Chinks appeared in the armor of the St. Louis Cardinals (1) last week as they posted a 2-4 record. Was it enough to knock them out of the top spot? Not quite, but it did bring them just a little closer to the pack.
There is a new #2 this week as the Pittsburgh Pirates went 5-1 to climb three spots. The Pirates rebounded from an 18-22 start to finish last week 29-12. With an overall record of 48-34 the Pirates have the second best mark in the National League, but it's only good enough for second place in the National League Central, six-games back of the powerhouse St. Louis Cardinals.
Chris Coghlan #8 of the Chicago Cubs puts his arm around third base coach Gary Jones #1 as they walk off the field at the end of the eighth inning at Wrigley Field on July 5, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 2-0.
(July 4, 2015 - Source: Jon Durr/Getty Images North America)
The top 10 has two new members this week with the Chicago Cubs (7) and Los Angeles Angels (8) making their way up the rankings. They replace the Tampa Bay Rays (12) and San Francisco Giants (14), who last week combined to go 1-12.
Who's on top? It's another week with the St. Louis Cardinals on top, but it was a tough week. A power outage (St. Louis scored three runs or fewer in all six games) and rare defensive miscues cost the Cardinals last week as they were swept at home by the Chicago White Sox (26) and clawed out a split of a four-game series against the San Diego Padres (24).
Things didn't get any better for the Cardinals when left-hander Jaime Garcia (3-3, 1.69) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain.
Who's riding high? The Los Angeles Angels (8) moved up seven spots in the rankings thanks to a 5-2 week. After taking two of three from the New York Yankees (11) at home, the Angels headed on the road to take on the Texas Rangers (18). Against the Rangers the Angels suddenly discovered the offensive punch they have been waiting all season for.
The Angels outscored the Rangers 33-8 and received much-needed production from hitters not named Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. The series against the Rangers was the highest scoring output of the season and the Angels ended the week winners of seven of eight games.
Who's sliding fast? The San Francisco Giants (14) were swept by the Miami Marlins (28) and Washington Nationals (5) during a six-game road trip last week. Everything that could go wrong seemed to do just that for the world champions as they lost six straight to end the week.
Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi throws out manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the San Francisco Giants (L) after ejecting starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong #32 in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 5, 2015 in Washington, DC. Talking with Vogelson is crew chief Gerry Davis.
(July 4, 2015 - Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Who is bringing up the rear? Another week shows the reeling Philadelphia Phillies at the bottom of the rankings. The only good news for the Phillies last week is that they stopped a six-game skid by shutting out the Atlanta Braves (19) 4-0 on Sunday.
Centerfielder Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting in the fifth inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(July 4, 2015 - Source: Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images North America)
| Rank | Prev. Rank | +/- | Team | Overall Record | Last Week |
| 1 | 1 | N/C | St. Louis Cardinals | 53-28 | 2-4 |
| 2 | 5 | +3 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 47-34 | 5-1 |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | Houston Astros | 48-36 | 4-2 |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | Kansas City Royals | 46-33 | 2-5 |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | Washington Nationals | 46-36 | 4-2 |
| 6 | 3 | -3 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 46-37 | 3-3 |
| 7 | 12 | +5 | Chicago Cubs | 44-36 | 5-1 |
| 8 | 15 | +7 | Los Angeles Angels | 44-38 | 5-2 |
| 9 | 6 | -3 | Baltimore Orioles | 43-39 | 2-5 |
| 10 | 9 | -1 | Toronto Blue Jays | 43-41 | 2-5 |
| 11 | 11 | N/C | New York Yankees | 44-38 | 3-3 |
| 12 | 8 | -4 | Tampa Bay Rays | 43-41 | 1-6 |
| 13 | 13 | N/C | Minnesota Twins | 43-39 | 3-4 |
| 14 | 10 | -4 | San Francisco Giants | 42-41 | 0-6 |
| 15 | 14 | -1 | Detroit Tigers | 41-40 | 2-4 |
| 16 | 16 | N/C | New York Mets | 42-41 | 2-4 |
| 17 | 18 | +1 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 40-42 | 4-3 |
| 18 | 17 | -1 | Texas Rangers | 41-42 | 3-4 |
| 19 | 19 | N/C | Atlanta Braves | 40-42 | 4-2 |
| 20 | 22 | +2 | Cleveland Indians | 38-43 | 5-2 |
| 21 | 24 | +3 | Boston Red Sox | 39-45 | 5-2 |
| 22 | 26 | +4 | Seattle Mariners | 38-44 | 4-2 |
| 23 | 23 | N/C | Oakland Athletics | 38-47 | 4-3 |
| 24 | 21 | -3 | San Diego Padres | 39-45 | 2-4 |
| 25 | 20 | -5 | Cincinnati Reds | 36-44 | 2-4 |
| 26 | 27 | +1 | Chicago White Sox | 36-43 | 4-1 |
| 27 | 29 | +2 | Milwaukee Brewers | 36-48 | 7-0 |
| 28 | 28 | N/C | Miami Marlins | 35-48 | 4-2 |
| 29 | 25 | -4 | Colorado Rockies | 35-47 | 2-5 |
| 30 | 30 | N/C | Philadelphia Phillies | 28-56 | 1-6 |