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2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 7
MLB Power Ranks Week 7
I'm going to keep the intro short and sweet this week. Tara, the hero cat, is throwing out the first pitch at a Minor League game tomorrow night. The Bakersfield Blaze game to be more specific.
http://www.tmz.com/2014/05/15/hero-cat-baseball-team-reaches-out-bakersfield-blaze/
And that's the intro.
*Note ~ As always all stats and records are through Sunday's games.
1. Oakland A's (28-16) ~ It really feels like the only thing the A's can't win is their quibble with Major League Baseball about needing a new stadium. Bud Selig appointed a committee to help resolve this years ago but so far nothing has come out of it. Well, at least the A's can rest assured knowing I have them atop my list this week. (Last Week's Ranking 2)
2. Detroit Tigers (27-12) ~ If there is a duo in baseball tougher to get out right now than Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez I'd really like you to tell me who they are because I just don't see it. They are hot right now. So hot. Dare I say, en fuego? (LWR 4)
3. Milwaukee Brewers (27-17) ~ Rickie Weeks, yes that Rickie Weeks, hit a ball clear out of Wrigley Field over the weekend. He may not connect with the ball as much anymore but that awesome power display showed what he can still do. (LWR 1)
4. San Francisco Giants (28-17) ~ Don't look now but Pablo Sandoval quietly has a nine-game hitting streak working. While that is a step in the right direction he is currently slashing a putrid .220/.279/.340. (LWR 3)
5. Colorado Rockies (25-20) ~ I've mentioned it before, either in here or a fantasy writeup, that Justin Morneau is back. It bears repeating that the former MVP has found his power stroke in Denver and has an outstanding slash line of .327/.355/.585 and has already clubbed nine home runs. If he can stay healthy and produce like that he should get a lot of consideration for Comeback Player of the Year. (LWR 5)
6. Atlanta Braves (23-19) ~ Craig Kimbrel is four saves away from tying John Smoltz's franchise record. That should only take another week or two. (LWR 6)
7. Los Angeles Angels (24-19) ~ With a two homer game over the weekend Albert Pujols tied Eddie Murray for 25th on the all-time list with 504. Up the ladder he goes. (LWR 11)
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (23-22) ~ Word on the street has Hanley Ramirez asking for more than $130 million for his next contract. He has been injury prone and is on the wrong side of 30. The Dodgers may be flush with cash but that is one price tag they might be wise to leave on the shelf. (LWR 8)
9. Baltimore Orioles (22-20) ~ Baltimore's closer situation has been shaky to say the least. Tommy Hunter may have 11 saves but he has given up a whopping 23 hits and 11 earned runs in just 15 1/3 innings. That will cause any fan or starting pitcher to drink a bottle of Pepto when Hunter toes the rubber in a close game. (LWR 7)
10. New York Yankees (23-20) ~ C.C. Sabathia is on crutches and Carlos Beltran is visiting Dr. James Andrews. Too many injuries on an old team? Color me surprised. /sarcasm. (LWR 9)
11. St. Louis Cardinals (23-21) ~ The blown save goes to Trevor Rosenthal but really it should be on manager Mike Matheny for trotting out his closer for the fourth straight day. Give the guy a rest. (LWR 14)
12. Washington Nationals (23-20) ~ Gio Gonzalez was roughed up again this weekend and has now been placed on the disabled list. While the Nats have one of the best rotations in baseball they don't have a whole lot of pitching depth. (LWR 10)
13. Boston Red Sox (20-23) ~ Boston may be David Ortiz's city but this weekend it belonged to the Tigers. Boston was held to just three runs as they were swept at home in the three-game set. (LWR 13)
14. Miami Marlins (23-22) ~ The best news for the Marlins? Eleven of their next fourteen games are at home where they still have baseball's best record at 17-5. (LWR 15)
15. Texas Rangers (21-23) ~ Martin Perez joins the list of pitchers to have Tommy John surgery this year leaving a void in the Rangers' rotation. Injuries happen but I don't see a club out there decimated by them quite like Texas. (LWR 12)
16. Kansas City Royals (22-21) ~ Alex Gordon had himself a day Sunday going 4-for-4 at the dish with two home runs and six RBI. He also made a great catch against the wall in foul territory and got himself a curtain call. Good on ya Gordon. (LWR 17)
17. Cincinnati Reds (19-23) ~ Devin Mesoraco picked up right where he left off after he was activated from the disabled list this weekend. His is now slashing .500/.541/.870 on the season. That's production Holmes. (LWR 16)
18. Toronto Blue Jays (23-22) ~ Juan Francisco has found a home in Toronto. The slugger has always displayed tremendous power but was a liability in the field. Now calling an American League team home the Jays will do whatever it takes to keep his bat in the lineup. (LWR 21)
19. Seattle Mariners (21-22) ~ Hisashi Iwakuma has been dealing since being activated from the disabled list. In his last two outings he has thrown a total of 16 scoreless frames with 12 strikeouts and zero walks. I'd say he's in mid-season form. (LWR 18)
20. New York Mets (20-23) ~ Why is Terry Collins electing to keep Juan Lagares on the bench? He is their best defensive outfielder and has shown promise at the plate. How Bobby Abreu is getting playing time over him is inconceivable. (LWR 20)
21. Tampa Bay Rays (19-26) ~ What can I say about the Rays? Joe Maddon is perhaps the best manager in baseball. And he is from Northeastern Pennsylvania. That's what I can say. (LWR 22)
22. Chicago White Sox (21-24) ~ There are two reasons to watch the White Sox this year: Chris Sale and Jose Abreu. Both of those players are on the disabled list right now so you are clear to go about not watching the White Sox. (LWR 19)
23. Minnesota Twins (21-21) ~ Last season the Twins scored 3.8 runs per game on their way to 100 losses. This year the offense is scoring 4.6 runs per game which is good for seventh in all of baseball. Who would've thunk it? (LWR 27)
24. San Diego Padres (21-24) ~ San Diego ranks either last or next to last in almost all the major offensive categories. The fact that they are only three games under .500 is shocking. (LWR 26)
25. Philadelphia Phillies (19-22) ~ In his last two outings Cole Hamels has struck out 20 batters in 14 innings while giving up a combined two earned runs. If Hamels, Lee and Burnett produce this team could exceed expectations and finish at or above .500. (LWR 24)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (18-25) ~ After last season's feel good run to the playoffs the Pirates have plummeted to the lower rung of the National League. (LWR 25)
27. Cleveland Indians (19-25) ~ After last season's feel good run to the playoffs the Indians have plummeted to the lower rung of the American League. (LWR 23)
28. Arizona Diamondbacks (18-28) ~ Tony LaRussa has signed on to work in the front office but what does that really mean? He was a tremendous coach but he won't be doing that in the desert. (LWR 28)
29. Chicago Cubs (15-27) ~ Mike Olt has more RBI (20) than hits (18) on the year. I suppose when half of your hits are home runs that could happen. (LWR 29)
30. Houston Astros (16-28) ~ Tick tock for the prospects to arrive in Houston. (LWR 30)