1. Cardinals
The Cardinals' only concern is maintaining their lead in a strong NL Central division, which they did with a 6-1 road trip through San Francisco and Arizona. But they also managed to muddy up the outlook in the NL West, which of course is of no concern to them. But it should be noted the Cards all but dashed the playoff hopes of the D-backs, who were a mere five games out before they lost four straight to St. Louis at home.
2. Royals
Remember when a bunch of us media geniuses predicted there was NO WAY the Royals could repeat last year's performance and they would regress without the presence of a stronger middle of the order? Yeah, that was a long time ago. And a really silly prognostication. The Royals are good -- really, really good -- and could have the division wrapped up in a couple of weeks.
3. Pirates
The Pirates have maintained a certain level of relentlessness against every team -- good and bad -- for several months, but it should be noted that they have taken full advantage of what is, for the most part, a soft spot of their schedule in more recent times. Since sweeping the first-place Mets two weeks ago, the Pirates have played three series against non-contenders (D-backs, Marlins, Rockies) and one against the Giants, a contender in the NL West. During that stretch the Pirates have gone 10-4 and won every series.
4. Blue Jays
Troy Tulowitzki has struggled at the plate since he joined the Blue Jays a couple of days before the Trade Deadline, but still, it's significant that the team is 24-5 since making that deal with the Rockies. The Jays' sprint through August isn't tied to just one or two players, of course, but it's not terribly shocking that Toronto has been on such a frenetic pace since acquiring Tulowitzki and David Price. For much of the year, the Jays seemed like a team that had a decent nucleus that needed a little extra ammo. The Deadline, plus the MVP-caliber season Josh Donaldson is having, makes Toronto the favorite to win the AL East.
5. Astros
A month of games remains, but the Astros going .500 on their recent road swing is significant. It has been a long time -- months -- since the Astros have broken even or better during a road trip, and given their impressive 45-21 mark at home, they have to feel good about things heading into their upcoming homestand with the Mariners and Twins. One more question has worked its way into the conversation, though -- can they navigate their way through the next several weeks without their starting catcher, Jason Castro, who is out for the foreseeable future with a quad injury?
And the rest: 6. Dodgers (9); 7. Cubs (4); 8. Mets (8); 9. Yankees (6); 10. Rangers (11); 11. Giants (10); 12. Twins (17); 13. Nationals (13); 14. D-backs (16); 15. Angels (14); 16. Rays (15); 17. Orioles (12); 18. Indians (NR); 19. Padres (19); 20. Red Sox (NR).
I'd say right now Blue jays should be #2, and the Astros aren't better than the cubs or mets.....but whatever...my opinion doesnt count for much
im not a huge baseball guy