2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 15

OHHHHHHHHHH we're halfway there. WHOOOOOOOOAAA-OH living on a prayer! OK, that's enough. Just wanted to make sure you were aware we've reached the All-Star break which more or less means the halfway point of the MLB season. Now is the time for many players across the league to rest those bumps and bruises for a few days. Go home and see the family. Maybe even take a relaxing fishing trip. Whatever it is they will be doing, baseball should be the furthest thing from their minds. A nice mental break. That is strictly for the players, however. General managers all over the league will be assessing their teams and debating on whether to be buyers or sellers with the trade deadline looming on July 31st. The second Wild Card means there should be more teams looking to add rather than subtract over the next few weeks. Let's take stock of how the teams rank thus far.

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

**Programming Note ~ Due to the fact games will not resume until Friday there will be no Power Rankings next week. Seems silly to do it after just two or three games.

1. Oakland A's (59-36) ~ Oakland keeps cruising along to the tune of baseball's best record. The 59 wins prior to the All-Star break are a franchise record. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Los Angeles Angels (57-37) ~ The Angels have the most home wins in all of baseball (32) and would be a tough out in the Wild Card game should they be unable to catch the A's for the division crown. (LWR 3)

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (54-43) ~ Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball. The fact that he isn't starting the All-Star game is a travesty, a sham and a mockery. It's a travashamockery I tell you! (LWR 2)

4. Detroit Tigers (53-38) ~ Bring me a snubbery! The snub of all snubs, Ian Kinsler, has been voted in as a replacement to the All-Star game. The Twitter world and the Fraggles rejoice. (LWR 5)

5. Washington Nationals (51-42) ~ The Nats' sit atop their division at the halfway point. The big question now is the health status of ace Jordan Zimmermann who was forced to leave his weekend start against Philadelphia early. (LWR 7)

6. San Francisco Giants (52-43) ~ Madison Bumgarner became the first pitcher since Tony Cloninger in 1966 to hit two grand slams in a season. And people want the DH in both leagues? Pshaw. (LWR 8)

7. Atlanta Braves (52-43) ~ Chris Johnson did his best Peter Frampton in Chicago over the weekend in that he came alive. The other CJ blasted three home runs and drove in seven in his last two games. The Braves offense needs him to contribute if the Braves are going to keep pace with Washington. (LWR 6)

8. Milwaukee Brewers (53-43) ~ As poorly as the Brewers have been playing of late their thoughts have to be with shortstop Jean Segura and his family right now as they mourn the passing of his nine-month-old son. Tragic. (LWR 4)

9. St. Louis Cardinals (52-44) ~ Losing Yadier Molina for eight to twelve weeks is just a tremendous blow that I'm not sure the Cards can withstand. He is bar none the best catcher in all of baseball and crucial to the team's success. (LWR 12)

10. Baltimore Orioles (52-42) ~ Kevin Gausman was recalled quicker than I thought due to Ubaldo Jimenez landing on the disabled list. The O's really need to keep this kid in the rotation for the rest of the year. He could be the jolt they need for their playoff push. (LWR 10)

11. Seattle Mariners (51-44) ~ If the playoffs started today the Seattle Mariners would be a part of them for the first time since 2001. That was the year Ichiro won MVP and Rookie of the Year. (LWR 9)

12. Cincinnati Reds (51-44) ~ Aroldis Chapman set a new MLB record this weekend by striking out at least one batter in his 40th consecutive appearance. The previous record holder was Bruce Sutter who did it in 39 straight back in 1977. (LWR 15)

13. Pittsburgh Pirates (49-46) ~ Pittsburgh may have the best outfield in all of baseball but their starting pitching and bullpen are both a mess. This team will need to make moves before the deadline to keep pace in the competitive National League Central. (LWR 13)

14. Kansas City Royals (48-46) ~ Kansas City looks like they will also be buyers as the deadline approaches. I don't think it's just me when I say it's nice to see the Royals (and the Pirates) having enough success that they are still in the mix at this point in the year. (LWR 14)

15. Toronto Blue Jays (49-47) ~ A month ago Toronto was ten games above .500 and had a three and a half game lead in the division. Today they are two games over and have a four game deficit. Where did it all go wrong? (LWR 11)

16. Cleveland Indians (47-47) ~ No offense to the Indians but I don't think a sports fan in Cleveland could tell you what they did this weekend after LeBron James said he was taking his talents to Ohio. (LWR 18)

17. New York Yankees (47-47) ~ As much as it stinks for the fans of baseball to be deprived of seeing Masahiro Tanaka on the mound it stinks even worse for the Yankees. Tanaka is the only reason the Yankees do not have a losing record at the moment. His potential need for Tommy John surgery is the final nail in the coffin on their 2014 season. (LWR 16)

18. Chicago White Sox (45-51) ~ Frank Thomas is not happy that slugger Jose Abreu is not taking part in this year's Home Run Derby. I loved Thomas as a player but he really needs to stop talking. Abreu is just getting used to the big leagues. If he doesn't want to play in the derby it is his right to decline invitation. (LWR 19)

19. Miami Marlins (44-50) ~ Giancarlo Stanton is taking part in the Derby which starts in roughly five minutes. He is the reason to watch. (LWR 17)

20. New York Mets (45-50) ~ Last week I wondered aloud if the Mets would make Bartolo Colon available in a trade. This week they announced just that. It's like a gift. It's like I can't control it. (LWR 23)

21. Tampa Bay Rays (44-53) ~ Honestly, at this point, I think the Rays have the best shot to catch the Orioles in the East. The rest of the teams may just be that bad. (LWR 22)

22. Boston Red Sox (43-52) ~ Teams are showing interest in Jake Peavy and Mike Napoli amongst others. Could the Sox really be sellers just a year after winning it all? (LWR 20)

23. Minnesota Twins (44-50) ~ Minnesota: the only city that will have any Major League baseball activities the next two nights. I'm jelly. (LWR 21)

24. Philadelphia Phillies (42-53) ~ Cliff Lee is on track to return to the rotation on the 21st. The lefty ace has been out since mid-May with elbow soreness. (LWR 28)

25. San Diego Padres (41-54) ~ San Diego: likely the only team from California that will miss the playoffs this year. (LWR 25)

26. Chicago Cubs (40-54) ~ The first of their many touted prospects may be in the bigs to stay. Arismendy Alcantara has impressed over his first five games slashing .391/.400/.739 with five extra base hits, five RBI and a stolen base to boot. (LWR 26)

27. Colorado Rockies (40-55) ~ Owner Dan Monfort has been all over the news lately talking badly to the supportive fan base in Denver. When the owner is making more headlines than the team it usually isn't a good sign. (LWR 27)

28. Houston Astros (40-56) ~ I want so badly for the Astros not to finish in last in their division. Please let this happen. (LWR 29)

29. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-56) ~ Arizona is showing that talent just might be a better tool than grit in making a winning baseball team. Just maybe. (LWR 30)

30. Texas Rangers (38-57) ~ Oh how the mighty have fallen. The All-Star break comes at a good time for the Rangers who won't be able to lose another game until at least Friday. That would extend the losing streak to nine straight. (LWR 24)