MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets Continue To Climb

Aug 23, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder

(55) and starting pitcher

(54) high-five after the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 10-3 at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pittsburgh Pirates (73-48) The Pirates just keep chugging along, as they took series from the Diamondbacks and Giants this week to pull within 3.5 games of the Cardinals in the NL Central race. The moves that they made the deadline have been paying off brilliantly thus far, as Joe Blanton has helped stabilize the bullpen in longman situations and in extra inning affairs. J.A. Happ threw another strong outing in defeating the Diamondbacks, while Joakim Soria has provided another late inning opting for Clint Hurdle. To top things off, they are also beginning to get healthier, as Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer both returned from injury, giving Hurdle more lineup options and strengthen their bench for the stretch run.

2. Kansas City Royals (75-48) The Royals look almost bored at times when playing, as they have the largest division lead in baseball at 12.5 games over the Twins. But, they still manage to produce, as they put together another 4-2 week, thanks in part to the Red Sox bullpen, who blew the game Sunday. The Royals have such a comfortable lead that they can afford to begin lining up their rotation how they want and figuring out what lineup combinations work best and when. Consider the next couple of weeks almost an audition for the Royals players for the postseason roster. They will only be strengthened soon, as Alex Gordon has begun his rehab assignment and is nearing a return to the lineup as the everyday left fielder.

1. St. Louis Cardinals (78-45) We saw a chink in the Cardinals armor this week, as they lost a series to the Padres over the weekend after taking a series from the Giants to start the week. The three losses they suffered enabled the Pirates to gain some ground, but the Cardinals are still holding steady atop the NL Central with the best record in baseball. But, that 3.5 game lead could be in jeopardy if they continue playing they way they did against the Padres over the remainder of their west coast trip that will include visits to the surging Diamondbacks and Giants. Their offense slacked past week as Randal Grichuk was placed on the DL and the Cardinals look to pull another rabbit out the hat to step right into the lineup and produce.