MLB Power Rankings: Cubs, Astros solidifying playoff spots

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The Cubs and Astros are probably the top two stories in the MLB pennant race this season, but with five weeks still to play, neither has a stranglehold on a playoff spot. The Astros are still trying to hold off a number of challengers, including the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. Meanwhile, the Cubs rose from the ashes of a brutal West Coast trip with a no-hitter and a bunch of onesies

With that comes another week of MLB Power Rankings from CSNChicago.com's Tony Andracki and JJ Stankevitz. Stay with us every Monday from here through October for a fresh set of rankings.

Stay tuned for updated rankings every Monday throughout the 2015 campaign. Here's where we're at so far: Preseason rankings | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19

Rank Team
Last Week Comment
1 1

Jason Heyward (.792 OPS, 20 SBs) is suddenly turning into a player they'd love to lock up long-term.

2   2

The AL’s best team should get arguably its best player back on Tuesday.

3 3

They're 29 games over .500, 7 better than the NL West leader and 7.5 better than the NL East leader, yet will have to win a wild card game to even get into the main postseason bracket.

4   5

Baseball’s must fun team (seriously, go watch highlights from Saturday’s game against Detroit) enters the week 1.5 games up on the Yankees in the AL East. 

5 4

Jake Arrieta: NL Cy Young?

6 7

This is one of those years where the first-place wild card team doesn’t deserve to play a one-game playoff — Yankees enter the week four up on Texas. 

7 9

What's so incredible about Clayton Kershaw is, even after four straight years of leading the NL in ERA and WHIP, he's having an even better year this season.

8 6

Getting George Springer (.264/.365/.457, 2.5 WAR) back for the stretch run should help them hold off Texas in the AL West.

9 8

What was all that talk about the lack of offense? They look pretty solid now with Wright back, Cespedes crushing the ball and that doesn't even count Lucas Duda, who's on the DL.

10 10

Interesting take: Did the Cubs knock the Giants out of the wild card race before the season even started?

11 11

Derek Holland served a reminder of how good he can be when healthy on Sunday, throwing an 11-strikeout, three-hit shutout against Baltimore. 

12 12

Have they weathered the storm? Just took a series from Houston over the weekend and get a shot at beating up on the White Sox this week. 

13 15

Anthony Rendon getting hot (.419/.500/.645 last 8 gms) could be just what this team needs to make a run.

14 19

Lurking only five games out of a wild card spot after sweeping the Angels by a combined score of 20-6 over the weekend. 

15 16

At 65-65, they realistically need to go 20-10 down the stretch to remain in the AL playoff picture. 

16 17

Only division leaders Kansas City and Houston have allowed fewer runs in the AL, but they’ve scored the fewest runs (483) of anyone in the junior circuit. 

17 18

Matt Kemp in the 2nd half: .301/.358/.524 (.882 OPS) with 8 HR, 33 RBI.

18 13

Paul Goldschmidt has a very human-like .887 OPS in the 2nd half. What a bust.

19 14

It’s looking more and more like their good run differential won’t matter. 

20 23

Former White Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza has been solid for them, hitting .292/.347/.484 in 60 games.

21 20

Jeff Samardzija finished August with an 8.82 ERA. 

22 22 Would’ve taken three of four from the White Sox if Brad Miller was able to throw to first base. 
23 21

Even with Justin Verlander rounding into form, they have the highest ERA of any staff in the AL (4.61).

24 24

Billy Butler looks like a complete offseason misfire, hitting .238/.311/.358 with nine home runs and -1.2 WAR. 

25 25

Jonathan Lucroy is finally healthy an dputting up an .855 OPS in August.

26 26

It's not even September yet and Joey Votto already has 112 walks.

27 29

Let's check in with Jose Reyes on the Rockies: .257 AVG, .692 OPS, 5 SB in 9 attempts, $22 million salary.

28 27

5-game losing streak pits them in bottom 3 in our rankings.

29 28

Giancarlo's coming back!!

30 30

Odubel Herrera is hitting .348 with an .860 OPS in the 2nd half. Great progress for the 23-year-old.

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