{"id":37581,"date":"2017-07-31T06:41:59","date_gmt":"2017-07-31T06:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=37581"},"modified":"2017-07-31T06:41:59","modified_gmt":"2017-07-31T06:41:59","slug":"mlb-power-rankings-dodgers-hold-no-1-spot-royals-rising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/mlb\/mlb-power-rankings-dodgers-hold-no-1-spot-royals-rising.html","title":{"rendered":"MLB power rankings: Dodgers hold No. 1 spot, Royals rising"},"content":{"rendered":"

MLB power rankings: Dodgers hold No. 1 spot, Royals rising<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson put the rest of the league on notice after he guaranteed a World Series victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The Dodgers are going to win the World Series this year,\u201d Johnson said at Clayton Kershaw\u2019s annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose last week. \u201cThis is our year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, the Dodgers, who own the best record in the majors, are certainly heading in the right direction, as they are the top ranked team in USA TODAY Sports’ MLB power rankings for the second consecutive week.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Monday’s trade deadline here, we could see a major shift in power over the final two months of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

From 1 to 30, how they stack up based on voting from our 10-person panel:<\/span><\/p>\n

TEAM. MOVEMENT<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Los Angeles Dodgers: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baKershaw starting to throw again doesn\u2019t mean people have stopped biting their nails in Los Angeles.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Houston Astros: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baFive earned runs against the Tigers? McCullers looks more vulnerable with every start.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Washington Nationals: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baThat home run derby against the Brewers on Thursday was a good distraction from the bullpen.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Arizona Diamondbacks: +1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baJ.D. Martinez is making the Arizona front office look very good right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Colorado Rockies: +1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baClub means business with addition of Pat Neshek and Jonathan Lucroy.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Cleveland Indians: +1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baNext 13 games vs. teams with winning records (Red Sox, Yankees, Rays).<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Boston Red Sox: -3<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baAnother week, another third baseman.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. New York Yankees: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baAaron Judge’s busted tooth worth sole possession of 1st place in the AL East.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Chicago Cubs: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baWade Davis still hasn\u2019t blown a save this season, and the Cubs are slowly putting room between themselves and the Brewers.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Kansas City Royals: +2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baIs Melky Cabrera enough for the Royals to make a push?<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Tampa Bay Rays: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baThe Rays really can\u2019t afford to lose divisional games right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

12. Milwaukee Brewers: -2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baGave up eight home runs to the Nationals before losing two of three against the Cubs. It\u2019s been a bad week.<\/span><\/p>\n

13. St. Louis Cardinals: +3<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baEven sweeping the Rockies doesn\u2019t help their wild card situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Pittsburgh Pirates: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baStill waiting for the fire sale.<\/span><\/p>\n

15. Seattle Mariners: +2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baSunday was a welcome change for Robinson Cano after batting .136 in his previous seven days.<\/span><\/p>\n

16. Texas Rangers: -1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baBeltre joining the 3,000-hit club is a nice distraction from your daily dose of Darvish trade talks.<\/span><\/p>\n

17. Minnesota Twins: -4<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baWell that was a quick vacation to Minneapolis for Jaime Garcia.<\/span><\/p>\n

18. Los Angeles Angels: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baNot even Mike Trout can pull off this miracle.<\/span><\/p>\n

19. Baltimore Orioles: -1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baLooks like the ship is sinking and the whole crew is going down with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

20. Miami Marlins: +4<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baIt looks like Giancarlo Stanton is mad he lost the Home Run Derby.<\/span><\/p>\n

T-21. Atlanta Braves: -1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baSwept by the Phillies. Ouch.<\/span><\/p>\n

T-21. Toronto Blue Jays: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baIf you need a walk-off grand slam, call on Steve Pearce.<\/span><\/p>\n

23. New York Mets: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baJacob deGrom finally lost a game again.<\/span><\/p>\n

24. Detroit Tigers: -2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baWas Sunday\u2019s gem the last of Justin Verlander\u2019s days in Detroit?<\/span><\/p>\n

25. Oakland Athletics: -1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baThey specialize in the walk-off, whether winning or losing.<\/span><\/p>\n

26. San Diego Padres: +2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baThe Padres are playing the Brad Hand deal to perfection.<\/span><\/p>\n

27. Cincinnati Reds: -2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baIf Zack Cozart gets dealt does the donkey go with him?<\/span><\/p>\n

28. Chicago White Sox: -1<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baIs Melky Cabrera the last one to go?<\/span><\/p>\n

29. San Francisco Giants: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baThis week’s Battle of the Bay — four games against the A’s — hardly conjures memories of 1989 World Series.<\/span><\/p>\n

30. Philadelphia Phillies: —<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25baWho\u2019s leaving Philadelphia next?<\/span><\/p>\n

Source-\u00a0https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2017\/07\/31\/mlb-power-rankings-dodgers\/524322001\/<\/span><\/p>\n

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