The Chicago Cubs hit a rough patch, but have rebounded nicely over the last few weeks. The NL Central leading ball club is 62-41 and now back on top of the latest power rankings. The team has a run differential of +163, a staggering number with over two months left in the year, but just another reason many believe this team could finally break the curse and win a World Series title.
Washington has played some terrific baseball this season and have a five game lead in the NL East. The Nationals are now 61-43 for the season and the only other team in baseball with a run differential over 100. The Nats’ are dangerous with one of the best starting rotations in the game and appear the only team capable of toppling the Cubs in the National League.
Toronto is the hottest team in the American League and have taken the top spot in the AL East with a 59-45 mark. The Blue Jays have one of the best hitting lineups in baseball, but will need to find some help in the bullpen if they want any chance of winning a championship in 2016.
The NL West has become very competitive over the last month with San Francisco now holding just a two game lead over the LA Dodgers. While the race has gotten tighter between those two clubs, Colorado has climbed into the playoff race with a solid July, and though they are eight games back in the division, the Rockies are now just four games back in the wild-card race.
The last third of the year should be terrific for the fans and the league with so many MLB teams in the playoff hunt, but with the trade deadline looming, watch for one of these franchises sitting on the outside to make a big trade and possible throw themselves into a title contender.
