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

By Sean Sears | May 9, 2019

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: (L-R) Members of the Chicago Cubs mob Kris Bryant #17 (center) after he hit the game-winning three run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on May 07, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Marlins 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

22. Cincinnati Reds, 15-21, last in the NL Central (ranked 25th last week)

In is top prospect Nick Senzel, out is Matt Kemp, who was released by the Reds this weekend after OPS-ing .493 in 62 plate appearances. But the 23-year-old Senzel has already started to make an impression with three home runs in just four games, two of which came Monday night against the Giants. Senzel’s bat should be welcomed by Cincy, who has been one of the best teams at limiting their opponents to score but one of the worst at scoring runs themselves. The entire roster is struggling at the plate, including the 35-year-old Joey Votto, who looks like nothing like himself with a .212 BA and a team-leading 34 strikeouts. If Senzel can help spark this offense, which did find some power this past weekend against the Giants, their pitching doesn’t need much run support to win games.

21. Los Angeles Angels, 16-19, 4th in the AL West (ranked 24th last week)

After playing the Royals and Blue Jays, the Angels have a 6-4 record over their last 10 games, but they dropped a two-game series with the Astros, allowing 24 runs in Mexico. They’ve got an upcoming series against the Tigers and then the Orioles, which should translate to some easy wins, but the Angels’ starting pitching has imploded after looking like they may turn the corner. Matt Harvey, Chris Stratton, and Trevor Cahill have allowed at least five runs or more in their last starts, and with all the injuries on offense, it’s been essentially Mike Trout and Brian Goodwin supplying most of the runs for the Angels. The Angels need to get healthy to have any chance of sticking around in the AL West.

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