Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: The top 5 teams stay the same

By Sean Sears

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 18: Oscar Mercado #35 of the Cleveland Indians and Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after scoring on a two-RBI single hot by Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians in top of the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 18, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 18: Oscar Mercado #35 of the Cleveland Indians and Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after scoring on a two-RBI single hot by Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians in top of the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 18, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

12. Cleveland Indians, 37-34, 2nd in the AL Central (ranked 20th last week)

The Indians pitching is still among the top 10 in ERA despite missing Corey Kluber from the rotation, but starter Mike Clevinger is close to returning this week. He’ll join Trevor Bauer and Shane Bieber, who have both been solid in their most recent starts. But the issues remain with the Indians offense. With only Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor consistently hitting, their offense is averaging just 4.25 runs per game.

Young bats like Jake Bauers, Oscar Mercado and Jordan Luplow have added some needed pop to the lineup, but it’s still head-scratching what’s going on with guys like Jose Ramirez and Jason Kipnis. Without another bat stepping up in this Cleveland lineup, there’s no chance this group can make it to the postseason.

11. Texas Rangers, 39-33, 2nd in the AL West (ranked 15th last week)

The Rangers are a team that probably isn’t as good as their record shows, but they are getting some great production out of key guys at the moment. But Joey Gallo just went on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain, meaning the Rangers are without their best bat for the next two weeks. OF Willie Calhoun was come up and done well so far, with three home runs and a 1.106 OPS in just eight games. Hopefully, the 24-year-old can help create runs while Gallo is out.

The front-end duo of Mike Minor and Lance Lynn has worked well for the Rangers, and even to some extent Adrian Sampson, who’s had an up and down year. But for as suspect as the Rangers’ back end of their rotation has been, the bullpen has done a good job of putting out fires and keeping games from completely getting out of hand, which has given the Rangers a few chances to come back in games this season. On paper, the Rangers shouldn’t be as good as they are, and it’s unclear how long they can go without Gallo carrying them on offense.

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