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Aug 22, 2016

Cubs rule the MLB Power Rankings

The Chicago Cubs continue to reign atop the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, ahead of the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox.

Kris Bryant

The Chicago Cubs continue to reign atop the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, ahead of the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox.

It's been a pretty standard placement for the Cubs, who loaded up at the trade deadline and have gone 19-6 in their past 25 games.

Among the teams moving up, the Seattle Mariners climb from 15 to 10, still in the playoff hunt with a strong August performance. The Houston Astros go from 14 to 11, the Kansas City Royals rise from 19 to 16, and the New York Yankees go from 21 to 17.

Heading the other way, the Miami Marlins fall from 10 to 13, the Detroit Tigers slide from 11 to 15 and the Colorado Rockies fall from 17 to 20.

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to rank among contenders, sitting tight at No. 6 in this week's rankings.

 

 

Chicago Cubs

This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 78-45

Team Stats

  • RS
    631
  • RA
    423
  • Diff.
    +208
  • OPS
    .778
  • ERA
    3.15

There was a midseason slump, but the Cubs have gone 19-6 in the past 25 games, solidifying their hold on top spot in the rankings, though they do have some bullpen injuries at the moment if looking for areas of vulnerability.

Key Injuries: LF Kyle Schwarber (knee), RHP John Lackey (shoulder)

Washington Nationals

This Week: 2 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 73-50

Team Stats

  • RS
    600
  • RA
    455
  • Diff.
    +145
  • OPS
    .760
  • ERA
    3.39

The Nats have been challenging the Cubs for most of the season, but when Stephen Strasburg keeps running into injuries, that's a concern. With Joe Ross also out, that leaves a quality gap behind Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark at the top of the rotation.
Key Injuries: RHP Stephen Strasburg (elbow), RHP Joe Ross (shoulder)

Boston Red Sox

This Week: 3 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 69-54

Team Stats

  • RS
    677
  • RA
    561
  • Diff.
    +116
  • OPS
    .819
  • ERA
    4.22

Consistency has been elusive for the Red Sox, but they have won eight of the past 10 games. While LHP David Price hasn't lived up to expectations, RHP Rick Porcello (2.52 ERA, 1.01 WHIP in his past 13 starts) has been performing like an ace.

Key Injuries: RHP Steven Wright (shoulder)

Cleveland Indians

This Week: 4 | Last Week: 7 | Record: 71-51

Team Stats

  • RS
    616
  • RA
    511
  • Diff.
    +105
  • OPS
    .770
  • ERA
    3.83

OF Brandon Guyer has been a big addition at the plate, hitting .414 with a  1.086 OPS in 13 games since he was acquired from Tampa Bay. Tribe have gone 8-3 in the past 11 games.
Key Injuries: LF Michael Brantley (shoulder), C Yan Gomes (shoulder)

Texas Rangers

This Week: 5 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 73-52

Team Stats

  • RS
    582
  • RA
    581
  • Diff.
    +1
  • OPS
    .752
  • ERA
    4.35
While injuries have cut into Texas' pitching depth, they are still capable with a healthy Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, followed by Martin Perez, at the top of the rotation. It's what comes after that leaves them in a tough spot.
Key Injuries: LHP Derek Holland (shoulder), RHP Colby Lewis (lat), DH Prince Fielder (neck), RF Shin-Soo Choo (forearm), RHP Lucas Harrell (groin)
Toronto Blue Jays

This Week: 6 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 70-54

Team Stats

  • RS
    596
  • RA
    501
  • Diff.
    +95
  • OPS
    .760
  • ERA
    3.72

The Blue Jays have started the process of skipping Aaron Sanchez starts, and that hurts, but if it keeps him healthy, all will be forgiven. Look at some of the Blue Jays' bullpen additions too -- Joaquin Benoit and Jason Grilli have combined for a 1.16 ERA (5 ER in 38 2/3 IP) since joining the club.
Key Injuries: RF Jose Bautista (knee), CF Kevin Pillar (thumb)

San Francisco Giants

This Week: 7 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 68-56

Team Stats

  • RS
    556
  • RA
    507
  • Diff.
    +49
  • OPS
    .735
  • ERA
    3.77

The second half has been unkind to the Giants -- they are 11-23 since the All-Star break -- and it's cost them the lead in the National League West. The pitching has slipped, from a 3.55 ERA before the break to 4.33 after.

