Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers skidding, but still number one

By Joshua Sadlock

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds his head in this hand shortly after leaving the game in the fourth inning during the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds his head in this hand shortly after leaving the game in the fourth inning during the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 05: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros smiles in the dugout after finishing the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners only giving up only one run at Safeco Field on September 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 05: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros smiles in the dugout after finishing the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners only giving up only one run at Safeco Field on September 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs 77-63

Last week: 7-3
Last rank: 7

The Cubs will get a chance to enter the postseason with very low expectations. They aren’t the overwhelming World Series favorites like last year where anything short of a title would have been a disappointment. This year’s team will enter the playoffs with a similar feel to the 2015 team that went to the NLCS.

After two deep playoff runs in a row, the Cubs know what to expect, but they get to do it this time around without the pressures of ending a 108-year drought. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant’s numbers now very closely match their final MVP-caliber numbers from 2016, with Rizzo carrying a .300/.400/.500 line in the second half. It’s been a rocky road at times to get to this point for the Cubs, but their World Series chances look fine.

5

Houston Astros 86-53

Last week: 8-2
Last rank: 4

Justin Verlander’s first start with the Astros could not have gone better. He went six innings, allowing only six hits and an earned run. He is rounding into postseason form nicely and is now 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in the second half. Verlander is the ace the Astros have been missing as Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers continue to deal with their injuries. Verlander has to be juiced to be heading back to the playoffs.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/905390122782294016

The Astros made another good decision in moving right-hander Joe Musgrove to the bullpen. In 16 appearances as a reliever, he is 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA. Musgrove gives Houston another dominant multi-inning arm for the postseason. After a brief skid following the Hurricane, the Astros have responded and everything points to a deep playoff run.

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