MLB: Power Rankings Vol. 2
The Chicago Cubs got off to such a scorching start that at some point, they had to come back down to Earth. They have, losing three of their last four series', to the Cardinals, Marlins, and Mets. The Texas Rangers have climbed all the way up to No. 2 in these rankings, as they have the best record in the AL and lead in their division by 8.5 games. The San Francisco Giants have pulled away in the NL West with a recent nine game winning streak and are up to No. 3. The Cleveland Indians are 13-2 in their last 15 games and look like a title contender, as their starting rotation is one of the best in all of baseball. The Baltimore Orioles have been very consistent this year, leading the league in home runs, and pulling away in the AL East because of a downslide in Boston. The top-six is rounded out by the Washington Nationals, who have one of the best rotations, and are led by superstars Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy. The rest of the MLB Power Rankings as of July 3, 2016, are below.
MLB Power Rankings:
1. Chicago Cubs (51-30): The Cubs are +149 in run differential which is far and away the highest margin, but they have lost four straight games which has shrunk their lead for best team in baseball. They are just 4-6 in their last 10 games and are looking mortal for the first time this season. Chicago is second in the MLB in runs scored (420), first in team ERA (2.97), and 18th in errors (50). Their offense and pitching seem to be extremely on and off the last two weeks, it seems like the bats will go quiet when the starter pitches well, and vice-versa. If they can put it all together like they did in April, May, and the first half of June, they will stay at the top of these rankings, and the standings.
2. Texas Rangers (52-31): The Rangers have been nearly unstoppable at home this season, going 28-12. They have been pretty solid on the road too, going 24-19. Just like the Cubs, they have slowed down a bit lately, losing two straight and winning only five of 10. Texas is sixth in the MLB in runs scored (403), 13th in team ERA (4.09), and eighth in errors (42). They have experienced the injury bug of late, as Yu Darvish has gone back to the DL, along with Colby Lewis and Derek Holland. Three of their five starters are on the disabled list, which will make it tough going forward. It will be interesting to see if the Rangers can stay atop the American League without three starters.
3. San Francisco Giants (52-32): The Giants continue the trend of top teams struggling in late June and early July, going 5-5 in their last 10 ball games. Somewhat strangely, they have been better on the road (28-16) than at home (24-16). Either way, they have been a good ball club. San Francisco ranks ninth in MLB in runs scored (394), sixth in team ERA (3.66), and 14th in errors (44). They are the best team on the West Coast right now, leading the NL West division by five games over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants have all the makings to go to the World Series and possibly keep up their titles in even years, winning championships in 2010, 2012, 2014, and possibly 2016?
4. Cleveland Indians (49-32): The Indians have been the best team in the league over the last two weeks, going 13-2 in their last 15 games, notching up their division lead to 5.5 games over the Tigers. They are very good on their home field, going 23-12 at Progressive Field. Cleveland ranks 11th in the MLB in runs scored (389), fifth in team ERA (3.41), and 13th in errors (44). I did not think the Indians were going to be a title contender at the beginning of the season, but they have really impressed me through the first three months of the season. I expected the Royals, White Sox, and Tigers to dominate the AL Central, instead, the Indians are running away with things.
5. Baltimore Orioles (47-34): The Orioles have been utterly dominate at home, with a record of 31-13. Unfortunately for them, they are just 16-21 on the road. This worries me for their postseason hopes because chances are, at some point they will need to win a big time road game. If the Orioles want to snap their early-round playoff woes, they must improve away from home. As for how they are playing right now, it is pretty much like the teams ahead of them (excluding Cleveland). Baltimore has lost four straight games, after winning six in a row. They still lead the division by three games over the Boston Red Sox, and have a run differential of +39. The Orioles are fifth in runs scored (411), 16th in team ERA (4.37), and 12th in errors (44). If Baltimore can start pitching a little better, maybe their offense will help them out on the road. All in all, it has been a very successful first half of the season for the team from Maryland.
