MLB Power Rankings: Week 20
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.