2015 MLB Power Rankings: Cubs continue to roll
Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Jake Arrieta(49) reacts to making a two base throwing error during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Cubs are winners of 17 of their last 20 games including nine in a row at one point. They have climbed to the third best record in the National League and trail the Pittsburgh Pirates by 2.5 games for the top Wild Card spot entering today.
Anthony Rizzo has played at a MVP-candidate level all season and Jake Arrieta should certainly get a few Cy Young votes. But it has been the supporting cast behind them that has them in position to reach the postseason for the first time since 2008.
No player in that group has stood out more than Kyle Schwarber.
Since being called up a second time this season, the catcher/outfielder has hit .300/.402/.578 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in 28 games.
The Cubs have six games apiece this season left with the Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. Surpassing the Cardinals in the NL Central will be a tough task as they trail by 7.5 games.
Other notable teams who had success last week include the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.
Team who experienced struggles last week include the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals.
Here are the power rankings for the week.
Next: Cubs now in the top five?
Aug 16, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder
Jason Heyward(22) celebrates with St. Louis Cardinals third base coach
Jose Oquendo(11) after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
<strong><a href=. 75-42. Previous: 1st. St. Louis Cardinals. 1. team. 33
team. 7. In six starts since the All-Star break, <strong><a href=. 71-46. Previous: 2nd. Kansas City Royals. 2
4. No NL player has more hits in August than <strong><a href=. 69-46. Previous: 3rd. Pittsburgh Pirates. 3. team
Chicago Cubs. 4. team. 9. Another key player for the Cubs since the All-Star break has been <strong><a href=. 67-49. Previous: 6th
team. 71. How can baseball’s richest team afford not to resign <strong><a href=. 67-51. Previous: 4th. Los Angeles Dodgers. 5
6. team. 43. The New York Yankees were in a must-win situation over the weekend in Toronto and got the job done leaving a half game up in first place in the AL East.. 64-52. Previous: 7th. New York Yankees
The Toronto Blue Jays went on one heck of a run before this past weekend to climb into first place in the AL East. They see the Yankees seven more time this season and every game is sure to have a playoff feel to them.. 65-54. Previous: 5th. Toronto Blue Jays. 7. team. 39
135. The Houston Astros offense is starting to miss <strong><a href=. 64-54. Previous: 8th. Houston Astros. 8. team
San Francisco Giants. 9. team. 40. The Giants are hot again but unfortunately so are the teams ahead of them in the standings.. 64-53. Previous: 11th
10. team. 3. The New York Mets just got swept by the Pirates, yet they are still up 4.5 games in the NL East.. 63-55. Previous: 10th. New York Mets
Next: Orioles take control of second AL Wild Card.
Aug 16, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman
Chris Davis(19) hits a rbi single during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Orioles. 11. team. 11. <strong><a href=. 60-56. Previous: 13th
Previous: 9th. Los Angeles Angels. 12. team. 102. The Angels pitching struggles of late are the main reason they currently sit outside of the playoffs.. 60-57
Texas Rangers. 13. team. 126. The Texas Rangers are alive in the Wild Card hunt but to be clear, it has had nothing to do with <strong><a href=. 59-57. Previous: 15th
Minnesota Twins. 14. team. 2. Where would the Minnesota Twins be without <strong><a href=. 59-58. Previous: 16th
58-59. Previous: 12th. Washington Nationals. 15. team. 90. I don’t know if <strong><a href=
Previous: 14th. Tampa Bay Rays. 16. team. 21. Despite allowing five runs in four innings yesterday, the Rays are just happy to see <strong><a href=. 58-59
57-59. Previous: 17th. Arizona Diamondbacks. 17. team. 8. Does the Nationals collapse strengthen <strong><a href=
Welcome back <strong><a href=. 56-61. Previous: 18th. Detroit Tigers. 18. team. 63
team. 128. <strong><a href=. 55-60. Previous: 21st. Chicago White Sox. 19
127. When <strong><a href=. 56-62. Previous: 19th. San Diego Padres. 20. team
Next: Mariners, Red Sox have historic performances.
Aug 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher
Hisashi Iwakuma(18, center) celebrates with his teammates following the final out of his no-hit, 3-0 victory against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
62. After <strong><a href=. . Previous: 20th. Seattle Mariners. 21. team
Previous: 24th. Atlanta Braves. 23. team. 17. Seven no-hit innings for <strong><a href=. 53-64
14. In a game in which the Red Sox scored 22 runs, <strong><a href=. 52-65. Previous: 25th. Boston Red Sox. 24. team
61. Since the All-Star break, <strong><a href=. 51-65. Previous: 26th. Cincinnati Reds. 25. team
51-68. Previous: 28th. Milwaukee Brewers. 26. team. 76. <strong><a href=
team. 96. <strong><a href=. 51-68. Previous: 23rd. Oakland Athletics. 27
48-68. Previous: 27th. Colorado Rockies. 28. team. 108. In three starts since being called up, <strong><a href=
47-70. Previous: 30th. Miami Marlins. 29. team. 82. If you add up <strong><a href=
Previous: 29th. Philadelphia Phillies. 30. team. 6. It appears the Philadelphia Phillies are doing everything they can to trade <strong><a href=. 46-72