Power rankings system devised and compiled weekly by Stemshul. “Expert” analysis by paradroid.

Next up is checking in with the N.L. Central, where, much like its American League counterpart, one team is running away with the division: Milwaukee. At least the Brewers have a little bit stiffer competition, as both Cincinnati and St. Louis have managed winning records so far. But the Pirates have been one of the worst teams in baseball all year and with Chicago disbanding the 2016 World Series championship team by shipping out stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javy Báez, the remaining players have only managed 3 wins in the 17 games. The Cubs opted to rip off the band aid in one go, rather than several more years of being mediocre, the latter of which has been more common in the years since the curse was broken. I sympathize with fans frustration and with their emotional attachment with the players who were traded, but I kind of wish in retrospect the Tigers hadn’t spent 2015 and 2016 trying to hold on to the success of the previous 8 years and started their rebuild 2 years earlier. They might have even found a trading partner for Miguel Cabrera despite his massive contract. That would have been more rational, but it sure has been fun watching him near 500 HR and 3,000 hits this year (currently at 499 and 2,951).

Milwaukee has a death grip on the Central (Fangraphs has them at 97% to win it) and their success this year has been mostly about great pitching. While their 4.64 runs per game is a respectable 11th in MLB, they are ranked second to only the Dodgers at 3.68 runs allowed per game. Bolstering their piching staff has been great fielding (tied with Houston for first by Fielding Bible with 50 defensive runs saved). Other than the Brewers, only the Reds have any kind of real shot at the playoffs (41.5% according to Fangraphs). I suppose the Cardinals could still make it (6.2% chance), but they are currently 4 games out of the last slot and would have to overcome both the Reds and the Padres. This is another season to forget for the Pirates, with their offense scoring the fewest runs (3.59 per game) and the pitching not much better (5.11, 27th). I expect Milwakee to continue to walk away with the Central and Cincinnati to challenge San Diego right up to the end for the wildcard. The Cubs and Pirates are rebuilding and the Cardinals should maybe consider the option the Cubs took this year and trade their most valuable players for prospects. But having just traded for Nolan Arenado this offseason, it appears their are going to try to keep reloading.

Detroit update for the week: after a promising 3 wins in 4, the Tigers lost 11-0 to Cleveland and then gave up 6 runs in the 9th last night to fall to the Angels 8-2. Losing 3 players (Akil Baddoo, Derek Hill, and Niko Goodrum, the latter who was just came of the injured list to help replace the former two) who can play the outfield had really tested the defense, especially with Daz Cameron still recovering from his stint on the IL with Toledo. Willi Castro, who said he hasn’t played outfield since he was 12, spent the last few days playing some left field. Hill and Baddoo should be back soon, which will be a relief for manager A.J. Hinch.

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