MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox Make Major Move In Latest Poll

It’s onward and upward for the Boston Red Sox, who are surging in the latest power rankings by MLB.com. The updated poll, which came out before Monday’s 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros, has the Red Sox jumping up from No. 11 to No. 8.

“The young players are getting most of the attention for the Red Sox’s recent surge, but don’t overlook what Alex Bregman has been up to,” MLB.com’s Will Leitch wrote Monday. “He was unstoppable against the Padres this weekend and is now slashing .364/.462/.568 over his last 12 games.

“The Red Sox are getting what they paid for, though because of that opt-out looming, it sure looks like they’re just going to get it for one season,” Leitch added.

Bregman continued his hot hitting Monday, slamming a two-run home run in his first at-bat back in Houston since joining the Red Sox. The All-Star third baseman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston in February. The deal includes opt-outs after each of the first two years of the agreement.

As for the power rankings, the only American League clubs ahead of the Red Sox are the Toronto Blue Jays (No. 5) and Detroit Tigers (No. 6).

Boston (65-55) is in second place in the AL East, 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Blue Jays. The Red Sox also sit in second place in the AL Wild Card standings, 1 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners, who check in at No. 9 in the power rankings.

The Red Sox have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Yankees in the standings. New York is No. 12 in the power rankings.

With Boston mired in a three-game losing streak, its chances of making the playoffs have dropped to 69.3%, according to FanGraphs. The Yankees, despite sitting behind the Red Sox in the standings, have an 83.2% of qualifying for the postseason.