Power Rankings! This might be the
last one before a total recap of everything, so pay attention and see where
your favorite team is at!
1.
Red Sox: 95-62
Last Week: 1
ESPN Rank: 1
The Red Sox have clinched what is
arguably the toughest division in baseball, and are the only team left that
could potentially get 100 wins. Finishing with a 53-28 record at home, and having
dynamic hitting, pitching, and relief, this team should look forward to
October.
2.
Athletics: 93-63
Last Week: 2
ESPN Rank: 2
A surge with four wins in a row and
8-2 in their last ten has the Athletics clinching the division after fighting
with the Rangers back and forth for first place. Historically, in the past ten
years, the A’s have not been so successful in the playoffs, but what I like
about this team compared to others is that they have a better pitching rotation
than previous years (nothing compared to 2002, but it’s still good). Also, Josh
Donaldson could easily win the AL MVP. Batting .306/.388/.511, he has 37
doubles, 24 homes, 92 RBI’s, and an 8.1 WAR. Plus, he’s on a winning team.
3.
Braves: 92-63
Last Week: 3
ESPN Rank: 5
Clinching yesterday marked what was
an easy year for the Braves. They had little contention in their division, and
could easily beat their division opponents. Their pitching is better than the
Pirates now, having an MLB best 3.19 ERA and a 1.20 WHP (2nd in
MLB), accompanied with a .243 BAA (4th in MLB). Their offense could
be better, but they have great pitching and defensive capabilities, which I
like a lot about this team.
4.
Dodgers: 90-66
Last Week: 7
ESPN Rank: 4
I, like the Arizona Diamondbacks,
still think that it was kind of a dick move to celebrate in D-Backs’ pool when
they clinched. But hey, that is a pretty awesome way to celebrate. With an
amazing streak since Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez came, the Dodgers emerged
to be such a scary team. They are good, but are they postseason capable?
5.
Cardinals: 89-67
Last Week: 5
ESPN Rank: 6
The Cardinals clinched a playoff
spot, but still could potentially finish in a wild card spot. Still, I think
they will clinch the division, as they have a comfortable two game lead over
both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Don’t forget about their clutch hitting and
their ability to do well in the postseason.
6.
Tigers: 91-65
Last Week: 6
ESPN Rank: 3
Max Scherzer finally got 20 wins,
and Miguel Cabrera, despite being sidelined with injury, still leads the team
in almost every offensive category. This team is dynamic, with one of the best
offenses in baseball and a strong pitching staff. Don’t forget about Justin
Verlander, too. Despite his “human” stats this year, sometimes October can be
magic to a pitcher.
7.
Reds: 89-67
Last Week: 8
ESPN Rank: 8
The Reds must love September, as
they once again tie up the wild card race. Winners of the wild card playoff
game last year, they might be able to do that again, especially if they can get
home field advantage. Having Johnny Cueto back will help a lot as well, if he
stays healthy. Of all their starters, it is actually Mike Leake who has the best
ERA, leading qualified pitchers with a 3.21 ERA. He’s 14-6 on the year. Watch
out for Billy Hamilton either in the playoffs or next year; so far in his MLB
debut, he’s hit .429/.500/.571 with a perfect 12/12 in steals.
8.
Pirates: 89-67
Last Week: 4
ESPN Rank: 7
Well, the Pirates might have a
playoff spot in the bag, but now they go on the road against the Cubs and the
Reds. Coming off a series loss against the Reds at home, this could be a rough
week for the Pirates. Hopefully for Pirates fans, they don’t play like that
come the wild card playoff game.
9.
Indians: 86-70
Last Week: 10
ESPN Rank: 10
When I thought that John Farrell
for the Red Sox had Manager of the Year in the bag, one could really argue
Terry Francona. Bringing a team like this past the Texas Rangers and into a
wild card spot is HUGE. What’s also huge? Winning their sixth four-game series
in a row, a team record. After sweeping the Astros, they not play the White
Sox. Time to take home field advantage!
10.
Rays: 86-69
Last Week: 9
ESPN Rank: 9
The Rays can complete a sweep today
against the Orioles, which would be their last home game. I have no problem
with this team, as they look ready to take on the Cleveland Indians in the
playoff game. They have a half game lead against the Indians, so they still
have to play well if they want home field advantage. With six games on the road
and a 36-39 record too, it’s going to be difficult.
11.
Rangers: 84-71
Last Week: 11
ESPN Rank: 11
12.
Royals: 82-73
Last Week: 14
ESPN Rank: 14
Though I enjoyed watching Kansas
City this year, it seems like their time is up. They would have to pull off a
miracle in order to make the playoffs, and it seems like it just won’t happen.
They go on the road with seven games against the Mariners and the White Sox, so
it is possible.
13.
Nationals: 84-72
Last Week: 12
ESPN Rank: 12
A late surge by Washington was too
late, as they still are five games back in the wild card. Despite what many
would call a disappointing season, they showed that they are still a team that
is ready to play and, when healthy, could get big wins, even against big teams.
Now you look at shutting down Stephen Strasburg and wonder if that was a good
idea after all.
14.
Yankees: 82-74
Last Week: 15
ESPN Rank: 13
The Yanks honored Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte yesterday, as Pettitte got his final start last night, a
loss, in Yankee stadium. With three of the core four gone after this year, the
Yankee era is over. Where do they go from here?
15.
