Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Indians take over

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Infielders Carlos Santana #41; Giovanny Urshela #39 Francisco Lindor #12 and Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after the Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 12, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Tigers for their 20th straight win. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Infielders Carlos Santana #41; Giovanny Urshela #39 Francisco Lindor #12 and Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after the Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 12, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Tigers for their 20th straight win. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 10: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks around in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Pirates defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Josh Bell
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 10: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks around in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Pirates defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Josh Bell /
20

Pittsburgh Pirates 68-79

Last week: 3-7
Last rank: 20

Rookie Josh Bell gets less national attention than Cody Bellinger and Rhys Hoskins for some fairly obvious reasons, but that does not take away from the steady campaign he has produced in his first full season in the big leagues. Bell acquitted himself well in a 45-game cameo at the end of last season, but his power has emerged in a big way in 2017.

Bell is tied for third among all rookies with 24 home runs and is second with his 25 doubles. He has outproduced the greatly hyped Andrew Benintendi of the Boston Red Sox by nearly 20 points in the OPS department. While the Pirates are still waiting around on Gregory Polanco to develop his power, Bell makes a suitable running mate for Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte.

19

Atlanta Braves 66-79

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 23

The Braves are currently in the midst of their annual September offensive explosion where they find a way to annoy teams trying to contend for playoff spots or homefield advantage in the playoffs. Last year, they went 18-10 in September and October and scored 149 runs. So far this month, the Braves are 7-5 and have scored 71 runs while hitting .290/.367/.457 as a team.

It’s impossible to explain why the season has played out this way for the Braves the last two seasons. The offensive surge is partly due to young hitters getting comfortable in the big leagues after taking their lumps for a few months. These young hitters may also be more poised to jump on the other rookie pitchers who are making their MLB debuts with expanded rosters. Regardless, always think about betting the over when the Braves are playing in September.

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