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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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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 18: Matt Wieters #32 of the Washington Nationals and Daniel Murphy #20 look on as pitching coach Mike Maddux #51 relief pitcher Sean Doolittle #62 in the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 18, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 18: Matt Wieters #32 of the Washington Nationals and Daniel Murphy #20 look on as pitching coach Mike Maddux #51 relief pitcher Sean Doolittle #62 in the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 18, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox 54-43

Last week: 4-4
Last rank: 3

After losing out on Todd Frazier to the Yankees, the Red Sox are left looking for their answer at third base. They could consider Eduardo Nunez of the Giants. Nunez is a solid contact hitter with good speed. The Red Sox could shoot higher and pursue Mike Moustakas who could become available if the Royals do not pick it up.

Here’s another option to consider — call up top prospect Rafael Devers. Boston’s top prospect has been raking since debuting in the minor leagues in 2014. Devers is as ready as he will ever be at this point, and has slugged 20 home runs with an OPS of .964 between Double-A and Triple-A.

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Washington Nationals 57-37

Last week: 5-1
Last rank: 5

The Nationals have found an answer to most of their bullpen issues by trading for Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. Madson is a quality veteran with World Series experience and Doolittle is a former closer who was racking up strikeouts this season. Doolittle will get first crack at handling the ninth inning for Dusty Baker. He has had his fair share of injuries since bursting onto the scene back in 2014.

It will be up to Mike Rizzo and the Nationals front office to decide if Madson and Doolittle are enough to make their bullpen fully operational. Koda Glover is likely done for the year as he battles a rotator cuff injury. That leaves Matt Albers as the best option for the seventh inning. It has become harder to win a World Series without three elite relievers. The market is still dotted with solid options that will not require giving up Victor Robles or Erick Fedde. Look for the Nats to go out and get one more solid bullpen piece like Brad Hand of the Padres.

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