MLB Power Rankings: Can the Rangers mount a World Series defense with Max Scherzer’s return?

If the Texas Rangers are serious about defending their World Series title, Max Scherzer will have to play a major role in the process. Now he’s back and looking like his old self, at least for one start. The Rangers are on a small winning streak and are entering another difficult phase of their season.

The Rangers beat the respectable Kansas City Royals in three games, a result that could be just a positive blip in a year of inconsistencies, or it could be a significant development in the ever-bloated wildcard race.

For now, the Rangers have moved up three spots in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings and are now just 4 ½ games out of a wild-card spot. Scherzer, who turns 40 next month, pitched five innings with one hit, tied with Greg Maddux at 11^th on baseball’s all-time strikeout list and may have given a ballclub with a 37-40 record a little more hope.

A look at this week’s rankings:

3. Cleveland Guardians (+1)

4. Baltimore Orioles (-2)

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

6. Atlanta Braves (+3)

7. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

8. Seattle Mariners (-1)

9. Minnesota Twins (+1)

10. Boston Red Sox (+1)

11. Kansas City Royals (-3)

12. San Diego Padres (-)

13. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)

14. Texas Rangers (+3)

15. Washington Nationals (+1)

16. Houston Astros (+9)

17. New York Mets (+5)

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2)

19. Tampa Bay Rays (+5)

20. Pittsburgh Pirates (+3)

Paul Skenes in eight starts: 61 strikeouts, eight walks, 2.14 ERA.

21. Chicago Cubs (-)

22. Cincinnati Reds (-9)

23. Toronto Blue Jays (-9)

24. Detroit Tigers (-6)

25. San Francisco Giants (-6)

26. Los Angeles Angels (+1)

27. Oakland Athletics (-1)

28. Colorado Rockies (-)

29. Miami Marlins (-)

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB rankings: Max Scherzer’s return strengthens champion Texas Rangers