Chicago Cubs: Alex Bregman gets highlighted as team maintains top-5 standing in MLB power rankings

The Chicago Cubs are 74-54 following their series victory over their southside rivals. It was truly an amazing series, one that saw the Cubs win the first two games in walk-off fashion. The first game saw Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a walk-off home run in extra innings (after he led off that same contest with a home run), and Alex Bregman win the second contest with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

Despite their winnings ways of late, Chicago still remains five games out of first place in the National League Central Division. However, their strong play is a strong indication that they are not resigned to settling for a Wild Card spot again. They are fighting until the very end.

Alex Bregman gets a shoutout as the Chicago Cubs come in fifth in the latest power rankings

Thursday’s ESPN MLB power rankings saw the Cubs slide in at fifth, a position they held last week too. In their explanation for the ranking, they gave Bregman a shoutout for how good he has been as of late:

“Alex Bregman quietly had one of the better weeks among all hitters. Yes, his first three-homer game created some headlines, but he followed that with a three-hit game Monday while continuing to earn his share of walks and keeping the line moving for the Cubs.

“The best version of Bregman has him hitting doubles to right and right center while pulling homers to hitter-friendly left field at Wrigley — at least when the wind is blowing out. Over the course of six games last week, he had the highest OPS in baseball.”

Bregman is currently hitting .255/.345/.404 this year, which is a dip from the .273/.360/.462 that he hit before they signed him to a five-year $175 million contract. However, he has nearly as many home runs (16) as he did last year (18), and more RBI (63 compared to 62).

In the 31 games he has played since the All-Star break, Bregman is hitting .296/.371/.536 with seven home runs and 22 RBI. He has been especially hot thus far in August, slashing .296/.375/.549. His five home runs this month are the most he has hit in any month this year, and his 16 RBI are his second-highest monthly total.

It is August 20.

If he can keep up his recent offensive hot streak, Chicago can continue to make things difficult in the NL Central.

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• Cubs rookie gets high praise from Alex Bregman
• Daniel Palencia will have a different role for Cubs after he returns

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