MLB Power Rankings: Phillies lose McCutchen, Twins beat Rays and Marlins get out of the basement

By Sean Sears | Jun 5, 2019

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 04: Outfielders Alex Verdugo #27, Chris Taylor #3 and Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 9-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 04: Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas (47) in action during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on June 4, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

14. Oakland Athletics, 30-30, tied for 3rd in the AL West (ranked 14th last week)

The A’s snapped a five-game losing streak against the Angels Tuesday night, dropped the final two games of their previous series against the Angels and then were swept by the Astros in the month of May. Oakland played well against Houston despite being swept, showing they can hang with one of the best teams in baseball. They also play three of their next four upcoming series against the Angels, Rangers and Mariners, giving the Athletics a chance to put some distance between themselves and the other teams in the division not named the Astros.

Khris Davis returned to the lineup on June 1, which should hopefully help the A’s continue to build on their offensive numbers. Matt Chapman had a solid month of baseball in May, OPSing .855 with seven home runs and 21 runs scored and also throwing in a few slick plays at the hot corner. Oakland’s pushed through injuries and finally has a grasp on their rotation. If they can take advantage of their weaker schedule and bank some division wins they could easily push themselves back into the playoff picture before the All-Star break.

13. St. Louis Cardinals, 30-29, 3rd in the NL Central (ranked 13th last week)

The Cardinals came into their series against the Cubs scuffling as of late, not having won a series since the first week in May, and swept their division rival over the weekend. And while the sweep was more of a sign of the Cubs’ struggles than it was the Cardinals turning things around, they did bank a few wins against the current division leader at the moment.

St. Louis faced Luis Castillo and Cincinnati Tuesday night and lost 4-1 as their struggles on offense resurfaced when facing the electric Reds starter. The Cardinals are a hard team to read right now, but their shaky pitching and the middling offense have the potential to be much better. They’re just not reaching that potential.

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