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MLB Power Rankings: Trouble for Cubs?

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs 8-7

Last week: 2-5
Last rank: 1

Down goes Chicago! Down goes Chicago!

For the first time this season, the Cubs are not the top team in these power rankings. Credit Eric Thames and his impossibly hot bat for the drop. It’s worth asking what’s wrong with the World Series favorites, but it is still early in the year.

Kyle Hendricks, Brett Anderson and John Lackey have some sorting out to do, but let’s focus on the positives for the Cubs. Jason Heyward is batting .294, and his offseason swing changes appear to be paying off for once. Anthony Rizzo has also gotten hot after a slow start, and Wade Davis has yet to allow a run as closer. Let the Cubs go through a mini-slump without looking up to see if the sky is falling. Even the best teams have down weeks over the course of a 162-game schedule.

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Astros 10-5

Last week: 4-1
Last rank: 3

For the first time this season, the FanSided MLB Power Rankings have a new number-one team. The Astros are having a blast as a team, and are making winning look easy. Jose Altuve had four multi-hit games last week, including a five-hit game. After a brief slump to start the year, the second baseman is back on track to contend for another batting title.

Dallas Keuchel is now 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA through three stars. He is on track to pick up another win during Wednesday night’s game against the Angels. The Cy Young version of Keuchel may be back after a year away battling injuries and bad luck.

Next: MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 active players

Houston has been deploying Chris Devenski as a multi-inning super reliever, with great results. He has 21 strikeouts in 11.0 innings. Closer Ken Giles has had two ugly innings, which have inflated his ERA, but has generally piled up strikeouts with his slider. With a stacked lineup, strong starting rotation, and dominant bullpen, the Astros are materializing into the contender that they were expected to be after a busy offseason.

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