Call to the Pen’s MLB Power Rankings: Week 22
20. Chicago White Sox (59-65)
Last week’s ranking: 21
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
A good week with a series win against the contending Blue Jays shows the ChiSox are not an automatic win for opposing teams. Playing Baltimore this week may pose more of a challenge for the South Siders.
19. Cincinnati Reds (61-63)
Last week’s ranking: 16
Last Week’s Record: 1-5
A series loss in Denver to the Rockies may just be the nail in the coffin for the Reds’ season, which has taken a turn for the worst in the second half. They now stand 8.5 games back in the NL Central.
18. Tampa Bay Rays (61-63)
Last week’s ranking: 18
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
The Rays had actually come all the way back to reach .500, but have since fallen two games under. Had it not been for the abysmal start, the Rays could easily be in the AL Pennant race.
17. Miami Marlins (62-62)
Last week’s ranking: 19
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
A great week in South Beach puts the Marlins at .500. All things considered, it is an enormous success for the Fins. They can easily spell further success come 2015 and beyond as they’re hoping for a strong finish to 2014.
16. Cleveland Indians (62-61)
Last week’s ranking: 17
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
Not a bad week, but this may be the end for the Tribe. They have underperformed for a good portion of this season and were never able to truly overcome a rather slow start.
15. Toronto Blue Jays (64-61)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Last Week’s Record: 1-5
After an abysmal week, the season is all but over north of the border. In a season that once looked as if they were poised for the postseason, it is now coming to a bumpy end. This raises more questions for their future.
14. New York Yankees (63-59)
Last week’s ranking: 14
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
The Yankees now stand seven games back in the AL East. With their once dominant core disappearing, the Yankees find themselves in a rare position as they may need to begin a rebuilding process. This despite the vast amount of money they have invested in their current roster.
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (64-60)
Last week’s ranking: 12
Last Week’s Record: 2-5
The Pirates picked the wrong time to lose five games in a row as their recent struggle is only helping the NL Central ween down from a four-team race to a very narrow two team race. Injuries has taken a large toll on their recent play.
12. Atlanta Braves (64-60)
Last week’s ranking: 15
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
The Braves really don’t care about the early struggles of the week against the Dodgers as sweeping the A’s was a fantastic end to the week in Atlanta. While the division may be out of reach, the Wild Card certainly isn’t, and the Braves are looking to make a late season run for the postseason.
11. San Francisco Giants (65-58)
Last week’s ranking: 13
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
It seems that getting a Wild Card berth at this point would spell success in the West Bay. The Giants still have the tools to be World Champions, but with the recent slide of the Dodgers, 3.5 games isn’t necessarily out of reach in mid August.