MLB: Power Rankings Vol. 3
We are just past the halfway point in the MLB season as the All-Star game was last week. The trade deadline is looming and a plethora of teams are looking to up their talent to make a postseason run. The Cubs are included in that pack, even though they have the best record in all of baseball, management is searching for a relief pitcher to secure the bullpen. The Giants have been struggling lately, winning just four of their last 10 games, but still have one of the best rotations in the National League. The Indians surged up these power rankings after a scorching month of June and are still near the top. The Nationals have been one of the most consistent teams through the first half of the year and because of dominant pitching and a few great hitters, they are on the top tier of teams. The Orioles round out the Top 5, as they sit first in the AL East, ahead of the Red Sox by one game. I will give my power rankings for all 30 teams, going in depth on the Top 10, updating the playoff picture, and handing out some predictions:
1. Chicago Cubs (58-38): The Cubs have spent the majority of the season at the top of these rankings, with the exception of a two-week span earlier this month when the Giants surpassed them for the top ranking. Chicago has been one of the best all-around teams, with their +149 point differential, as they rank fourth in runs (487), tied for first in team ERA (3.24), and have the 17th most errors (59). Dexter Fowler just returned from injury and hit a home run in his first game back, if he and others can get going again, the Cubs will start to pull away like they did in April and May. Jake Arrieta struggled for a stretch right before the All-Star Game but his first start post-break against the Mets seemed promising as he gave up just one run. I think the Cubs are the best team in the MLB and are still the favorites to win the World Series, they just need to clean up a few areas and trade for Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Miller from the Yankees.
2. San Francisco Giants (58-39): The Giants were the hottest team in early July but have fallen off a bit lately. They have lost six of their last 10 games and now only lead the Dodgers by four games in the NL West. San Francisco ranks 13th in runs (443), sixth in team ERA (3.70), and 14th in errors (55). Their lack of run support has been the problem during their losing streak, which could be because All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence is still out due to injury. When he returns, the lineup, and the team will get a boost in energy and most likely production. I expect the Giants to stay at the top of the NL West and compete with the Cubs for the best record in the National League. They are not expected to make any moves prior to the deadline, they just need to get healthy. San Francisco has one of the best rotations in the game with Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jake Peavy, and Matt Cain. I don't see this team going through many more losing streaks, they are too talented and have far too much experience.
3. Cleveland Indians (56-40): The Indians are the only team in the AL Central with a plus point differential (+88), which shows just how dominant they have been this season. They soared up these rankings in June and early July, where it seemed like they could do no wrong. They have slowed down since, winning just 4/10 and losing two straight, but still lead the AL Central by 5.5 games over the Detroit Tigers. Cleveland ranks sixth in runs (473), fifth in team ERA (3.62), and 13th in errors (55). Francisco Lindor has been an AL MVP caliber player and the top of the rotation including Corey Kluber and Josh Tomlin has been superb. The Indians are currently the best team in the American League and are legitimate threats to make a run to the Fall Classic.
4. Washington Nationals (58-40): The Nationals were expected to be at the top of the world last season, before struggling throughout and not even making the playoffs. This season, they have responded. New manager Dusty Baker has done wonders for the organization, as they are finally playing to their potential. Stephen Strasburg leads the starting rotation and is currently favored to win the NL Cy Young with a 13-1 record. He is accompanied by Max Scherzer and Gio Gonzalez, completing a very good top of the rotation. Washington ranks 10th in runs (452), tied for first in team ERA (3.24), and first in errors (37). The Nationals are finally surpassing expectations and if everything goes well, are in line to compete for the pennant. Bryce Harper has not played his best ball and still has 20 home runs, while Daniel Murphy has been one of the best offseason signings in awhile as he is a NL MVP candidate. Washington just needs to keep going what they have been, because it is clearing working well.
5. Baltimore Orioles (56-40): The Orioles are currently at the top of the AL East but if that division has taught us anything this season, there will be (many) more changes. It seems like every week there is a new first place team, switching between the Orioles and Red Sox, while the Blue Jays lurk a few spots back. For now though, Baltimore holds this spot as they lead Boston by one game and Toronto by three games. The Orioles rank No. 5 partially because of how they have played lately: winning 6/10 and three straight. Baltimore ranks eighth in runs (461), 16th in team ERA (4.26), and sixth in errors (49). If the Orioles can pitch a little better than they have down the stretch, they will win the division. However, I expect the Red Sox to close strong and win the AL East (more on the BoSox in a second).
