Another week of baseball passes and perhaps, it was another week to get teams to adjust back to normalcy. Hot streaks have ended and others have begun. The result? A shakeup in this week’s power rankings. The bottom and the top of the league remain strikingly similar, whereas the borderline teams have begun to change.
30. Tampa Bay Rays (27-43)
Last Week’s Rank: 30
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
The Rays finally scored a few runs, breaking their embarrassing 3-game scoreless streak. The Rays would take two of three from Houston this weekend and during the week, they had split a two game set with the Cardinals. The Rays then fell victim to the Mariners in their final game against Seattle. While the Rays improved this week, it hasn’t been enough to take them out of the cellar.
29. San Diego Padres (29-40)
Last Week’s Rank: 25
Last Week’s Record: 1-5
The Padres have continued to fall deeper into the bottom of the NL West and endured a very embarrassing moment this past week, getting swept by the lowly Phillies. They went on to lost two of three to the struggling Mets. The Padres have only managed to score 13 runs this past week and will need to figure out something in order get themselves out of futility. Especially since the Pads rank dead last in nearly every offensive category in the MLB. The Padres have four games against Seattle and three against the Dodgers this week.
28. Arizona Diamondbacks (30-42)
Last Week’s Rank: 26
Last Week’s Record: 2-5
The Diamondbacks do not look as if they’re going to figure things out anytime soon. This past week may have been the dagger on, what is, a lost season in the desert. The Snakes lost three of four to the Astros and would also lose two of three in Los Angeles, making this week particularly rough for a team desperate for momentum. With four games against the Brewers and three against the Giants this upcoming week, it could only get worse.
27. Chicago Cubs (28-39)
Last Week’s Rank: 27
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
The Cubs’ road struggles continued with the team losing three of four to the division rival Pirates, where the sheer dominance of Andrew McCutchen was enough to keep the Boys in Blue in check. The Cubs would fare better over the weekend, taking two of three in Philadelphia, notching their first series victory on the road. The Cubs will have three in Miami this week and three against Pittsburgh at Wrigley on the weekend.
26. New York Mets (31-38)
Last Week’s Rank: 28
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
The Mets improved from their worst week of the year and were able to gain a little momentum this week. They lost two of three to the division leading Brewers, but would take two of three against the Padres gaining a well needed confidence boost. The Mets have the Cardinals and the Marlins on the road this week, so a much larger challenge lies ahead.
25. Philadelphia Phillies (29-38)
Last Week’s Rank: 29
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
The Phils had a lively start to this past week, sweeping the seemingly dead Padres. They would go on to lose a bit of momentum dropping a three game set at home against the Cubs. Being 6 games out of the Wild Card race, the Phillies should begin to consider themselves sellers. With a large crop of skilled veterans, the Phillies can strike gold on prospects this trade season.
24. Chicago White Sox (33-37)
Last Week’s Rank: 19
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
The week looked great at the start for the ChiSox who opened up the week taking two of three from the Tigers. That would be the extent of the excitement. This weekend the White Sox were clobbered by the Royals at home, being outscored 22-6 over a three game sweep. With two games against the Giants at home this week and four in Minnesota, the White Sox need this week to be a good one. If not, they will find themselves at the bottom of the AL Central.
23. Boston Red Sox (31-38)
Last Week’s Rank: 22
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
A rather mediocre week for the defending champs, as they split a four game set with the Indians. The BoSox lost two of three to the Orioles early in the week, the perhaps more damaging result of the two series this week. A World Series hangover remains in full swing and with a four game set in Oakland this upcoming weekend, a much needed wake up call may be served.
22. Houston Astros (32-39)
Last Week’s Rank: 23
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
Despite losing a little fire this weekend by losing two of three to the Rays, taking three of four from Arizona was a much needed boost for the Astros. Unfortunately, that may be the easiest week they’ll have all year but with another four game set against Tampa Bay in Florida, the Astros may have another shot to further improve their record.
