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Sep 29, 2015

Cubs extend lead in MLB Power Rankings

For a refreshing change of pace, the Chicago Cubs are number one in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, opening up even more of a gap over the second-place Washington Nationals.

Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist

For a refreshing change of pace, the Chicago Cubs are number one in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, opening up even more of a gap over the second-place Washington Nationals.

The Cubs are running away from the competition, with the best run differential (+102) in the World Series era at this point of the season, and just swept four games from the Nats.

Moving up this week, the Toronto Blue Jays go from 16 to nine after going 5-2 over the past seven games. The bullpen is still a problem, but it's not the only measure of a team either. The Miami Marlins have reversed course quickly, after a slow start, and jumped from 18 to 10. The Cleveland Indians rise from 20 to 15, after winning five of seven.

Heading the wrong way this week, the Texas Rangers have slipped from nine to 14, notably losing starting pitcher A.J. Griffin to injury. The Kansas City Royals have won three of their past 13 games, and slide from 11 to 20, while a seven-game losing skid drops the Detroit Tigers from 15 to 22. The Oakland A's have been getting crushed in May, and they fall from 17 to 24 this week.

 

 

 

 

Chicago Cubs

This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 24-6

Team Stats

  • RS
    184
  • RA
    82
  • Diff.
    +102
  • OPS
    .809
  • ERA
    2.48

 

The Cubs are just ridiculous, and a four-game sweep of the Nationals puts a significant gap between No. 1 and No. 2. They appear to be baseball's Golden State Warriors.

Key Injuries: C Miguel Montero (back), LF Kyle Schwarber (knee)

Washington Nationals

This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2 | Record: 20-12

Team Stats

  • RS
    141
  • RA
    99
  • Diff.
    +42
  • OPS
    .717
  • ERA
    2.84

After getting swept by the Cubs, the Nationals are left with being the best of rest. The good news is that they locked up Stephen Strasburg to a seven-year, $175-million deal.
Key Injuries: None

New York Mets

This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 20-11

Team Stats

  • RS
    137
  • RA
    91
  • Diff.
    +46
  • OPS
    .771
  • ERA
    2.77

The big story of the week was Bartolo Colon hitting his first home run, but keep in mind, the 42-year-old also has a 2.86 ERA in seven games this season.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), C Travis d'Arnaud (shoulder)

Chicago White Sox

This Week: 4 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 23-10

Team Stats

  • RS
    139
  • RA
    101
  • Diff.
    +38
  • OPS
    .718
  • ERA
    2.79

3B Todd Frazier has slugged five home runs in the past 11 games, the kind of pop that the White Sox need in the middle of the order. It only takes a little because their pitching has been so good.
Key Injuries: None

Boston Red Sox

This Week: 5 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 19-13

Team Stats

  • RS
    170
  • RA
    140
  • Diff.
    +30
  • OPS
    .807
  • ERA
    4.22

After six home runs in the past nine games, it's fair to wonder whether David Ortiz wants to re-consider this being his final season. His 1.090 OPS won't last, but it's a career-high.

Key Injuries: RHP Eduardo Rodriguez (knee), RHP Joe Kelly (shoulder)

Baltimore Orioles

This Week: 6 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 18-12

Team Stats

  • RS
    134
  • RA
    114
  • Diff.
    +20
  • OPS
    .778
  • ERA
    3.63

The Orioles have stolen four bases in 30 games. No one individual has stolen more than one, and two of the O's base-stealers are Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez. 
Key Injuries: RHP Yovani Gallardo (shoulder), SS J.J. Hardy (foot)

Seattle Mariners

This Week: 7 | Last Week: 8 | Record: 19-13

Team Stats

  • RS
    140
  • RA
    111
  • Diff.
    +29
  • OPS
    .730
  • ERA
    3.04

The Mariners have moved to the top of the AL West, and part of the reason is getting solid starts from RHP Nathan Karns, who has a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, with 38 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.
Key Injuries: None.

Los Angeles Dodgers

This Week: 8 | Last Week 7 | Record: 16-16

Team Stats

  • RS
    135
  • RA
    123
  • Diff.
    +12
  • OPS
    .683
  • ERA
    3.60

It's good for 3B Justin Turner to have earned a full-time job at the hot corner, but has a home run and six RBI in 102 at-bats.
Key Injuries:  LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), RHP Brandon McCarthy (elbow), LHP Brett Anderson (back)

Toronto Blue Jays

This Week: 9 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 17-17

Team Stats

  • RS
    137
  • RA
    124
  • Diff.
    +13
  • OPS
    .706
  • ERA
    3.40

The bullpen remains a disaster zone -- 10 losses is tied for worst in baseball, the 3.78 ERA is middle of the road -- but the Jays have won five of seven to get back to break-even. 
Key Injuries: 2B Devon Travis (shoulder)

Miami Marlins

This Week: 10 | Last Week: 18 | Record: 17-14

Team Stats

  • RS
    130
  • RA
    130
  • Diff.
    0
  • OPS
    .769
  • ERA
    4.03

12-3 in the past 15 games, the Marlins are on a roll and their starting outfield (Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton) has combined for eight home runs in eight games this month.

