MLB Power Rankings: Cubs on a hot streak, and welcome to the MLB Nick Senzel

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DENVER, CO – MAY 7: Mac Williamson #51 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 7, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

28. San Francisco Giants, 16-20, tied for last in the NL West (ranked 28th last week)

The Giants pitching has been about the only thing they can lean on, and despite Jeff Samardzija’s rough outing against the Reds, he and Madison Bumgarner have performed well on the year. But their offense is barely averaging more runs per game to edge out the Marlins to avoid being last in scoring. Outfielder Steven Duggar has provided some offensive production alongside Buster Posey and Brandon Belt, but the rest of the lineup is dragging the few good bats down — which is frustrating because their starters and bullpen have been good this year. Overall, the Giants are a mess.

27. Kansas City Royals, 13-24, last in the AL Central (ranked 27th last week)

The Royals starting pitching is looking better recently with Danny Duffy finally healthy enough to plug in alongside young stud Brad Keller and Jakob Junis, who has had two solid back-to-back outings. Their offense is also finding more ways to score runs as 23-year-old shortstop Adalberto Mondesi has started to pull himself out of his early slump, adding another bat alongside Hunter Dozier, Alex Gordon, and Whit Merrifield. Outfielder Jorge Soler continues to flash power, tied with Dozier for the team lead in homers (8), but his .297 OBP and 50 strikeouts show he’s truly boom-or-bust at the plate. There are some pieces emerging in KC, but don’t count on them putting everything together this season.

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 08: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox tries but is not able to turn a double play over Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians in the fourth inning at Progressive Field on May 8, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

26. Chicago White Sox, 16-19, 4th in the AL Central (ranked 23rd last week)

Chicago’s played .500 baseball over the last 10 games and their starting pitching is still the worst in the league in ERA, at 6.75 on the year, plus Carlos Rodon just hit the 10-day IL with an elbow injury. Top prospect Eloy Jimenez is still nursing a high-ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out of the lineup until mid-May. Ivan Nova just pitched a gem against the Indians, allowing just one run in seven IP; maybe the 32-year-old can step up while Rodon is out. But the rest of the group has struggled as well: Reynaldo Lopez was tagged for six runs against Boston after stringing together two solid outings and Lucas Giolito has had four quality starts in a row despite not having the best stuff. The offense should continue to score with Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada still going strong a week into May, but their pitching isn’t even close to reliable at the moment.

25. Washington Nationals, 14-22, 4th in the NL East (ranked 22nd last week)

The Nationals are 3-7 over their last 10 games and just lost Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto and Ryan Zimmerman over a five-day period. Their starting pitching is returning to form, with Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin leading the way, but Max Scherzer is making people look silly and should see his 4.08 ERA continue to drop. But without their three best bats, plus Trea Turner who’s likely out for another two weeks, this group doesn’t have much firepower at the plate.

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