MLB Power Rankings: Glee for the Braves, American horror story for the Yankees

5) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals

Yep, the St. Louis Cardinals move ahead of the Yankees in the MLB Power Rankings. It has only a little to do with Jordan Montgomery. Things are just going right for St. Louis.

The Cardinals managed to catch the Brewers in the standings and seem to have an infinitely greater chance than they do of winning it. They appeared lined up to face off against the third wild card team to begin the postseason. The path to the World Series isn’t so difficult.

4) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves know better than anyone else what it takes to win a championship. They just did it last year. With a young core in place and some big recent victories against two of the three teams ahead of them in the MLB Power Rankings this week, things are looking pretty good in Atlanta.

The Braves have proven they can be a streaky club which both works for and against a team late in the season. Given their experience and strong mix of power and pitching, fans shouldn’t worry in the least bit.

3) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets

The only way the New York Mets are winning a championship this year is if their pitching is as good as advertised. While they’ve suffered a few recent injuries, Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are fully healthy. It’s those two who will need to carry this club.

The Mets might not have the most dominating roster. But with a manager who knows what he’s doing and some fantastic role players, they are very dangerous. Consistency is what has kept the Mets near the top of the MLB Power Rankings all year. Nothing seems to suggest they’ll fall off.

2) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros

The American League is lonely at the top. Without a doubt, it’s the Houston Astros who should be the favorite. While the National League has a few teams that could be sneaky good and knock some of the best off the pedestal, it’s only the Yankees who have a chance at the Astros. However, with the history between the two, it’s far more likely we see Houston come away victorious.

What isn’t there to like about the Astros? They have everything needed for a championship recipe. Although the offense could use a little improvements and some might feel more secure with a more tested rotation, this is a deep ball club that can beat their opponent in a variety of ways.

1) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers

Put it in ink. Etch it in stone. Seal it up. Nobody is catching the Los Angeles Dodgers this year. They’ll have plenty to prove in the postseason. This is a team that has recently been dominant in the first 162 games that count but not always so in the playoffs.

The Dodgers are easily the best-rounded team in baseball. They have pitching. They have hitting. They have stars stepping up. There are plenty of guys people outside of Los Angeles have never heard of making them an absolute monster. The Dodgers could go winless for the rest of the year and still finish with an above .500 record. Get used to seeing a lot of Dodger Stadium in October. Home field is theirs.