2015 MLB Power Rankings: Blue Jays enter top five
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki(2) and starting pitcher
David Price(14) and right fielder
Jose Bautista(19) celebrate the win during the eleventh inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, the Toronto Blue Jays dominated headlines for the trades they made. This week, they continue to dominate because they have won eight straight games and 11 of their last 12.
Over the weekend, the Blue Jays swept the New York Yankees and now sit just 1.5 games out of first place in the American League East. They also now have a firm lock on an AL Wild Card spot.
David Price is 2-0 with 0.66 ERA since joining the team. While Troy Tulowitzki has been quiet in the leadoff spot for the Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista have combined for 19 home runs and 41 RBIs since the All-Star break.
The pitching staff as whole has also got the job done as they have held opponents to just two runs or less in eight of their last 12 games.
While the Blue Jays are the talk of the AL right now, in the National League, everyone is starting to take notice of the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs are coming off of a four game sweep of the San Francisco Giants and are winners of 11 of their last 13. Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester have been one of the best 1-2 rotation punches in the game over the last two months and a young rookie by the name of Kyle Schwarber has sparked their offense.
They now have the third best record in the NL and have gained some distance of their own in the NL Wild Card picture.
Other teams coming off of strong weeks include the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.
Teams trending down this week include the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.
Here are the power rankings for the week.
Next: Three of the top six belong to the NL Central
Aug 7, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder
Kyle Schwarber(12) hits a double during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Cardinals. 1. team. 33. Despite no <strong><a href=. 71-40. Previous: 1st
Previous: 2nd. Kansas City Royals. 2. team. 7. <strong><a href=. 66-44
4. The one loss from the Pirates last week came from <strong><a href=. 65-44. Previous: 4th. Pittsburgh Pirates. 3. team
team. 71. It was a rough week for the Dodgers starting staff as <strong><a href=. 62-49. Previous: 3rd. Los Angeles Dodgers. 4
39. As much as we all want to talk about the Blue Jays offense, how about this: The entire bullpen did not allow a run at any point last week.. 61-52. Previous: 12th. Toronto Blue Jays. 5. team
Previous: 8th. Chicago Cubs. 6. team. 9. Speaking of bullpens, how about the successful return of <strong><a href=. 62-48
After scoring 600 runs last week, the Yankees have been shutout in their last two games have to be feeling the pressure of the Blue Jays in their rear view mirror.. 61-49. Previous: 5th. New York Yankees. 7. team. 43
Houston Astros. 8. team. 135. Remember when we were talking about the Astros being back after putting together a few wins and taking back the AL West division lead? What a difference a week makes.. 61-52. Previous: 6th
Los Angeles Angles. 9. team. 102. With <strong><a href=. 59-51. Previous: 9th
3. While <strong><a href=. 59-52. Previous: 11th. New York Mets. 10. team
Next: Rangers, Rays back in the hunt
Aug 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman
Rougned Odor(left) and first baseman
Mitch Moreland(right) celebrate with designated hitter
Prince Fielder(84) after he scores during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Previous: 7th. San Francisco Giants. 11. team. 40. Despite a rough weekend in Chicago that now has them 3.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot, the Giants still sit just three games behind the Dodgers for the NL West lead.. 59-52
57-53. Previous: 10th. Washington Nationals. 12. team. 90. The Nationals can only hope the return of <strong><a href=
13. team. 11. The Baltimore Orioles may be regretting not dealing for any starting pitching before this year’s deadline.. 56-54. Previous: 13th. Baltimore Orioles
Previous: 15th. Tampa Bay Rays. 14. team. 21. The Tampa Bay Rays are now back at .500 and can thank role players like <strong><a href=. 56-56
Previous: 17th. Texas Rangers. 15. team. 126. The Rangers are another team who is back to .500 and it has been behind an offense that just recently reacquired <strong><a href=. 55-55
16. team. 2. The Twins are 6-16 since the All-Star break and continue to free fall out of contention.. 55-56. Previous: 14th. Minnesota Twins
17. team. 8. <strong><a href=. 54-56. Previous: 19th. Arizona Diamondbacks
Previous: 20th. Detroit Tigers. 18. team. 63. <strong><a href=. 54-57
127. Despite the notion that Petco Park is pitcher-friendly, the San Diego Padres are the only team in the NL that has two starters (<strong><a href=. 52-60. Previous: 16th. San Diego Padres. 19. team
20. team. 62. The Mariners seem to be finally be putting it all together on offense. However it is at the point where it is too late in the season for them to turn things around.. 52-60. Previous: 24th. Seattle Mariners
Next: White Sox falling out of Wild Card race
Aug 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman
Logan Forsythe(11) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Chris Sale(49) during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The White Sox have won two games in August and have seen <strong><a href=. 51-58. Previous: 18th. Chicago White Sox. 21. team. 128
23. team. 96. Sometimes I just sit back and wonder what this team could have been this season if they could just catch the ball.. 51-62. Previous: 25th. Oakland Athletics
17. Make it now 15 straight starts without a win for <strong><a href=. 51-61. Previous: 23rd. Atlanta Braves. 24. team
25. team. 14. For the rest of the season, all eyes will be on guys like <strong><a href=. 50-62. Previous: 26th. Boston Red Sox
team. 61. Any chance a team deals for <strong><a href=. 49-60. Previous: 21st. Cincinnati Reds. 26
Expect teams to aggressively pursue <strong><a href=. 47-62. Previous: 27th. Colorado Rockies. 27. team. 108
76. You wonder if the Milwaukee Brewers pick up <strong><a href=. 48-65. Previous: 28th. Milwaukee Brewers. 28. team
6. The Philadelphia Phillies continue to roll behind a lineup full of power bats and a make-shift rotation that has overachieved to say the least.. 45-67. Previous: 29th. Philadelphia Phillies. 29. team
team. 82. One week after the news of <strong><a href=. 44-68. Previous: 30th. Miami Marlins. 30
Next: White Sox vs Angels series preview