MLB Power Rankings: Week 20
The first week after the deadline proved to be interesting and also shows huge changes in contending teams. Therefore, this week’s rankings will also partly reflect a team’s performance at the deadline, along with their performance throughout the week.
30. Texas Rangers (43-69)
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
The Rangers were rather quiet at the deadline, and also failed to make any major moves, resulting in another lackluster week in the Lone Star state. Failing to trade any major chips, the waiver trade deadline is the Rangers’ last chance to garner any significant return to help Texas for next season.
29. Colorado Rockies (44-67)
Last Week’s Record: 1-6
The Rockies continue their abysmal play on the road, and also perhaps had the worst trade deadline performance, doing absolutely nothing. Losing three of four to the struggling Cubs and getting steamrolled in three games by the Tigers may not seem ideal, but it’s giving them a fair shot at the #1 overall pick, one that they can utilize to add more pitching to their farm system.
28. Houston Astros (47-65)
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
A series win against Oakland and then taking three of four against Toronto always calls for a good week, and reinforces the idea that the Astros can become huge spoilers in the playoff race later on. Notable improvement from Jonathan Singleton also serves as a good sign for the future of the Astros.
27. Chicago Cubs (47-63)
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
Two series wins and an overall strong week for the Cubs, who also performed quite well in July regarding trades. The Cubs should have a high draft pick in 2015. They can use that to their advantage as they project to re-enter contention next season as well.
26. Philadelphia Phillies (49-63)
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
It was a mediocre week for the Phillies and their silence at the trade deadline didn’t do them any good. There is not much left in the veteran crop for the Phillies. The waiver trade deadline shows some potential to move their aging stars, but Philadelphia will be on the long road to rebuild.
25. Arizona Diamondbacks (49-63)
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
A decent week for the D-Backs, but they can expect this week to be the last to fall in that category as the face of the franchise, Paul Goldschmidt, is out for the remainder of the season. Arizona has been plagued with injuries this year and a healthy D-Backs team in 2015 can be much better.
24. Boston Red Sox (49-62)
Last Week’s Record: 1-5
The Red Sox definitely benefited more from the fire sale and their returns this week than they did on the field. While 2014 is a lost cause for the BoSox, with the moves made this past week make it very probable that Boston will once again be competitive next season.
23. San Diego Padres (51-60)
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
Sweeping the Braves is great for the Pads who despite the great week still stand far out of contention. With the addition of a few bats in July the Padres should tilt their concentration toward offense to revamp their lineup which would make San Diego a threat in 2015.
22. Minnesota Twins (50-60)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
The series win in Chicago was very nice contrasting to their series loss in Kansas City. A mediocre week for a mediocre team that appears to be turning a corner beginning in 2015 considering their elite farm system. The Twins saw great performances from Danny Santana this week who appears to be the leadoff man of the future.
21. New York Mets (53-58)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
The Mets put out an average week, and a week with typical results. With pitching help on the way, the Mets should look to find reliable bats for their future as the pitching depth in their farm is certainly enough to turn a corner themselves in 2015.
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.
10. San Francisco Giants (60-51)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
The Giants are trying hard to get themselves out of the NL West race it seems like and a mediocre week has actually helped them now. Hitting the road this week, the Giants are going to need help to take out the Dodgers and great play of their own to reinvent their second half.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (59-52)
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
A series loss in the desert hurts the Pirates in a crowded three team race in the NL Central, where the Bucs stand 1.5 games behind the Brewers and a mere half game behind the Cardinals. The biggest player in this race may very well end up being the Cubs who have several attempts to spoil the season for the top three teams in the NL Central. They could be making divisional play vital for the Pirates.
8. St. Louis Cardinals (59-51)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Winning the series against the Brewers adds a big twist to the NL Central race, which has gotten even more interesting this past week. Given the Cards’ plentiful postseason experience, it is almost expected that St. Louis makes a run for the NL Central title. Boston and Baltimore await them this upcoming week.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (61-51)
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
Under .500 weeks are hurting the Brew Crew even more. Their once large division lead has diminished to one game. The Brewers are still searching for the early season spunk that put them in first place and it’s looking more and more like Milwaukee will not be able to hold on. A west coast home stand featuring the Giants and Dodgers awaits.
6. Washington Nationals (60-49)
Last Week’s Record: 3-4
The biggest thing that happened to the Nats this week would certainly be the poor play of the Braves which allowed Washington to extend their lead in the NL East. Suiting up for their second playoff run in three years, the Nats are in need of more team chemistry and camaraderie to achieve postseason success.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (63-49)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
The week would have fared much better if the Dodgers didn’t taper off at the end, dropping two of three to the Cubs. Despite this, they still hold the lead in the NL West. If they continue to play above .500 baseball then they are in a position to maintain it. The Angels and the Brewers present a significant challenge this week however.
4. Baltimore Orioles (62-48)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
The Orioles realistically belong in the 3 spot but the trade deadline has assisted another team in a visible manner. Despite this, the Orioles are running away with the AL East and appearing to be much stronger than they did in 2012. The stretch run should be relatively low stress for the O’s, as they are pressed with the need to play consistently good baseball which will carry them to October.
3. Detroit Tigers (61-47)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
A sweep of the Rockies doesn’t mean much but the addition of David Price to their rotation makes the Tigers one of the biggest threats in baseball. With hitting that’s already quite impressive, the Tigers are suiting up to make this the year in the Motor City shooting for their first championship in 30 years.
2. Oakland Athletics (67-43)
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
I’ve been doing power rankings since the beginning of June, and the one constant between all of them has finally flipped as the A’s are no longer the number one team in baseball. Clinging to a one game lead in the AL West, losing series’ to the Astros and the Royals this week gave the A’s a slow start to their revamped roster and rotation.
1. Los Angeles Angels (66-44)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Not an overpowering week by any means but the struggles of the A’s have propelled the Angels to the number one spot in this week’s rankings. Standing just one game behind Oakland the Angels will need to play great baseball suiting up for what may be one of the most exciting divisional battles in recent memory. The Dodgers and Red Sox await ahead this week.