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MLB Power Rankings: Here come the Cubs

By Joshua Sadlock

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 18: Jesus Sucre #45 of the Tampa Bay Rays shakes hands with Alex Colome #37 after they beat the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 18, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 18: Jesus Sucre #45 of the Tampa Bay Rays shakes hands with Alex Colome #37 after they beat the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 18, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
8

Milwaukee Brewers 52-46

Last week: 2-5
Last rank: 8

The pressure is on now for the Brewers with the Cubs appearing to have flipped the switch on their season. Their lead in the NL Central is down to a single game and shrinking quickly. None of the young players the Brewers are counting on to keep them going have been in this position before.

It will be up to veterans like Ryan Braun and Travis Shaw to keep this team pointed in the right direction. This is a strikeout-prone lineup, and pressing at the plate will only exacerbate their inability to make consistent contact. Chase Anderson’s oblique injury is a major blow for the Brewers, and a trade for a starter with long-term control like Sonny Gray could be in the works.

7

Tampa Bay Rays 51-45

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 10

The Rays are the highest they’ve been above .500 in quite some time and have separated slightly from the rest of the bunched-up pack chasing the AL Wild Card slots. It will never not be hard to comprehend that Logan Morrison has been their best offensive player this season.

Jacob Faria has been the best pitcher in a stacked rotation since making his MLB debut. In his first seven starts, the right-hander is 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in 45 innings of work. Faria does not have overwhelming velocity, but has good command and can move his fastball and changeup all over the strike zone to get weak contact. Brent Honeywell could soon be joining him. With Chris Archer and Alex Cobb, the Rays have what it takes to make a deep run in the postseason.

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