2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 19

On again off again is a troubling theme lately for me. But have no fear, Power Rankings are here this week. And hopefully next week as well. Let's see who's made the biggest moves in the last two weeks.

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

1. Oakland A's (72-45) ~ Two starts, two quality starts and two wins so far for Jon Lester as an Oakland A. Still seems weird to see him in that uniform. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Los Angeles Angels (68-49) ~ Tyler Skaggs is the latest pitcher to be taken down by Tommy John surgery. The epidemic doesn't seem to end. Skaggs will most likely be out until 2016. (LWR 2)

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (67-52) ~ For the third time this year Josh Beckett has landed on the disabled list. The Dodgers have acquired Roberto Hernandez (Philadelphia Philies) and Kevin Correia (Minnesota Twins) to help stabilize their suddenly shaky starting rotation. (LWR 3)

4. Baltimore Orioles (67-50) ~ Caleb Joseph homered in five straight games. The O's have a five-game lead in the American League East, the biggest in any division. Coincidence? Yep. (LWR 8)

5. Detroit Tigers (63-52) ~ There may not be a better starting five-man rotation in all of baseball, however, that vaunted staff did take a hit losing Anibal Sanchez to the disabled list. (LWR 5)

6. Washington Nationals (63-53) ~ The Nats went to Atlanta with a 4 1/2 game lead in the National League East and were poised to bury the Braves who were on an eight-game losing streak. They lost two of three and gave the Braves the hope they needed. (LWR 4)

7. Milwaukee Brewers (65-53) ~ Johnny Cueto, Adam Wainwright, Clayton Kershaw and....Wily Peralta? Yes sir. The Brewers pitcher is tied for the league lead in wins with 14 and was actually the first to get there this year. Didn't see that coming in your fantasy drafts now did you? (LWR 7)

8. San Francisco Giants (62-56) ~ The Giants have Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum to thank largely for their two titles over the past few seasons. Now Cain is out for the year and Giants' fans dread seeing Lincecum toe the rubber every fifth day. My how things have changed out by the bay. (LWR 6)

9. Pittsburgh Pirates (62-55) ~ They waited as long as they could but Andrew McCutchen has been placed on the disabled list with a broken rib. They will need him healthy if they want a realistic shot at making noise in the postseason. (LWR 11)

10. Kansas City Royals (63-53) ~ Don't look now but the Royals are just a half game behind the Tigers for the lead in the AL Central and are currently seeded for the second wild card spot. I can't imagine the bedlam if KC was playing meaningful baseball in October. (LWR 12)

11. Seattle Mariners (62-55) ~ Speaking of a city that would erupt with a playoff berth the Mariners have a realistic shot at achieving that this year. Their pitching staff has allowed the fewest runs (380) in all of baseball. (LWR 14)

12. St. Louis Cardinals (62-54) ~ Oscar Tavares is getting a chance to play every day but he isn't making the most of it. The prized prospect is hitting only .214 with a ghastly .252 OBP. (LWR 10)

13. Toronto Blue Jays (63-56) ~ It's a great day for baseball, let's play two! That's what the Blue Jays did Sunday plus one inning as they played a team record 19-inning contest against the Tigers. (LWR 13)

14. Atlanta Braves (60-57) ~ The Upton brothers homered in the same game as teammates for the fifth time last week breaking the MLB record. They'll need more of that production in a tough week against the Dodgers and A's. (LWR 9)

15. New York Yankees (61-56) ~ Speaking of Upton's, Kate Upton was "banned" from wearing Detroit Tigers gear at Yankee Stadium in support of her boyfriend Justin Verlander. Picture Elaine Benes and the Orioles hat only in real life. (LWR 15)

16. Tampa Bay Rays (57-60) ~ Considering the Rays are still ten games out in the AL East I suppose it was the smart move to trade David Price. I still think they got fleeced but that's why I'm not a general manager. (LWR 16)

17. Cincinnati Reds (60-58) ~ Johnny Cueto is in the top five in the National League in wins, strikeouts and WHIP. He won't win the Cy Young (that goes to Clayton Kershaw) but he should garner some serious consideration for it. (LWR 17)

18. Miami Marlins (57-60) ~ There's a lot of talk about how the Marlins are on pace to establish a new MLB record for pitcher strikeouts in a season. There's not a lot of talk about what that pace would look like if Jose Fernandez was healthy. (LWR 18)

19. Cleveland Indians (59-59) ~ At one point I thought Vinnie Pestano was destined to be the Indians closer. Now he has been dealt to the Angels for a minor league pitcher. I guess that's a fair swap on the surface since Pestano has spent much of 2014 in the minors himself. (LWR 19)

20. Chicago White Sox (56-63) ~ Only two months left in the Paul Konerko farewell tour. What's that? He isn't getting the Derek Jeter treatment? Maybe he isn't but I bet there isn't a pale hose fan that won't shed a tear when big Paulie hangs them up for good this year. (LWR 20)

21. New York Mets (56-62) ~ Last time I said something about the Mets I talked about how Jacob deGrom has been lights out. Now he is having shoulder issues. I'm sorry New York. (LWR 21)

22. San Diego Padres (54-62) ~ I mentioned earlier about how Seattle had allowed the fewest runs in all of baseball. The Padres are second in that category, only ten behind at 390. (LWR 23)

23. Boston Red Sox (52-65) ~ Yoenis Cespedes hit his first home run as a Red Sock over the weekend. I have a feeling if he stays in Boston he will hit plenty of those throughout his career. (LWR 22)

24. Minnesota Twins (52-64) ~ Joe Mauer is set to be activated from the disabled list. The Twins aren't going anywhere this year but their fans will be glad to see the face of their franchise back out on the field. (LWR 24)

25. Chicago Cubs (50-66) ~ The second face of the future, Javiez Baez, is up and playing for the Cubs. He may be striking out a lot but he has also knocked three balls over the fence including a walk-off in his Major League debut. This kid is going to be real good real quick. (LWR 26)

26. Philadelphia Phillies (53-65) ~ Look! Look! The Phillies made a trade! What? They didn't trade anyone of consequence or anyone who was a drain on the payroll? Oh. (LWR 25)

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (51-67) ~ Well, Paul Goldschmidt is out for the season. So it's safe to say it's time to move along. Nothing to see here. (LWR 27)

28. Houston Astros (49-69) ~ George Springer has had a setback with his return from a quadriceps injury and is still "days away" from returning to the lineup. (LWR 29)

29. Texas Rangers (46-71) ~ I wonder what Ian Kinsler would say if he were asked about the Rangers' struggles this year....(LWR 30)

30. Colorado Rockies (46-71) ~ Carlos Gonzalez has landed on the disabled list for the second time this year. Colorado has two of the best players in the game in Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki but they can't seem to stay on the field. (LWR 29)