MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets Fall At Bad Time

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Sep 6, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher

Joakim Soria

(38) celebrates with catcher

Francisco Cervelli

(29) after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kansas City Royals (82-54) The Royals are on cruise control, as they have a massive 12 game lead in the AL Central, comfortably ahead for the race for home field throughout the AL playoffs. They also got Alex Gordon back this week, as they will look to get him acclimated and comfortable back in the lineup and in left field. The one thing the Royals really have to worry about right now is Johnny Cueto. Cueto had two more clunkers this week, as he has lost four consecutive starts. Over that span, he has surrendered 22 runs, 21 earned, in 20 innings. Not exactly what they had hoped for when they shipped three high-rated lefty pitchers to Cincinnati for Cueto.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates (81-54) The Pirates may have been swept by the Brewers to start the week, but they responded almost as well as you could over the weekend, taking two of three from the mighty Cardinals. While they still sit 5.5 games behind the Cardinals, they at least showed them that they are still there, and if they take the foot off the pedal the Pirates will more than gladly take over the lead in the NL Central. Gerrit Cole came up huge on Sunday Night Baseball, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits, after getting hit around by the Brewers to start the week. J.A. Happ also continues his surprising run with the Pirates after coming over from the Mariners at the trade deadline, as he also defeated the Cardinals. With the Pirates, Happ has gone 4-1 with a minuscule 1.57 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 34 1/3 innings.

1. St. Louis Cardinals (87-49) The Cardinals may have lost the weekend series to the Pirates at home, but they still hold a commanding 5.5 game lead in the division. It would be a complete stunner to see them falter and surrender that lead, as they have yet to have a losing month with Mike Matheny as manager. It would be hard to see that coming now, as the pitching staff keeps on humming and the offense does just enough to get the victory. Expect to see them start resting younger players such as Michael Wacha and possibly Carlos Martinez as the Cardinals will begin setting up their rotation and lineups for another postseason run.

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