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MLB power rankings: Cardinals grab the driver's seat for NL Central crown

Jesse Yomtov   | Paste BN

They've been overlooked throughout 2019, but heading into the final four weeks of the season, the Cardinals are primed to win the NL Central and return to the playoffs after a three-year drought.

Mike Shildt's team was 3 ½ games back on Aug. 7, but has gone 19-5 since and holds a three-game lead on the Cubs through Monday. Meanwhile, the third-place Brewers trail St. Louis by seven games.

The Cardinals led the majors with a team ERA of 3.28 ERA in August and the bullpen's 3.02 mark was also the league's best. That's all the more impressive considering that the team lost closer Jordan Hicks for the season back in June.

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Carlos Martinez stepped in the ninth-inning role with support from free agent addition Andrew Miller. who has been just about lights out since a rough start to the season. Their most-important reliever may be 27-year-old Giovanny Gallegos, who has an MLB-best 0.78 WHIP and has stepped into a high-leverage role since Hicks went down.

The team's season ends with 16 games in a row against teams currently over .500, including seven against the Cubs, so the division crown won't come easy for St. Louis

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

RANK (movement from last week)

1. Houston Astros (+1)

  • Joe Smith (1.53 ERA in 20 games) has been a huge addition since returning from IL in July.

2. New York Yankees (+1)

  • Will top prospect Deivi Garcia get a September call-up?

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-2)

  • Cause for concern? Hyun-Jin Ryu had 7.48 ERA in four August starts.

4. Atlanta Braves (–)

  • Seven against Washington, seven against Philadelphia in September.

5. Minnesota Twins (–)

6. Washington Nationals (–)

  • We should probably be talking about Anthony Rendon's MVP candidacy.

7. Cleveland Indians (–)

  • Mike Clevinger was 5-0 with a 1.96 ERA in six August starts.

8. Oakland Athletics (–)

  • Jurickson Profar (.929 OPS in August) coming alive at the right time.

9. Tampa Bay Rays (–)

  • Shortstop Willy Adames hit .304 in August.

10. St. Louis Cardinals (–)

  • Yadier Molina got things going in August with a .333/.412/.583 line.

11. Chicago Cubs (–)

  • Nick Castellanos with Cubs: 11 HR in 30 games. With Tigers: 11 in 100.

12. Boston Red Sox (–)

  • Rafael Devers is youngest Red Sox player with 100 RBI since Jim Rice in 1975.

13. Milwaukee Brewers (–)

  • Reliever Jeremy Jeffress gets DFA'd a year after All-Star season.

14. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)

  • Of 28 September games, 21 are against teams above .500.

15. New York Mets (-1)

  • Jacob deGrom sneakily making his case for another Cy Young.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)

  • Carson Kelly (.886 OPS in 95 games) has been among league's best ofensive catchers.

17. Texas Rangers (+1)

  • Team leads in the majors in stolen bases.

18. San Francisco Giants (-2)

  • Madison Bumgarner has a 2.83 ERA in 16 starts at home this year.

19. Cincinnati Reds (–)

  • Trevor Bauer has an 8.40 ERA (28 ER in 30 IP) since joining Reds.

20. Los Angeles Angels (–)

  • Mike Trout becomes youngest ever with 200 homers and 200 steals.

21. San Diego Padres (–)

  • Eric Hosmer is enjoying a nice bounce-back season.

22. Chicago White Sox (–)

  • Only White Sox with more RBI seasons than Jose Abreu: Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates (+2)

  • Josh Bell chasing Pirates' all-time record of 131 (Paul Waner in 1931).

24. Toronto Blue Jays (–)

  • Bo Bichette watch: .329 average, .972 OPS through 32 games.

25. Colorado Rockies (-2) 

  • Nolan Arenado has his fifth consecutive 30 HR, 100 RBI season.

26. Seattle Mariners (–)

  • Yusei Kikuchi (5.36 ERA in 27 starts) has had a tough time in first MLB season.

27. Miami Marlins (–)

  • Prospect Sixto Sanchez (Realmuto trade) has a 2.81 ERA in 18 Class AA starts.

28. Kansas City Royals (–)

  • New ownership group should provide a bit of excitement in Kansas City.

29. Baltimore Orioles (–)

  • Rookie All-Star John Means continues to impress.

30. Detroit Tigers (–)

  • After staying put at the deadline, Matthew Boyd had a 7.16 ERA in August.
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