Our MLB power rankings for May 8

1. Chicago Cubs (1): During three-game sweep of Pirates at Pittsburgh, Cubs allowed only five runs.

2. Washington Nationals (2): Gio Gonzalez (1.15), Joe Ross (1.23) and Tanner Roark (2.35) went into weekend ranked among top 10 in National League ERA.

3. Chicago White Sox (3): When White Sox faced Boston while Cubs took on Nats the other night in Chicago, it marked first time in MLB history that four first-place teams were in action on the same night in the same city.

4. New York Mets (4): Woodinville product Michael Conforto is a doubles machine with the sweet, left-handed swing of a perennial All-Star.

5. Seattle Mariners (12): Winning games when the offense musters one hit — or winning when sloppy defense is to blame for eight runs — is a sign of a resourceful team.

6. Boston Red Sox (8): Former M’s reliever Carson Smith needed all of nine pitches to retire the side in his belated Red Sox debut after spring injury.

7. Baltimore Orioles (11): Right-hander Kevin Gausman last week became first O’s starter this season to pitch into the eighth inning.

8. Miami Marlins (23): Before Welington Castillo broke up his streak, lefty starter Adam Conley, an Olympia High grad who pitched at WSU, faced 44 batters without giving up a hit.

9. Philadelphia Phillies (17): Through their first 29 games, Phils were held to two runs or fewer 12 times.

10. Pittsburgh Pirates (5): Center fielder Andrew McCutcheon blasted Bucs’ official scorer for play ruled an error, then apologized.

11. Kansas City Royals (6): Inconsistent Royals still have five months to find their groove after so-so start.

12. Texas Rangers (9): GM Jon Daniels on 21-year-old rookie right fielder Nomar Mazara: “There’s a very select few who don’t seem to be fazed. It’s only one month in, but that’s what we’re seeing right now.”

13. St. Louis Cardinals (10): Taking advice of manager Mike Matheny, clubhouse card games are out and chess matches are in as primary pregame activity.

14. San Francisco Giants (15): During 17-7 pummeling at hands of Rockies last week, the ERA of reliever Vin Mazzaro went from 0.00 to 63.00 after he allowed nine runs (seven earned) and retired only one batter.

15. Cleveland Indians (16): Shortstop Francisco Lindor, No. 8 overall selection in 2011, looking like best of stellar draft class that included Gerrit Cole, Jose Fernandez, Sonny Gray and Joe Panik.

16. Detroit Tigers (18): Tigers went into Saturday 0-6 vs. Cleveland, 14-9 vs. everybody else.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (22): Dormant bats finally heating up.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers (7): “SABR superstar” Yasmani Grandal scoffs at talk he’s become an MVP-caliber catcher.

19. Tampa Bay Rays (20): Ex-Mariners prospect Erasmo Ramirez has pitched so well in relief, he might have difficulty returning to rotation.

20. Colorado Rockies (21): Trevor Story’s historic homer binge in April recognized with NL Rookie of the Month award.

21. Los Angeles Angels (14): Disastrous contracts (Albert Pujols) and barren farm system might tempt Angels to consider trading Mike Trout.

22. Oakland A’s (19): Starter Sean Manaea, a late bloomer from rural Indiana, is A’s “Throwin’ Samoan.”

23. San Diego Padres (29): Colin Rea’s bid to become first Padres pitcher to throw a no-hitter fell seven outs short against Mets.

24. Arizona Diamondbacks (13): Randy Johnson Way will be dedicated outside Chase Field this week. No chance the speed limit is set at 101 mph.

25. Houston Astros (25): Surprising spurt to contention last season led to some veteran-acquisition moves that haven’t worked out.

26. Cincinnati Reds (26): Injuries have limited ailing catcher Devin Mesorco to 18 starts over past two seasons.

27. Milwaukee Brewers (27): Jimmy Nelson, the PCL Pitcher of the Year in 2014, has emerged as ace of otherwise beleaguered staff.

28. New York Yankees (24): As a legendary catcher used to say, it’s getting late early in Yankee Stadium.

29. Minnesota Twins (28): Never a good sign when front office is shaking up the roster before Mother’s Day.

30. Atlanta Braves (30): Braves anticipating healthy haul of prospects during international signing period.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 3:12 PM with the headline "Our MLB power rankings for May 8."