Francisco Cervelli (hand), RHP Jameson Taillon (shoulder)
Colorado Rockies
This Week: 20 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 40-48
-
RS
454
-
RA
468
-
Diff.
-14
-
OPS
.795
-
ERA
5.08
The Rockies are out of contention, again, but could be players in the trade market. Lefty reliever Boone Logan is one option, as are C Nick Hundley and platoon options Mark Reynolds and Ryan Raburn, but if Colorado wants to make a splash, they could shop RF Carlos Gonzalez, who has one year left on his contract.
Key Injuries: LF Gerardo Parra (ankle)
Philadelphia Phillies
This Week: 21 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 42-48
-
RS
328
-
RA
415
-
Diff.
-87
-
OPS
.690
-
ERA
4.35
The Phillies have rallied lately, winning 10 of the past 13 games, but they're obviously open for business. Catcher Carlos Ruiz, OF Peter Bourjos and reliever David Hernandez might have limited value, but maybe the Phillies could find a taker for RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who is having his best year -- by far -- since 2012.
Key Injuries: RF Aaron Altherr (wrist), RHP Charlie Morton (hamstring)
Arizona Diamondbacks
This Week: 24 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 38-52
-
RS
402
-
RA
456
-
Diff.
-54
-
OPS
.761
-
ERA
4.77
The Diamondbacks haven't met expectations (well, at least their expectations), and have moved out reliever Brad Ziegler to Boston. Might they consider moving another pitcher?
Key Injuries: CF A.J. Pollock (elbow), CF Chris Owings (foot), RF David Peralta (back), RHP Rubby De La Rosa (elbow), RHP Zack Greinke (oblique)
Oakland Athletics
This Week: 27 | Last Week: 27 | Record: 38-51
-
RS
366
-
RA
435
-
Diff.
-69
-
OPS
.701
-
ERA
4.73
Of course the A's will sell, since they aren't contending this season. Outfielders Josh Reddick and Coco Crisp will be free agents, and lefty reliever Mark Rzepczynski ought to be in demand. LHP Rich Hill also has a 2.25 ERA in 13 starts, so he could be a difference-maker if Oakland makes the 36-year-old available.
Key Injuries: RHP Chris Bassitt (elbow), RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder)
Minnesota Twins
This Week: 29 | Last Week: 30 | Record: 32-56
-
RS
395
-
RA
466
-
Diff.
-71
-
OPS
.739
-
ERA
4.97
The Twins have lived down to expectations, so they should be able to deal. Reliever Kevin Jepsen could go and, if healthy, 3B Trevor Plouffe could add some corner infield pop.
Key Injuries: LHP Glen Perkins (shoulder), 3B Trevor Plouffe (rib), RHP Phil Hughes (knee)