Key Injuries: RHP Matt Cain (back).

Los Angeles Dodgers

This Week: 8 | Last Week 8 | Record: 68-55

Team Stats

  • RS
    549
  • RA
    490
  • Diff.
    +59
  • OPS
    .731
  • ERA
    3.76

The Dodgers have taken over the lead in the NL West, and that's some accomplishen given the pitching injuries that have hit the Dodgers. Yes, having deep pockets sure helps, but it could be hard to keep this pace if they can't get Hill and/or Kershaw back in the rotation.
Key Injuries:  LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), RHP Brandon McCarthy (hip), RHP Alex Wood (elbow), LHP Clayton Kershaw (back), LHP Rich Hill (hand)

Baltimore Orioles

This Week: 9 | Last Week: 9 | Record: 67-56

Team Stats

  • RS
    579
  • RA
    561
  • Diff.
    +18
  • OPS
    .772
  • ERA
    4.38

The Orioles are running into long-expected trouble with pitching and a 4-9 record in the past 13 games has knocked them to third place in the American League East. The move of Dylan Bundy (3.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP in seven starts) to the rotation hasn't been enough to fix their problems.
Key Injuries: None

Seattle Mariners

This Week: 10 | Last Week: 15 | Record: 66-57

Team Stats

  • RS
    579
  • RA
    528
  • Diff.
    +51
  • OPS
    .761
  • ERA
    3.98

The Mariners may have been ready to pack it in at the trade deadline, but they are 15-6 in August, and that's brought them to within a game of a wild card spot. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma has been stellar lately, posting a 2.37 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in his past eight starts.
Key Injuries: RHP Nathan Karns (back), LHP James Paxton (elbow)

Houston Astros

This Week: 11 | Last Week: 14 | Record: 64-60

Team Stats

  • RS
    569
  • RA
    523
  • Diff.
    +46
  • OPS
    .743
  • ERA
    3.98

Rookie 3B Alex Bregman started slowly (2-for-38, .053 AVG, .195 OPS), but has a .328 average and .937 OPS in his past 15 games, suddenly a valuable bat in the lineup.
Key Injuries: 3B Luis Valbuena (hamstring), RHP Lance McCullers (elbow)

St. Louis Cardinals

This Week: 12 | Last Week: 13 | Record: 66-57

Team Stats

  • RS
    614
  • RA
    533
  • Diff.
    +81
  • OPS
    .775
  • ERA
    4.02

There are injury issues, but the Cardinals have won six of the past seven games, and that's moved them into the second NL Wildcard spot. They're getting production from and outfield of Jeremy Hazelbaker, Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham, each of whom has an OPS over 1.000 in August.

Key Injuries: RHP Lance Lynn (elbow), SS Aledmys Diaz (thumb), RHP Michael Wacha (shoulder), LF Matt Holliday (thumb)

Miami Marlins

This Week: 13 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 65-59

Team Stats

  • RS
    528
  • RA
    514
  • Diff.
    +14
  • OPS
    .736
  • ERA
    3.95

The Marlins have four players with more than seven home runs, and two of them are on the DL, so it's a slap-hitting outfit for the most part. Outfielder Marcell Ozuna (22 HR, .819 OPS), and Christian Yelich (15 HR, .881 OPS) are big bats, but need help and losing Giancarlo Stanton is crushing for a lineup already lacking pop.

