MLB midseason Power Rankings: Handing out 1st-half grades

Welcome to the eighth edition of theScore's 2018 MLB Power Rankings. Published every other Monday throughout the season, the next installment will drop on Aug. 1, after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

1. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox enter the break with the best record in the majors and own a 4 1/2-game lead over the second-place Yankees - the largest in the division this season. It's the first time Boston has the league's best record at the All-Star break since 2007, when it won the World Series. First-half grade: A+

2. Houston Astros

With nine wins in their last 13 games, the Astros boast a five-game lead over the second-place Mariners in the AL West - their biggest cushion of the season. Good try, though, Seattle. First-half grade: A+

3. New York Yankees

The Yankees own the second-best record in the majors by winning percentage but would be forced to play in the wild-card game if the season ended today. That's probably why they're going to trade for Manny Machado. First-half grade: A+

4. Chicago Cubs

Following a mediocre start, and despite receiving little from key offseason acquisitions Tyler Chatwood and Yu Darvish, the Cubs reach the break with the best record in the National League and their largest lead in the division this season. First-half grade: B+

5. Milwaukee Brewers

No team needs the All-Star break more than the Brewers, who limp into the unofficial half-way point on the heels of a five-game sweep to the Pirates. After occupying the top spot in the NL Central for almost two months, Milwaukee sits 2 1/2 back of the Cubs. First-half grade: A

6. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners' rotation has come crashing down in July, and so have the club's playoff chances. Now just three games ahead of Oakland, the Mariners' postseason odds sit at 64 percent, according to FanGraphs, following a 23-point drop over the last two weeks. First-half grade: A-

7. Los Angeles Dodgers

After a disastrous start to the year, the Dodgers have righted the ship and entered Sunday 27-13 since the beginning of June. Adding Manny Machado into the mix could separate them from the pack in the NL West. First-half grade: B-

8. Philadelphia Phillies

Remember when Gabe Kapler forgot to warm up a relief pitcher at the beginning of the year and had his abilities as a manager called into question? Well, the Phillies head into the break with the division lead for the first time since 2011. First-half grade: A

9. Atlanta Braves

What a first half for Brian Snitker's Braves. They have four players at the All-Star Game and are battling for the top spot in the NL East in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. First-half grade: A

10. Cleveland Indians

If not for playing in the AL Central, the Indians wouldn't even be a playoff team if the season ended today. Their once-dominant bullpen is suddenly their Achilles' heel, as it holds one of the worst ERAs in all of baseball. First-half grade: C-

11. Oakland Athletics

Since sitting at 36-36 on June 17, the Athletics have gone 19-6 and are three games back of the second wild-card spot. Oakland hasn't reached the postseason since 2014 and look to be buyers at the deadline for the first time in four years. First-half grade: A-

12. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks spent 94 days atop the NL West and had a lead as big as six games, but an inconsistent July has opened the door for the Dodgers and leaves Arizona looking up in the standings. With a 26-23 record at Chase Field, the D-Backs will need to be better at home if they wish to play in October. First-half grade: B

13. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are one of those teams that won't welcome the break. Colorado has won five straight - and 10 of 12 - and has put a difficult June behind it. Furthering the club's confidence was a dominant return from the minors by Jon Gray, who will be leaned on heavily down the stretch. First-half grade: B

14. Washington Nationals

They're not trading Bryce Harper, but the Nationals also aren't playing into October if they don't figure it out quick: they're now 15-25 with a minus-22 run differential since the beginning of June. First-half grade: D

15. Los Angeles Angels

Barring an incredible turnaround, the Angels will miss the postseason for the seventh time in the last eight years with Mike Trout on the roster. It's hard to completely fault the front office for this year's dismal performance, considering seven starters (including the pitching version of Shohei Ohtani) are injured. First-half grade: C-

16. San Francisco Giants

Following a fantastic June, the Giants sputter into the break, hitting an abysmal .229/.289/.308 (65 wRC+) with a league-worst .086 isolated power over the last two weeks. First-half grade: B

17. Tampa Bay Rays

Blake Snell earned an All-Star nod after an initial snubbing and it was well-deserved, as he's been a big part of the Rays' surprising success this season. Moreover, manager Kevin Cash has done wonders with a team that's spent the last few seasons trading away notable players. First-half grade: B-

18. Pittsburgh Pirates

With eight wins in their last nine games, including a first-half-ending five-game sweep of Milwaukee, the Pirates have weaseled their way back into the wild-card conversation in spite of their pitching staff, which owns a 5.08 ERA (4.59 FIP) this month. First-half grade: B-

19. St. Louis Cardinals

Mike Matheny was fired over the weekend amid increasing dysfunction in the Cardinals' clubhouse. Maybe a new manager can find a way to get something out of Dexter Fowler or Marcell Ozuna or Kolten Wong or Tommy Pham. First-half grade: C

20. Minnesota Twins

One year removed from being a surprise wild-card entry, the Twins hit the break a mediocre six games under .500. Minnesota sits closer to the top of the division than in the wild-card race, and it looks as if the club will be a major seller heading into the trade deadline. First-half grade: D

21. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays left Fenway Park having made eight errors in their four-game set against the Red Sox. And with its best defensive player, Kevin Pillar, newly sidelined for 4-6 weeks, expect Toronto's defense - and its season - to continue to look abysmal. First-half grade: D

22. Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati finds itself in last place in the NL Central, but there's plenty of reason for optimism. The club has won 22 of its last 32 games. A big reason for the resurgence has been the work of the Reds' rotation, which ranks 10th in the majors in ERA over the last 30 days. First-half grade: B-

23. San Diego Padres

Thank goodness for Wil Myers. Since returning from the DL on June 21, he's got eight homers and 24 RBIs to his credit, while his slugging percentage in June was a whopping .809. First-half grade: C

24. Texas Rangers

As the Rangers suffer through another tailspin, their top trade assets continue to falter, as well: Adrian Beltre is hitting .171 with no extra-base hits this month, while Cole Hamels owns a 9.53 ERA over his last four starts. First-half grade: D

25. Miami Marlins

Following a miserable 5-17 start, the Marlins have been nearly a .500 ballclub. Not bad for a team that traded away Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon, and Christian Yelich. Miami does rank last in the majors in attendance, however, averaging just 9,573 per game. First-half grade: C

26. New York Mets

At long last, Noah Syndergaard has returned, tossing five solid innings Friday to nudge the Mets to victory in his first start since late-May. That must mean Jacob deGrom is heading to the DL momentarily. First-half grade: D

27. Detroit Tigers

Well, at least the Tigers got to beat up on their old buddy Justin Verlander on Sunday. Detroit hit four homers off its former ace and handed him a loss despite striking out 12 times. First-half grade: C

28. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox managed consecutive wins last week for the first time since June 24-27. That's something, right? First-half grade: C-

29. Kansas City Royals

Watching this Royals team, it's hard to believe they're just three years removed from winning the World Series. Kansas City has had a losing record in every month this season and has a winning record against just two of the 17 teams it's played. First-half grade: D

30. Baltimore Orioles

Things couldn't have gone much worse for the Orioles in the first half, and with a major selloff coming at the trade deadline, the losing is only going to continue. Baltimore is currently on pace to lose 106 games, which would be the 19th most since 1900. First-half grade: F

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)