Nationals join Cubs in top 2 spots of Power Rankings

By this time next week, the Cubs will probably have clinched the National League Central, with the Nationals and Rangers (and possibly the Indians) inching closer to nailing down their respective division titles.

Still, there should be plenty of compelling storylines heading into the final stages of the 2016 regular season, including whether the young Yankees can nab one of the American League Wild Card spots; if the Giants’ terrific first half will be enough to carry them to a Wild Card berth despite having one of the worst second-half records in baseball; and if there will be a confusing three-way tie with the Orioles, Red Sox and Blue Jays at the end of the 162-game schedule, which will make Oct. 3 and 4 very interesting for more than one traveling secretary.

This week’s Power Rankings, thankfully, aren’t nearly that confusing.

• Power Rankings

Biggest jump: Not a ton of movement from last week to this week. The most noticeable is the Mets’ jump from 14 to 10, which coincides, not so coincidentally, with their moving into second place in the Wild Card standings. They went 5-1 in the past week after sweeping the Reds and taking two of three from the Braves, and their schedule is one of the easiest from here on out. After playing three in Washington this week, they have an extended homestand against the Twins, Braves and Phillies, and they end the season in Miami and Philadelphia. This should bode well for the reigning NL champs.

Biggest drop: The Royals dropped four spots, from 12 to 16. It’s not over for the World Series champs, but they’re going to have to not only play well down the stretch, but hope that the six teams ahead of them in the Wild Card standings take a collective nose dive over the remaining 20 …

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