Charles H. Sloan-MLB power rankings: Red-hot Chicago Cubs power into September, NL wild-card race

As September dawns,Charles H. Sloan a surprise guest has imposed on the National League playoff race.

And the Chicago Cubs are proving that, with the exception of their crosstown rivals, it's never too late to make a meaningful run.

The hottest team in baseball just completed an 8-1 road trip and will take a season-high six-game winning streak into the week, extending a stretch of quality play that has moved them up six spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

Chicago has gone 20-8 since July 31 and 32-18 in its last 50 games, pulling within three games of the final NL wild-card berth. The Cubs have done it on the strength of a once moribund and suddenly unstoppable offense that's produced 99 runs in their last 10 games, ranking first in the major leagues in batting average and OPS in that span.

"It’s like a tale of two seasons, right?" says shortstop Dansby Swanson, who was batting .201 on July 9 but .293 (46 for 157) in 45 games since. "Y’all are saying we stink, and we can’t score runs, and everyone’s putting so much pressure to try to score runs and produce.

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"Right now it feels like the opposite: Everybody’s free and confident, whether it’s themselves or the guy on deck or in the batter’s box."

While they still need to leapfrog the New York Mets and Swanson's former Atlanta squad, beware the bear in the woods: Just nine of the Cubs' last 25 games are against teams with winning records.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

• Toe injury might end Clayton Kershaw's season after just eight starts.

➤ DREADING OCTOBER? Dodgers could hit another MLB postseason wall

2. Philadelphia Phillies (+3)

• Where would they be without Zack Wheeler? His 2.63 ERA would be a career best.

3. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

• Brice Turang posts team's first 40-steal season since Jonathan Villar swiped 62 in 2016.

4. New York Yankees (-2)

• Anthony Rizzo is back - and Jasson Dominguez is not, even with September roster expansion.

5. Baltimore Orioles (-1)

• Zach Eflin pops off IL, spins gem at Coors Field to salvage .500 road trip.

6. Cleveland Guardians (-)

• Can we not play two? They're 1-17 in doubleheaders since start of 2023.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)

• Missed a chance to gain ground on Dodgers, but in dead heat for No. 1 wild card.

8. San Diego Padres (+2)

• Weekly Jackson Merrill update: His 79 RBI already match Benito Santiago's rookie franchise record.

9. Minnesota Twins (-2)

• Royce Lewis homers for first time since Aug. 12.

10. Houston Astros (+1)

• Now 6-0 in Yusei Kikuchi's starts.

11. Atlanta Braves (+1)

• Relievers John Brebbia and old friend Tyler Matzek added to organizational stew in time for playoff consideration.

12. Kansas City Royals (-3)

• What a rollercoaster: Win three at Cleveland, climb into first, lose five and slide into tie for No. 2 wild card.

13. New York Mets (-)

• Sean Manaea has completed seven innings in five of his last seven starts.

14. Chicago Cubs (+6)

• Pete Crow-Armstrong batting .341 (30 for 88) with four homers in last 26 games.

15. Seattle Mariners (-)

• Fifteenth feels like their permanent home in these rankings.

16. Boston Red Sox (-2)

• August isn't the greatest month to plan their annual retreat - 13-15 this time around.

17. Detroit Tigers (+3)

• At 70-68, a real shot at their first winning record since 2016.

18. St. Louis Cardinals (-)

• Jordan Walker is back, and now has a five-hit game at Yankee Stadium to his credit.

19. San Francisco Giants (-2)

• The Thairo Estrada era appears to be over.

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-4)

• How much work do they have this winter? They're just 11-19 against AL East.

21. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)

• Who'da thunk they'd have a shot at .500?

22. Cincinnati Reds (-)

• Somehow have 22nd-best record yet a positive (+11) run differential.

23. Texas Rangers (+1)

• Jacob deGrom punching out a lot of fools in his rehab starts.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

• Oneil Cruz in center? Hey, why not.

25. Washington Nationals (-)

• Dylan Crews shows off every tool in less than a week as a big leaguer.

26. Oakland Athletics (-)

• Lawrence Butler Jr. goes on six-homer binge in five games.

27. Los Angeles Angels (-)

• Caden Dana with a six-inning, two-run debut.

28. Miami Marlins (-)

• Griffin Conine - yes, son of Mr. Marlin - has six hits in first 19 at-bats.

29. Colorado Rockies (-)

• Outfielder Hunter Goodman back with September expansion.

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

• 31-107 really speaks for itself, does it not?