MLB Power Rankings: Cubs rebound as Nats surge towards top

 The rankings (records through Wednesday):

 

1. Chicago Cubs (57-37; Previous: 3) – Why they fight … Cards Against Humanity.

2. Washington Nationals (57-38; Previous: 5) – They could have a new neighbor … Trump the Game.

3. San Francisco Giants (57-38; Previous: 2) – Professor Bum, in the postseason, with the hammer … Clue.

4. Cleveland Indians (56-38; Previous: 4) – World Series titles since 1920 … Uno.

5. Boston Red Sox (53-39; Previous: 10) – International dealings have gotten them into all sorts of … Trouble.

6. Baltimore Orioles (53-40; Previous: 6) – Big road series coming up … The Invasion of Canada.

7. Texas Rangers (55-41; Previous: 1) – Bullpen could use a little work … Texas hold ‘em.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (53-43; Previous: 7) – In light of Kershaw’s ailment … Backgammon.

9. Toronto Blue Jays (54-42; Previous: 8) – Hey, Rougie, you knocked my block off! … Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots.

10. Miami Marlins (51-43; Previous: 13) – It’s weird because they’ve lost so many of the critical game pieces … Chinese Checkers.

11. New York Mets (50-44; Previous: 9) – A regular turn with Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz … Connect 4.

12. Houston Astros (51-44; Previous: 11) – Remembering those old Colt .45’s unis … Shogun.

13. St. Louis Cardinals (50-44; Previous: 12) – About that hacking thing … Sorry!

14. Detroit Tigers (49-46; Previous: 14) – Current rotation looking a little like a two-man … Operation.

15. Pittsburgh Pirates (48-46; Previous: 15) – So many near misses … Big Buck’s Revenge.

16. Seattle Mariners (48-47; Previous: 18) – M’s still harboring World Series dreams … Never Have I Ever.

17. New York Yankees (48-46; Previous: 19) – They could actually be buyers at the deadline … Trivial Pursuit.

18. Kansas City Royals (47-47; Previous: 16) – Starting pitching is getting problematic … Pandemic.

19. Chicago White Sox (46-48; Previous: 17) – How much does Melky weigh? … Candyland.

20. Colorado Rockies (43-51; Previous: 21) – Throwing pitching ideas against the wall … Darts.

21. Los Angeles Angels (43-52; Previous: 26) – In honor of Dean Chance … Yahtzee!

22. Philadelphia Phillies (44-52; Previous: 20) – Like trying to turn a … Battleship.

23. Oakland Athletics (42-53; Previous: 25) – Some days you’re the smartest guy in the room, others your dugout is filled with poop … The Game of Life.

24. San Diego Padres (41-54; Previous: 24) – Sometimes it seems they see things nobody else does … Pokemon Go.

25. Milwaukee Brewers (40-52; Previous: 22) – Have to go with Bernie Brewer’s favorite … Chutes and Ladders.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-55; Previous: 23) – Shelby Miller has a decent ERA in Irkutsk … Risk.

27. Tampa Bay Rays (37-57; Previous: 27) – Remove Maddon, Friedman, Price … Jenga.

28. Minnesota Twins (35-59; Previous: 29) – They lost a few early and then … Dominos.

29. Cincinnati Reds (36-59; Previous: 28) – Roll the dice, turn the crank, snap the plank, dial the bullpen phone … Mouse Trap.

30. Atlanta Braves (33-62; Previous: 30) – KerPlunk.