Sunday, June 16, 2013

Power Rankings 6 16 13



Cardinals Stay On Top

Power Rankings… yeah. Happy Fathers Day! Love you, Dad. Now let's look at the rankings. 


1.      Cardinals: 44-24
Last Week: 1
ESPN Rank: 1

Even though they lost to the Marlins, they still are the best team in the league. Adam Wainwright is the first pitcher to reach 10 wins this year, and posts a 2.18 ERA with it. I really see no problem with this team. They have the best pitching in the game, they have good hitting, and great coaching and staff. They have the best record, and the best team. If they don’t slow down, I can see them getting to the World Series.


2.      Red Sox: 42-28
Last Week: 3
ESPN Rank: 2

How about Dustin Pedroia, he leads one of the best offensive teams in batting average (with a minimum amount of starts), OBP, and WAR. But Mike Carp and David Ortiz have been hot, too. Carp is batting over .400 this week, and both of them combine for 21 homers and 72 RBI’s. They took 2 of 3 to the Rays, but if they want to keep their top spot in the East, they need to beat the Orioles these next two games after losing the first two in the four game series. After the O’s, they’re home against the Rays, then have a four game series at Detroit. Things aren’t going to get any better right now, so they need to keep on winning. 
 
Also, this will make you laugh. Once again a reason why I love Koji Uehara:


3.      A’s: 41-29
Last Week: 4
ESPN Rank:5

Slowly but surely, the Athletics are pulling away from the Rangers. The 40 year old (who’s number is also 40) Bartolo Colon leads the team with 8 wins and a 2.92 ERA. LHP Brett Anderson was transferred to the 60-Day DL, but that should be no problem for them. Next week though they have a four game series at Texas, which might just be the biggest series in baseball next week. My prediction is that they’ll split, so that the standing won’t be affected that much. In between that series though is two series with the Mariners, so they have a chance to gain some wins there. 


4.      Reds: 41-28
Last Week: 6
ESPN Rank: 3

After losing on a walk off to the Cubs, Jonathan Broxton just today was placed on the 15 day disabled list for a sore elbow. They still took 3 of 4 from the Cubs, anyways. Jay Bruce’s walk off puts them at only 2.5 games back from the Cardinals. They are now 23-12 at home. 


5.      Pirates: 40-28
Last Week: 7
ESPN Rank: 7

If the Pirates were in any other division, they’d be in or tied in first place. But instead, they’re in 3rd place, and are up 4.5 games in the wild card spot. Check out my post before on Gerrit Cole, the number 1 pick in 2011, and the next big star in Pittsburgh. 


6.      Braves: 40-28
Last Week: 2
ESPN Rank: 4

The Braves are so lucky that they are in the NL East, because they have so much room to relax with. They’ve lost 4 in a row now, and can’t seem to get a win against the Giants. But how about Mike Minor: he leads the team with 8 wins, 78 strikeouts, and has the best starter ERA at 2.44. Don’t be worried, Braves fans. They won’t lose 1st place. But they need to start playing like they did at the start of the season.


7.      Tigers: 37-29
Last Week: 10
ESPN Rank: 6

The team leads the Major Leagues in batting average (.279) and OBP (.347). They don’t get enough credit for their pitching besides Verlander, though. There’s so much talk about Miggy and Justin, and there should be, they’re great players. But don’t forget Jhonny Peralta, who’s batting .333 and has a 2.7 WAR. Pitchers Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer, and Doug Fister, who all have better ERA’s than Verlander. Plus they have some of the coolest names in their bullpen, like Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque.


8.      Orioles: 39-30
Last Week:11
ESPN Rank: 8

The O’s have stepped it up against teams like the Red Sox, who might lose first place if the O’s take 3 of 4 this series. It could happen when you have Chris Davis leading every stat category for the team, if you believe in all eggs in one basket.


9.      D-Backs: 37-31
Last Week: 9
ESPN Rank:9

Speaking of all eggs in one basket, Paul Goldschmidt leads the D-Backs with 15 homers, 59 RBI’s, and a .388 OBP. But how about Gerardo Parra, who bats .321 and a 3.7 WAR (he’s also the 1000th best player according to Baseball Reference). Aaron Hill returns too, which is a big bonus for the team. 


10.  Rangers: 38-30
Last Week: 5
ESPN Rank:10

Well, the Rangers lost 1st place this week after being on top comfortably. They’ve lost 4 in a row now, and are just 2 games above .500 on the road. Ian Kinsler is back, so that could be a big help for this team, especially when big prospect Jurickson Profar played just ok (definitely wasn’t a Yasiel Puig appearance). The Rangers shouldn’t be worried, but if they don’t want to face the Orioles in the Wild Card like last year, then they need to step it up.


11.  Yankees: 37-31
Last Week: 8
ESPN Rank:11

The Yankees lost 2nd place because they’ve lost 4 in a row after getting swept by the A’s. The Yankees post a .241 Batting Average, a .304 OBP, and a .385 SLG (So yes, a .689 OPS). Those statistics won’t get the team in the playoffs. Pitching is better, but there is no guarantee that CC Sabathia or Andy Pettitte can get 15 wins each to lead this team. 


12.  Giants: 35-32
Last Week: 13
ESPN Rank:13

What I like about the Giants is that they have so many weapons to attack with. They have 4 quality hitters with Marco Scutaro, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, and Brandon Crawford (note, quality hitters have a WAR of 2.0 or greater). They still have guys like Pablo Sandoval, Angel Pagan, and Andres Torres though that play well and can get the Giants wins. Having Madison Bumgarner be the only starter with a sub 4 ERA is not helping though.


