MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox Moving On Up

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Typically, this late in the MLB season, the best teams have established themselves and there is not much movement in any power rankings. Instead, several teams are making a late season push for the playoffs, shuffling our rankings this week.

There have been some truly stellar performances this week. Josh Donaldson has forced his way into the MVP discussion yet again, blasting three home runs on Sunday to lead the Blue Jays to victory. Chris Sale struck out 14 batters in a complete game, but still managed to lose as the White Sox offense failed him once more. Bartolo Colon even had his first two hit game in 14 years, hearkening back to the days when he was with the Expos.

Then, there is the other side of the coin. The Twins (more on them in a bit) lost each game this week, and ten in a row. Jackie Bradley struck out 13 times in 25 at bats heading into Sunday night. Jonathan Niese lasted one out before being removed due to injury, but allowed three runs. Chad Bettis walked seven in a five inning outing, but somehow managed to allow only four runs.

We are starting to see contenders separate from the pack, and teams fall out of contention. Meanwhile, other teams are making a push for the playoffs, hoping that the early holes they dug for themselves will not prove to be too deep. The last few weeks of the season promise to be quite interesting indeed.

Which teams rose, and which fell, in the MLB Power Rankings? Let us take a look at where each team stands.

Next: They also played this year

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Previous: . Atlanta Braves. 30. team. 17. The next month or so could go a long way towards determining the look of the Braves in 2017. With expanded rosters, it would not be a surprise to see a few prospects get the call, as they look to see if any of the kids will be ready for the following season..

29. team. 2. While the Braves have hope for the future, and a well stocked farm system, the Twins do not have much on the way. After <a href=. . Previous: . Minnesota Twins

The manager is on the hot seat, the front office could be blown up this offseason, and <a href=. . Previous: . Arizona Diamondbacks. 28. team. 8

27. team. 96. If there is one thing that we learned this week, it is that <a href=. . Previous: . Oakland Athletics

Previous: . Philadelphia Phillies. 26. team. 6. The Phillies are cleaning house in their scouting department, but was that really the problem? Players like <a href=.

Next: Great players on bad teams

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61. <a href=. . Previous: . Cincinnati Reds. 25. team

24. team. 76. Zach Davies may not be an ace, but he is a piece of the future for the Brewers. The problem is, they do not have anything else to help in the rotation. Fortunately, with seven of the top 100 prospects in baseball, they have plenty of pieces to look forward to.. . Previous: . Milwaukee Brewers

San Diego Padres. 23. team. 127. Give it up for <a href=. . Previous:

. Previous: . Tampa Bay rays. 22. team. 21. <a href=

Los Angeles Angels. 21. team. 102. It’s easy to lump <a href=. . Previous:

Next: Is it too little, too late?

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Previous: . Chicago White Sox. 20. team. 128. Chris Sale has thrown 240 pitches in his last two outings, allowing three runs on 11 baserunners in 17 innings. He’s 1-1. Considering his frustrations with <a href=.

19. team. 108. <a href=. . Previous: . Colorado Rockies

New York Yankees. 18. team. 43. <a href=. . Previous:

Let us take a moment to revel in the greatest gift to the MLB, Bartolo Colon. He had his first two hit game since the EXPOS were a franchise, and even legged out a double. Here’s hoping he plays for another decade.. . Previous: . New York Mets. 17. team. 3

<a href=. . Previous: . Kansas City Royals. 16. team. 7

Next: Hanging on the periphery

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. Previous: . Detroit Tigers. 15. team. 63. The Tigers had two players, the manager and a coach ejected on Saturday. While the umpire can’t be faulted, as arguing balls and strikes is an automatic ejection, one has to wonder if Detroit is feeling pressure as they look to keep their postseason dreams alive.

Previous: . Miami Marlins. 14. team. 82. <a href=.

4. For all of the concern about <a href=. . Previous: . Pittsburgh Pirates. 13. team

62. Very quietly, <a href=. . Previous: . Seattle Mariners. 12. team

11. team. 135. With a three game set with the A’s before a series with the Rangers over the weekend, the Astros are in prime position to make up some ground in the AL West. Otherwise, the race could be all but over after this weekend.. . Previous: . Houston Astros

Next: Still in the postseason - for now

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. Previous: . St. Louis Cardinals. 10. team. 33. The Cardinals are getting a taste of the future, with <a href=

team. 40. After an impressive first half, the Giants are having a historic second half for all the wrong reasons. There is still plenty of time to turn things around, but can they right the ship in time? Several teams are starting to nip at their heels.. . Previous: . San Francisco Giants. 9

Texas Rangers. 8. team. 126. <a href=. . Previous:

11. <a href=. . Previous: . Baltimore Orioles. 7. team

The Dodgers have put 27 players on the disabled list, tying an MLB record. If they can ever get healthy, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason. Then again, don’t we say that every year?. . Previous: . Los Angeles Dodgers. 6. team. 71

Next: The top teams in the MLB

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39. With his three home run performance on Sunday, Josh Donaldson may have put himself back into the MVP race. The middle of the bullpen is still a bit of a concern, especially now that the <a href=. . Previous: . Toronto Blue Jays. 4. team

14. It looks more and more likely that the <a href=. . Previous: . Boston Red Sox. 3. team

. Previous: . Washington Nationals. 2. team. 90. The Nationals find themselves with the thid best record in baseball, and second best run differential, despite a rough season from <a href=

Next: Can the Yankees make the playoffs this year?

Should we just hand the NL MVP award to <a href=. . Previous: . Chicago Cubs. 1. team. 9

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