MLB power rankings: Astros' seven-game win streak lands them at No. 1

The Houston Astros have caught fire over the past month, winning 16 of 20 to confirm their status in the upper tier of World Series contenders. For that, they take over the top spot in USA TODAY Sports' weekly MLB power rankings from the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost six in a row over the past week.

It's no coincidence that Houston's surge coincided with the return of budding ace Framber Valdez, who didn't make his first start of the year until May 28 due to a finger injury. The 27-year-old lefty came into the year with high expectations following a great 2020 postseason (1.88 ERA in 24 innings) and picked up right where he left off, posting a 1.67 ERA in his first five starts of 2021.

The Astros play their next 10 games against the Orioles and Tigers so they certainly should be able to keep this run going for the next couple of weeks. But Houston will be without Alex Bregman who hit the IL with a strained quad that's going to keep him out "a while" according to manager Dusty Baker.

Here's how our seven-person panel voted this week:

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RANK (movement from last week)

1. Houston Astros (+7)

• Seven-game win streak coincides with Framber Valdez's return to ace status.

2. San Francisco Giants (--)

• Bulletproof? They've won nine of 14 since Evan Longoria's injury.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)

• Buckle up: Next nine games against Padres, Cubs, Giants.

4. Tampa Bay Rays (-3)

• Ace Tyler Glasnow lost to elbow injury, team suffers four walk-off losses, summons Wander Franco. Sheesh.

5. Chicago White Sox (-2)

• Just 17-23 against teams with winning records.

6. Boston Red Sox (-1)

• Christian Arroyo (105 adjusted OPS) providing steady production expected of Kike' Hernandez (79)

7. Oakland Athletics (-1)

• Now in dead heat with Astros after losing Yankee Stadium series they could've swept.

8. San Diego Padres (-1)

• Hard not to wince every time Fernando Tatis Jr. dives on his shoulder.

9. Chicago Cubs (--)

• Went a week without scoring a run via the non-home run.

10. Cleveland (+2)

• Remember 20-game winners? Aaron Civale well on pace to hit that mark.

11. New York Mets (--)

• Francisco Lindor's OPS creeping toward .700 for first time as a Met.

12. Milwaukee Brewers (-3)

• Josh Hader's ERA, FIP and homers given up all begin with 0.-something.

13. New York Yankees (+1)

• Run differential of zero sums up season of dramatic turns adding up to A Pretty OK Team.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)

• In removing his pal Freddy Galvis from scrum, Vlad Guerrero Jr. makes case for MVB (Most Valuable Bouncer).

15. Philadelphia Phillies (--)

• In an era of five-inning pitchers, Zack Wheeler averaging seven dominant innings a start.

16. Cincinnati Reds (-1)

• Get hype for that Jesse Winker-Nick Castellanos MVP battle.

17. Atlanta Braves (+1)

• Four games with the Mets may set the tone for summer.

18. Los Angeles Angels (+2)

• There's not a vibe the Angels bullpen couldn't kill.

19. Washington Nationals (+4)

• Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester sending waves of regret to Wrigley Field.

20. St. Louis Cardinals (-4)

• Treading water at .500 until Jack Flaherty returns wouldn't be the worst outcome.

21. Seattle Mariners (+1)

• Swept the Rays, which is only fair after losing every trade to them.

22. Miami Marlins (-1)

• Jesus Sanchez latest outfielder hoping to stick for good.

23. Kansas City Royals (-4)

• Bobby Witt Jr. on an 11-for-22 run at Class AA, pushing average to .280.

24. Minnesota Twins (--)

• Byron Buxton and Kenta Maeda are healthy and productive - but is it too late?

25. Detroit Tigers (--)

• Here come the arms: Matt Manning's steady debut fuels enthusiasm.

26. Colorado Rockies (--)

• Will Ryan McMahon be lone representative at hometown All-Star Game?

27. Texas Rangers (--)

• Adolis Garcia would be a fun rep in the Home Run Derby.

28. Pittsburgh Pirates (--)

• As selling season commences, prices shouldn't be too high in Pittsburgh.

29. Baltimore Orioles (–)

• Will soon have 10 shots to try and break 18-game road losing streak.

30. Arizona Diamondbacks (--)

• Can't win at home, either.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Astros seven-game win streak lands them at No. 1