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Chicago Cubs Power Rankings: North Siders inching closer to top five

By Jake Misener

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 20: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs beats a tag at home plate by Raffy Lopez #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays to score the winning run during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field on August 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 20: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs beats a tag at home plate by Raffy Lopez #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays to score the winning run during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field on August 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 20: Jake Marisnick #6 of the Houston Astros is caught looking a called strike three to end the game as Dustin Garneau #12 of the Oakland Athletics walks away at Minute Maid Park on August 20, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 20: Jake Marisnick #6 of the Houston Astros is caught looking a called strike three to end the game as Dustin Garneau #12 of the Oakland Athletics walks away at Minute Maid Park on August 20, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

MLB.com Power Rankings: 5) Houston Astros

At 76-48, the Houston Astros enjoy a comfortable 12 1/2 game lead in the American League West. This team is going to make the postseason. Yet, there’s a feeling of unease in the air surrounding this club.

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Chicago Cubs

Why?

Comments made by multiple players after the front office was relatively quiet at the deadline turned some heads. Ace Dallas Kuechel chimed in – calling the lack of action ‘disappointing.’

"“I mean, I’m not going to lie, disappointment is a little bit of an understatement,” Keuchel told ESPN the day after the deadline. “I feel like a bunch of teams really bolstered their rosters for the long haul and for a huge playoff push, and us just kind of staying pat was really disappointing to myself.”"

With an extremely young, talented core, Houston is set up for long-term success. But injuries have mounted at times – with key players like Kuechel, Carlos Correa and Evan Gattis all on the DL. That’s not to mention the handful of relievers currently sidelined.

Houston is a quality ball club. But in the next month-plus, it’s about getting healthy ahead of October.

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