Orioles: 81-74
Last Week: 13
ESPN Rank: 15
A dive this week has sent the
Orioles out of playoff contention, as they have now lost four in a row. On the bright
side, they now realized the amazing potential in Chris Davis, but man do they
need pitching.
16.
Diamondbacks: 79-76
Last Week: 16
ESPN Rank: 17
The only two bright spots in this
year’s Arizona team: Patrick Corbin, the 23 year old who has shined, especially
in the first half, and has a 14-7 record with a 3.28 ERA. The other bright spot
is MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt, who bats .304/.406/.557 with 35 homers, 123 RBI’s,
and a 6.8 WAR. He’s also a great defender. I give myself props, as I talked
about these two all the way at the beginning of the season. If you haven’t
heard me refer to these two, then where have you been?!
17.
Angels: 76-79
Last Week: 17
ESPN Rank: 16
To marks what some might call the
most disappointing team this season, the Angels have not lost any of their past
nine series, and are now only three games under .500. Hey, if they finish .500,
it’s much better than I would have put them at the all-star break.
18.
Blue Jays: 71-84
Last Week: 19
ESPN Rank: 19
Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion,
and Colby Rasmus have been shut down for the season. Why? Because they want
that draft pick for the 2014 season! Come on, lose Jays, lose!
19.
Padres: 72-83
Last Week: 21
ESPN Rank: 18
The Padres have jumped to third
place in the division, as they picked up some key wins last week. They are
shutting Andrew Cashner Sunday, but he has been great for the Padres. He’s 10-9
with a 3.09 ERA, and at only 26 years old, can be a huge ace next year.
20.
Giants: 72-84
Last Week: 20
ESPN Rank: 20
Show of hands: How many people had
the Giants here during spring training? I for one didn’t. But nobody has talked
about Madison Bumgarner: he’s 13-9 with a 2.77 ERA and a .203 BAA.
21.
Mets: 71-84
Last Week: 23
ESPN Rank: 23
Remember David Wright? Yeah, he’s
still doing really well. After being sidelined from injury, Wright still bats .313/.395/.526
with a 5.9 WAR. With his entire career with the Mets, he might finish as one of
the best hitters ever for the organization.
22.
Phillies: 71-84
Last Week: 18
ESPN Rank: 21
The Phillies have officially made
Ryne Sandberg the official head coach for the 2012 season, after firing Charlie
Manuel earlier this year. Not much has changed, as the Phils are still 13 games
under, but hey, a new coach can always bring out new things.
23.
Rockies: 71-86
Last Week: 22
ESPN Rank: 22
This week, the greatest Rockie of
all time (unless you count Larry Walker) will retire, and Rockie fans will
always believe that Todd Helton will get into the hall of fame. I think he and
Walker both deserve to get in, it’s just a matter of when. Forget about
everything with Coors Field, these two showed that they can still hit like a
boss.
24.
Mariners: 68-88
Last Week: 24
ESPN Rank: 25
Could Felix Hernandez and Hisashi
Iwakuma still be contenders for Cy Young? Hernandez is 12-9 with a 2.99 ERA and
a 5.2 WAR, while Iwakuma is 13-6 with a 2.76 ERA and 6.6 WAR. Especially
Iwakuma, I think these guys have a chance.
25.
Brewers: 69-86
Last Week: 26
ESPN Rank: 24
Don’t bid on Milwaukee when they
play lefties- they are only 14-27 on the year against them. This team has a lot
of potential in future years though, and I think that they can pull out
something in later years.
26.
Twins: 65-90
Last Week: 25
ESPN Rank: 27
The Twins just got decked by the
Oakland Athletics, getting swept in four games and giving up 39 runs. It makes
sense when the Twins pitching staff is 29th in ERA (4.55), 28th
in WHIP (1.41) and 30th in BAA (.280). Plus, the A’s clinched
against them. That’s never fun to watch.
27.
Cubs: 65-91
Last Week: 27
ESPN Rank: 26
Chicago had possibly the worst week
ever, with a heated argument with Manager Dale Sveum and pitcher Edwin Jackson,
an argument with pitcher Jeff Samardzija and the third base coach, David Bell,
and then an explosion from closer Kevin Gregg. While things have started to
settle, it questions the security of the Cubs. Theo Epstein has put Sveum’s
managerial position into question, as they have looked into possibly getting
Joe Girardi next season.
28.
White Sox: 61-94
Last Week: 28
ESPN Rank: 28
The Sox could still get 100 losses,
and finish with one of the worst seasons in franchise history. The current .394
winning percentage would be the worst in franchise history since going 56-106
in 1970.
29.
Marlins: 57-99
Last Week: 29
ESPN Rank: 29
Just one loss away from 100, the
Marlins found only one bright spot this year in Jose Fernandez. While they
still have a team 3.81 ERA, their hitting has been last in runs, batting
average, OBP, and Slugging since the all-star break. That’s just terrible.
30.
Astros: 51-105
Last Week: 30
ESPN Rank: 30
The Astros are on track to have
more losses than they did in 2011 (106) and 2012 (107). Aren’t they supposed to
get better as their prospects start improving? Apparently not. They have lost
nine in a row and have won only 23 of their last 81 games, a terrible .283
percentage. Kill them now, get them out of their misery.
Thanks for reading. Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com if you have any
questions/comments/concerns.
-Evan Boyd
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