21. Minnesota Twins (32-35)
Last Week’s Rank: 20
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
A very good start to the Twins’ week was taking two of three from the powerful Blue Jays in Toronto, a task that is difficult for any team to complete. Dropping two of three to the Tigers in the Motor City caused some loss of momentum, especially when two very winnable games turned into losses for the Twins. With four games against the struggling White Sox at home this week, perhaps the Twins can exploit the newly found struggles and convert that into victory.
20. Cincinnati Reds (33-35)
Last Week’s Rank: 17
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
It was a solid week for the Reds who finished above the .500 mark for the week and highlighted it by taking two of three from the Brewers in Milwaukee. The series win this weekend is a big statement for the Reds to make. They may very well open up the race for the NL Central and further contribute to taking Milwaukee out of the division lead. A crucial series in Pittsburgh this week may determine if they will have that opportunity.
19. Seattle Mariners (35-34)
Last Week’s Rank: 8
Last Week’s Record: 2-5
After one of their best weeks of the season, an abysmal week in the Emerald City has dropped them far down on the rankings. After winning the final game in a series against the Rays, the Mariners would get swept by the Yankees and drop two of three to the division rival Rangers, further narrowing the already tight race in the AL West. The Mariners are still posed to buy at the deadline and should be looking for a reliable bat. Four games against the lowly Padres should help Seattle’s record this upcoming week as well.
18. Colorado Rockies (34-35)
Last Week’s Rank: 24
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
Despite starting the week 0-2 against the Braves, the Rockies would win the last two facing Atlanta and would proceed to a monumental victory: a three game sweep of one of the best teams in baseball, the San Francisco Giants. This gives the previously struggling Rockies new life, and puts them right back into the mix of the Wild Card race. The intensity must continue, with the Dodgers and the Cardinals waiting ahead this upcoming week.
17. Texas Rangers (34-35)
Last Week’s Rank: 16
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
A modest week for an underwhelming Rangers team attempting to find themselves back in the playoffs. The series victory in Seattle to close out the weekend helps the Rangers moving forward, but much more will be needed in order for the Rangers to make noise in the very competitive AL West. The A’s and Angels await Texas on the road in what may be the most important week of the first half for the Rangers.
16. Cleveland Indians (35-35)
Last Week’s Rank: 7
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
After a white hot week for the Indians, they significantly cooled off and now find themselves almost back at where they were before their hot streak. Despite salvaging the week by winning the final two games in Boston, the Indians need to catch some more fire to reignite themselves in the very tight AL Central race. With the Angels and Tigers awaiting them on a seven game home stand, the Indians have a lot to prove this upcoming week.
15. New York Yankees (35-33)
Last Week’s Rank: 18
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
A much better week for the Yanks, as they swept the Mariners at Safeco Field and managed to win one of three in Oakland. While the Yankees will need more to catch the Blue Jays in the AL East, a week like this past one drastically helps their playoff chances this season. With Toronto and Baltimore at home this week, the Yankees can become pennant contenders once again by week’s end.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (34-35)
Last Week’s Rank: 21
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
Two series victories including taking three of four from the rival Cubs, helped the Pirates get right back into the race in the NL Central. Coming off of a playoff appearance last season, expectations in Pittsburgh remain high. With the Reds and the Cubs this week, the Pirates can make more statements within the division to try and climb atop the NL Central.
13. Washington Nationals (35-33)
Last Week’s Rank: 9
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
The week started immaculately for the Nats, taking three of four from the Giants in San Francisco. Yet after just scoring three runs this entire weekend in a sweep from the Cardinals, the nation’s capital has been stuck with a power outage and they’ve found themselves in the midst of a four game losing streak. The Nats have a crucial four game set at home against the Braves this week, one where they can easily reclaim the NL East lead.
12. Baltimore Orioles (35-33)
Last Week’s Rank: 15
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
Not an outrageous week by any means, but a series win at Fenway and a series split against the first place Blue Jays in Toronto is no cause to complain. The O’s remain a highly powerful team offensively and should seek pitching help at the deadline. Perhaps in the form of Jeff Samardzija? Should they improve their pitching, Baltimore can be a surprisingly dangerous team come playoff time.
