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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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 18: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson (30) delivers a pitch in the top of the 6th inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 18: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson (30) delivers a pitch in the top of the 6th inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

16. Oakland Athletics, 37-36, 3rd in the AL West (ranked 14th last week)

The Athletics are starting to get on a roll, winning six of their last 10 games. Their starting pitching has begun to come together nicely behind Mike Fiers. The 34-year-old starter has a 2.72 ERA since May, limiting teams to a .174 batting average against during that span. Frankie Montas has been excellent this season as well, with a 2.85 ERA and a 9.7 K/9. The rotation has improved dramatically since those two have become healthy and found their groove.

Matt Chapman and a healthy Matt Olson are powering an offense that has a lot of pop evenly distributed throughout the lineup. DH Khris Davis isn’t been excellent but has four home runs in the month of June so far. If he can find his power stroke again, the A’s become scary-good. But for the moment, they’re a solid team while  their ace Sean Manaea is getting close to returning.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks, 38-35, 3rd in the NL West (ranked 22nd last week)

The Diamondbacks are driving in a lot of runs recently, scoring five or more runs in seven of their last 10 games, winning six. Eduardo Escobar and Ketel Marte have had excellent seasons at the plate, hitting a combined 37 home runs and driving in over 100 combined runs already this season. But what’s continued to be the difference for Arizona has been their starting pitching. Zack Greinke has turned in one of his best seasons in his last ffive, with a 2.65 ERA and .884 WHIP on the year. The 35-year-old veteran looks like vintage Greinke.

Catcher Carson Kelly is having a great season at the plate and behind it, he has quietly shown he can do damage from both aspects of his game. Arizona has some of the parts needed to do make a run in the postseason, but they’re fighting an uphill battle against the Dodgers and Rockies. They may not have enough to be considered a real threat.

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