MLB Power Rankings: Braves still No. 1; Rangers still top 10?

If there was any question about which team is the best in the MLB, the Braves provided a spirited answer against the Dodgers. The other division leaders are mostly holding service this week, while the wild-card teams continue to resemble crabs in a barrel.

And then there’s Rangers, whose place in this poll is under serious scrutiny after a dramatic run.

Here is my latest top 10, with some interesting facts about each club.

1. Atlanta Braves (90-46; last week 1)
The Braves continued to flex their muscles, taking three of four against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. How impressive is this? The Dodgers’ two losses are more than any of the past August’s home games. They have also lost one more series to an NL team since mid-June. Atlanta can win anywhere against anyone.

2. Baltimore Orioles (85-51; LW 2)
How can you reduce your risk of injury? Don’t give your bullpen too many innings and lean on your starters. In August, the Orioles had the second fewest innings pitched by their bullpen with 80 and the third most innings pitched by their rotation (156).

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-52; LW 3)
The Dodgers flat-out dominated in August, finishing an MLB-best 24-5 with a 15-2 mark at home. They were also the only team to finish the month in the top five in both runs per game and ERA. L.A.’s lone blemish was brought down in Atlanta this past week.

4. Seattle Mariners (77-59; LW 4)
The Mariners went 21-6 in August, setting a franchise record for wins and boasting the second-best mark in the majors last month. But there should be a little bitterness in their mouths now after losing three of their past five to the A’s and Mets. This is a golden opportunity to create some separation in the AL West.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (76-60; LW 5)
What a difference a couple of upgrades can make. The Brewers acquired Carlos Santana and Mark Canha at the deadline and the moves added pop to their lineup. Before the two additions, the Brewers scored 4.15 runs per game (T-24th in MLB). Since August, however, they have averaged 5.31 runs (9th).

6. Philadelphia Phillies (75-61; LW 6)
The Phillies have been mashing for months but took it to a new level in August. Their 59 home runs set a franchise record in a single month and are the most in an August by any National League team in MLB history.

7. Houston Astros (77-61; LW 7)
August was unusual for the Astros. They went 6-6 at home but picked up 11 road wins, making them one of only three teams with double-digit road wins for the month. After being swept by the Yankees at Minute Maid this past weekend, Houston plays 12 of its next 18 games at home.

8. Tampa Bay Rays (83-54; LW 8)
After struggling for a long season, the Rays offense had a solid comeback in August. They scored 6.08 runs per game for the month, the third-best mark in the majors. Tampa Bay’s .338 average with runners in scoring position is the best in MLB.

9. Chicago Cubs (73-64; LW 10)
The turnaround for the Cubs has been remarkable, and their clutch hitting is a big reason for it. Since the beginning of July, they are batting .274 with two outs and runners in scoring position (3rd in MLB). That number was .241 through the first three months of the season. Chicago now has a three game edge on the Marlins, Giants, Diamondbacks and Reds in the wild-card race.

10. Texas Rangers (76-60 LW 9)
After starting August 12-2, the Rangers fell hard (and out of first place in the AL West). They finished the month with a terrible 3-10 stretch, including losses in three of their last four games to the Mets and Twins. Most everyone in Texas shares the blame here, as the offense is averaging just 3.62 runs per game (26th) and the pitching staff is posting a 5.05 ERA (23rd). But at least this club closed the weekend with a bang.

Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports and the host of “Flippin’ Bats” Podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Old Dominion University before joining his brother, Justin, in Detroit as the Tigers’ 14th-round pick in 2013. He spent five year in the Tigers organization. Follow him on Twitter @BenVerlander.

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