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MLB power rankings: Red-hot Nationals set for run at division title

Jesse Yomtov   | Paste BN

For as well as the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves are playing, the second-place Washington Nationals are doing everything in their power to keep applying the pressure.

The Nationals have won 12 of their last 14 and trail the Braves by six games in the division but have created a four-game cushion over the Chicago Cubs for the top wild-card spot. After sweeping the Cubs in Chicago, they now have their sights set on avoiding the one-game playoff.

Six games isn't a particularly small gap, and the Nationals are paying the price for putting themselves in such a big hole early in the season.

Still, Washington and Atlanta meet seven times in September, the last on Sept. 15, so the Nationals can certainly gain some of that ground back in the coming weeks.

Here's how Paste BN Sports' seven-person panel voted this week:

RANK (movement from last week)

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)

  • Cody Bellinger getting closer to Dodgers' franchise HR record of 49 (Shawn Green).

2. Houston Astros (+1)

  • Race against time to get Ryan Pressly back (and ready) for the postseason.

3. New York Yankees (-1)

  • Mike Tauchman in 33 games since All-Star break: .364/.432/.682

4. Atlanta Braves (+2)

  • Nine of Josh Donaldson's 32 home runs have come against the Mets.

5. Minnesota Twins (-1)

  • Jose Berrios has an 8.44 ERA in four August starts.

6. Washington Nationals (+3)

  • Easy week (versus Orioles and Marlins) before September gantlet.

7. Cleveland Indians (-2)

  • Shane Bieber has seven consecutive quality starts.

8. Oakland Athletics (–)

  • Ramon Laureano's imminent return will be a huge boost.

9. Tampa Bay Rays (-2)

  • Need a boost from Joey Wendle with Brandon Lowe done for the year.

10. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)

  • Kolten Wong quietly having the best season of his career.

11. Chicago Cubs (-1)

  • Nick Castellanos watch: .385/.417/.736 in first 22 games with Cubs.

12. Boston Red Sox (+1)

  • Chris Sale's season comes to an end after 25 starts.

13. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)

  • Can they catch fire in September like last year?

14. New York Mets (–)

  • Pete Alonso becomes first Met with 100 RBI since 2010 (David Wright).

15. Philadelphia Phillies (–)

  • Closer Hector Neris hasn't given up a run since July 18.

16. San Francisco Giants (–)

  • Mike Yastrzemski would have a shot at Rookie of the Year any other season.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks (–)

  • Zach Gallen has a 2.25 ERA in four starts since joining D-Backs.

18. Texas Rangers (–)

  • The Willie Calhoun appreciation society is accepting new members.

19. Cincinnati Reds (–)

  • 12 of Aristides Aquino's first 25 hits went for home runs.

20. Los Angeles Angels (–)

  • Justin Upton has three years and $72 million left on his contract.

21. San Diego Padres (–)

  • Catcher Francisco Mejia hitting .323 in 99 ABs since All-Star break.

22. Chicago White Sox (+1)

  • Prospect Luis Robert has put together a 30-30 season in the minors.

23. Colorado Rockies (-1)

  • After back-to-back postseason trips, nobody expected this team to be in last place

24. Toronto Blue Jays (–)

  • Bo Bichette's first 25 games: .345 average, 1.066 OPS.

25. Pittsburgh Pirates (–)

  • Bryan Reynolds' run at a batting title is bright spot in bleak season.

26. Seattle Mariners (–)

  • Have gone 43-72 since a 13-2 start to the season.

27. Miami Marlins (–)

  • They're 9-7 against the Phillies this season, which is good.

28. Kansas City Royals (–)

  • Will 35-year-old Alex Gordon call it quits after this year?

29. Baltimore Orioles (–)

  • Hanser Alberto batting .402 in 174 at-bats against lefties.

30. Detroit Tigers (–)

  • Top prospect Casey Mize ends first full pro season with 2.55 ERA in 21 starts.
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