If there was once any query as to which staff is MLB’s excellent, the Braves simply delivered an emphatic solution in opposition to the Dodgers. The alternative section leaders most commonly held lend this generation, day the wild-card groups proceed to resemble crabs in a barrel.  

And nearest there’s the Rangers, whose playground on this ballot was once significantly scrutinized then any other tough stretch.

Right here’s my actual supremacy 10, with a couple of fascinating factoids about every membership.

1. Atlanta Braves (90-46; extreme generation 1)
The Braves proceed to flex their muscle, having simply taken 3 of 4 in opposition to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. How important was once this? The Dodgers’ two losses had been greater than they’d in all earlier August house video games. They’d additionally misplaced only one alternative order to an NL staff since mid-June. Atlanta can win any place in opposition to any person.

2. Baltimore Orioles (85-51; LW 2)
How do you mitigate the lack of your nearer to trauma? Don’t give your bullpen as many innings and incline for your starters. In August, the Orioles had the second-fewest innings pitched via their bullpen with 80 and the third-most innings pitched via their rotation (156).

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-52; LW 3)
The Dodgers flat-out ruled in August, completing an MLB-best 24-5 with a 15-2 mark at house. In addition they had been the one staff to complete the future within the supremacy 5 in each runs in step with tournament and ERA. L.A.’s lone blemish was once being humbled via Atlanta this presen weekend. 

4. Seattle Mariners (77-59; LW 4)
The Mariners went 21-6 in August, environment a franchise report for wins and boasting the second-best mark within the majors extreme future. However there’s were given to be a negligible bitterness of their mouths presently then shedding 3 in their presen 5 to the A’s and Mets. This was once a blonde alternative to develop some split within the AL West. 

5. Milwaukee Brewers (76-60; LW 5)
What a residue a pair upgrades can put together. The Brewers obtained Carlos Santana and Mark Canha on the cut-off date and the strikes have added some pop to their lineup. Previous to each additions, the Brewers scored 4.15 runs in step with tournament (T-Twenty fourth in MLB). Since August, although, they’re averaging 5.31 runs (ninth).

6. Philadelphia Phillies (75-61; LW 6)
The Phillies had been mashing for months however took it to a fresh degree in August. Their 59 house runs all set a franchise report for a unmarried future and had been essentially the most in one August via any Nationwide League staff in MLB historical past. 

7. Houston Astros (77-61; LW 7)
August was once bizarre for the Astros. They went 6-6 at house but earned 11 highway wins, making them one in every of simply 3 groups with double-digit highway wins for the future. Next being swept via the Yankees at Modest Maid this presen weekend, Houston performs 12 of its later 18 video games at house.

8. Tampa Bay Rays (83-54; LW 8)
Next suffering for a protracted stretch, the Rays’ offense had an emphatic go back in August. They scored 6.08 runs in step with tournament for the future, the third-best mark within the majors. Tampa Bay’s .338 reasonable with runners in scoring place was once the most productive in MLB. 

9. Chicago Cubs (73-64; LW 10)
The turnaround for the Cubs has been astounding, and their snatch hitting is a heavy explanation why for it. Because the starting of July, they’re batting .274 with two outs and runners in scoring place (third in MLB). That determine was once .241 over the primary 3 months of the season. Chicago now holds a three-game edge at the Marlins, Giants, Diamondbacks and Reds within the wild-card race.

10. Texas Rangers (76-60 LW 9)
Next founding August 12-2, the Rangers fell parched (and out of first playground within the AL West). They completed the future with a fatal 3-10 stretch, together with losses in 3 in their presen 4 video games to the Mets and Twins. Maximum everybody on Texas stocks the blame right here, because the offense averaged simply 3.62 runs in step with tournament (twenty sixth) and the pitching body of workers posted a 5.05 ERA (twenty third). However no less than this membership closed out the weekend with a bang.

Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was once an All-American at Used Dominion College ahead of he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round select of the Tigers in 2013. He spent 5 years within the Tigers group. Practice him on Twitter @BenVerlander.

---

---