Baseball America MLB Power Rankings: Week 3

SEE THE FULL 2020 MLB POWER RANKINGS

Most teams are already between one quarter and one-third of the way through their seasons, but much remains up in the air.

The Cardinals had an 18th positive test for COVID-19 surface on Thursday, but they remain on track to resume their season Saturday with a doubleheader in Chicago. If they play, it will be the Cardinals’ first game in 24 days.

The Indians now have to navigate the immediate future without RHPs Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger, who violated team protocols and went out when the team was in Chicago.

And the surging Marlins are due to get some of their top players back off the COVID-19-related injured list in the coming days, providing an even further boost to a team that finds itself atop the NL East.

Here are our MLB Power Rankings through week three. The Cardinals are not ranked because they have played only five games.

1. Cubs (13-3)

LHP Jon Lester’s resurgence has been a critical part of the Cubs’ rise this season. After posting a 4.46 ERA last year, his highest mark since 2012, the veteran lefty has allowed only two runs in his first 17 innings this season. Combined with RHPs Yu Darvish (1.88 ERA, 27 K, 4 BB) and Kyle Hendricks (3.08 ERA, 20 K, 2 BB), the Cubs’ top three is pitching as well as any in the majors.

2. Dodgers (13-7)

The acquisition of OF Mookie Betts is going as splendidly as hoped. Betts recorded his sixth career three-home run game Thursday, tying Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize for the most all-time. He has a hit in 13 of his last 14 games, leads the Dodgers in nearly every offensive category and is seventh in the majors with a 1.074 OPS.

3. Yankees (12-6)

The Yankees lead the majors in OPS, but now their depth will once again be tested. OF Giancarlo Stanton is out 3-4 weeks with a hamstring strain and OF Aaron Judge was kept out of the lineup Wednesday with “lower body tightness,” disappointing developments after both sluggers were off to fabulous starts.