Chicago Cubs jump into top-5 in MLB power rankings as All-Star break begins

The Chicago Cubs are 54-42 on the season as they have reached the MLB All-Star break. This first half has certainly been a roller coaster for Chicago, who ended it on a high note by taking two out of three games against the Cincinnati Reds.

Indeed, the Cubs have been playing excellent baseball as of late, reminiscent of earlier in the season when they won ten games in a row on two separate occasions. It has been a great month for Chicago, who are 20-8 in the last 28 games, a great improvement over a recent stretch that saw them go a full month without winning a single series.

Chicago Cubs take top-5 spot in BR’s MLB power rankings

After weeks of going back-and-forth with other NL Central teams, the Cubs have been able to separate themselves from the pack, so to speak. The Milwaukee Brewers still lead the division, but it once again appears to be a two-team race between them and the Cubs.

When Bleacher Report released their MLB power rankings for the week, they had Chicago ranked fifth, on spot up from last week:

“After starting out 7-9, the Cubs won 20 of their next 23, lost 22 of their next 29 and then closed out the first half with wins in 20 of their last 28 games. Whether they’ll be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde in October remains to be seen. But for all the talk about the need to upgrade this pitching staff at the deadline, it’s probably going to hinge on the offense. The Cubs have won 19 of the last 20 games in which they’ve scored at least five runs, including all four of their victories this week.”

As BR notes, the Cubs’ continued success this season is going to have a great deal to depend on the health of performance of their pitching staff. It will be interesting to see what the team does as the MLB trade deadline approaches, and who they are able to acquire.

Ideally, they would be able to nab at least two front-line starters that stay healthy, as well as a solidly reliable reliever.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Craig Counsell reveals dire injury update on key pitcher
• Why Ethan Conrad’s promotion is key for the Cubs
• Cubs actually have cause for pitching optimism after All-Star break

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