MLB Power Rankings: Cubs on a hot streak, and welcome to the MLB Nick Senzel
By Sean Sears
The Cubs are in first place of the NL Central, the Rays young bats are powering an impressive offense and the Reds have called up top prospect Nick Senzel as we recap another week of baseball in this week’s power rankings.
30. Miami Marlins, 10-25, last in the NL East (ranked 30th last week)
Losers in eight of their last 10 games, Miami hasn’t won a series since mid-April and are dead last in runs per game at 2.79, as well as home runs, with 23 on the year. The Marlins starting pitching has been decent, featuring the likes of Nick Anderson, who despite the ERA, has been dominating this season striking out 29 batters while only walking three on the year. Starter Caleb Smith has been great in six starts with a 2.00 ERA, 45 strikeouts and only nine walks on the year, as the 27-year-old has been the only consistent arm in the rotation. But outside of those few bright spots, the Marlins continue to look like the league’s worst team.
29. Baltimore Orioles, 13-23, last in the AL East (ranked 29th last week)
The Orioles can’t seem to get out of their own way as their pitching continues to allow over six runs per game, while their offense clings to outfielders Trey Mancini and Dwight Smith Jr. for any run production. Both 31-year-old outfielders have six home runs and are the only everyday players batting .300 or close to that number at the plate. The starters and bullpen have struggled to keep the ball in the yard, which is reflected in their strikeout totals, which are the worst in the league. The Orioles pitchers can’t fool anyone and if it wasn’t for their bats showing slightly more life than the Marlins’, they’d be at very bottom of this list.