6. Texas Rangers (56-42): The Rangers have been seriously hurt by the injury bug. Starters Colby Lewis and Derek Holland are on the disabled list and Yu Darvish just returned. Big time bats Prince Fielder and Shin Soo Choo are battling injuries, and Fielder will most likely sit out the rest of the season. Josh Hamilton is also out for the year, after not playing a single MLB game in 2016. When Texas gets their rotation back to full strength, I expect them to get back to where they were, which was the best team in the American League. However for now, they continue to slide down these rankings. They were able to snap their four game losing streak today with a 7-4 win over the Kansas City Royals, but they have won just four of their last 15 games, which were all starts from ace Cole Hamels (11-2). That just goes to show how much they rely on Hamels since the rest of their starters are on the DL. The Rangers rank seventh in runs (464), 24th in team ERA (4.48), and 16th in errors (58). It is clear that Texas needs Darvish, Lewis, and Holland at full strength. Until they are healthy, the Rangers are going to continue to slide.
7. Boston Red Sox (54-40): The Red Sox still trail the Orioles but it is obvious that they are coming quickly at Baltimore. Boston is 8-2 in their last 10 games and has a +87 point differential. The Red Sox rank first in runs (530), 17th in team ERA (4.30), and 11th in errors (52). David Price continues to not look like himself but has been a little better as of late. We will see how the addition of Drew Pomeranz works out, after trading for him with the Padres. Boston is also looking to trade for ace Chris Sale, who recently had a falling out with the White Sox. The Red Sox's troubles clearly lie within the pitching staff. We will see what happens down the stretch of the season. Currently, the hitting prowess of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., David Ortiz, and Hanley Ramirez, will have to continue to carry the load.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (55-44): The Dodgers are somehow still winning even without their ace Clayton Kershaw, who is arguably the most valuable pitcher in the league. They are staying in the Wild Card hunt, just four games back in the division of the Giants. They are 6-4 in the last 10 games and have a +61 point differential. If Los Angeles can continue to play well while Kershaw is out, they will be even better when he makes a return. The Dodgers are 30-18 at home but just 25-26 on the road. The Dodgers rank 18th in runs (419), fourth in team ERA (3.50), and second in errors (42). If the bats can come alive a tad more during the second half of the season, Los Angeles should hold on to their playoff spot.
9. Houston Astros (53-44): The Astros are the team of the month so far. They spent the majority of the season in the high 20's on these rankings before slowly moving up in June. Then all of a sudden, they have sprung up the standings. Houston was once last in the AL West and are now second, just 2.5 games back of the Rangers. The Astros have won three straight, are +49, and are 30-19 at home. Houston just needs to keep doing what they have been in the last few weeks as Jose Altuve is leading the team closer and closer to the playoffs for the second straight season. The second baseman has been one of the top players in all of baseball and is a top candidate for AL MVP. The Astros rank 15th in runs (432), ninth in team (3.77), and third in errors (43).
10. Miami Marlins (53-44): The Marlins have been flirting with the Wild Card all season long and the closer we get to October, the more and more we must take this team seriously. They have two of the best young players in the league, in Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton. The "other guys," are also having good seasons like Ichiro Suzuki and Christian Yelich. Miami will get a shot in the arm when Dee Gordon returns from suspension, but if they do clinch a playoff berth, Gordon will not be eligible to play. The Marlins currently lead the Mets by 1.5 games for second place in the NL East and lead the Cardinals by one game for the second NL Wild Card spot. It would be fun to see this team make the playoffs because such a young team could create problems for more experienced clubs. Miami ranks 21st in runs (402), 11th in team ERA (3.97), and fifth in errors (45). The Marlins are one of the most fun teams to watch play and it finally seems like all of the talent they are stocked up over the last few years is finally paying off, thanks a lot in part to new manager Don Mattingly.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (52-45)
12. Detroit Tigers (51-46)
13. Toronto Blue Jays (54-44)
14. New York Mets (51-45)
15. Pittsburgh Pirates (50-47)
16. Seattle Mariners (50-47)
17. Kansas City Royals (48-48)
18. Colorado Rockies (45-51)
19. New York Yankees (49-48)
20. Chicago White Sox (46-50)
21. Philadelphia Phillies (45-54)
22. Los Angeles Angels (43-54)
23. Milwaukee Brewers (41-54)
24. San Diego Padres (42-56)
25. Oakland Athletics (43-54)
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-57)
27. Tampa Bay Rays (38-58)
28. Cincinnati Reds (38-59)
29. Minnesota Twins (36-60)
30. Atlanta Braves (33-64)
Current Playoff Picture:
AL Central: Cleveland Indians (56-40)
AL East: Baltimore Orioles (56-40)
AL West: Texas Rangers (56-42)
AL Wild Card No. 1: Boston Red Sox (54-40)
AL Wild Card No. 2: Toronto Blue Jays (54-44)
NL Central: Chicago Cubs (58-38)
NL West: San Francisco Giants (58-39)
NL East: Washington Nationals (58-40)
NL Wild Card No. 1: Los Angeles Dodgers (55-44)
NL Wild Card No. 2: Miami Marlins (53-44)
Photo Credit: ESPN.
