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MLB Power Rankings: The Yankees are for real

By Joshua Sadlock

May 9, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw (21) makes a play during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw (21) makes a play during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports /
14

Milwaukee Brewers 18-16

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 13

The Brewers are continuing to prove themselves as one of the more fun stories in baseball. With the standings still wildly bunched up in the NL Central, their clubhouse has every reason to believe they can contend with the big boys.

Travis Shaw has been one of the biggest producers for the Brew Crew, and is making it difficult to pitch around Eric Thames. He is now batting .265/.310/.538 on the year with seven home runs and 25 RBI. Meanwhile, Tyler Thornburg, the pitcher the Brewers traded to Boston for Shaw, is out until the middle of June.

May 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
13

Detroit Tigers 16-16

Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 11

The Tigers have another ninth-inning disaster on their hands as Francisco Rodriguez continues to struggle as closer. Just one time, wouldn’t it be nice to give Brad Ausmus a competent bullpen to work with? He’s one of the sharpest managers in the game, but his closer inspires no confidence.

If Ausmus does finally decide to make a change at closer (really, what is he waiting for at this point as Rodriguez’s ERA is now 8.49 as he has allowed four home runs in 11.2 innings), he does actually have some useful options. Justin Wilson should get the first shot.

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