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MLB Power Rankings: Cubs streaking into playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs (R) and Kris Bryant #17 celebrate their win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 4-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs (R) and Kris Bryant #17 celebrate their win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 4-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Altherr #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts in the dugout after hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 4-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Altherr #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts in the dugout after hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 4-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
28

Chicago White Sox 61-91

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 28

The White Sox avoided the embarrassment of being no-hit by Matt Boyd and may actually end the year in fourth place. Sounds like a successful rebuilding year to me. Yoan Moncada has been great in September and things are starting to click for him. The young infielder is hitting .328/.388/.557 with four home runs.

Moncada could be an All-Star as soon as next year — he’s that good. Giving up a 300-strikeout pitcher in Chris Sale would have been worth it for Moncada alone, but the White Sox also got Michael Kopech who figures to be the second coming of Noah Syndergaard.

27

Philadelphia Phillies 61-92

Last week: 7-3
Last rank: 30

The Phillies have taken a home series from the Los Angeles Dodgers, which just goes to show that any MLB team is capable of winning a series. Nick Pivetta is the only pitcher in the league this year to beat both Clayton Kershaw and Chris Sale because you can’t predict ball dot com. Philadelphia is 31-33 in the second half, and they will once again be a sleeper team to take the “next step” in 2018.

There are a few positives for the Phillies to carry forward into next season. Aaron Nola has been dominant at times in the second half. The Phillies also have a legitimate heart of the order blossoming right before our eyes. Rhys Hoskins has obviously been the greatest rookie power hitter in MLB history, but he is not alone. Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams and Odubel Herrera give the Phillies a very dynamic middle of the order. Throw in J.P. Crawford and Cesar Hernandez up the middle and this lineup could rake next year.

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