Cleveland Indians ranked No. 6 in ESPN MLB power rankings

The Cleveland Indians finished off a 5-1 road trip on Sunday and have shot up ESPN’s power rankings as a result of the recent success.

We have been keeping tabs on how the Cleveland Indians have been ranking in FanSided’s MLB power rankings, but have yet to see how those at ESPN have been ranking the team.

FanSided’s rankings have had the Indians at the top of the league all year, but things have been a bit more fluid at ESPN.

The most recent edition of ESPN’s MLB power rankings has the Indians come in at the No. 6 spot, one week after entering at No. 11 following that rough first homestand of the season. From the article:

"After a bumpy start to the season, the Indians look like they’re back on track thanks to some fantastic pitching. But don’t leave the lineup out of it: Francisco Lindor already looks like an MVP candidate, and both Jose Ramirez and Michael Brantley are hitting over .300. Plus big winter acquisition Edwin Encarnacion is starting to show signs of life at the plate, and Jason Kipnis is back from the DL. If things keep cooking, they may not give up their share of the AL Central lead for the rest of the season."

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Power rankings are going to change throughout the year, but the Indians proved they are one of the better teams in baseball with the recent 5-1 road trip.

And even though they entered last week with a record of 5-7, a No. 11 ranking seems a bit harsh.

Regardless, the Indians were able to bounce back and have a road trip to remember. Well, maybe except for the final dud of a game.

The key now is to return home and keep the winning going, which won’t be an easy task against the Houston Astros, who came in at No. 1 in these power rankings.

Next: Clarifying Lindor's contract situation

It is a series that may be a postseason preview as the Astros currently have the most wins in the American League with 13. Fans know it is only April, but it will be nice to see how the Indians stack up against one of the top competitors for the AL crown in 2017.