2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 12

Baseball history was made last week when San Diego Padres reliever Alex Torres became the first pitcher to wear a protective hat on the mound. It looked a little odd and bulbous but safety first kids. Remember that. I'm sure the first time catchers starting wearing masks and pads that looked odd as well. These things will change over time and I'm sure will look more aesthetically pleasing and be more comfortable for those that wear them. But for now, this is progress. Torres may be the first but he certainly won't be the last. And with that we move on to the reason you came here. The rankings.

*Note ~ As always all stats and records are through Sunday's games.

1. Oakland A's (47-29) ~ They are number one in baseball in runs scored. They are number one in baseball in ERA. They are number one in baseball in winning percentage. Add it all up and they remain number one on my rankings. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Milwaukee Brewers (47-30) ~ At 5 1/2 games the Brewers have the largest lead over a second place team in any division in baseball. (LWR 3)

3. San Francisco Giants (45-30) ~ I'm not the first to say it's Panik time in San Fran. The Giants have called up their top prospect Joe Panik to take over 2nd base duties by the Bay. (LWR 2)

4. Los Angeles Angels (41-33) ~ Is it the end of the line for Raul Ibanez? The aging slugger was given his walking papers last week. There aren't many clubs in the market for a DH who seems to have lost it with the bat. (LWR 5)

5. Toronto Blue Jays (42-35) ~ Brett Lawrie suffered a broken finger when he was hit by a pitch and Jose Bautista also was pulled from a game early with an injury. Losing those two bats would put a damper on Toronto's playoff run. (LWR 4)

6. Detroit Tigers (40-32) ~ Detroit was knocked from the top of the American League Central last week but only for a moment. After sweeping Cleveland the Tigers again have a 2 1/2 game lead in the division. (LWR 6)

7. St. Louis Cardinals (41-35) ~ Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia were both placed on the disabled list this week with shoulder problems. That could be a huge problem for the Cardinals. (LWR 8)

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (42-35) ~ Clayton Kershaw cemented his status as the best pitcher in baseball by throwing the first no-hitter of his career. A 15-strikeout gem that would have been a perfect game if not for an error by Hanley Ramirez. For those of you counting at home that is two no-hitters for the Dodgers and zero for the rest of baseball this season. (LWR 10)

9. Washington Nationals (39-35) ~ The Nats have finally climbed to the top of the National League East and Bryce Harper has been cleared to start a rehab assignment. Things are looking up in DC. (LWR 9)

10. Atlanta Braves (38-37) ~ For the first time in what seems like a long time the Braves are looking up at someone in the division. If the offense doesn't step it up that could be a common theme the rest of the year. (LWR 7)

11. Baltimore Orioles (39-35) ~ Manny Machado is set to release his own brand of salsa. The fact that this is his highlight so far on the season says it all. (LWR 12)

12. Kansas City Royals (39-36) ~ It came and went but the Royals had a taste of first place last week. Is this team capable of living up to their expectations? (LWR 14)

13. New York Yankees (39-35) ~ CC Sabathia may not return until August, if at all. The Yankees may be in the market for some starting pitching help if they want to win what is a weak AL East. (LWR 13)

14. Seattle Mariners (40-36) ~ It's going to be tough for Seattle to pass the Angels and tougher to catch the A's but it looks like they have a real shot at snagging a Wild Card spot. In a win or go home elimination game there aren't many pitchers I'd want to have on the mound more than Felix Hernandez. (LWR 15)

15. Miami Marlins (37-38) ~ Top prospect Andrew Heaney looked good in a tough luck loss in his major league debut: six innings allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts. (LWR 11)

16. Cincinnati Reds (37-37) ~ Brandon Phillips signed a ball and gave it to a drunk, heckling fan, telling him to kindly STFU. That's just dat dude being dat dude. (LWR 18)

17. Pittsburgh Pirates (37-38) ~ Jason Grilli is out as closer in Pittsburgh. Lucky for manager Clint Hurdle that he has more than capable fill-ins with Mark Melancon and Tony Watson. (LWR 17)

18. Cleveland Indians (37-39) ~ Nick Swisher may have hit a walk-off grand slam last week but the slumping slugger is still hitting below the Mendoza line (.198) for the year. (LWR 20)

19. Minnesota Twins (36-38) ~ The Twins are closer to first place (five games) than both of last year's World Series participants. St. Louis is 5 1/2 our and the Boston Red Sox are 6 1/2 back. (LWR 21)

20. Texas Rangers (35-40) ~ After losing Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland the Rangers have signed the ghost of Carlos Pena to a minor league deal. It's been that kind of season in Texas. (LWR 19)

21. Colorado Rockies (34-41) ~ A six-game losing streak has the Rockies fading fast in the NL West. It's quickly becoming a two horse race between the Giants and Dodgers. (LWR 16)

22. Boston Red Sox (35-41) ~ I love David Ortiz as much as someone can love a player on another team but he needs to cool his jets. Calling out an official scorer is not going to bode well for the rest of the season. I'm not saying things are fixed but it might be a little easier for a close call to go against him with this sort of behavior. (LWR 22)

23. Chicago White Sox (35-41) ~ Adam Dunn may be hitting .231 but it would be his highest average in his four years in a White Sox uniform. (LWR 23)

24. New York Mets (35-41) ~ Bartolo Colon hit a double. Need I say more? I didn't think so. (LWR 25)

25. Philadelphia Phillies (34-40) ~ The Phillies may stink on ice but let's face it, their whole division stinks. The fact that this team is only five games out may give GM Ruben Amaro pause when thinking about selling off some high priced veteran players. (LWR 26)

26. Houston Astros (33-44) ~ Houston is more than watchable this season. The young players are infusing life into this franchise and there are more coming up the pipeline. This team could be very good very soon. They aren't there yet, but they're coming. (LWR 24)

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (32-47) ~ J.J. Putz has been given his walking papers and I have to believe that is only the start of an eventual fire sale in the desert. (LWR 27)

28. Chicago Cubs (31-42) ~ The Cubs don't have a whole lot going for them but Kris Bryant is obliterating the minor leagues. Since his promotion to AAA this week the slugging third baseman already has three home runs. (LWR 29)

29. San Diego Padres (32-44) ~ GM Josh Byrnes has been fired. It's been a rough two weeks for the Padres what with the passing of Tony Gwynn last week. (LWR 28)

30. Tampa Bay Rays (31-46) ~ The David Price trade watch is officially under way and plenty of teams such as the Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers and more are expected to be in the running in acquiring the ace. (LWR 30)