13.  Rays: 36-32
Last Week: 12
ESPN Rank: 12

The Rays lost 3 in a row before winning yesterday, but are now 5 games back from the Bo Sox. There’s no need to panic, but they’re playing the red hot Royals right now, which hurts. What hurts even more: Alex Cobb was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hit in the ear on a liner. That’s a HUGE loss, considering that Cobb was their best pitcher. If they want to get back in it, Matt Moore needs to get back to pitching how he used to. 


14.  Royals: 32-34
Last Week: 19
ESPN Rank: 17
After jumping from 28th to 19th to 14th, the Royals have suddenly played hotter than any other team. They are now only 2 games under .500, and look to go in second place in the AL Central.


15.  Rockies: 36-33
Last Week: 14
ESPN Rank: 14

The Rockies road to 1st place may have just ended this week. In one game, they lost stars Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, and Dexter Fowler. Tulowitzki, who was playing like an MVP candidate, is out 4-6 weeks with a broken rib. I have not heard anything about how long Gonzalez and Fowler will be out, but I’ll let you know ASAP. Either way, it will be a long 4 to 6 weeks without Tulowitzki.


16.  Padres: 34-34
Last Week: 18
ESPN Rank: 16

The Padres have been another hot team, winning 5 in a row, and are now .500. They’re surprisingly only 4 games out of the West, even being in 4th place. Also Jason Marquis is 9-2, he’s won 8 straight games. 


17.  Indians: 33-34
Last Week: 16
ESPN Rank: 18

The Indians only have two starters that have started more than 11 games, Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez. Masterson is the only one who’s pitched over 100 innings, and Jimenez is second most with 67.2. Relievers Joe Smith and Cody Allen can’t do everything, they need a starter who can just throw by the trade deadline.


18.  Nationals: 34-33
Last Week: 17
ESPN Rank: 15

The Nationals get Stephen Strasburg back today, which they really need if they want to be any contenders. Jordan Zimmerman is their best starter right now, he’s 9-3 with a 2.44 ERA. He’s a career 3.30 pitcher, and is just getting better and better. He’d probably be an ace for almost every other team except for the Nationals.


19.  Phillies: 33-36
Last Week: 15
ESPN Rank: 19

A sharp dive in the rankings for the Phillies, as they have lost 4 of their last 5. Cliff Lee and Domonic Brown can’t do everything, as they are now 7.5 games out of 1st


20.  Blue Jays: 31-36
Last Week: 25
ESPN Rank: 20

The Jays have been red hot, winning 4 in a row now. What’s unfortunate for them is that they are still 9.5 games back otherwise. It’s been their power that’s helped; so far they’ve scored 17 runs against the Rangers in 3 games, and look to sweep them today.


21.  Twins: 30-35
Last Week: 20
ESPN Rank: 24

Could Joe Mauer go down as one of the best catchers of all time? He leads the team with a .327 batting average and a .415 OBP. I don’t see why he shouldn’t be in the hall of fame when he’s had the same consistency his entire career. It’s a shame that the Twins don’t have much pitching, because their hitting really isn’t that bad. 


22.  Mariners: 31-38
Last Week: 24
ESPN Rank: 23

Today, Hisashi Iwakuma takes on Bartolo Colon. If you can get it, I highly suggest watching it. It’s gonna be quite the pitching duel. There is no better pitching duo than Iwakuma and Felix Hernandez this year. 


23.  Angels: 30-38
Last Week: 23
ESPN Rank: 22

Wondering if Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols were busts when they play for the Angels? I’d say no. Pujols is batting .260 but has 11 homers and 42 RBI’s, and Hamilton is batting a mere .213 with 9 homers and 22 RBI’s. You can argue that Hamilton was a bust, but both are such great defensive players that it could be worth noticing their defensive capabilities. Howie Kendrick is the leader though, who’s batting .336 with 8 homers and 35 RBI’s, and a .379 OBP. Their hitting is really good, obviously having Trout and Trumbo as well, but it’s their pitching that’s been keeping them out of contention. When Jered Weaver only has 5 starts, it’s tough. 


24.  Dodgers: 29-38
Last Week: 21
ESPN Rank: 20

Clayton Kershaw has some contention in the Cy Young voting, but he’s stood out to me as the best pitcher in the National League. He has a 1.84 ERA, a 4.3 WAR, 104 strikeouts, but only has 5 wins. 


25.  Cubs: 28-39
Last Week: 22
ESPN Rank: 25

Carlos Marmol blew yet another save, this time giving up two homers and 4 runs in the 9th as the Cubs lost 4-3. Good lord.


26.  White Sox: 28-37
Last Week: 26
ESPN Rank: 26

Adam Dunn has actually been hitting well, batting a little under .400 with 4 homers this past week. He still, however, bats .181.


27.  Brewers: 28-39
Last Week: 27
ESPN Rank: 27

 Ryan Braun was placed on the 15 day DL for first time in his career. It’s probably not the worst idea, especially when the Brewers have hit pretty well anyways. Yesterday they scored 6 as Yovani Gallardo blanked the Reds.


28.  Mets: 25-39
Last Week: 28
ESPN Rank: 28

Matt Harvey is about the only thing to see on this team. They now have a run differential of minus 66.


29.  Astros: 25-44
Last Week: 29
ESPN Rank: 29

The ‘stros are getting closer and closer to sign #1 draft pick Mark Appel. They have now had the last two #1 draft picks, Carlos Correa and Mark Appel. The last team to get two #1 picks in a row was in ’09 and ’10 with the Nationals, when they got Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.


30.  Marlins: 20-47
Last Week: 30
ESPN Rank: 30

The Marlins reached their 20th win on June 14th, surprisingly against the Cardinals. The first team to get 20 wins was the Red Sox on May 2nd. The Marlins were 8-21 then.


Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions, comments, or concerns.

-Evan Boyd

“Marmol sucks” - Me, and I bet a lot of other people

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