Key Injuries: 1B Justin Bour (ankle), LHP Adam Conley (finger), RF Giancarlo Stanton (groin)

New York Mets

This Week: 14 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 62-62

Team Stats

  • RS
    469
  • RA
    479
  • Diff.
    -10
  • OPS
    .714
  • ERA
    3.61

With a 9-16 record in the past 25 games, the Mets have collapsed out of contention. Naturally, the offence is struggling, but the bullpen is also causing problems.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), 1B Lucas Duda (back), 3B David Wright (neck)

Detroit Tigers

This Week: 15 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 65-59

Team Stats

  • RS
    571
  • RA
    562
  • Diff.
    +9
  • OPS
    .758
  • ERA
    4.24

The Tigers are hovering around the AL Wildcard race, thanks to 1B Miguel Cabrera, who has 9 HR and a 1.020 OPS in 34 games since the All-Star break.

Key Injuries: RHP Mike Pelfrey (back), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (lat), 3B Nick Castellanos (hand), SS Jose Iglesias (hamstring)

Kansas City Royals

This Week: 16 | Last Week: 19 | Record: 64-60

Team Stats

  • RS
    495
  • RA
    518
  • Diff.
    -23
  • OPS
    .713
  • ERA
    4.05

The Royals have allowed a total of 13 runs during an eight-game winning streak, and suddenly have a chance to get into the playoff discussion. Their big difference-maker has been LHP Danny Duffy, who has a 2.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, with 113 K in 108 IP, in his past 16 starts.

Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow), 3B Mike Moustakas (knee), RHP Wade Davis (forearm)

New York Yankees

This Week: 17 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 63-60

Team Stats

  • RS
    510
  • RA
    539
  • Diff.
    -29
  • OPS
    .711
  • ERA
    4.25
It's easy to sell Yankees fans on the future when C Gary Sanchez (6 HR, 1.147 OPS in 16 games) and RF Aaron Judge (2 HR, .956 OPS in seven games) produce immediately after getting called up.
Key Injuries: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (elbow)
Pittsburgh Pirates

This Week: 18 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 62-59

Team Stats

  • RS
    549
  • RA
    547
  • Diff.
    +2
  • OPS
    .732
  • ERA
    4.13

The Pirates had won five of six before suffering a brutal three-game home sweep at the hands of the Marlins. But, that leaves them only three games out of a playoff spot, so there's hope.

Key Injuries: 3B Jung-Ho Kang (shoulder)

Chicago White Sox

This Week 19 | Last Week: 18 | Record: 59-64

Team Stats

  • RS
    493
  • RA
    538
  • Diff.
    -45
  • OPS
    .711
  • ERA
    4.08

It turns out that DH Justin Morneau has been a good addition to a lineup lacking power, putting up a .792 OPS in 30 games, and while that may not sound like much, it's a better mark than any of the White Sox regulars.
Key Injuries: CF Austin Jackson (knee), 2B Brett Lawrie (hamstring), DH Avisail Garcia (knee), RHP Miguel Gonzalez (groin)

Colorado Rockies

This Week: 20 | Last Week: 17 | Record: 60-64

Team Stats

  • RS
    660
  • RA
    642
  • Diff.
    +18
  • OPS
    .797
  • ERA
    4.90

2012 first-rounder David Dahl has hit the ground running, or hitting, with a .330 average and .945 OPS in his first 26 games. 
Key Injuries: SS Trevor Story (thumb), RHP Tyler Chatwood (back)

Cincinnati Reds

This Week: 21 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 53-71

Team Stats

  • RS
    556
  • RA
    673
  • Diff.
    -117
  • OPS
    .716
  • ERA
    4.91

It's getting lost while he plays for an also-ran team in Cincinnati, but 1B Joey Votto has been baseball's best hitter in the second half, with a .548 on-base percentage and 1.241 OPS.
Key Injuries: RHP Alfredo Simon (shoulder), C Devin Mesoraco (shoulder)

Philadelphia Phillies

This Week: 22 | Last Week: 20 | Record: 58-67

Team Stats

  • RS
    473
  • RA
    593
  • Diff.
    -120
  • OPS
    .690
  • ERA
    4.54

In a stunning twist, 1B Ryan Howard has mashed seven home runs and has a 1.121 OPS in 22 games after the All-Star break. 

