Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Astros launch to top spot

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 20, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (left) and shortstop Carlos Correa against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (left) and shortstop Carlos Correa against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) takes the ball from starting pitcher Danny Salazar (31) during a pitching change in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) takes the ball from starting pitcher Danny Salazar (31) during a pitching change in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
10

Cleveland Indians 20-19

Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 7

At what point does it become acceptable to press the panic button about the Indians struggling rotation? The Tribe’s rotation ranks 28th in MLB with a 4.95 ERA and has allowed 34 home runs. Carlos Carrasco is the only member of the rotation pitching well on a consistent basis, and he left his last start early with a pectoral injury.

There is legitimate reason to be worried about the Cleveland rotation. Salazar may never be the same pitcher after dealing with injuries last year. He is piling up strikeouts, but is failing to limit hard contact and command his pitches with any regularity. Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin were the weak links entering the regular season, and have done nothing to change that perception. Finally, Corey Kluber may be dealing with a World Series hangover after being pushed to the limit last fall.

9

Arizona Diamondbacks 24-18

Last week: 5-2
Last rank: 11

The Diamondbacks are the latest team to beat up on the floundering Mets and Pirates, and their strong week has them back in second place in the NL West. Whether or not their pitching staff behind a resurgent Zack Greinke can be consistently good enough to contend remains to be seen.

Paul Goldschmidt is having another ho-hum season far from the public eye. He won’t win the MVP if Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman continue to flirt with .400 batting averages, but he is quietly building a Hall of Fame career. Goldschmidt is batting .310/.444/.579 on the year with 10 home runs and 10 steals. He is on pace to easily claim his first 30-30 season and has an outside shot at the even rarer 40-40 club.

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