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

MLB.com Power Rankings: 6) Chicago Cubs

We’ll wrap things up with the Cubs, who hope their low strength-of-schedule plays into their favor over the next five or so weeks. Chicago controls their own fate – but needs the bullpen to figure things out – and soon.

Virtually every arm in the pen is capable of turning in shutdown frames. They’re also capable of getting themselves into trouble. Newcomer Justin Wilson has not pitched well since joining the team at the deadline and Carl Edwards Jr. has been the definition of inconsistent.

Still, there’s a lot to like about this team. With Addison Russell sidelined, Javier Baez seizes every opportunity, playing like his life depends on it each and every time he steps on the diamond.

"“Javy runs hard,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after the team’s win Sunday. “For the group that wants to criticize the guy, that’s a ball in the dirt, about 15 feet from the catcher, and the catcher just blanked out on it. If Javy does not run hard, it’s a different result. That’s why he was safe. By the time Lopez figured it out, [Baez] had already beat it down to first base.”"

Kris Bryant is playing better than most would have you believe and Anthony Rizzo is coming off NL Player of the Week honors.

Is it enough to win the Central and take aim at a second-straight title? We’ll know soon enough.

Next: Most likely Cubs' September call-ups who can contribute