MLB Power Rankings: Cubs on a hot streak, and welcome to the MLB Nick Senzel
By Sean Sears
8. Arizona Diamondbacks, 21-16, 2nd in the NL West (ranked 12th last week)
The Diamondbacks’ pitching has been able to put it together lately, with Zack Greinke, Luke Weaver and Robbie Ray all allowing three runs or less in their last three starts. Greg Holland has been incredible as Arizona’s closer, providing a true lockdown reliever at the backend of their bullpen. Additionally, the offense has remained hot, averaging 5.31 runs per game and ranking fifth in runs scored on the season. Their .500 record over the last 10 games isn’t ideal, but Arizona just finished a series with the Rays and had to deal with the Cubs and their hot bats last week. If their pitching continues to improve, their offense looks like one of the better groups in baseball and should allow them to stay relevant in the NL West.
7. Philadelphia Phillies, 21-15, 1st in the NL East (ranked 6th last week)
The Phillies have won their last four series and have ridden that hot streak to a 7-3 record over their last 10 games, extending their lead in the NL East to 3 games over the Braves. Their rotation has turned out solid performances from all five of their starters, and Jake Arrieta and Zach Eflin have stood out during this stretch of series wins. But it’s Philly’s offense that’s making the difference lately, averaging 5.23 runs per game, as Rhys Hoskins has been as hot as anyone in May so far. The 26-year-old 1B is slashing .409/.480/.955 with three home runs and eight RBI, simply crushing the ball through seven games in May. The offense has too many bats to slow down, but if the pitching can stay where it’s at and the bullpen can keep leaning on Hector Neris and Pat Neshek, the Phillies look like one of the best teams in the NL and the class of the NL East.
6. Chicago Cubs, 20-13, 1st in the NL Central (ranked 10th last week)
The Cubs offense currently leads the league in runs per game at 5.85 and only the Dodgers and Mariners have scored more runs than Chicago. But it’s been their starting pitching that’s really been impressive — every starter not named Yu Darvish has an ERA under 4.00 and Jon Lester is dealing at the moment with a 1.41 ERA and 33 strikeouts with only seven walks in 32 IP. The bullpen has gone from worst-to-first over the last month but did just lose closer Pedro Strop to a hamstring strain and have blown two consecutive saves. Things could get dicey without Strop to close out games, but the team did just bring back Carl Edwards who looked good in his first inning. At least, with Kris Bryant finally hitting alongside Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras and Jason Heyward (yes, that Jason Heyward), the Cubs offense should have no problem scoring enough runs to keep winning.
5. St. Louis Cardinals, 21-16, 3rd in the NL Central (ranked 3rd last week)
The Cardinals have lost six of their last seven games after winning nine of their 10 previous games, but being swept by the Cubs and then dropping their series with the Phillies has pushed them to second place in the NL Central. The starting pitching, while struggling lately is still one of the better groups in baseball, lead by Miles Mikolas, who’s been much better as of late. Their late-inning bullpen options in Jordan Hicks, John Gant and John Brebbia can all miss bats and have allowed a combined seven runs on the season. But outside of Paul DeJong and Marcell Ozuna, St. Louis’ hot offense as of a week ago has cooled off some against better competition.