It’s time for another weekly edition of my MLB Top 10 Power Rankings. We are now almost into September, which means only one more month for things to shake out before the postseason starts and things really get fun. With my rankings, I am taking into consideration the potential of teams over the course of the season, along with the current value of teams, with more emphasis on current value. Let me know how much you agree/disagree.

First Two Out: Chicago Cubs & Boston Red Sox

10. St. Louis Cardinals (70-58)

Last Week: 10

Still in the tenth spot are the Cardinals, who are hanging onto a 1.5 game lead in the NL Central. It almost seems that nobody wants to win this division with the Cardinals, Cubs, and Brewers all taking turns leading the division this year. One week it’s the Cardinals and one week it’s another team. The Brewers seem to be slipping a tad bit, so I have a feeling it will be between the two rivals, but you might as well flip a coin to determine who win take home the pennant.

Photo: David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

9. Cleveland Indians (76-54)

Last Week: 5

I was really high on the Indians for a few weeks, for good reason, but they slipped a few spots this week. I’m still a believer in this club because of a very good pitching staff and a capable offense, but they’re just 4-6 in their last ten and are losing Jose Ramirez for the time being with a fractured hamate bone. That really hurts since they are in a tight division battle with the Twins. It will be interesting to see how the team responds over the coming weeks.

8. Oakland Athletics (74-54)

Last Week: 8

The Athletics just seem to be suited for the eighth spot on this list. They have been there several weeks now. I just don’t think they’re ready to move up, but they’re not ready to move down either. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance like sweeping the Yankees and taking 3 of 4 to the Astros the week before, but they can also be shaky at times. Their bullpen is a question mark also. I think they are a good team, but I don’t see them advancing in the postseason, especially in the powerful American League.

7. Tampa Bay Rays (76-55)

Last Week: 6

Falling a spot this week because of average play lately, the Rays come in at number 7. They are .500 in their last ten games, but still feature a very good team capable of surprising people in the postseason. I think the Rays are underrated, due to being overshadowed in the AL East, but they continue to quietly win. With their pitching staff, they certainly can upset someone come playoff time.

6. Washington Nationals (72-57)

Last Week: 9

The Nationals just keep winning. They are 11-2 in their last 13 games and have been without Max Scherzer for a while now. He should be back very soon to bolster an already dangerous pitching staff and if their offense keeps clicking, they will be a team that nobody wants to face in the postseason. Everyone knows that pitching carries teams in October and that’s what the Nationals have. It’s a good thing the Braves keep winning because if they hadn’t been, it would be a Twins-Indians type race in the NL East.

5. Minnesota Twins (78-51)

Last Week: 7

Up a few spots this week are the Twins. They are back up 2.5 games over the Indians in the Central and just got back their best hitter in Nelson Cruz. We’ve known how dangerous their lineup is all season, breaking records in certain offensive categories, so if their pitching can hold up, they will be a dangerous team in October. They are third in the majors in runs scored and hold a +148 run differential on the season.

4. Atlanta Braves (79-52)

Last Week: 4

Things are going pretty well for Atlanta right now. Even though they’ve dealt with injuries in their lineup, they keep on winning. Everyone they pick up seems to be an instant contributor and will no doubt be a huge boost to their bench for the postseason. And their bullpen has had a strong week, so if they can keep that up going forward, I’m very excited as a Braves fan. It’s also very exciting to watch Ronald Acuna and Freddie Freeman put up MVP-type seasons together.

3. New York Yankees (84-47)

Last Week: 2

The Yankees have struggled some in recent games, winning just four of their last ten games. But we all know what they’re capable of at this point and that is advancing very far in the postseason. It will be interesting to see how their pitching fares in October against other staffs, but their offense will certainly challenge any other pitching staff. Like the Twins, the Yankees have a +148 run differential on the season, but also have scored the most runs in baseball at 767.

2. Houston Astros (84-47)

Last Week: 3

The Astros seem to be back on track after hitting somewhat of a rough patch. They are winners of six of their last seven games and are really just waiting for the playoffs at this point. They have one of the best rosters in the game and it has shown with their MLB-second best run differential on the season at +188. Their pitching staff is as dominant as anyone’s and I’m ready to see that on display this October.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (86-45)

Last Week: 1

The top of my power ranking is getting pretty boring because it’s the Dodgers week after week, but they deserve it. They lead the majors in run differential at an astonishing +218, which is 30 runs better than the second-placed Astros. They also feature a dominant pitching staff that is capable of taking them all the way in October. Many see their series this weekend against the Yankees as a World Series preview, and they may be correct. Right now the series is split 1-1 in LA with the deciding game this evening.

Garett