Fansided

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 24, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer (22) reacts after giving up a home run to Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) in the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer (22) reacts after giving up a home run to Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) in the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
14

Tampa Bay Rays 11-12

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 14

The Rays have struggled to find consistency this season. After sweeping the Tigers at home, they lost three of four to fall back below .500. Tampa Bay has just been up and down the entire month of April, and have not been able to stop skids before they turn into three losses in a row.

Maybe not doing this would help to limit losing streaks.

Steven Souza has finally started to look like the top prospect who was part of the Wil Myers trade. He is batting .400 over his past seven games with seven RBI and now has 17 RBI on the year. Souza has still been striking out at a high clip, so his hot start may not be sustainable. The Rays need him to take the next step this year and perform at a consistent level all year.

Don’t count the Rays out from contending this year just yet. Their offense has managed to make contact at a much more consistent rate this year, and their on-base percentage is way up. This is still a dangerous team, especially if Alex Cobb can continue rebounding from two years of injuries.

Apr 25, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a two-run homer in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a two-run homer in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
13

Milwaukee Brewers 12-11

Last week: 4-3
Last rank: 21

Eric Thames is here, he’s real, and he’s majestic. Through 73 at-bats< Thames is hitting .370/.489/.904 with 11 home runs and 19 RBI. He has walked 16 times while striking out only 19 times. Most of his damage has been done against the Reds — eight of his home runs have come against Cincinnati. By the time this season ends, they will have figured out not to pitch to him.

Of course, Thames has been dogged by PED accusations. What the accusers do not realize is that Thames was tested under Olympic protocol in Korea, which is tougher than MLB’s policy.

At least he’s been a good sport about it.

Thames is for real, and the Brew Crew just might be, too. They are 9-5 over the past two weeks. Let’s see if that holds up as their schedule picks up.

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