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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 28, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw (21) hits a double to drive in a run in the eighth inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw (21) hits a double to drive in a run in the eighth inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
10

Milwaukee Brewers 28-25

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 8

The Brewers have capitalized on the struggles of the Cubs and Cardinals and continue to hang onto first place. They have a young team, and the energy that comes with winning and contending could continue to fuel them. It’s still too early to write them off, but the starting rotation does not inspire much confidence that the Brewers can hang onto a .500 record much longer.

Travis Shaw for a reliever who has not pitched yet this season? Think the Boston Red Sox would like a mulligan on that trade? Shaw has taken over the team RBI lead from Eric Thames and continues to pile up doubles and home runs at a torrid pace. If the Brewers are going to hold onto this thing, they will have to do it scoring six or seven runs a night.

9

Minnesota Twins 26-23

Last week: 1-5
Last rank: 10

The plucky Twins continue to hold onto first place in the AL Central, but perhaps not for much longer. Their pitching staff has been exposed over the past week, and it came to a head when their bullpen allowed an 11-run inning to Houston on Monday after getting out to a 7-2 lead. Those types of losses can haunt a team for a few days.

Miguel Sano has now “three true outcomed” in over 60 percent of his plate appearances. He has struck out in 14 of his past 20 at-bats entering Wednesday afternoon’s game and has struck out 41 times in May while batting .268. Sano is hammering almost every mistake pitch he sees, but can go into deep slumps.

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