MLB Power Rankings: Cardinals and Royals rivalry expands to top of the rankings

. Previous: +6th. Toronto Blue Jays. 11. team. 39. The Blue Jays keep hovering around .500, but this is a team that could go in either direction. However, with their pitching staff starting to come around (2.90 ERA over the last seven days), they could be set to make a move. Of course, R.A. Dickey is going to have to figure things out  and be that leader the staff needs.

team. 2. The Twins have seemingly become a completely different team once they figure out how to score some runs. However, the team has just 12 quality starts in 33 games, so if they want to continue their rebound, they’ll need to get some more consistent starts outside of Kyle Gibson and Mike Pelfrey.. . Previous: +6th. Minnesota Twins. 12

13. team. 4. While the last seven games have been big for Andrew McCutchen (.385/.433/.654), the emergence of Jung Ho Kang (.381/.409/.619) has been huge for Pittsburgh. With Jordy Mercer off to a horrible start, and Josh Harrison struggling to get going, Kang has given the Pirates the flexibility to wait out their struggles.. . Previous: -2th. Pittsburgh Pirates

61. The production the Reds are getting from their infield right now is ridiculous, but imagine how much better it would be if Todd Frazier wasn’t the victim of an unlucky .207 BABIP. On the flip side, Mike Leake is turning into the most serviceable starter on the staff, and could be putting himself in line for a contract like Rick Porcello scored from the Red Sox earlier this season.. . Previous: +9th. Cincinnati Reds. 14. team

The Rays are one of those teams that just sort of hang around, although there really isn’t a viable reason that they have managed to. Certainly, Tampa’s managed to survive with some ridiculously bad luck with its pitching staff. However, how much is this team really able to overcome. Like the Blue Jays, the Rays are at a breaking point where they need to know which direction they are going.. . Previous: -2th. Tampa Bay Rays. 15. team. 21