The Times’ MLB rankings

Zach Helfand ranks the 30 teams. Last week’s ranking in parentheses; statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals’ success is even more impressive considering the division they play in. (1)

2. KANSAS CITY: Ben Zobrist traded coach Rusty Kuntz a leaf blower for his jersey number but reportedly hasn’t delivered. (2)

3. PITTSBURGH: Pirates catchers are hitting over .300 this season, easily the best in the majors. (3)

4. TORONTO: Since the trade deadline, the Blue Jays have lost consecutive games just once. (6)

5. CHICAGO CUBS: Joe Maddon said he loved that the Cubs “went to school” against Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw. (4)

6. N.Y. METS: The Mets — yes, the Mets — have had the second-best offense in the majors after the All-Star break. (8)

7. HOUSTON: Just in time for September, George Springer began a rehabilitation assignment this weekend. (7)

8. DODGERS: So long as they exclusively play the Reds from here on out, they should be just fine. (9)

9. N.Y. YANKEES: Danger of wins as a statistic: Nathan Eovaldi (4.00 earned-run average) is 13-2. (5)

10. TEXAS: Despite a negative run differential, the Rangers occupy the second wild-card spot. (11)

11. SAN FRANCISCO: Madison Bumgarner’s August: 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA and 53 strikeouts. (10)

12. MINNESOTA: Grantland reported this nugget: Twins.com is not the home of baseball team, but a pair of real-life twins. (17)

13. ANGELS: In August, the Angels rank last in the majors in runs, hits, average, on-base percentage and slugging. (13)

14. WASHINGTON: Bryce Harper on the Mets’ hot streak: “I really don’t care.” Maybe he should. (20)

15. SAN DIEGO: The Padres, not sellers at the trade deadline, are more than 10 games out of the second wild-card spot. (15)

16. CLEVELAND: The Indians have four pitchers with at least 150 strikeouts. (22)

17. TAMPA BAY: The Rays don’t have a single player with more than 15 home runs. (14)

18. BALTIMORE: How weak is the race for the second AL wild card? The Orioles lost eight of nine . . . and are right in it. (12)

19. ARIZONA: The last month could decide the MVP race between Paul Goldschmidt and Harper. (16)

20. BOSTON: The Red Sox have lost only one three- or four-game series all month. (21)

21. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Chris Sale, Clayton Kershaw are battling back and forth for the major league strikeout title. (19)

22. SEATTLE: Robinson Cano’s on-base percentage in July and August is nearly .400. Too little, too late. (23)

23. DETROIT: As Angels can attest, Justin Verlander is back. He has given up eight earned runs in his last seven starts. (18)

24. MILWAUKEE: Craig Counsell’s first 100 games as manager: a respectable 46-54. (24)

26. COLORADO: Jose Reyes has been with the Rockies for a month. He says he’d be happy to leave. (28)

25. OAKLAND: The team that spawned “Moneyball” doesn’t have a starter with an on-base percentage over .340. (26)

27. ATLANTA: The Braves lost 14 of 17 games. There are still two teams worse in the National League East. (25)

28. CINCINNATI: The Reds have won six games in all of August. (27)

29. PHILADELPHIA: In his first eight starts, Aaron Nola is 5-1 with a 3.26 ERA. (30)

30. MIAMI: Never a good sign in Miami when the mediocre hockey club is the city’s best professional sports team. (29)