Perhaps theHouston Astrostruly are unstoppable. After dispatching two of their bedrock players inAlex BregmanandKyle Tuckerlast winter, they got off to an appropriately middling start that suggested their revamped lineup might have, finally, lost too many pieces from their championships in 2017 and 2022. Yet look who's nearly atop USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. Despite losing All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña to a rib injury this week, and missing slugger Yordan Alvarez for almost all of the first half, the Astros continued their stunning roll toward the break, dealing theLos Angeles Dodgerstheirworst loss everat Chavez Ravine as if it were the late 2010s all over again. And after a road sweep of their old adversaries, the team many love to hate has won 24 of its last 32 games, completing a startling five-week rise from No. 12 to No. 2 inpower rankings the rankings. With All-Star ace Hunter Brown andshould-be All-StarFramber Valdez fronting the rotation, the club may put the American League West to bed by the trade deadline. Soon enough, they may have the No. 1 Tigers in their sights. A look at our updated rankings: The D is taking over The A, with Tarik Skubal the likely All-Star starter backed byrejuvenated veterans. Jose Altuve slams three home runs at Dodger Stadium, thrilling the locals. Should soon have a reunion with the Blakes - Snell and Treinen heading out on rehab assignments. What a weekend at Wrigley: An eight-homer game and a gem fromAll-Star Matt Boyd. Zack Wheeler named pitcher of month - then twirls a one-hit, 12-strikeout gem. What a return for Brandon Woodruff, whobeats Marlinsin first outing since September 2023. How did they vault to the top of the AL East? Arguably the most dominant bullpen in the AL, for one. Pete Alonso already has 46 extra-base hits. Clarke Schmidt'selbow injuryadds to an even heavier trade deadline to-do list. Ha-Seong Kim is back, and infield depth is enviable. Manny Machado two hits shy of joining 2,000 club. They're calling Brendan Donovan "Donnie All-Star." Players' vote really nailed it sending Randy Rodriguez - perhaps NL's best reliever - to All-Star Game. Julio Rodriguez takes a .695 OPS into All-Star Game. Hunter Greeneset to start rehab assignment Tuesday. Huge boost from Lucas Giolito, who has 0.83 ERA over his past five starts. After a six-year absence, Jacob deGrom once again an All-Star. WithEugenio Suarez and Zac Gallenin hand, perhaps the most volatile team leading up to trade deadline. Sometimes off-season pitching additions work out: Yusei Kikuchi is an All-Star. Georgia man Byron Buxton is heading to his second All-Star Game. Carlos Santana will be a nice pickup for a contender needing a bat. Seth Lugo, another should-be All-Star, looking like strong candidate to opt out after the season. Trevor Rogers provides trade deadline dividend - just a year after he was traded. Marcell Ozuna batting .159 with one homer in past 30 games. Kyle Stowers is an All-Star – and he oughta do the Home Run Derby, too. Hey, they passed the Nationals. They fire their security blankets - and a very uncertain future looms. Luis Severino's given up the second-most earned runs in the game - 48 of the 64 yielded in Yolo County. They win two of three against Rockies, likely locking in pecking order for future Power Rankings. Hey, at least Hunter Goodman is a legit - not a courtesy - All-Star pick. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:MLB power rankings: Astros rise, standings tight near All-Star break