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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 26, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea (55) pitches against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea (55) pitches against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
24

Oakland Athletics 23-29

Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 18

Sean Manaea is the future of the rotation for the Athletics, and he has pitched well in May. Manaea has run his record to 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA and is 3-1 with a sub-3.00 ERA in the month. His most recent start was a seven-inning gem against Cleveland in which he struck out nine with only one walk.

The A’s have a nice little core building in their rotation. Andrew Triggs has managed to hang onto his hot start. If Oakland is going to contend again, they must develop Manaea and Jharel Cotton into frontline starters. Triggs can be a very dependable two/three in a good rotation, but Manaea and Cotton both have ace potential.

23

Seattle Mariners 25-29

Last week: 5-2
Last rank: 26

Nelson Cruz is very quietly having an MVP-caliber season for the Mariners. Four years and $57 million for Cruz could prove to be one of MLB’s biggest bargains for the Mariners with their slugger. Cruz has his sights set on another 40-homer season and should top 100 RBI for the third time in four years.

With a year and a half left on his contract, Cruz could become a trade asset for the Mariners if they hit the trade deadline below .500. The DH has 139 home runs over the past three-plus seasons with a slugging percentage over .540. The concerns over Cruz’s age that kept the Baltimore Orioles from committing to a long-term deal appear unfounded. The 36-year-old All-Star came to baseball relatively late in life, and it appears to have kept his body young.

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