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2015 MLB Power Rankings Week 21
MLB Power Rankings
We've reached an odd point in the season: the point when you need two hands to count how many no-hitters have been thrown. That's right. With Jake Arrieta's gem against the Los Angeles Dodgers last night we have now reached six no-hitters this year and there's still a month to play. Unbelievable. Just another reason I love this game.
*Note ~ As always all stats and records are through Sunday's game.
1. St. Louis Cardinals (84-46) ~ Lance Lynn was forced to leave his last start with an ankle injury but all indications are he won't even miss one start. While that is good news for the Cards I was kind of curious to see who would step in and pick up right where Lynn left off. (Last Week's Ranking 1)
2. Kansas City Royals (80-50) ~ All-star left fielder Alex Gordon is due to return from the disabled list this week. He has been sidelined since July 9th with a Grade 2 groin pull. KC can use his gold glove defense as they ramp up for another deep postseason run. (LWR 2)
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (79-50) ~ A.J. Burnett could make it back this year. The veteran pitcher has been on the disabled list since late July with a strained flexor tendon in his right arm that was thought to not only be season-ending but career-ending as Burnett has made it known this is his last go round in the bigs. If he can come back healthy it is a big boon to the Buccos postseason plans. (LWR 3)
4. Chicaco Cubs (74-55) ~ Jake Arrieta no-hits the Dodgers striking out 12 while issuing a walk. He picked up his MLB-leading 17th win to go along with a 2.11 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP and a 190/44 K/BB ratio in 183 innings. He has to be in the running for the Cy Young award. (LWR 4)
5. Toronto Blue Jays(74-56) ~ Mark Shapiro has been hired to be the new team president. He was currently serving with the Cleveland Indians under the same title. (LWR 6)
6. New York Yankees (72-57) ~ They put a nice cherry on the rout cake in Atlanta by hanging a 20-spot on the Braves. This is the second time this year they have topped 20 runs in a game as they plated 21 on July 28th against the Rangers. (LWR 7)
7. Houston Astros (72-59) ~ George Springer has begun a rehab assignment and if all goes well he could rejoin the big club by the end of the week. He has been sidelined with a broken wrist since early July. (LWR 10)
8. New York Mets (72-58) ~ The Mets acquired Addison Reed to help bolster the bullpen. The former closer has struggled during the 2015 campaign with a 4.20 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Maybe a change of scenery will help. (LWR 9)
9. Los Angeles Dodgers (72-57) ~ For the second time in nine games the Dodgers have been no-hit. First it was Mike Fiers of Houston and now Arrieta. This is not the type of typical play one would expect of a division leading team. (LWR 5)
10. Texas Rangers (68-61) ~ Believe it or not if the season were to end today the Rangers would be in the playoffs. When Yu Darvish was lost prior to the season this was not what I expected from this team. (LWR 12)
11. San Francisco Giants (69-61) ~ Tim Lincecum needs surgery and it is likely to end his season and perhaps even his career in San Francisco. A few years ago he looked like a lock for the Hall and now he is a shell of his former self. I hope he can make it back. (LWR 8)
12. Washington Nationals (66-63) ~ Stephen Strasburg left his last start and red lights have to be flashing in the nation's capital as the ace has already missed time twice this season due to injury. If the Nats can't catch the Mets it could spell the end for Matt Williams's tenure as manager. (LWR 14)
13. Los Angeles Angels (65-65) ~ Much like the Nats the Angels had a lot of hype surrounding them this season. While I can see Washington letting go of Williams something tells me Arte Moreno will have a longer leash with the incumbent Mike Scioscia. (LWR 13)
14. Minnesota Twins (67-63) ~ Miguel Sano was robbed of a home run when it hit a catwalk in Tampa Bay. Nonetheless the rookie is helping the surprising Twins stay in contention for a playoff spot. (LWR 16)
15. Baltimore Orioles (63-67) ~ Baltimore is now closer to the Boston Red Sox than they are to a playoff berth. The wheels are coming off for the O's. (LWR 11)
16. Tampa Bay Rays (64-66) ~ When Logan Forsythe is your team leader in home runs and RBI you are officially in the middle of a transition year. (LWR 15)
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (63-67) ~ Did you know Arizona has scored the fourth most runs (584) in all of baseball? I know. I was shocked too. If they can get any pitching help this team could be closer to contention than most people think. (LWR 18)
18. San Diego Padres (63-67) ~ The Friars pulled back closer Craig Kimbrel off waivers after he was claimed. Rumors were flying that he could be traded before the July 31st deadline but now this ensures he will spend the rest of the season in sunny San Diego. He is signed for two more years and $24 million. (LWR 21)
19. Chicago White Sox (61-68) ~ Speaking of closer being put on waivers the Pale Hose have received a claim for David Robertson from the Yankees. As you may recall he was the closer in the Bronx last year before leaving in free agency. (LWR 17)
20. Cleveland Indians (63-66) ~ Team president Shapiro may be out the door but don't expect manager Terry Francona to follow suit. He has an opt-out ala Joe Maddon did last year in Tampa but has gone on record saying he won't use that for leverage. (LWR 20)
21. Boston Red Sox (60-70) ~ David Ortiz hit his 494th career home run putting him past Fred McGriff and Lou Gehrig for 27th place all time. He has a good chance at joining the 500-homer club this year in an otherwise lost season for the Sox. (LWR 24)
22. Detroit Tigers (60-70) ~ Picked by most experts to win the American League Central again this season the Tigers find themselves in last place. I'm sure most Tigers fans didn't see this coming even in their worst case scenarios. (LWR 19)
23. Seattle Mariners (61-70) ~ On this day, 25 years ago, the Griffey's became the first father/son duo to play together in the same game. So cool. Hard to believe it was that long ago. (LWR 23)
24. Atlanta Braves (54-76) ~ At one point the Braves were at 42-42 and playing better baseball than this fan thought they were capable of. Now they are playing worse baseball than this fan thought they were capable of. (LWR 22)
25. Oakland A's (57-74) ~ Pat Venditte, the ambidextrous relief pitcher, picked up his first career win last night. In a disappointing season there’s a little tidbit of fun. (LWR 27)
26. Milwaukee Brewers (55-75) ~ With the series win over the Cincinnati Reds the Brew Crew climbed out of the National League Central cellar. For as good as the top of the division is, well, the bottom is just as bad. (LWR 26)
27. Cincinnati Reds (53-76) ~ Usually a vote of confidence from the owner is a kiss of death to a manager's run. I'm not sure what to do when the owner says the manager will stay on through the end of the season. Does that mean he will be gone prior to 2016? (LWR 25)
28. Colorado Rockies (52-76) ~ Justin Morneau has begun a rehab assignment as he works back from concussion issues. Last year’s NL batting champion has been out since mid-May. (LWR 28)
29. Philadelphia Phillies (52-79) ~ Rumor has it that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. may be retained for 2016. This could be interesting amongst the Phillie faithful. *grabs popcorn* (LWR 29)
30. Miami Marlins (52-79) ~ Miami could welcome back Giancarlo Stanton this weekend as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken hamate bone. He has been on the shelf since June 27th yet still ranks fifth in the NL in home runs. (LWR 30)
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