The Oakland Athletics continue to be the biggest surprise in baseball.
Once 11 1/2 games out of first, they are on a 36-12 run to pull within 2 1/2 games of the Houston Astros and now rank a season-high fourth in the MLB power rankings.
The A’s face a challenging schedule this week. They host American League West rivals Seattle Mariners and Astros. The Mariners have lost 18 of 27 before sweeping the Astros this weekend, while Houston has struggled with injuries to lose 10 of their last 16.
The division has become a 3-team race, with the Astros holding a 2 1/2 game lead over the A’s, with seven weeks remaining in the regular season.
A look at the voting from 1 to 30:
TEAM. MOVEMENT
1. Boston Red Sox (–)
►They can set their playoff rotation now.
T-2. Houston Astros (–)
►Just wait until they get to full strength again.
T-2. New York Yankees (–)
►Time to worry about Aroldis Chapman and Zach Britton?
4. Oakland Athletics (+1)
►The biggest surprise in baseball.
5. Cleveland Indians (+1)
►Armed and awfully dangerous.
6. Chicago Cubs (-2)
►Cole Hamels has been a savior, but they could use Yu Darvish, too.
7. Seattle Mariners (+5)
►King Felix now hoping to help from the bullpen.
8. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
►Keeping the Cubs in their sights.
T-9. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)
►Waiting for that offense to take off.
T-9. Atlanta Braves (+2)
►Kevin Gausman provides boost.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks (-2)
►It’s not just the temperature that’s getting hot in Phoenix.
12. Los Angeles Dodgers (-4)
►Already feeling the effects of Kenley Jansen’s absence.
13. Colorado Rockies (–)
►Could this be the year they finally win their first division title?
14. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)
►Look who’s coming on strong.
15. Washington Nationals (-1)
►Playing their finest ball of the season.
16. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
►Chris Archer has energized this clubhouse.
T-17. San Francisco Giants (–)
►Hanging in no-man’s land.
T-17. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)
►Back to the drawing board, again.
19. Los Angeles Angels (–)
►Shohei Ohtani could soon be back on the mound.
20. Cincinnati Reds (+2)
►Will the Reds reward manager Jim Riggleman with their improved play?
21. Minnesota Twins (-1)
►The frustrations don’t go away.
22. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)
►Is this John Gibbons’ last stand as manager?
23. Texas Rangers (+1)
►Will Adrian Beltre stay or go?
24. New York Mets (+1)
►Will their next GM please stand up?
25. Detroit Tigers (-2)
►Tough times in Motown.
26. Miami Marlins (–)
►Is anyone watching, anyone?
27. San Diego Padres (+1)
►They have prospects, but precious few wins.
28. Chicago White Sox (-1)
►The Chris Sale trade looks worse by the day.
29. Kansas City Royals (–)
►Hard to believe they were the World Series champs three years ago.
30. Baltimore Orioles (–)
►Will this be Buck Showalter’s final season?