CttP’s MLB Power Rankings: Week 23
The final stretch is approaching, and more questions are raised on who are pretenders and contenders coming into this week.
30. Texas Rangers (50-79)
Last Week’s Record: 2-3
Last Week’s Rank: 30
Texas continues to be the favorite for the number one overall pick, despite the mediocre week. The Rangers are most likely more interested in losing at this point, and in all likelihood, that’s what will happen.
29. Colorado Rockies (52-77)
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 29
The Rockies had a decent week this week, which doesn’t favor them in the long run. With a historically bad 18-44 road record, the Rockies must make a significant adjustment to their play outside of Denver.
28. Arizona Diamondbacks (55-76)
Last Week’s Record: 2-5
Last Week’s Rank: 27
An awful and forgettable season in the desert, the rest of the season matters very little for the D-Backs, who rank among the most disappointing teams in baseball this season.
27. Houston Astros (55-76)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 25
The Astros are taking strides for next year, but with plenty of problems relevant in all ends of their organization, it may be a while until they can find the postseason.
26. Boston Red Sox (56-74)
Last Week’s Record: 0-7
Last Week’s Rank: 23
A winless week against contenders for the Red Sox proves that this year is forgettable, but with the history of the organization, it is very conceivable that they will be back next year.
25. Minnesota Twins (58-72)
Last Week’s Record: 3-5
Last Week’s Rank: 24
The Twins scored 34 runs in two days, but still struggled heavily in the week. For a team with a great farm system, ending the season on a strong note is far more beneficial for the future.
24. Philadelphia Phillies (58-72)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 28
Decent week for the Phillies, who are in the midst of a three team tie at a .446 winning percentage. With a team trending downward, and with clubhouse drama, the season will not end well in the City of Brotherly Love.
23. Chicago White Sox (59-71)
Last Week’s Record: 0-6
Last Week’s Rank: 20
The White Sox have fallen apart, and now find themselves among the worst team in baseball, and are in the running for one of the worst teams in baseball, and are only a game ahead of the last place Twins.
22. Chicago Cubs (58-72)
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
Last Week’s Rank: 26
The Cubs made a huge statement this week, taking four of six from the Giants and Orioles, including a sweep against the Orioles. The Cubs have gotten better since the deadline, and have taken strong strides towards next season.
21. San Diego Padres (60-69)
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
Last Week’s Rank: 21
A rough week in the division after a good stretch for San Diego isn’t exactly what the doctor prescribed, but there isn’t any strong direction for the rest of the year in SoCal.
20. New York Mets (61-70)
Last Week’s Record: 2-4
Last Week’s Rank: 22
Things continue to stay mediocre in the Big Apple, and with injuries plentiful, the future plan has changed significantly for the Mets, who hope to finish the season strong.
19. Cincinnati Reds (63-68)
Last Week’s Record: 2-5
Last Week’s Rank: 19
A season has fallen apart in Cincinnati, and with an aging team with large contracts, things aren’t exactly improving, as playoff hopes this year have essentially disappeared.
18. Tampa Bay Rays (64-66)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 18
While the Rays have put up a marvelous fight on reinventing their record, it will not be enough to find the postseason this year, standing two games under .500 with a little over a month to go.
17. Miami Marlins (64-65)
Last Week’s Record: 2-3
Last Week’s Rank: 17
Still in the playoff hunt, the time is now for the Marlins to get hot. Even if they don’t, it’s hard to be disappointed with how 2014 has turned out, especially with all of the injuries Miami has battled throughout the season.
16. Toronto Blue Jays (66-64)
Last Week’s Record: 2-3
Last Week’s Rank: 15
A once dynamic team on both ends of the field has turned into an incredibly mediocre squad, who has seen their run differential sink all the way back to 0. There are many questions that must be answered in Toronto before 2015.
15. Cleveland Indians (66-63)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 16
The Tribe won’t return to the postseason in 2014, but the future is bright, and with grand opportunities to play spoiler and have an impact down the stretch can serve as momentum heading into 2015.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (67-63)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 13
While a .500 week serves as improvement for a Pirates team that has been struggling as of late, it’s not enough to completely turn the tables, as the Bucs still stand five games out of first place.
13. San Francisco Giants (68-61)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 11
Mediocre for the Giants, but not enough has been done, as they stand 4.5 games behind the first place Dodgers, and will most likely have to battle for a Wild Card spot in the NL.
12. New York Yankees (67-61)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 14
Running into the White Sox at the right time never hurts, and it may be enough to keep the fringe Yankees on the edge of the playoff race. With around a month left in the season, there is still time for recovery in the Bronx.
11. Atlanta Braves (68-63)
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
Last Week’s Rank: 12
Atlanta has taken seven of ten, but the problem of them standing eight games back in the NL East is unfortunately a reality, meaning that Wild Card contention is the only way from here on out.
10. Detroit Tigers (70-59)
Last Week’s Record: 4-3
Last Week’s Rank: 10
Detroit stands two games behind the Royals in the AL Central, and are in need of a good stretch to get themselves back in the playoff hunt for good.
9. St. Louis Cardinals (70-59)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 9
The Cardinals did well this week, and can take control of the NL Central this upcoming week with the Pirates and Cubs awaiting as the opponents to close out the month of August.
8. Milwaukee Brewers (72-58)
Last Week’s Record: 2-3
Last Week’s Rank: 4
Milwaukee has to hang on to their division lead, which is diminishing at the wrong time. A west coast swing can help out the Brew Crew, but may also serve as their Achilles’ heel.
7. Seattle Mariners (71-58)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 7
Seattle stays hot, and hangs on to the second AL Wild Card spot for now, a spot that can make them very dangerous in a one game playoff.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (74-58)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 8
The Dodgers haven’t been exactly great lately, but they’ve done enough to make the distance between them and the Giants in the NL West large enough for a comfortable margin for a while.
5. Kansas City Royals (72-57)
Last Week’s Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 6
Kansas City continues to be on fire, and with the season winding down, the final stretch is even more important in seeking the postseason finally.
4. Baltimore Orioles (73-55)
Last Week’s Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 2
The Orioles easily handled the White Sox on the South Side, but ran into some North Side trouble, and were swept by the surging Cubs. This is a sign of concern for first place Baltimore, who can not afford to lose games against sub-.500 teams.
3. Washington Nationals (75-54)
Last Week’s Record: 6-1
Last Week’s Rank: 3
The Nats have become the clear-cut National League favorite, and after winning nine of ten, Washington looks virtually unstoppable from here on out.
2. Oakland Athletics (76-53)
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 5
It’s baby steps in Oakland, where despite still losing seven of their last ten, have worked within a game of the first place Angels, aided by a series win this weekend.
1. Los Angeles Angels (77-52)
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
Last Week’s Rank: 1
The Angels have done enough to stay on top, and despite losing the series to the A’s, they maintain the division lead and the lead as the best team in baseball heading into the final week of August.