2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 6

Is this the week there is a changing of the guard? Did Milwaukee do enough to retain their top spot or did one of the California teams overtake them? I don't know why I'm even putting these questions out there because odds are that you can see the number one team and this little intro on your screen at the same time. Can't you?

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

1. Milwaukee Brewers (24-14) ~ They did enough. Barely. They won a home series against the New York Yankees so that pleases everyone who isn't a Yankees fan. That's enough to hod onto the top spot one more week. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Oakland A's (23-15) ~ Derek Norris launched two three-run homers off of Gio Gonzalez last night. Those two were traded for each other a few years ago. While Norris certainly won last night I still believe Washington won that trade. (LWR 2)

3. San Francisco Giants (24-14) ~ Tim Hudson has always had great control but this year is something different. In 60 1/3 innings he has walked four batters so far. Four. His strikeout numbers are right along with his career normal (slightly under six per nine innings) but the low walk total puts his strikeout to walk ratio at an astonishing 9.5:1 which you can be assured is the best in baseball. (LWR 3)

4. Detroit Tigers (21-12) ~ You could say the Tigers have a strong case to be at the top of the list because they have the best record in baseball. You'd be right. But they've also played the fewest games so far. That means something too, doesn't it? No? Oh. OK. (LWR 5)

5. Colorado Rockies (23-17) ~ I hadn't mentioned Nolan Arenado's hit streak because I didn't want to jinx it. Now that is has ended at a team record 28 games I can mention just how awesome it was. This youngster has the makings of a star in Denver. (LWR 6)

6. Atlanta Braves (21-15) ~ As a fan I was hoping the off day followed by a home series against the lowly Chicago Cubs would help snap the Braves out of their funk. That worked out well but they are entering a murderer's row with three of their next four series against teams I already mentioned in these rankings. (LWR 6)

7. Baltimore Orioles (20-15) ~ Troubling news for the first places O's is that star catcher Matt Wieters may need surgery that would cause him to miss the rest of the season. (LWR 12)

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (20-19) ~ Josh Beckett hasn't won in nearly 20 months despite pitching rather well this year. He has a 2.80 ERA to go along with a 1.05 WHIP and has given up one earned run or less in three starts so far without a win to show for it. (LWR 4)

9. New York Yankees (19-17) ~ CC Sabathia hitting the DL puts three of the Yankees five starters along with Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda on the shelf. It's going to be tough to stay in the American League East race without healthy arms. (LWR 9)

10. Washington Nationals (19-18) ~ Wilson Ramos is back in the Nats' lineup and he is a huge upgrade over the platoon of Sandy Leon and Jose Lobaton. If Ramons can stay healthy he has the potential to be a top offensive catcher in the National League. (LWR 10)

11. Los Angeles Angels (19-17) ~ I don't see what the big deal is for Jered Weaver basically telling his coaches to pull him from a game in which he was leading 7-1 and the bases were loaded. He felt like it was the best thing for the team to get the win. Isn't that what matters most? (LWR 13)

12. Texas Rangers (19-19) ~ For the second time in his career Yu Darvish was one out away from a no-hitter. He is going to get one eventually but I can't imagine what was going through his head when it happened for the second time last week. (LWR 8)

13. Boston Red Sox (19-18) ~ Jon Lester (4) and John Lackey (5) have roughly half of the Red Sox wins this year. (LWR 14)

14. St. Louis Cardinals (19-19) ~ Where is the Cardinals offense? With guys like Matt Adams, Matt Holiday, Allen Craig and Yadier Molina I am shocked to know that Jhonny Peralta leads the clubs in home runs (8) and OPS (.814). (LWR 11)

15. Miami Marlins (20-18) ~ Miami's road woes continue after getting lit up in San Diego. The club is now a dreadful 3-13 away from their home park. (LWR 18)

16. Cincinnati Reds (17-19) ~ The decline of Brandon Phillips continues. Dat Dude has only two home runs and has driven in only eight a year after topping the century mark. He is no longer a threat on the basepaths either going 5-for-10 in stolen base attempts since the start of 2013. (LWR 15)

17. Kansas City Royals (18-19) ~ The Royals, who can't seem to hit any home runs this year, won Sunday strictly because of them. Alcides Escober hit the first two of his career in the victory. (LWR 19)

18. Seattle Mariners (19-18) ~ I have a feeling that most people are not aware that Seattle is in third place in the AL West. Check the standings if you don't believe me. (LWR 24)

19. Chicago White Sox (19-20) ~ Nothing to do with the current team but I was just made aware of some rare footage of the 1919 World Series made famous by the "Black Sox". Kudos to Deadspin for making this available.The link is below but I guess I need to learn how to post links into this blog. Sorry for the sloppy cut and paste job. (LWR 20)

http://deadspin.com/watch-rare-footage-of-the-black-sox-throwing-the-1919-w-1570843031

20. New York Mets (17-19) ~ The Mets had lost five in a row before the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen decided to give them a gift win on Sunday. This puts an end to the illusion that maybe the Mets could be good this year. (LWR 16)

21. Toronto Blue Jays (18-20) ~ Casey Janssen was activated from the disabled list so that means the Blue Jays and their fans don't have to worry about seeing Sergio Santos in a save situation anytime soon. (LWR 21)

22. Tampa Bay Rays (16-22) ~ Another putrid week for the Rays. If they keep this up David Price is as good as gone. (LWR 17)

23. Cleveland Indians (18-20) ~ John Axford finally imploded. The reliever who has nearly as many walks (13) as strikeouts (15) blew his second save and picked up a loss in a non-save situation as well. He has been pulled from ninth inning duties which should go to Cody Allen who is the much better pitcher. (LWR 26)

24. Philadelphia Phillies (17-19) ~ Could they be ranked higher? Sure. But what fanbase is more full to troll than the Phillies? Seriously. I can't think of one. (LWR 23)

25. Pittsburgh Pirates (16-21) ~ We want Gregory Polanco! We want Gregory Polanco! (LWR 23)

26. San Diego Padres (18-21) ~ A dinosaur threw out the first pitch last week. I couldn't even be more serious. Check it out. Again, sorry I don't know how to put links in here. (LWR 27)

http://m.mlb.com/video/v32684683

27. Minnesota Twins (17-19) ~ Sam Fuld was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list last week. Is there any team out there that utilizes this more than the Twins? (LWR 25)

28. Arizona Diamondbacks (15-25) ~ Could it be? Has Arizona risen from the depths of the rankings? Yes, yes they have. (LWR 30)

29. Chicago Cubs (12-24) ~ I'm a Braves fan and I didn't even know this but the Cubs were handed their 10,000th loss in franchise history this past weekend in Atlanta. So there's that. (LWR 29)

30. Houston Astros (12-26) ~ Well, they avoided the rankings cellar as long as they could. Good on ya Houston. (LWR 29)