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MLB Power Rankings: Can anyone stop the Astros?

By Joshua Sadlock

May 29, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) congratulates third baseman Alex Bregman (2) on his home run which also scored first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) congratulates third baseman Alex Bregman (2) on his home run which also scored first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a solo home run during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a solo home run during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
12

Tampa Bay Rays 29-27

Last week: 5-2
Last rank: 15

Corey Dickerson has been the hottest hitter in baseball not named Mike Trout, but this is getting out of control.

With his Vladimir Guerrero double in the books, Dickerson now has 16 doubles on the year with 12 home runs and a .346/.390/.615 line. He has 23 multi-hit games and leads the AL in total bases. And they said this guy couldn’t hit outside of Coors Field. Dickerson is carrying a Rays lineup that does not do much but walk and strike out.

11

Chicago Cubs 25-27

Last week: 2-6
Last rank: 12

The Cubs may have only one or two more weeks where they get the benefit of the doubt. Five straight losses after a two-week stretch where they began to look like a powerhouse have placed the pressure back on the Cubs. Manager Joe Maddon has not been able to get a handle on his club, that has already had three four-game losing streaks at the time of their 25th win of the year. Last year, the Cubs started the year 25-6.

Inconsistent offense and starting pitching continue to be the culprits behind the slow start as the Cubs attempt to repeat as World Series champions. Chicago has five regulars with an OPS+ below 100. The Cubs have two-fifths of a solid starting rotation and about half of a decent lineup right now. That’s not going to cut it. Maddon can afford to continue letting Kyle Schwarber figure it out in the top of the order because the NL Central has not separated, but not for much longer.

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