6. Washington Nationals (50-33): The Nationals have arguably been the most consistent team this season. They are tied for the fourth best record, are 26-13 at home, 24-20 on the road, have a run differential of +100, and are 7-3 in their last 10 games, including a three game sweep of the rival New York Mets. Washington is 12th in the MLB in runs scored (382), third in team ERA (3.34), and first in errors (29). Their rotation is up there with the Cubs, Indians, and a few others, for best starting group. Stephen Strasburg (11-0) and Max Scherzer (9-5) are one of the best one-two punches, and have helped carry others who are struggling like Gio Gonzalez (4-7). If Daniel Murphy can continue his hot start, and Bryce Harper can get back to his normal self, this team is going to be a tough out in October.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (46-37): The Dodgers got off to a slow start, especially for their standards, but they have really come on lately. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games, but have won four in a row, and have cut San Francisco's division lead to five games. They are in position to make the playoffs and will likely stay their for the remainder of the season. They have been one of the most consistent teams over the last five years and have been pretty much a lock for the postseason. However, Cy-Young winner, Clayton Kershaw was injured last week. If he misses significant time, Los Angeles loses their best weapon and would likely struggle without him. For now, they are 18th in runs scored (349), fourth in team ERA (3.40), and third in errors (38).
8. New York Mets (44-37): The Mets are fresh off of their trip to the 2015 World Series, and are looking to return this season. However, if the playoff started today, they would be the second Wild Card in the NL. They have not been very sharp this season, but still have extreme potential. They have been just average on the road, going 21-21. However, they have been good at home, going 23-16, including a four game sweep of the Chicago Cubs this past week. New York is 28th in runs scored (294), second in team ERA (3.31), and 10th in errors (42). The solution for the Mets is simple: SCORE MORE RUNS!
9. Boston Red Sox (44-37): The Red Sox have struggled this past week, losing to the Tampa Bay Rays (ranked No. 26) and Los Angeles Angels (No. 27), and going 5-5 in their last 10 games. But looking at their season as a whole, it has been pretty good thus far. David Price has not been as good as they would have liked him to be, but there is still plenty of time for him to turn it around, and Price is still one of the best pitches in the game. I think he will be able to get it going at some point this season. Luckily for the pitching staff, the offense has carried them. Boston ranks first in runs scored (441), but just 21st in team ERA (4.48), and 15th in errors (45). The solution for the Red Sox is the complete opposite of that for the Mets, but it is just as simple: GIVE UP LESS RUNS! Both the Mets and Red Sox may need to look for help before the trade deadline, dealing for a starting pitcher and a big bat, respectively.
10. St. Louis Cardinals (42-38): The Cardinals round out the top ten, as they sit second in the NL Central, behind the Chicago Cubs. They have been one of the best road teams, winning 25 of their 40 games away from home, but they are just 18-23 in St. Louis. If they can pick it up at home, they could make a run at the struggling Cubs. However, St. Louis has won three straight and have a run differential of +82. For a team that has dominated the NL Central division and most of the league for the last decade, they would not be in the playoffs if the season ended today. The Cardinals rank fourth in runs scored (416), seventh in team ERA (3.87), but dead last in errors (64). If St. Louis wants to return to the playoffs, they must clean it up in the outfield and improve at home.
11. Detroit Tigers (44-38)
12. Houston Astros (43-39)
13. Kansas City Royals (43-38)
14. Toronto Blue Jays (45-39)
15. Seattle Mariners (42-39)
16. Miami Marlins (42-39)
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (40-41)
18. Colorado Rockies (37-43)
19. Chicago White Sox (42-40)
20. New York Yankees (39-41)
21. Milwaukee Brewers (35-45)
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (37-46)
23. Oakland Athletics (35-46)
24. Philadelphia Phillies (37-46)
25. San Diego Padres (35-46)
26. Tampa Bay Rays (33-48)
27. Los Angeles Angels (33-49)
28. Cincinnati Reds (30-53)
29. Atlanta Braves (28-53)
30. Minnesota Twins (27-54)
If the Playoffs Started Today:
AL West: Texas Rangers (52-31)
AL Central: Cleveland Indians (49-32)
AL East: Baltimore Orioles (47-34)
AL Wild Card No. 1: Boston Red Sox (44-37)
AL Wild Card No. 2: Detroit Tigers (44-38)
NL Central: Chicago Cubs (51-30)
NL West: San Francisco Giants (52-32)
NL East: Washington Nationals (50-33)
NL Wild Card No. 1: Los Angeles Dodgers (46-37)
NL Wild Card No. 2: New York Mets (44-37)
Photo Credit: BleacherReport.com.