11. Los Angeles Dodgers (37-34)
Last Week’s Rank: 11
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
A slightly above average week for the Dodgers, who split a series against the Reds and then took two of three from the lowly Diamondbacks. While a 4-3 week is good for most teams this season but the Dodgers need much more. They are still performing well below expectations. A three game set against the sizzling Rockies at home this week may determine just where the Dodgers stand in the NL West.
10. Miami Marlins (35-33)
Last Week’s Rank: 12
Last Week’s Record: 2-3
In a rather uneventful week which featured two off days, the Marlins benefit from the Nationals falling apart at the end of this week. Despite losing two of three at home to the Pirates, the Marlins have a large opportunity to capitalize on rivals’ weaknesses. They play three games against the Cubs and four against the Mets this week, all of which are at home.
9. Los Angeles Angels (37-31)
Last Week’s Rank: 5
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
After winning two of three against Oakland at home, a series loss to the Braves this weekend put out some of the fire the Angels had found coming in. A four game set in Cleveland this week may bring important results for both teams. The Angels lie 4.5 games behind the A’s for the division lead and need to gain more ground to make the race more within reach.
8. Detroit Tigers (36-29)
Last Week’s Rank: 6
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
A series loss to the White Sox and a series win against the Twins give the Tigers another mediocre week in an extremely tight AL Central. The Tigers hold a narrow one game lead over Kansas City and are in need of some serious momentum. They’re also in dire need of bullpen help. Shall the Tigers stay in the state that they are in now, there is not much of a chance for the Tigers to compete in the 2nd half.
7. Atlanta Braves (36-32)
Last Week’s Rank: 10
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
Despite splitting a series with the Rockies, a big series win at home this weekend against the Angels gives the Braves momentum, and perhaps an opportunity the exploit the current cold spell that the Nationals are on. With the Phillies and the Nationals lined up as their opponents this week the Braves can gain serious ground in the NL East.
6. Toronto Blue Jays (41-30)
Last Week’s Rank: 3
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
A bit of a slump right now for baseball’s most powerful team as they find themselves suffering from another mediocre week. Thanks to a weak division, it hasn’t supplied any serious threat to their dominance in the AL East, but with a three game set in New York this week, Toronto has a very crucial match ahead of them.
5. San Francisco Giants (43-27)
Last Week’s Rank: 2
Last Week’s Record: 1-6
With seven games at home, it appeared as if the Giants would cruise through the Nationals and the struggling Rockies. The exact opposite occurred. The Giants were swept by the Rockies this weekend and dropped three of four to the Nationals putting a dent in their resume. While they still hold the best record in baseball, the Giants had fallen to teams that were not viewed as real dangers. With the White Sox and the Diamondbacks awaiting them as opponents, they have a grand opportunity to redeem themselves.
4. Milwaukee Brewers (41-29)
Last Week’s Rank: 4
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
A mediocre week for the Brew Crew who hold on to their lead in the NL Central. Losing two of three to Cincinnati at home was not in the Brewers’ best interest. Playing well within the division is vital for a division champion hopeful. Milwaukee hits the road to face Arizona and Colorado this week and will be looking to exploit the pitching weaknesses of both teams.
3. Kansas City Royals (36-32)
Last Week’s Rank: 14
Last Week’s Record: 5-0
Alas, a perfect week! The Royals have been on fire, winning seven in a row, and they finished cruising through the Indians and the White Sox this week. Kansas City sits just a game out of first and they are now performing closer to their potential. With four games in Detroit this week the biggest test arrives to see if this hot streak is, indeed, for real.
2. St. Louis Cardinals (37-32)
Last Week’s Rank: 13
Last Week’s Record: 4-1
The Cardinals completed a three game sweep of the Nationals this weekend and are finally looking as if they are the best team in the NL Central. The Cardinals had been performing well below expectations all year, but the defending NL Champions are looking much more powerful of late. With the Mets and the Phillies at home this week, a much easier week awaits the Redbirds who look to extend their hot streak.
1. Oakland Athletics (42-27)
Last Week’s Rank: 1
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Not a dazzling week by any means for the A’s, but they remain a true force in MLB. After losing a series in Anaheim, the A’s took two of three from the Yankees at home and now await the Rangers and the Red Sox at home. Even when the A’s lose, it’s never by much, they still hold up a +132 run differential.