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MLB power rankings: Giants, Cardinals, Indians surging before trade deadline

By Sean Sears

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 25: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 25: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 25: Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning at Ring Central Coliseum on July 25, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 25: Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning at Ring Central Coliseum on July 25, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

6. Oakland Athletics, 58-46, 2nd in the AL West (ranked 6th last week)

Athletic’s ace Sean Manaea had a 76-pitch outing for the Triple-A affiliate Wednesday, allowing 5 earned runs on three home runs over 4.2 IP. But despite the results, Manaea is expected to make it back to the majors by the second week of August. In other injury news, outfielder Stephen Piscotty is starting his rehab stint of the weekend and should be returning to Oakland soon after spending almost a month on the IL.

And while Oakland is still in possession of the final Wild Card spot in the AL, they’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and have another crucial series with the Rangers over the weekend. But with reinforcements coming on the pitching side from Manaea and top pitching prospect A.J. Puk, who was just promoted to Triple-A last week, should help balance an Oakland team that has plenty of postseason potential.

5. Chicago Cubs, 55-47, 1st in the NL Central (ranked 8th last week)

After a hot start to the 2nd half, the Cubs ran into an even hotter Giants club and are not tied for the NL Central crown. Chicago is scouring the league for talent they can acquire for a discount being linked to names second baseman Eric Sogard, outfielders Nick Castellanos and Jarrod Dyson, plus a ton of relievers. Of course, the team just sent shortstop Addison Russell back to the minors after a sub-par showing since returning from his domestic violence suspension. And OF/INF Ian Happ was finally called up this week after hitting .303 with five home runs for the Cubs Triple-A Iowa in the month of July.

And on top of all those moves, the Cubs traded for Giants LHP Derek Holland who fell out as a starter in San Francisco but has fantastic splits against lefty batters. The veteran Holland owns a slash line of .182/.276/.195 against left-handed hitters and is generating ground balls from lefty hitters on more than three of every four balls put in play – thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for that stat. But with Cubs struggles on the road and a series coming up with the Brewers this weekend in Miller Park, their road woes need to end now.

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