2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 5

Break up the Brew Crew. Once again the Milwaukee Brewers sit atop the rankings. I have to admit I'm quite surprised and I don't think I am alone in that respect. I didn't think the Brewers would be a terrible team but I'm sure even the biggest Brewers fans didn't think their team would look this good early on. While they maintain their lead the other team near the top the past few weeks, Atlanta, has taken a tumble. Check below to see where your team ranks and don't forget to tell me how you feel about where your team sits. Let me know just how bad at this (or good, I take compliments too!) I truly am.

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

1. Milwaukee Brewers (21-11) ~ Milwaukee's top spot will be put to the test this week after losing star Ryan Braun to the disabled list. Their next best offensive threat, Carlos Gomez, is also facing a possible suspension. Without those two in the lineup things could take a quick turn for the worse for these Brewers. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Oakland A's (19-12) ~ Oakland has the best run differential (+51) and road record (13-6) in the American League. If they can shore up their bullpen this team could be headed to yet another division crown. (LWR 4)

3. San Francisco Giants (20-11) ~ Matt Cain has found himself on the disabled list and owes it all to a sandwich. That's right. He injured himself making a sandwich. Baseball players suffer the oddest injuries out of the four major sports don't they? (LWR 5)

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (18-14) ~ The best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, is slated to come off the disabled list tomorrow. If that isn't a boon for the Dodgers then I don't know what is. (LWR 7)

5. Detroit Tigers (17-9) ~ Their bullpen has been awful so the club signed the rehabbing Joel Hanrahan. He was a disaster in Boston last year prior to getting hurt but was more than reliable the previous two years closing games out in Pittsburgh. If healthy he can certainly help shore things up. (LWR 9)

6. Colorado Rockies (19-14) ~ A week ago Troy Tulowitzki was leading the National League in batting at .366. Now he is leading the league with a .400 average. To say he had a good week is an understatement. (LWR 11)

7. Atlanta Braves (17-13) ~ Atlanta went 0-6 this week while scoring a grand total of 10 runs. The losing streak is their longest in two years. Last week I mentioned they needed to find some offense. Looks like I jinxed my own team. (LWR 2)

8. Texas Rangers (17-14) ~ Prince Fielder had his first three hit game of the season yesterday which included two doubles for his first extra base hits in his last 39 at-bats. He will need to anchor this lineup in the tough American League West. (LWR 3)

9. New York Yankees (16-14) ~ Don't look now but Mark Teixiera is starting to heat up. The slugging first baseman has four home runs in his past six games. After a few dismal years in New York he may be ready to bounce back. (LWR 6)

10. Washington Nationals (17-14) ~ The Nats had two chances this weekend to overtake Atlanta for first in the NL East. They still have that chance tonight. Could the third time be the charm? (LWR 10)

11. St. Louis Cardinals (16-16) ~ They may be a .500 team at the moment but I truly believe this is the most talented team in the Senior Circuit. Even more so than the Dodgers. (LWR 8)

12. Baltimore Orioles (15-14) ~ The O's have to be the least talked about team in the AL East wouldn't you say? They sit a mere half game out of first and that is with a struggling Ubaldo Jimenez (1-4 with a 5.19 ERA) and a slugger (Chris Davis) on the disabled list. (LWR 13)

13. Los Angeles Angels (15-15) ~ Albert Pujols and Mike Trout get all the attention but Howie Kendrick is hitting over .300 and is on pace to obliterate his career high in stolen bases. (LWR 14)

14. Boston Red Sox (15-17) ~ Big Papi is hitting only .241 and that can be attributed to his high fly ball rate (48.2%) and low line drive rate (15.3%). He is still on pace to hit 30 homers but this isn't the Papi we have come to know and love over the years. (LWR 12)

15. Cincinnati Reds (15-16) ~ Losing Jay Bruce for the next month or so is really going to hurt. I'm not sure who can pick up that power slack. (LWR 19)

16. New York Mets (16-14) ~ Dillon Gee won again this time tossing six scoreless innings in Coors Field against the scorching Rockies. (LWR 16)

17. Tampa Bay Rays (15-17) ~ Jake Odorizzi doesn't look ready for the bigs just yet. The youngster has all the talent in the world but is getting knocked around to the tune of a 6.83 ERA and 1.81 WHIP. He could still prove valuable this year but he needs to be sent down. (LWR 15)

18. Miami Marlins (16-15) ~ The Marlins boast the best home record in baseball at 14-5 and flexed that muscle this week by taking five of six against the Braves and Dodgers. Too bad they can't muster any road success this year as they are 2-10 away from their home park. (LWR 23)

19. Kansas City Royals (14-16) ~ Kauffman Stadium looks like a nice place to take in a ballgame. The fans there deserve to have a winning team. There was so much hope and promise coming into this season. I hope the Royals fans still feel it. (LWR 17)

20. Chicago White Sox (15-17) ~ Slugger Jose Abreu became just the second player in MLB history to win Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month honors in his first full month in the big leagues. This kid is for real people. (LWR 20)

21. Toronto Blue Jays (14-17) ~ Another disappointing year north of the border could mean the Jays are gearing up for a fire sale come the trade deadline. This highly paid team cannot stay together if they continue to underperform. (LWR 18)

22. Philadelphia Phillies (15-14) ~ Jimmy Rollins needs 31 more hits to be the all-time hits leader for the Phillies franchise. That should happen in a month or so. (LWR 24)

23. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-19) ~ One has to wonder if it is time for top prospect Gregory Polanco to be called up. He is lighting it up in AAA and the Pirates right fielders have been dreadful. (LWR 22)

24. Seattle Mariners (14-15) ~ Hishashi Iwakuma looked good in his season debut albeit against the Houston Astros but Seattle needs their pitching staff to be healthy if they are going to have any shot of contending in the tough AL West. (LWR 26)

25. Minnesota Twins (14-15) ~ Phil Hughes has won his last three starts putting up a quality starts in each of them and walking only one batter during the stretch. He may not be the ace he was once touted to be but in Minnesota he could be their ace. (LWR 25)

26. Cleveland Indians (13-18) ~ Last year's Cinderella in the AL is off to a horrendous start as they currently reside in the AL Central cellar. This is a team with playoff aspirations and right now they aren't any better than the Twins or White Sox who both stunk last year. (LWR 21)

27. San Diego Padres (14-18) ~ The Friars were a sexy sleeper pick for a lot of folks this year. I wonder if anyone told their offense the season started? (LWR 27)

28. Chicago Cubs (11-18) ~ I almost didn't believe it when I heard it but the Cubs' series win over St. Louis this weekend was their first since September of last year. (LWR 28)

29. Houston Astros (10-21) ~ Right now Houston just doesn't have the talent to compete on the Major League level. It looks like they are destined for another 100-loss season. (LWR 29)

30. Arizona Diamondbacks (11-23) ~ If you look at what I said about the Astros who rank above the D'Backs, well, just form your own opinion about the product on the field in Arizona. Poor Paul Goldschmidt. (LWR 30)