Key Injuries: None

Pittsburgh Pirates

This Week: 11 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 17-15

Team Stats

  • RS
    158
  • RA
    151
  • Diff.
    +7
  • OPS
    .790
  • ERA
    4.23

Staff ace Gerrit Cole has a respectable 3.78 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, but who needs respectable from Gerrit Cole? He's supposed to be putting up Cy Young numbers and those are career-high rates.

Key Injuries: None

St. Louis Cardinals

This Week: 12 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 16-16

Team Stats

  • RS
    175
  • RA
    135
  • Diff.
    +40
  • OPS
    .810
  • ERA
    3.92

The Cardinals are struggling, going 4-6 during a 10-game homestand, and while their run differential profiles better than their record, having two starting pitchers (Mike Leake and Adam Wainwright) with ERAs over 6.00 is tough to navigate.

Key Injuries: SS Jhonny Peralta (thumb)

San Francisco Giants

This Week: 13 | Last Week: 13 | Record: 17-17

Team Stats

  • RS
    162
  • RA
    163
  • Diff.
    -1
  • OPS
    .759
  • ERA
    4.26

1B Brandon Belt has been a nice player in previous seasons. This season? He's a force, with a 1.008 OPS. Now, the big difference is that he walked 56 times and struck out 147 times last season. This season, he's already walked 27 times and struck out only 19 times. Control the plate the results will follow.

Key Injuries: None.

Texas Rangers

This Week: 14 | Last Week: 9 | Record: 18-15

Team Stats

  • RS
    147
  • RA
    136
  • Diff.
    +11
  • OPS
    .716
  • ERA
    4.00
It's remarkable that the Rangers are winning, despite having DH Prince Fielder stumble along to a .521 OPS through 33 games.
Key Injuries: RHP Yu Darvish (elbow), C Robinson Chirinos (forearm), RF Shin-Soo Choo (calf), RHP A.J. Griffin (shoulder)
Cleveland Indians

This Week: 15 | Last Week: 20 | Record: 15-14

Team Stats

  • RS
    125
  • RA
    113
  • Diff.
    +12
  • OPS
    .701
  • ERA
    3.86

RHP Danny Salazar is unhittable. He does walk some (16), but opposing hitters are batting .142 against him. They hit .159 against the Cubs' Jake Arrieta.
Key Injuries: RHP Carlos Carrasco (hamstring)

Philadelphia Phillies

This Week: 16 | Last Week: 14 | Record: 18-14

Team Stats

  • RS
    104
  • RA
    131
  • Diff.
    -27
  • OPS
    .643
  • ERA
    3.95

CF Odubel Herrera really stands out in a miserable Phillies lineup. He has a .445 on-base percentage and has walked 25 times. The rest of the team, as a whole, has walked 54 times. 

Key Injuries: RF Aaron Altherr (wrist), RHP Charlie Morton (hamstring)

Tampa Bay Rays

This Week: 17 | Last Week: 19 | Record: 15-15

Team Stats

  • RS
    104
  • RA
    110
  • Diff.
    -6
  • OPS
    .698
  • ERA
    3.52

Rays starters are missing bats -- 9.44 per nine innings is the best rate in the American League, just behind the Phillies (9.46) for best in baseball.
Key Injuries: RHP Alex Cobb (elbow).

Colorado Rockies

This Week: 18 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 15-17

Team Stats

  • RS
    167
  • RA
    171
  • Diff.
    -4
  • OPS
    .803
  • ERA
    5.06

RHP Tyler Chatwood is emerging as a solid starter for the Rockies, at least in the early going, with a 3.09 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.
Key Injuries: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (groin), C Nick Hundley (oblique)

Arizona Diamondbacks

This Week: 19 | Last Week: 23 | Record: 16-18

Team Stats

  • RS
    156
  • RA
    171
  • Diff.
    -15
  • OPS
    .772
  • ERA
    4.73

Nearly the entire lineup is hitting, but the Diamondbacks are struggling to get anyone out, especially newcomers Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller, who have combined for a 6.04 ERA.
Key Injuries: CF A.J. Pollock (elbow)

Kansas City Royals

This Week: 20 | Last Week: 11 | Record: 15-16

Team Stats

  • RS
    105
  • RA
    121
  • Diff.
    -16
  • OPS
    .684
  • ERA
    3.85

Losing 10 of 13 knocks the Royals down, and suddenly they are seven games out in the AL Central.

Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow)

Cincinnati Reds

This Week: 21 | Last Week: 26 | Record: 14-19

Team Stats

  • RS
    135
  • RA
    187
  • Diff.
    -52
  • OPS
    .697
  • ERA
    5.21

One regulation loss in the past six games is a little bit of progress for the Reds. LF Adam Duvall, 1B Joey Votto and 2B Brandon Phillips have led the charge, with a dozen homers in nine games this month.
Key Injuries: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (oblique), RHP Raisel Iglesias (shoulder), C Devin Mesoraco (shoulder)

Detroit Tigers

This Week: 22 | Last Week: 15 | Record: 14-17

Team Stats

  • RS
    135
  • RA
    146
  • Diff.
    -11
  • OPS
    .722
  • ERA
    4.45

Tough week. The Tigers were outscored by 28 runs during a seven-game losing streak.

Key Injuries: CF Cameron Maybin (wrist), RHP Shane Greene (finger)

Houston Astros

This Week: 23 | Last Week: 29 | Record: 13-20

Team Stats

  • RS
    139
  • RA
    152
  • Diff.
    -13
  • OPS
    .738
  • ERA
    4.46

One regulation loss in the past seven games has the Astros starting to turn the corner after a slow start. 
Key Injuries: RHP Lance McCullers (shoulder)

Oakland Athletics

This Week: 24 | Last Week: 17 | Record: 14-19

Team Stats

  • RS
    124
  • RA
    155
  • Diff.
    -31
  • OPS
    .675
  • ERA
    4.47

Outscored by 23 runs while losing seven of eight games this month.

Key Injuries: RHP Chris Bassitt (elbow)
 

New York Yankees

This Week: 25 | Last Week:27 | Record: 12-18

Team Stats

  • RS
    107
  • RA
    129
  • Diff.
    -22
  • OPS
    .670
  • ERA
    4.20
Sunday's loss to the Red Sox was the only regulation loss in the past six for the Yankees, who are getting better pitching. That's not hard, it was awful early on.
Key Injuries: DH Alex Rodriguez (hamstring), LHP CC Sabathia (groin)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This Week 26 | Last Week 22 | Record: 13-18

Team Stats

  • RS
    110
  • RA
    127
  • Diff.
    -17
  • OPS
    .673
  • ERA
    3.83

Five losses in six games and the pitching staff is getting hammered by injuries.
Key Injuries: LHP Andrew Heaney (forearm), LHP C.J. Wilson (elbow), RHP Huston Street (oblique), RHP Garrett Richard (elbow), SS Andrelton Simmons (thumb)

San Diego Padres

This Week: 27 | Last Week: 25 | Record: 13-19

Team Stats

  • RS
    116
  • RA
    143
  • Diff.
    -27
  • OPS
    .655
  • ERA
    4.11

24-year-old RHP Cesar Vargas has been impressive, allowing two earned runs in his first three starts.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyson Ross (shoulder), 3B Yangervis Solarte (hamstring), 2B Cory Spangenberg (quad)

Milwaukee Brewers

This Week: 28 | Last Week: 28 | Record: 13-19

Team Stats

  • RS
    144
  • RA
    187
  • DIFF
    -43
  • OPS
    .744
  • ERA
    5.59

Milwaukee's pitching staff is a train wreck, with a 5.59 staff ERA easily the worst in baseball.
Key Injuries: RHP Matt Garza (lat), 2B Scotter Gennett (oblique)

Minnesota Twins

This Week: 29 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 8-23

Team Stats

  • RS
    106
  • RA
    160
  • Diff.
    -54
  • OPS
    .678
  • ERA
    4.71
Lost nine of 10, getting outscored by 35 runs in the process. A 7.45 ERA in May is tough to play.
Key Injuries: LHP Glen Perkins (shoulder), RHP Kyle Gibson (shoulder)
Atlanta Braves

This Week: 30 | Last Week: 30 | Record: 7-23

Team Stats

  • RS
    90
  • RA
    153
  • Diff.
    -63
  • OPS
    .582
  • ERA
    4.72
There's a lot of bad in Atlanta, but they are getting some interesting pitching performances, with Matt Wisler (3.24 ERA) and Aaron Blair (3.31 ERA) showing all right early in the season.
Key Injuries: None
Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca