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MLB Power Rankings: Contenders begin to separate

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Chris Heisey (14) and center fielder Adam Eaton (2) and right fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrate after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Chris Heisey (14) and center fielder Adam Eaton (2) and right fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrate after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals 15-6

Last week: 6-1
Last rank: 3

Bryce Harper is officially back to being a cheat code. In 74 t-bats this year, he is batting .432/.548/.824 with eight doubles and seven home runs. Harper already has three four-hit games this year, and has walked 19 times against only 14 strikeouts. These are video game numbers.

Really, the entire Nationals offense has been putting up video game numbers this season. Trea Turner is back off the disabled list, and came a triple shy of hitting for the cycle in two straight games. Ryan Zimmerman continues to bat near .400, and Daniel Murphy continues piling up the hits.

The only thing that can sink the Nationals this year will be their ninth-inning woes. That might not matter if the offense can continue to put up six runs per game. This Nationals team has a different feel than years past.

Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Astros 14-7

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 1

The Astros climbed into the number-one spot last week, and did nothing to fall out of it. Dallas Keuchel has run his record to 4-0 with a 1.22 ERA. He is racking up groundballs and strikeouts with his two-seam fastball and changeup. Keuchel battled injuries last year, and was not able to finish his pitches. Working down in the lower half of the zone again, he looks like the 2015 Cy Young. Hitters have not been able to lift his pitches in the air.

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The loaded Houston lineup has not set the world on fire through their first 21 games. Yulieski Gurriel has hit well in his first full season in the big leagues, and Jose Altuve continues soldiering on as one of the toughest outs in the league and has already stolen seven bases. The Astros are still waiting for Carlos Correa, Carlos Beltran, and George Springer to heat up. Springer is barely batting above .200, but has hit seven home runs. The Astros can take that trade-off of average for power.

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