Here are this week's rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (68-31 overall record, No. 1 ranking last week) -- Just as they took complete control of the National League West and appear to be serious contenders to win the World Series, ace Clayton Kershaw exited the July 23 game with back stiffness. It raised the possibility that the Dodgers win the Yu Darvish sweepstakes.
2. Houston Astros (65-33, No. 2) -- There's an internal tug of war over whether the club needs a front-line starter or a reliever who can shorten games.
