MLB Power Rankings: Week 20
20. Chicago White Sox (54-58)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Winning the series in Detroit showed big spoiler potential for the ChiSox however dropping two of three to the lowly Twins at home removed that thought quickly. The White Sox will need to look for bullpen pieces very soon, as the current relief staff is abysmal and has cost the ChiSox several games this season.
19. Miami Marlins (54-57)
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
While the fish are just seven games out of the division lead it doesn’t appear to be the year for the Marlins who may just be a year or two off from becoming a true threat in the National League. The pieces are there however and the Marlins are still making the push for the playoffs in 2014.
18. Tampa Bay Rays (54-57)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
A mediocre week and a week that Rays fans ask if it was the right decision to make the last minute jump to sell David Price at the trade deadline. This effectively ends a likely shot at the Rays going to the playoffs in 2014. The rather small return they got for Price is also questioned and the trade seems a bit odd to most minds in baseball.
17. Cincinnati Reds (56-55)
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
The Script’s “Breakeven” would be a fitting song for the Reds as they are “still alive, but barely breathing.” The Reds still have a shot at the postseason in 2014 and gained a little more traction this week after an abysmal start to the second half. The Reds do have three teams in front of them in the NL Central however and it will take a blistering hot August to get the Reds back on track this year.
16. Cleveland Indians (56-55)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
For a team that has become known for hot second halves, the Indians look to repeat that magic in 2014. Being just six games out of the AL Central and a mere 3 out of an AL Wild Card spot the Indians are still very much in the race and have the offensive tools to do it. Despite trading off Justin Masterson, the Tribe’s patchwork rotation may be enough to keep them in a race for a little while longer.
15. Atlanta Braves (58-54)
Last Week’s Record: 1-6
Two consecutive sweeps against on the road was not the ideal post-deadline start for the Braves. They now see the NL East falling out of reach. Atlanta will look to rebound next week against Seattle and Washington but recovery becomes more and more difficult as the end of the season approaches.
14. New York Yankees (57-53)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
A solid series win in Boston closes out the week for the Yankees who are still hanging on a thread in the American League playoff hunt. It will take much more for the Yanks to get to the playoffs and a tough week with Detroit and Cleveland awaiting them is ahead.
13. Seattle Mariners (57-54)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Mediocrity is not fitting for the M’s who are still chasing a Wild Card spot in the American League. The Mariners need all of their pieces to contribute for a second half drive and a good amount of momentum going into September gives Seattle a fighting chance. The Braves and the White Sox visit the Emerald City this week.
12. Kansas City Royals (57-53)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
The Royals accomplished a highlight of the season this week. Taking two of three from the A’s in Oakland is a feat never easily accomplished. This proves the Royals are still in it, standing five games behind the Tigers in the AL Central. It will take a strong August to make the Royals a Wild Card contender and it can be continued with Arizona and San Francisco awaiting them this week.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (60-53)
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
Starting by sweeping the Red Sox at Fenway then losing three of four to the lowly Astros was not ideal. Especially for a team that’s still in a divisional race standing just 3.5 games behind Baltimore in the AL East. The Blue Jays have completely lost their early season bellyfire and look to regain it. They face the Orioles and Tigers in Toronto this week.