Cubs jump up in ESPN's MLB Power Rankings
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

Cubs jump up in ESPN's MLB Power Rankings


by - Senior Editor -

The fight is on for postseason play as the defending champion Cubs have shown their moxy by winning eight of their last ten games and have an overall record of 87-68.

The North Siders have distanced themselves in the National League Central race as they are ahead of the Brewers by 5.5 games and the Cardinals by 6 games. One of the most interesting stat lines for the season is that the Cubs were 43-45 at the All-Star break with a zero run differential but are now 44-23 with a whopping +107 run differential. What a job that Maddon and the players have done in the second half of the season and are playing their best baseball at the right time of the year.

ESPN has taken notice in their latest MLB Power Rankings on Monday and has the Cubs up three spots to No. 5 in the rankings behind only the Indians, Astros, Dodgers, and Nationals.

"Guess who's warming up for October? The Cubs' big midseason addition from Chicago's South Side, as Jose Quintana spun his first shutout as a Cub on Sunday, and just the second of his career (he threw one for the White Sox in 2015)," ESPN said. "The win sealed the Cubs' series win against the Brewers, and virtually guarantees their first back-to-back NL Central titles since the ill-fated teams of 2007-08."

The Cubs have a chance to put the dagger in their rivals as they head to Busch Stadium for a four-game set and will more than likely clinch the division on their field which means Cubs players popping champagne bottles.

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