Late heroics in Boston bump the Athletics out of the power rankings basement

Things have not gone as the Athletics had hoped they would so far this year. Injuries have really played a big role in this team's downfall this season. 

They have been without a handful of arms like Luis Severino and Mark Leiter Jr., who have been transferred to the 60-day IL, while Jeffrey Springs sits on the 15-day IL. 

But it's not just pitchers; they are also without a key number of guys on the offensive side of things, like Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and Zack Gelof. 

MORE: Athletics sign former Dodgers pitcher who recently played in South Korea

Late heroics in Boston bump Athletics out of power rankings basement

These injuries did not help at all earlier last week in the three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, in which they got swept. However, they were able to turn things around in the next series. 

Facing off against the red-hot Boston Red Sox, they were able to snap their nine-game losing streak and win the series 2-1 against a team not many have had an answer for lately. 

With this, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter bumps up the A's a few spots from No. 30 to No. 27 in his latest power rankings. 

"The Athletics snapped a nine-game losing streak on Saturday, then secured a series win over the red-hot Red Sox on Sunday thanks to a game-winning, RBI double by Max Muncy off Aroldis Chapman. An ugly 7-25 record since the beginning of July made the series win in Boston all the more unlikely, but it's enough to get them off the first page for at least one week."

Now, it doesn't get any easier for the Athletics this week. They take on the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers, two teams who are at the top or near the top of their division. Can they hold this momentum, or will it fizzle out?

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