MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Astros lead; Cubs, Orioles on the rise
Chicago Cubs 57-50
Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 11th
Back in first place thanks to a red-hot start to the second half, the Cubs won two important games in a three-game series in Milwaukee last weekend but dropped two of three to the Diamondbacks at home heading into a tough weekend set against the first place Nationals.
Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras and Javy Baez each homered twice for the Cubs, and eight different Chicago hitters went yard in six games during the week – including Jon Lester.
Lester didn’t fare as well on the mound, and Jose Quintana was hit hard in two starts, but the starting rotation as a whole has been much improved in recent weeks. Jake Arrieta allowed two runs (one earned) in seven innings in his most recent start, Kyle Hendricks allowed one earned run in five innings, and John Lackey picked up a win with two earned runs allowed in six frames in his most recent outings.
Cleveland Indians 58-48
Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 9th
Corey Kluber has been outstanding for the Indians, and is a legitimate AL Cy Young candidate. Kluber is 9-3 with a 2.77 ERA and 172 strikeouts in 123.2 innings across 18 starts this season. Thursday, the right-hander tossed a complete game victory over the Yankees. Kluber allowed one run (a solo home run) on three hits and one walk. He struck out 11, pushing his streak to four straight games with 10-plus strikeouts, a feat he has matched in nine of his past 10 outings.
Francisco Lindor homered three times in six games for the Tribe, Carlos Santana hit two long balls, and Jose Ramirez led the club with 11 hits and seven runs scored. Yan Gomes led the club with five RBI, followed by Ramirez, Santana, Brandon Guyer, who each drove in four.