MLB Power Rankings: Cubs rebound as Nats surge towards top

Tim Brown
·MLB columnist

Family game night! (Also, find the “Pokemon Go.”)

The rankings (records through Wednesday):

The Chicago Cubs jumped back to the top spot in our Power Rankings. (Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs jumped back to the top spot in our Power Rankings. (Getty Images)

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.