MLB Power Rankings: Phillies lose McCutchen, Twins beat Rays and Marlins get out of the basement
By Sean Sears
6. Chicago Cubs, 33-26, 2nd in the NL Central (ranked 7th last week)
The Cubs’ bats went quiet this week, batting just .220 over the last seven days and only the Marlins and Reds posting a lower OPS over the last week. Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras combined for three hits this weekend in St. Louis, but things have quickly turned around as the Cubs beat up on the Angels on Monday and snapped the Rockies’ nine-game winning streak Tuesday night.
The starting pitching remains solid for the Cubs, as four of their five starters turned out quality starts in their most recent outings, but it’s the bullpen that’s still struggling to close out games. Luckily, Pedro Strop returned to the club this week and should assume the closer role until further notice. After a rough week that saw the Cubs lose six of their last 10, they’re already looking like they’re back on track.
5. Tampa Bay Rays, 35-23, 2nd in the AL East (ranked 5th last week)
The Rays have dropped four in a row for only the second time this season, and that follows a span in which Tampa Bay had won six games in a row. Reigning AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell got touched up in Detroit Tuesday night, allowing six runs to score, marking only the third time Snell had allowed more than two runs or less in a start this season. But beyond that blip, the Rays pitching is still the most dominant group in baseball.
Their offense is getting all their bats back, as 3B Yandy Diaz has returned to the lineup and will help add protection behind Austin Meadows and Brandon Lowe. Tommy Pham has taken on the veteran role for the Rays and is having an excellent season, with an incredible .418 on-base percentage and 26 runs scored and constantly getting on in front of the Rays young bats. The Rays are still holding on to the first Wild Card spot, but they have the talent to take the division back from the Yankees.