Updated MLB Power Rankings: Where Does Your Favorite Team Stand?

As we push ever closer to the month of September and the stretch run, where does your favorite team stand in this week's MLB power rankings?

1: Washington Nationals (71-44, Previous: 2)

Last Week's Record: 6-1

The Nationals swept a four-game series from the lowly Astros and won eight in a row before losing on Sunday. They have gone 18-5 over their last 23 games. There is no hotter team in baseball right now, as they continue to look like legitimate title contenders.

Their starting rotation has shown no signs of letting up, and their offense has hit more than enough to back the staff. That offense should get a boost in the near future, too, as All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond swung a bat for the first time on Saturday, after his absence due to a torn oblique.

2: Texas Rangers (67-46, Previous: 4)

Last Week's Record: 4-2

A solid week saw the Rangers extend their lead in the AL West to 6.5 games over the A's and eight games over the Angels. Despite a shaky pitching staff, the team continues to win, and there is no reason not to consider them AL favorites.

Ryan Dempster looked solid in his second start with the team, and Derek Holland put together his first good start in a while on Saturday in going 7.2 innings and allowing just one earned run. If those two can find their groove down the stretch, the team will be that much better.

3: Cincinnati Reds (69-46, Previous: 1)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

The Reds stumbled this past week, enduring a five-game losing streak, but they still hold a 4.5 game lead over the Pirates in the NL Central.

First baseman Joey Votto suffered a setback in his recovery from knee surgery, as he had to go under the knife again and will be on the shelf for another 7-10 days. The team has proven capable of winning without him, but there is no question they need him back sooner rather than later.

4: New York Yankees (67-47, Previous: 3)

Last Week's Record: 4-3

After splitting a four-game series with the Tigers, the Yankees took two of three from the Blue Jays on the road, as their lead in the AL East currently stands at five games.

Ace CC Sabathia hit the DL with elbow inflammation this past week, and the team signed Indians cast-off Derek Lowe to provide some depth. It remains to be seen who will fill his rotation spot, as the team will likely use Lowe in long relief rather than starting him.

5: Atlanta Braves (66-48, Previous: 5)

Last Week's Record: 4-2

Facing off against the lowly Phillies and struggling Mets, the Braves had a solid week, but they still fell behind the streaking Nationals. They currently hold the top wild-card spot in the NL, and currently have the fifth best record in all of baseball.

The trio of Ben Sheets (5 GS, 4-1, 1.41 ERA), Paul Maholm (2 GS, 1-1, 1.69 ERA) and Kris Medlen (2-0, 1.62 ERA, 3 GS) have given the team's rotation a huge boost and will be counted on to keep it up down the stretch.

6: Pittsburgh Pirates (64-50, Previous: 6)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

The Pirates kept pace with the Reds this past week, as they remain 4.5 games back in the NL Central and currently hold the second wild-card spot in the NL.

Second baseman Neil Walker has given the team a second, consistent producer alongside Andrew McCutchen in the lineup, and Travis Snider has proven to be a good pickup so far. As always, though, their postseason hopes hinge on whether their pitching staff can keep it up.

7: Chicago White Sox (62-51, Previous: 7)

Last Week's Record: 3-3

The White Sox maintain a two-game lead in the AL Central, and they hit the road for seven games with the Royals and Blue Jays next week, as they will look to cushion their advantage over the Tigers.

Paul Konerko is on the seven-day concussion DL right now, and in his absence Dayan Viciedo has moved to DH and former White Sox outfielder DeWayne Wise, who is best known for his catch that preserved Mark Buehrle's perfect game, steps into a starting role.

8: Tampa Bay Rays (62-52, Previous: 15)

Last Week's Record: 6-0

Call it a coincidence, but the Rays are 6-0 since superstar Evan Longoria returned on August 7 after he missed all of June and July, and they have the look of a postseason contender once again.

Getting Luke Scott back from a strained oblique should help as well, as the team appears to be in a decent position to make a late season push. They may not catch the Yankees in the AL East, but they should be right in the thick of things for a wild-card spot.

9: St. Louis Cardinals (62-53, Previous: 9)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

The Cardinals had a tough week, as they dropped two of three to the Phillies to close things out and they currently stand at seven games back in the NL Central but just 2.5 games back in the wild card.

The offense is hitting .276 as a group and averaging 4.88 runs per game, as the lineup is solid top to bottom and without a doubt the best in the National League. However, the rotation remains shaky, and Joe Kelly getting shelled in his last start could be reason for concern.

10: San Francisco Giants (63-52, Previous: 13)

Last Week's Record: 4-3

The Giants managed to hold onto their lead in the NL West with a 3-3 week, but their cushion over the Dodgers stands at just one game in what is shaping up to be a fantastic late season battle.

