MLB Power Rankings:​ Cubs hold, Giants slide through July bumps

The dog days of summer are drawing closer, and this week's rankings certainly reflect that. Amid the swirling trade winds most of the top teams managed to hold steady despite some stumbles out of the All-Star break. The best teams may find a way to push through the bumps, but others are in danger of being derailed before August rolls around.

The composite rankings were compiled by theScore MLB editors Jonah Birenbaum, George Halim, Bryan Mcwilliam, Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb, Dan Toman, and Brandon Wile.

1. Chicago Cubs

Now 8-11 in July, the Cubs' vaunted rotation continues to scuffle, as only one of their starters - Kyle Hendricks - owns an ERA below 5.40 this month.

2. Washington Nationals

An underappreciated facet of the Nationals' offense? They're third in the NL in stolen bases (13) since the All-Star break, converting all but two of their attempts.

3. San Francisco Giants

Their 1-7 start to the second half won't matter when they win the World Series, but, to get there, the Giants need Buster Posey (88 wRC+), Brandon Belt (-29), and Brandon Crawford (22) to wake up.

4. Baltimore Orioles

It's easy to get cocky when you're in first place and coming off a three-game sweep. Still, the Orioles would be wise to remember that old adage: "Bad pitchers are bad, and will get exposed, in time."

5. Cleveland Indians

Why fret over a three-game sweep when you've got Tyler Naquin, the presumptive AL Rookie of the Year, hitting .357/.419/.821(!) with three homers in the second half.

6. Texas Rangers

It's no surprise the Rangers continue to be linked to Chris Sale: Their starters not named Hamels or Darvish have allowed 19 homers in their last 87 innings (1.97 per nine).

7. Houston Astros

Just 2 1/2 games of the division lead, the Astros' biggest deadline addition could very well be Alex Bregman, the 22-year-old with the 1.015 OPS in Triple-A set to debut Monday.

8. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox continue to hit the bejesus out of the baseball (122 wRC+ since the All-Star break), but how can you have any faith in a staff that gives up 22 runs in a four-game set with the Twins?

9. Toronto Blue Jays

The impending return of Jose Bautista will add another imposing figure to a lineup that, despite its considerable firepower, is hitting just 228/.301/.404 since the All-Star break.

10. Los Angeles Dodgers

Any pitcher with a no-trade clause would be wise to block a deal to L.A., as Clayton Kershaw may need season-ending surgery, Alex Wood is out until September, and Brandon McCarthy left his last start early, too.

11. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis enjoyed a season-high five-game win streak this week thanks to three straight wins in one-run games. Much of their success comes from a pitching staff that owns the fourth-best ERA in the NL this month.

12. Miami Marlins

The Marlins might be without Wei-Yin Chen for an extended period as they placed the left-hander on the DL on Sunday with an elbow injury. That might not be a bad thing as Chen owns a 4.99 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 29 starts this season.

13. New York Mets

The Mets have struck gold with Jeurys Familia at closer. The right-hander became just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to convert 50 consecutive regular-season save opportunities with his league-leading 34th save Friday.

14. Detroit Tigers

Tigers GM Al Avila said Saturday that he isn't anticipating any "sexy moves" at the trade deadline and his team responded by dropping two games in less than 10 hours to the lowly White Sox.

15. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh's rotation was dealt another blow after top-pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow landed on the DL after his second MLB appearance, meaning the Pirates will likely need another starter if they wish to lose in another wild-card game this season.

16. Seattle Mariners

King Felix is back from the DL, Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into Cooperstown, and the Mariners took four of six for a successful week. If only it were always so easy in Seattle.

17. New York Yankees

The Yankees had an impressive week, but at some point the club needs to hit the reset button. Dealing Aroldis Chapman, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and Carlos Beltran makes too much sense for the aging team, whose roster and farm system could use a further injection of youth.

18. Kansas City Royals

A Johnny Cueto-less trip to the White House was the only positive for the Royals, who appear to be likely sellers at the deadline. However, if it's one thing to know about the Royals, it's to never count them out.

19. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox had the second-best record in mid-May. Fast forward two months and they're two games under .500 and their ace was suspended for five games for cutting up throwback jerseys.

20. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies rank second in the majors in team batting average, 29th in team ERA, and are under .500 as trade rumors swirl. So really, 2016 has turned into the same old kind of season in Denver.

21. Philadelphia Phillies

Zach Eflin continues to make the most of his time in the majors. The 22-year-old tossed a complete-game shutout Friday, lowering his ERA to 3.40 and WHIP to 1.05.

22. Oakland Athletics

The A's may not be going anywhere this year, but taking two of three from the surging Astros then adding a 13-inning walk-off win over Tampa Bay this week will make the end-of-season highlight reel.

23. Los Angeles Angels

Sweeping the Rangers had to feel good, but they're still behind Oakland in the standings. Mike Trout can only do so much.

24. San Diego Padres

Melvin Upton Jr. may be having a renaissance season of sorts to slightly increase his trade value, but he's hitting just .237/.262/.492 since July 1. Buyer beware?

25. Milwaukee Brewers

Aaron Hill's 1.3 WAR still ranks fourth among Brewers players despite the fact he was traded over two weeks ago.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks

Here's the latest reminder that the offseason champion doesn't win anything. Zack Greinke's on the DL, Shelby Miller's in Triple-A and reportedly being shopped, and the Diamondbacks are in last place.

27. Tampa Bay Rays

As the Rays tumble down the standings the question is moving away from "Which starter will be traded?" to "How many of their starters will they trade?"

28. Cincinnati Reds

Billy Hamilton's hitting .359/.405/.359 with 10 stolen bases, three walks, and just seven strikeouts since the All-Star break. A sign the speedster may have finally figured something out during the break?

29. Minnesota Twins

Terry Ryan's firing shook up the Twins organization, and he left a pretty big mess behind for his replacement - but at least they'll have a nice draft pick.

30. Atlanta Braves

Julio Teheran continues to be the lone bright spot for the Braves, and then he left a start with an injury this week.