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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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 8: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after striking out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 8, 2019 in San Diego, California. The Padres won 3-2. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

14. New York Mets, 17-20, 3rd in the NL East (ranked 14th last week)

With a 4-6 record over the last 10 games, the Mets pitching has started to fall apart in both the rotation and bullpen. Noah Syndergaard and Zach Wheeler have both struggled this season, particularly Syndergaard, who’s only had two games where he’s allowed two runs or fewer. Luckily, Jacob deGrom has rebounded nicely with two consecutive quality starts, showing why he’s the reigning NL Cy Young winner. However, the offense is only scoring 4.53 runs per game, while giving up 5.25 runs per game on the mound. Pitching has to tighten up and the offense needs more than Pete Alonso driving the ball over the wall to score runs.

13. Boston Red Sox, 18-19, 3rd in the AL East (ranked 16th last week)

This is the highest Boston has been on this list since the beginning of the year, and with a 7-3 record over their last 10 games, the Red Sox are just one game away from being .500 again. However, they’re still six games back of the Rays for first place and two games back of the Yankees for second place in the AL East. Boston is scoring and allowing exactly 4.97 runs per game at the moment, and that is a serious improvement in the pitching department. The BoSox did just put David Price on the 10-day IL with elbow tendinitis, but Chris Sale has only allowed five runs over his last four starts and has 28 strikeouts compared to just six walks over that stretch. And of course, INF Michael Chavis has been a much-needed boost at the keystone, hitting .293/.423/.638 with six home runs and 13 RBI in 71 PA’s this season. The Red Sox are back, but with the six-game lead the Rays have built, it’s going to be a dogfight for the AL East.

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