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2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 22
MLB Power Ranks Week 22
Well my vacation is over which means it's time to pick up where I left off in the blog-o-sphere. I have a lot to catch up on and therefore will skip a long, detailed intro. So here we go.
*Note ~ Due to today's slate of early games records and stats will include any games that may have already finished as I am writing.
1. Los Angeles Angels (83-53) ~ Mike Trout his his career-high 31st home run as the Angels swept a four-game set against the Oakland A's to open up a five-game lead in the American Leage West. (Last Week's Ranking 1)
2. Baltimore Orioles (79-57) ~ I was in Maryland last week and O's apparel was everywhere. The team is playing well and the fans are supporting them. It's good to be an O's fan again. (LWR 3)
3. Washington Nationals (77-58) ~ I may be ripping this from ESPN but I don't care. After the Nats series against the Los Angeles Dodgers they play out the rest of the season against their own division. Kind of crazy considering it is September 1st. (LWR 5)
4. Oakland A's (78-58) ~ Oakland pulled off another trade as they have acquired designated hitter Adam Dunn from the Chicago White Sox. The team that looked destined for home field advantage in the playoffs is all of a sudden fighting for a wild card spot. (LWR 2)
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (77-60) ~ Hyun-Jin Ryu came off the disabled list to help the Dodgers avoid the sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres. They face a much tougher opponent in the Nats over the next few days. (LWR 4)
6. Kansas City Royals (74-61) ~ KC hangs on to the lead in the AL Central, barely, due to last night's suspension of their game versus Cleveland. Are the Royals ready to unravel or can they stick with Detroit in the race for the division? (LWR 7)
7. Detroit Tigers (74-62) ~ Somewhere out there in the throes of the internet are inappropriate pictures of Justin Verlander. I hope I don't come across them. (LWR 8)
8. San Francisco Giants (74-62) ~ The Giants are holding the top wild card spot on the strength of a six-game winning streak. They are only two and a half back of the Dodgers which should make for an interesting division race down the stretch. (LWR 10)
9. St. Louis Cardinals (73-63) ~ Yadier Molina is back and the Cards have usurped the fading Milwaukee Brewers as the top squad in the NL Central. This division race should be even better than the NL West. (LWR 11)
10. Seattle Mariners (73-62) ~ Last week Felix Hernandez gave up four home runs in one game for the first time in 297 career starts. Let's just file that as a blip on the radar. (LWR 9)
11. Milwaukee Brewers (73-64) ~ Losing nine of their last dozen games has the Brewers looking up at the Cards in the NL Central. Are the brew crew slowly turning into a pumpkin? (LWR 6)
12. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-65) ~ Josh Harrison is a mere .002 points behind Justin Morneau for the National League lead in batting average. Could this dream season include a batting title for the first time All-Star? (LWR 12)
13. Atlanta Braves (72-66) ~ Jonny Venters is slated for his third Tommy John surgery. This could spell the end for the 29-year-old's career. I remember when he first came up with Craig Kimbrel and it wasn't clear who would be the closer. That's how good Venters was back then. (LWR 13)
14. New York Yankees (70-65) ~ If the Captain is going to play meaningful baseball in October he and the rest of the Yankees will have to do it as a wild card team. They just don't have the time or talent to catch Baltimore in the AL East. (LWR 14)
15. Cleveland Indians (70-64) ~ An 8-3 stretch has the Indians not only back in the wild card mix but also in the division race. Maybe the Indians are the roller-coaster team in the AL a la the Braves in the NL. (LWR 18)
16. Toronto Blue Jays (69-67) ~ Can someone explain to me why the Jays acquired John Mayberry Jr. from the Philadelphia Phillies? I'm serious. This move makes zero sense to me. (LWR 15)
17. Miami Marlins (66-69) ~ Giancarlo Stanton is leading the NL is home runs (34) and RBI (99) and could be a legit MVP candidate if the Marlins don't fall off a cliff in September. (LWR 17)
18. Tampa Bay Rays (67-71) ~ Drew Smyly has been fantastic since coming over in a trade with Detroit having given up three or fewer runs in all six of his starts. That being said Smyly isn't David Price and Tampa has all but officially fallen out of the playoff race. (LWR 16)
19. Cincinnati Reds (66-71) ~ Johnny Cueto has a shot at the Cy Young award if he continues to pitch the way he has all season. It should go to Clayton Kershaw but if I had a vote Cueto would be number two in pen on my ballot. (LWR 19)
20. San Diego Padres (64-71) ~ Tyson Ross is having himself quite the year and I'm not sure if most people even know who he is. Ross is carrying a miniscule 2.57 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while he ranks among the top 10 pitchers in the NL in innings pitched and strikeouts. It looks like San Diego has their ace. (LWR 21)
21. Chicago White Sox (62-75) ~ Adam Dunn is gone but the Sox have to be thrilled with Jose Abreu who should easily take home AL Rookie of the Year honors as he leads the league in RBI (99) and is tied for second with 33 home runs. (LWR 20)
22. New York Mets (64-74) ~ Lucas Duda has been on a tear lately and is now tied for third in the NL in home runs (26) with Justin Upton. It's safe to say the Duda bides. (LWR 22)
23. Philadelphia Phillies (63-74) ~ The Phils decided to ruin my Labor Day by pitching a combined no-hitter against my Braves. Awesome. (LWR 26)
24. Boston Red Sox (60-77) ~ Boston should send thank you cards to the Texas Rangers for all but ensuring the Sox won't go from World Series champions to the bottom of the AL. (LWR 23)
25. Chicago Cubs (62-76) ~ The calendar has turned to September and all baseball eyes will be on Chicago to see what prospects they will call up now that rosters have expanded. (LWR 25)
26. Minnesota Twins (60-77) ~ Minnesota is fourth in the AL in runs scored yet set in the bottom of their division. Clearly the Twins need pitching help and lots of it. (LWR 24)
27. Houston Astros (59-79) ~ Whoever had Bo Porter as the first manager to be axed this year wins the pool. It certainly wasn't me. Porter was on the job less than two seasons and Houston has shown marked improvement. I don't understand this move. (LWR 28)
28. Arizona Diamondbacks (57-79) ~ Daniel Hudson has been activated from the disabled list as he recovers from a second Tommy John surgery. He will pitch out of the bullpen the rest of the year and hopefully be ready to resume starting in 2015. (LWR 27)
29. Colorado Rockies (54-82) ~ Colorado became the first NL team to clinch a losing season so there's that. (LWR 29)
30. Texas Rangers (53-83) ~ Fitting that the worst team in baseball's record is a mirror image of the best team. Who doesn't like symmetry? (LWR 30)