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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F08-2F835985384-toronto-blue-jays-v-chicago-cubs-jpg-850x560-ec273d23b07245e22d2b34d0010635a6.jpg)
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.
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.