Buster Posey has been on a tear of late, hitting .444 BA, 6 HR, 15 RBI in 11 games this month, as he has carried the offense alongside Melky Cabrera. Deadline pickup Marco Scutaro has also provided a boost, with a .313 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBI line in 16 games with the team. 

11: Baltimore Orioles (62-53, Previous: 14)

Last Week's Record: 5-2

Another solid week from the Orioles has them in good position, as they have gone 7-2 in their last nine games and are now 5.5 games out of first place in the AL East and in possession of the second AL wild-card spot.

Calling up Manny Machado (6-for-16, 3 HR, 7 RBI) has proven a stroke of genius, as he has bolstered the offense and filled a void at third base. Whether the 20-year-old can keep it up remains to be seen, but for the time being he has given them a spark.

12: Los Angeles Angels (60-55, Previous: 8)

Last Week's Record: 2-4

The Angels dropped two of three to the A's and Mariners this past week, as they fell eight games behind the Rangers in the division, although they are still just two games out of a wild-card spot.

Their regular season play has no doubt been inconsistent, but the offensive trio of Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo and Albert Pujols, coupled with a terrific rotation led by Jered Weaver, makes the Angels as dangerous as any team if and when they reach the postseason.

13: Detroit Tigers (61-54, Previous: 12)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

The Tigers escaped a tough week in which they faced the Yankees and Rangers with a 3-4 record, as they are currently just two games behind the White Sox in the AL Central.

Miguel Cabrera (.324 BA, 29 HR, 98 RBI) has to be considered an MVP front-runner, as he currently ranks in the top five in all three Triple Crown categories, as Cabrera and Prince Fielder (84 RBI) rank two and three in the AL in RBI.

14: Oakland Athletics (61-53, Previous: 10)

Last Week's Record: 3-3

The A's have come back to earth after pushing their way into contention in the AL West, as they've gone 5-7 in their last 12 games. Despite that, they are still 1.5 games ahead of the Angels for second place in the AL West and just a half game out of the wild card.

The team got shortstop Cliff Pennington and ace Brandon McCarthy back last week, and that should give them a boost of sorts. Their next three series' are against the Royals, Indians and Twins, so they have a great chance to improve their postseason standing.

15: Los Angeles Dodgers (62-53, Previous: 11)

Last Week's Record: 3-3

The Dodgers came away from what should have been a home run week in which they faced the Rockies and Marlins with a 3-3 record, and that has left them one game behind the Giants in the NL West and 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot.

As new acquisitions Shane Victorino, Hanley Ramirez and Joe Blanton gel with the team, the Dodgers could hit their stride down the stretch. However, they'll need to play better than they did last week moving forward.

16: Arizona Diamondbacks (58-57, Previous: 16)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

While they did not make up any ground on the Dodgers and Giants this past week, the Diamondbacks remain just five games back in the NL West.

Chris Johnson has proven to be a terrific pickup at third base, as he has hit .286 BA, 5 HR, 18 RBI with a .920 OPS in 13 games with the team. In the rotation, Patrick Corbin has looked good in two starts since being recalled at the beginning of August, with a 1.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12 innings.

17: Boston Red Sox (57-59, Previous: 17)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

The Red Sox continue to hang on the fringe of contention, as they are 5.5 games out of the wild card but two games under .500 on the season.

Rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks was recently shelved with a fractured wrist, as Pedro Ciriaco will take over in his place for the time being. Meanwhile, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has been tearing the cover off the ball of late with a .422 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI line in 12 August games.

18: New York Mets (55-60, Previous: 19)

Last Week's Record: 2-4

The Mets free fall continues, as they are now 9-20 since the All-Star break and have slipped to 16.5 games back in the NL East and 10 games back in the wild card.

Top prospect Matt Harvey (3.63 ERA, 10.5 K/9) has looked good in four starts, and fellow top prospect Zack Wheeler may not be far behind, as there is plenty of reason to be excited about the Mets future despite their recent struggles.

19: Toronto Blue Jays (54-60, Previous: 18)

Last Week's Record: 1-5

The injuries continue to pile up for the Blue Jays, as third baseman Brett Lawrie was the latest significant contributor to land on the shelf. That brought the total to 13 players currently on the MLB disabled list.

He was replaced by prospect Adeiny Hechavarria for the time being, and the team now has two players who will play a significant part in their future in him and Anthony Gose. The injuries appear as though they will be too much for the team to overcome, but they have a great core to build around moving forward.

20: Milwaukee Brewers (52-61, Previous: 23)

Last Week's Record: 4-2

The Brewers opened the week strong, sweeping the division-leading Reds at home, but they dropped two of three to the lowly Astros to close things out.

