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MLB Power Rankings: Post Trade Deadline edition

By John Buhler

Jul 20, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) drives in a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Milwaukee won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) drives in a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Milwaukee won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 31, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Abraham Almonte (35), center fielder Tyler Naquin (30) and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) celebrate the Indians 8-0 win over the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Abraham Almonte (35), center fielder Tyler Naquin (30) and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) celebrate the Indians 8-0 win over the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Cleveland Indians

While the Cleveland Indians were shunned by the Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy on Sunday, 2016 appears to be the best year in Cleveland sports history in recent memory.

Not only do the Indians have arguably the best team in the American League at the August 1st MLB trade deadline, Northeast Ohio’s professional baseball team doesn’t have to carry the burden of ending a city-wide championship drought. The NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Finals, Cleveland’s first professional championship since the 1964 Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship.

Under manager Terry Francona, Cleveland has gradually become one of the best teams in all of baseball. The Indians’ rotation is deep, their big league roster is exciting, and their farm system is one of the deepest in baseball. Many didn’t think that the Indians would be this good in 2016, but it seems like Cleveland is poised to reach the American League Championship Series this October.

At the August 1st MLB trade deadline, the Indians are 60-42, have a 4.5 game cushion over the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, and own the second-best record in the American League behind only the American League West’s Texas Rangers.

Could Believe-land become Title Town, USA in a matter of months? If the Indians play up their capabilities, Cleveland will end the longest World Series title draught in the American League. The Indians last won the World Series back in 1948.

Next: No. 2.

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