Key Injuries: RHP Aaron Nola (elbow), RHP Charlie Morton (hamstring), RHP Zach Eflin (knees)

Tampa Bay Rays

This Week: 23 | Last Week: 23 | Record: 52-70

Team Stats

  • RS
    516
  • RA
    530
  • Diff.
    -14
  • OPS
    .737
  • ERA
    4.13

The Rays have won six of seven, but they are so far out that it doesn't much matter.
Key Injuries: RHP Alex Cobb (elbow), LF Desmond Jennings (knee), LF Nick Franklin (concussion)

Milwaukee Brewers

This Week: 24 | Last Week: 22 | Record: 53-70

Team Stats

  • RS
    504
  • RA
    590
  • DIFF
    -86
  • OPS
    .728
  • ERA
    4.38

Six losses in the past seven games for a Brewers team that doesn't have the pitching to compete...though closer Tyler Thornburn (1.89 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) has been effective and is now the closer after Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith were dealt away.
Key Injuries: RF Domingo Santana (elbow), RHP Junior Guerra (elbow)

San Diego Padres

This Week: 25 | Last Week: 29 | Record: 53-71

Team Stats

  • RS
    544
  • RA
    602
  • Diff.
    -58
  • OPS
    .701
  • ERA
    4.52

28-year-old 2B Ryan Schimpf is hitting just .224, but his 14 home runs leads to a team-best .908 OPS (minimum 100 AB). 
Key Injuries: RHP Tyson Ross (shoulder), 2B Cory Spangenberg (quad), CF Jon Jay (forearm)

Minnesota Twins

This Week: 26 | Last Week: 27 | Record: 49-75

Team Stats

  • RS
    562
  • RA
    661
  • Diff.
    -99
  • OPS
    .745
  • ERA
    4.94
The Twins were just swept by the red-hot Royals, but they are 12-12 in the past 24 games and DH Kennys Vargas has put up a .955 OPS in 25 games. 
Key Injuries: LHP Glen Perkins (shoulder), LHP Tom Milone (biceps), RHP Phil Hughes (knee)
Arizona Diamondbacks

This Week: 27 | Last Week: 28 | Record: 51-73

Team Stats

  • RS
    561
  • RA
    690
  • Diff.
    -129
  • OPS
    .752
  • ERA
    5.13

The vultures are circling in the Arizona desert, looking to pick apart the Diamondbacks' failing front office. These things happen when a pitching staff has a 6.10 ERA in 34 starts since the All-Star break.
Key Injuries: CF A.J. Pollock (elbow), RF David Peralta (back), SS Nick Ahmed (hip)

Oakland Athletics

This Week: 28 | Last Week: 25 | Record: 53-71

Team Stats

  • RS
    495
  • RA
    596
  • Diff.
    -101
  • OPS
    .705
  • ERA
    4.64

The A's have lost seven of eight and with injuries decimating the pitching staff, it could be a rough ride through the end of the season.

Key Injuries: RHP Chris Bassitt (elbow), RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder), 2B Jed Lowrie (foot), RHP Jesse Hahn (shoulder), RHP Sonny Gray (forearm)
 

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This Week 29 | Last Week 26 | Record: 52-72

Team Stats

  • RS
    550
  • RA
    593
  • Diff.
    -43
  • OPS
    .727
  • ERA
    4.59

The Halos have lost 14 of 17 games and, like the A's, have massive pitching injuries that will make for a long road through to the end of the season.
Key Injuries: LHP Andrew Heaney (forearm), LHP C.J. Wilson (elbow), RHP Garrett Richards (elbow), RHP Huston Street (knee), RHP Cam Bedrosian (finger), 3B Yunel Escobar (concussion)

Atlanta Braves

This Week: 30 | Last Week: 30 | Record: 45-79

Team Stats

  • RS
    451
  • RA
    604
  • Diff.
    -153
  • OPS
    .674
  • ERA
    4.51
Had lost seven in a row before Sunday's win over Atlanta. That's not going to get the Braves out of the basement.
Key Injuries: RHP Williams Perez (shoulder), LF Mallex Smith (thumb), C A.J. Pierzynski (hamstring)
Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca