18. Boston Red Sox (23-25)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 0-3 @ DET, 1-2 vs. ATL
The Red Sox dropped to 6-10 in May following Sunday’s loss to the Braves, and they are also just 5-12 in one-run games after a pair of walk-off losses to the Tigers. If Kristian Campbell proves to be a viable option at first base, it would clear a path for Marcelo Mayer, who has an .819 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and 40 RBI in 39 games at Triple-A Worcester.
17. Kansas City Royals (26-22)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 1-2 vs. STL
The Royals rank near the bottom of the league in batting average (.241, 20th), OPS (.659, 25th), home runs (30, 30th) and runs per game (3.31, 28th), yet they still have a winning record thanks to one of baseball’s best pitching staffs. With that in mind, the recent injuries to Seth Lugo (5/11, finger sprain) and Cole Ragans (5/16, groin strain) could be a dagger.
16. Houston Astros (24-22)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC, 2-2 @ TEX
With eight innings of three-hit, one-run ball in a tough-luck loss to the Rangers on Thursday, Hunter Brown now has a 1.43 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 56.2 innings over his first nine starts. He is one of a handful of Astros players having a strong individual season, though they have yet to hit their stride as a team, with their longest winning streak of the season stuck on three games.
