2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 24

The days are getting colder and shorter which can only mean one thing. The baseball season is coming to a close. I know, it's rather upsetting but the one bright spot is the mad dash for a playoff spot. As the playoff picture comes more into focus we can see there are a handful of teams in each league fighting for a chance to enter the crapshoot that is the playoffs. Anything can happen in October, but first, you have to get there. For some teams the path is all but paved. Let's see how things look with two weeks left.

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

1. Los Angeles Angels (93-56) ~ Everything has been coming up roses for the Angels so I'm going a different route here. For the first time in his career Albert Pujols donned a golden sombrero. That's right. It took 2,102 games before Pujols ever fanned four times in just one contest. Amazing given today's sky high strikeout rates. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Baltimore Orioles (89-60) ~ The O's are all but assured a playoff berth however they will be without Chris Davis for the next 25 games, postseason included. Davis was suspended for amphetamine use and has admitted to using Adderall. The curious part is he had an exemption from MLB last year to use it but did not re-apply this season. Weird...(LWR 2)

3. Washington Nationals (85-63) ~ Ian Desmond became the fourth shortshop to have three 20-20 seasons in both steals and homers. He joins Hanley Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez and JImmy Rollins. Not bad company there. (LWR 3)

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (85-64) ~ 17-0 is a score often seen in the NFL. 17-0 was the final score in the Dodgers-Giants game on Sunday. Last I checked neither of those two teams play in the NFL. (LWR 5)

5. Oakland A's (83-66) ~ Oakland was the best team in baseball for much of the year but now they are scrambling to hang on to a wild card spot. By rejiggering their rotation Jon Lester would be in line to start that wild card game. (LWR 4)

6. San Francisco Giants (82-67) ~ The Giants made MLB history over the weekend when manager Bruce Bochy called to the bullpen and handed the ball off to his son Brett to take the mound. Hard to believe the game has been around for well over 100 years and there are still firsts happening but that's part of the charm of baseball. (LWR 8)

7. Detroit Tigers (83-66) ~ A successful homestand leaves the Tigers back on top of their division. A key series in Kansas City this week will decide if they stay there. (LWR 7)

8. St. Louis Cardinals (83-67) ~ Manager Mike Matheny skipped Michael Wacha's turn in the rotation this weekend saying the pitcher doesn't look quite right yet. Was he activated too quickly from the disabled list? (LWR 9)

9. Kansas City Royals (81-67) ~ Danny Duffy is expected to make his return to the rotation Tuesday. That's good news for K.C. as he has been their best pitcher this year with a 2.42 ERA and 108:50 K:BB ratio in 141 1/3 innings.

10. Seattle Mariners (80-68) ~ With two more wins Seattle will guarantee themselves a winning season for the first time since 2009. They still have a real shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2001 when Ichiro was a rookie. That's a long time to wait for the fans in the great northwest. (LWR 10)

11. Pittsburgh Pirates (79-70) ~ The Pirates turned their first triple play in PNC Park history Sunday. The stadium opened way back in 2001. (LWR 12)

12. Milwaukee Brewers (78-72) ~ Mike Fiers was fined an undisclosed amount of money for his actions leading to the benches clearing against Miami. Clearly he was shaken after hitting Giancarlo Stanton in the face. I don't like this fine one bit. (LWR 11)

13. Cleveland Indians (76-72) ~ The Indians play great at home as they trail only Baltimore and the Angels in home wins in the American League. The problem is they are 11 games under .500 on the road. (LWR 15)

14. Toronto Blue Jays (77-71) ~ Toronto is playing for second place in the AL East which would be their highest finish since 2006. They won't see the playoffs but maybe there's hope for next year. (LWR 16)

15. Atlanta Braves (75-74) ~ The Braves offense has disappeared as they have scored just 31 runs in their last 12 games falling completely out of the playoff picture. Will heads roll in Atlanta during the offseason? (LWR 13)

16. New York Yankees (76-72) ~ It's beginning to look a lot like the end for Derek Jeter. The Captain has two weeks left on his storied career before he hangs up the spikes for good. (LWR 14)

17. Miami Marlins (72-76) ~ Everyone's thoughts have to bee with Giancarlo Stanton who is likely out for the remainder of the season after a scary hit by pitch over the weekend. Stanton remains a legit MVP candidate but his absence will likely hurt his chances. (LWR 17)

18. New York Mets (72-78) ~ Bartolo Colon was ejected from his most recent start after plunking two batters immediately after giving up home runs. C'mon Bartolo. You're better than that. This isn't Arizona. (LWR 22)

19. Tampa Bay Rays (72-78) ~ Tampa Bay is just four losses away from recording the first losing campaign since ditching the nickname "Devil Rays" after the 2007 season. (LWR 18)

20. Cincinnati Reds (71-79) ~ Mat Latos is unlikely to pitch again this season after missing his last start with a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. A lost season in Cincy largely due to the injury bug. (LWR 19)

21. Chicago White Sox (68-81) ~ Jose Abreu tied a club rookie record with his 35th home run Sunday. He should easily pass Ron Kittle who set the record in 1983 which was quite a good year for me. (LWR 21)

22. Philadelphia Phillies (69-80) ~ Can Ben Revere really win the NL batting title? What is the world coming to? (LWR 23)

23. San Diego Padres (68-80) ~ If the Padres finish 8-6 they will earn their third consecutive 76-86 record. Who doesn't like symmetry? (LWR 20)

24. Boston Red Sox (66-84) ~ Word on the street is the Sox are planning to call up Cuban defector Rusney Castillo tomorrow. I'm sure Yoenis Cespedes will help him feel right at home in beantown. (LWR 24)

25. Chicago Cubs (65-84) ~ Anthony Rizzo is in the lineup tonight for the first time since injuring his back late last month. Why he doesn't just sit down the last two weeks is beyond me. (LWR 25)

26. Houston Astros (66-83) ~ Dallas Keuchel took a no-hitter into the 7th inning against the red hot Angels ultimately ending their 10-game winning streak. The Astros also made sure they would not lose 100 games for the 4th straight season. (LWR 27)

27. Minnesota Twins (63-86) ~ Last year Michael Cuddyer won the NL batting title as a member of the Colorado Rockies. This year Justin Morneau could win the batting title as amember of the Colorado Rockies. I wonder what Twins fans think of that. (LWR 26)

28. Arizona Diamondbacks (61-88) ~ Time is almost up on this dreadful season in the desert and one has to figure time is up for Kirk Gibson as manager. Right? RIGHT??? (LWR 28)

29. Colorado Rockies (59-90) ~ Did I mention a Rockie might win the batting title again this season? That's really all the winning being done there these days. (LWR 29)

30. Texas Rangers (57-92) ~ Texas swept away the Braves and more than likely their playoff hopes this weekend. It was only the second series sweep of the season for the Rangers. It's been that kind of year. (LWR 30)