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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; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
8

Cleveland Indians 27-24

Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 11

There is no more puzzling pitcher in baseball than Danny Salazar. Armed with some of the most dominant put-away stuff in the game, Salazar is averaging 12.6 strikeouts per nine on the year. His inability to locate, however, has led to an ugly 5.50 ERA, 1.9 HR/9, and even uglier 4.8 BB/9. Salazar will be going to the bullpen when ace Corey Kluber comes off the DL. That may or may not be the best place for him to battle his control issues.

On a brighter note, Trevor Bauer is coming off a masterful 14-strikeout performance and Edwin Encarnacion continues to swing the bat much better than he did for the first six weeks of the season. That Andrew Miller guy? He’s allowed one earned run in 26.1 innings. The Indians are still the easy pick to win the AL Central.

7

Boston Red Sox 29-23

Last week: 5-2
Last rank: 13

Chris Sale has to feel great about what happened on Tuesday night. The left-hander delivered his first poor start for the Red Sox, but was bailed out by an offensive attack that scored 13 runs on 16 hits. Sale is getting run support for the first time in his career.

The Red Sox are still working through a bit of a power outage, but exploded for six home runs on Tuesday night in Chicago. The rest of the American League should be on high alert. The Red Sox are starting to get hot, and they have the pieces in the farm system to add another impact bat at third base.

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