Jim Henderson moved into the closer's role and had a busy week, saving a pair of games before taking his first loss of the season when he surrendered the lead to the Astros in the 10th. He and shortstop Jean Segura should both make an impact down the stretch after just recently moving into major role.

21: Philadelphia Phillies (52-62, Previous: 22)

Last Week's Record: 3-3

The Phillies continue to limp along with a roster that is a shell of what it once was, and it remains to be seen where the team will go from here.

Domonic Brown will need to show he is capable of assuming one of the vacated starting outfield roles moving forward, and the team needs other prospects beyond him to step forward and provide some hope for the future down the stretch.

22: Cleveland Indians (53-62, Previous: 21)

Last Week's Record: 3-4

The Indians finally snapped an 11-game losing streak with a win over the Twins on Wednesday, and they closed out the week splitting a four-game series against the Red Sox.

The pitching staff continues to rank among the worst in baseball, and minor league call ups Corey Kluber and Chris Seddon have done little to change that. Expect a major overhaul this offseason as the Indians look to get back to contention.

23: Seattle Mariners (53-63, Previous: 20)

Last Week's Record: 2-4

Tied for the lowest batting average in the majors at .232, and averaging just 3.97 runs per game, the Mariners offense is a work in progress, to put things mildly.

The team has a solid core of young players, and there should be plenty more on the way this September, as the team has as deep a farm system as any in the league and a number of their top prospects are on the cusp of the majors.

24: San Diego Padres (51-65, Previous: 26)

Last Week's Record: 5-1

A loss to the Pirates on Sunday snapped a six-game winnings streak for the Padres, as they have gone 17-12 since the All-Star break and are playing quality baseball right now.

The team twirled three shutouts last week, including complete game efforts from Clayton Richard and Jason Marquis, as they are pitching better than they have all season. Closer Huston Street was shelved with a strained calf, but Dale Thayer (five saves) has proven more than capable in his absence.

25: Miami Marlins (52-63, Previous: 24)

Last Week's Record: 3-3

The Marlins sold big at the deadline, and they will be lucky to play .500 baseball down the stretch. A team that was expected to be in contention instead finds themselves riding out the year with a hodgepodge roster.

Outfielder Justin Ruggiano (.348 BA, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 1.047 OPS) has been the breakout star of 2012 that no one is talking about. The 30-year-old is by no means a prospect, but his offensive skills appear to be the real deal.

26: Kansas City Royals (49-65, Previous: 27)

Last Week's Record: 4-3

The Royals played solid baseball last week against a pair of playoff hopefuls in the Orioles and White Sox, as their starting pitching enjoyed one of their better weeks of the season.

The starters tallied four quality starts on the week, and Greg Holland has looked solid replacing Jonathan Broxton as the team's closer. Offensively, Salvador Perez looks the part of a future star and Billy Butler continues to rank among the best sluggers in the AL.

27: Minnesota Twins (49-65, Previous: 25)

Last Week's Record: 2-4

The Twins' solid offense continues to be held back by a weak pitching staff that has little to speak of beyond breakout ace Scott Diamond (10-5, 2.91 ERA).

The offense has averaged 4.49 runs per game, which is good enough to put them in the upper half among all MLB teams. Josh Willingham and Ryan Doumit rank among the best offseason acquisitions of the year, and Joe Mauer is healthy and performing once again.

28: Colorado Rockies (41-71, Previous: 29)

Last Week's Record: 3-3

The Rockies held their own this past week, as they faced off against division foes in the Giants and Dodgers on the road.

A torn labrum in his right hip ended veteran Todd Helton's season, moving Tyler Colvin back into a starting role. Eric Young Jr. has seen extended time as a result, and he's hitting .406 with a 988 OPS in August.

29: Chicago Cubs (44-69, Previous: 28)

Last Week's Record: 1-6

The Cubs will open next week with a riveting three-game series against the Astros before taking on the Reds in Cincinnati.

Thus far, prospects Brett Jackson (2-for-17, 11 Ks) and Josh Vitters (2-for-16, 2 RBI) have not provided the spark the Wrigley faithful hoped they would. Brooks Raley, a 24-year-old right-hander, also made his big league debut on Tuesday and allowed seven runs in four innings of work.

30: Houston Astros (38-78, Previous: 30)

Last Week's Record: 2-5

The Astros lineup is exactly what most people thought it would be come August, with a mishmash of low-cost minor league veterans and minor league prospects.

Brett Wallace has looked good in August, hitting .333 with a .983 OPS on the month, as he continues to play for a lineup spot next season. Expect a bevy of call ups when rosters expand, as top pitching prospect Jarred Cosart could get a look down the stretch.