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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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Freddie Freeman #5, after his two run homerun, to trail 3-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

12. Atlanta Braves, 18-18, 2nd in the NL East (ranked 13th in the NL East)

Winners of six of their last 10 games, the Braves have overtaken the Mets for second place in the NL East, but besides their sweep of the Marlins last weekend the Braves haven’t won a series since defeating the Mets on April 14. Their pitching has been up-and-down and just lost Max Fried to the 10-day IL, but top prospect Mike Soroka has been lights out with a 1.14 ERA and 27 strikeouts and only eight walks. But the key to success for the Braves is whether they can lead the league in scoring. Currently, they’re middle of the pack with 4.92 runs per game, but if they can increase that to over five per game the Braves should be able to distance themselves from the Mets and challenge the Phillies in their division.

11. San Diego Padres, 21-17, 3rd in the NL West (ranked 8th last week)

The Padres should be getting back SS Fernando Tatis Jr. after missing some time with a hamstring injury, with the team saying he is on track to return this Friday. And his .910 OPS and six home runs will be a welcome addition to a roster that has struggled to score without the 20-year-old former top prospect. Luckily, OFs Frammil Reyes and Hunter Renfroe have picked up the slack, both slugging over .800, while Reyes has hit 10 dingers and Renfroe has chipped in eight of his own. Chris Paddack and Kirby Yates have each dazzled, with Paddack showing he has the elite stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation ace, while Yates has locked down 14 saves through the first month of baseball. But if the Padres can get Tatis Jr. back and Manny Machado can continue to hit the ball with authority (he has four home runs and a .980 OPS in the month of May), San Diego should be a fun team to watch all season.

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