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This week’s MLB power rankings are a little on the late side, but here they are. Just for the purposes of clarification, the rankings and records are reflective of the action through Sunday.

1. (58-34)

Dropped the first two at home against the Astros but rebounded to take the last two. L.A. had averaged 6.3 runs in their first 10 July games before the break, but they scored only 10 runs in four games against Houston.

2. (55-36)

As soon as the Red Sox got a little distance on the Yankees again, they gave it up, dropping the final two at Toronto after winning the opener.

3. (54-37)

Yankees got the second half started off as well as possible, sweeping the AL Central-leading Tigers to make up the ground they’d lost before the break.

4. (51-38)

Do they even need Roy Halladay? They’ve distanced themselves from the pack in the NL East and look every bit the team that they were expected to be.

5. (52-38)

The Angels have a chance to start pulling away in the AL West over the next couple of weeks, as they’re on the road against the slumping Royals, host the Twins (who have a losing road record), and then host the cellar-dwelling Indians.

6. (51-41)

The Rays were comeback kings in Kansas City, coming back to win in all three games in K.C. It looks to get a little harder over the next week-plus though, as they’re on the road in Chicago and Toronto before hosting the Yankees next week.

7. (51-43)

No telling if the Cubs, Brewers, or Astros will start to make a serious charge, but the Cardinals’ perch atop the NL Central could get really shaky if they don’t do well enough in a stretch that includes three at Philadelphia and four at home against the Dodgers.

8. (50-42)

A big, big series coming up this weekend in Denver, as the Rockies will host the Giants with the NL wild card likely on the line. Colorado already has a chance to get a nice little lead while they host the Diamondbacks and the Giants have a tough series in Atlanta, so a series win this weekend could give the Rockies a nice little cushion before a 10-game road trip that sees them take on the Mets, Reds, and Phillies.

9. (50-41)

Their need for a bat was all too evident in Pittsburgh, as they scored only five runs in the three games. Their pitching is certainly strong enough to win them a lot of games, but it’ll be hard for them to make the postseason without regular run support.

10. (49-43)

The Mariners remain in the thick of the AL West race after winning three of four at Cleveland, but could they potentially sacrifice their chances to ensure that they get something for one of their soon-to-be free-agent starters (Bedard and Washburn)?

11. (49-41)

One comeback win to avert a sweep can do wonders –

12. (48-42)

Close series against the Yankees, but three close losses still count the same in the standings as three blowout losses.

13. (47-45)

I should dock them a couple of places because they gave up a 12-2 lead last night against Oakland, but that game doesn’t factor into this week’s power rankings. But for the record, Michael Cuddyer was as safe as can be, but when you had a 12-2 lead, the game doesn’t come down to one call.

14. (47-44)

These next few weeks will show whether the White Sox are contenders or pretenders, with series against the Rays, Tigers, Twins, Yankees, and Angels.

15. (47-43)

Nice four-game sweep over the Nationals, but there’s only so much one can get excited about a sweep over the Nationals, even if it’s on the road.

16. (46-46)

Being able to hold a lead on Sunday and close out a series win over the Dodgers would’ve been massive, but coming away with a four-game split is nothing to hang their heads about.

17. (46-46)

With the Phillies catching fire, the Braves’ chances to make a run in the NL East have taken a hit, but at the same time, they’ve put themselves in position to make a serious move in the wild card race, thanks in large part to their bats waking up.

18. (46-46)

It’s never a positive thing to be on the receiving end of two shutouts in one series, especially at home, as the Marlins were at home against the Phillies. That might have done in their hopes of challenging the Phillies in the NL East, and with current form in mind, I’d have to say that the Braves look to be the NL East team more likely to make a run at the Phillies or at the wild card.

19. (46-47)

If Sunday was Halladay’s last or next to last start as a Blue Jay, he certainly made it a memorable one, with a complete-game six-hitter to lead the Blue Jays to the series win over the Red Sox.

20. (47-45)

I’m not really sold on the Brewers to be the team that challenges the Cardinals in the NL Central. Their four-game split at Cincinnati pretty much sums it up for me…they’re not bad, but they’re not great yet either.

21. (44-47)

Unless something changes, it’s time to start looking towards next year for the Reds (yet again). But with things shaping up to be pretty tight in the NL Central, they can at least play spoiler.

22. (43-48)

Well, it’s definitely getting worse before it gets better for the Mets. Manager Jerry Manuel and GM Omar Minaya are both safely employed right now, but it

23. (40-51)

Fantastic start to the second half for the Pirates, as they took two of three from the Giants thanks to some stellar pitching all series long.

24. (41-50)

They’re certainly the most-entertaining of baseball’s cellar dwellers, if that means anything.

25. (39-54)

The Diamondbacks aren’t very good, but Dan Haren is the complete opposite. What number sticks out the most? The 1.96 ERA? The 18 quality starts in 19 starts this season? 137 strikeouts to only 18 walks in 138 innings? At least seven innings pitched in 15 starts (and at least six in all 19)? If he was anywhere else or had some run support, he’d be on his way to winning the NL Cy Young.

26. Oakland A’s (38-52)

It doesn’t count in this week’s Power Rankings, but that was one amazing win for the A’s on Monday night, as they roared back from a 12-2 deficit to beat the Twins. Matt Holliday has helped his – .400 average, 5 doubles, 3 homers, 10 RBI, 8 runs, 3 steals in his last seven games.

27. (37-54)

The Royals had leads going into the 8th in all three games against the Rays, and they couldn’t hold a single one. Ouch.

28. (38-55)

If you’re a Padres fan, it must be pretty difficult to see their offensive futility on most nights. Four games against the Rockies produced eight runs and three losses.

29. (36-57)

The Indians couldn’t build off of a series-opening victory over Seattle, dropping the last three to remain in the AL Central cellar.

30. (26-65)

I thought they could give the Cubs some trouble at home and take at least a game if not more, but they were swept away in four. Will they be trading away any of their key players before the deadline?

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