Cubs moves up in latest ESPN MLB Power Rankings |
Tony Crumpton
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- Tuesday, May 14 2019
It's starting to look a little like 2016.
The Chicago Cubs are rolling now after their early struggles to start the season. Eight straight series wins and an impressive 21-6 record in their last 27 games has cemented them back in first place in the tough National League Central division. ESPN released their latest MLB Power Rankings recently and had the Cubs up one spot to No. 4 overall. "Recently, chief decision-maker Theo Epstein said that pitching coach Tommy Hottovy's name came up too often during the staff's poor start over Chicago's first nine games," ESPN said. "So it would only be fair to mention him now that things have turned. During that 2-7 start, Cubs pitchers ranked last with a 7.51 ERA. Since then, they have the best ERA in the majors. So, Tommy Hottovy, consider your name mentioned, and for a good reason." The top 10 teams in the ESPN rankings were the Dodgers, Astros, Rays, Cubs, Twins, Yankees, Brewers, Red Sox, Cardinals, and Phillies. The NL Central division is showing their collective strength with all members in the top 17 of the rankings: Cubs (4), Brewers (7), Cardinals (9), Pirates (16), and Reds (17).
