The Times’ MLB power rankings

1. ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals are on pace for the third-best earned-run average since the mound was lowered in 1969. (1)

2. KANSAS CITY: Kendrys Morales replaced Billy Butler at a $13 million discount. Morales has eight more home runs and 51 more RBIs. (2)

3. TORONTO: As if the Blue Jays needed another boost, ace Marcus Stroman returns next week from an ACL tear. (4)

4. PITTSBURGH: The Pirates are 37 games over .500 against all teams outside their own division. (3)

5. DODGERS: Who wins the Cy Young, Zack Greinke or Clayton Kershaw? (8)

6. CHICAGO CUBS: Jake Arrieta deserves consideration, too. And the Dodgers’ hitters, and official scorer, have helped his case. (5)

7. N.Y. METS: Agent Scott Boras wants Matt Harvey shut down at 180 innings. The Mets want him to keep pitching. Something will give. (6)

8. N.Y. YANKEES: The Yankees won five of six their most recent road trip… and made up no ground on the Blue Jays. (9)

9. HOUSTON: Six September games against the Rangers will likely determine the division winner. (7)

10. TEXAS: The Astros’ A.J. Hinch is the Manager of the Year favorite, but Jeff Banister should get a hard look, too. (10)

11. MINNESOTA: Miguel Sano is the ninth player since 1900 to hit 15 home runs in his first 51 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. (12)

12. CLEVELAND: The Indians have won six in a row, but time is running out to move into contention. (16)

13. TAMPA BAY: Chris Archer is second in the American League in strikeouts, third in wins above replacement, and fifth in ERA. (17)

14. ANGELS: The Angels had four losing streaks of three games or more in August. (13)

15. WASHINGTON: Bryce Harper is the first player to score four runs in a game without an official at bat. (14)

16. SAN FRANCISCO: The Giants will probably miss the postseason this year, which means they’ll probably win the World Series next year. (11)

17. SAN DIEGO: Wil Meyers is set to return soon. He’s played just 35 games this season. (15)

18. BALTIMORE: Twelve losses in 13 games is not an ideal way to head into the final month. (18)

19. SEATTLE: Despite two injuries, 35-year-old Nelson Cruz has already hit 39 home runs. (22)

20. BOSTON: Boston is set to become the second major-league city to outlaw smokeless tobacco at the ballpark. (20)

21. ARIZONA: A.J. Pollock is having a quietly great season. He’s third in the majors in runs, plus a .370 on-base percentage and a 5.0 WAR (19)

22. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: What’s wrong with Jeff Samardzija? Since the All-Star break, he is 2-7 with a 6.67 ERA. (21)

23. MILWAUKEE: The Brewers are playing spoiler: They’ve won six straight against the Pirates. (24)

24. DETROIT: Turns out the hapless Tigers were as overrated as the city’s Coney dogs. (23)

25. OAKLAND: The Athletics have had exactly one month with a winning record since last year’s trade deadline. (25)

26. COLORADO: Carlos Gonzalez hit 25 home runs in a 50-game stretch. (26)

27. ATLANTA: The Braves are the only team this year to have 14 losses in a 15-game stretch. (27)

28. CINCINNATI: Congratulations to the Reds, the first team to be eliminated from winning the division. (28)

29. PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies were actually a respectable 25-28 in July and August. (29)

30. MIAMI: The Marlins sweep of the Braves was just their third three-game sweep this season. (30)