MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers skidding, but still number one

20

Pittsburgh Pirates 67-74

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 20

Right-hander Gerrit Cole has looked like an All-Star in the second half, which bodes well for the Pirates and their chances to contend in 2018. In 73.1 innings after the All-Star Game, Cole has a 3.19 ERA and is limiting opponents to a .642 OPS.

Consistency will always be the issue with Cole. He has allowed one run or fewer in 10 of his 29 starts this year, but has allowed five runs or more seven times, including more than seven three times. When Cole limits the home runs, he typically gets good results. Pitchers all over the league are still trying to figure out how to limit the damage with the juiced baseballs the league refuses to acknowledge.

19

Miami Marlins 67-73

Last week: 1-9
Last rank: 14

The Marlins were briefly on the fringes of playoff contention, but a stretch of nine losses in ten games has scuttled talk of a return to the postseason for 2017. The majority of the losses came at the hands of the Washington Nationals, but the Phillies got their licks in on the Marlins as well.

The homers are still flying for Giancarlo Stanton, but he is only eight for his past 42 with four home runs over the past two weeks. Stanton still has a very good chance to top 61 because the ball seems to leave the yard every time he makes solid contact.