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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; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) reacts while batting against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) reacts while batting against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
20

Cincinnati Reds 24-28

Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 20

As they got swept by the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, the Reds saw three early leads slip through their fingers. Cincinnati’s bullpen started the season well, but is regressing back to their historically-bad levels of 2016.

The Reds have slipped back below .500, and it may be for good this time around. The starting rotation is AAAA-caliber at best, and the bullpen may be even worse. Cincinnati has the makings of a fine lineup on their hands, especially if Joey Votto never asks for a trade. Building a respectable starting rotation will be the more difficult task for the Reds.

19

Pittsburgh Pirates 24-30

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 25

It is still a little too early to write the Pirates off completely, and they have been much closer to a .500 ballclub over the past three weeks. With the NL Central still very bunched up, the Pirates can still cling to tiny playoff hopes, but they will need to make a run in June to stave off a firesale at the trade deadline.

It has become almost impossible to imagine the Pirates getting anything of value in a trade of Andrew McCutchen other than a few million dollars of salary relief if a team is willing to take on his contract without giving up a useful prospect. His decline is one of the most puzzling collapses in MLB history. Still only 30 years old, is it really possible that McCutchen’s days are already numbered as a full-time player? He used to be a lock for .300/.400/.500, but is now struggling for .200/.300/.400.

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