After an extra few days off watch the game’s best and hearing Berman say “back back back” a few hundred times, we got back to regular season action. This week’s top five should not be of any surprise to you as it’s pretty clear cut.
(All stats via MLB.com)
MLB Power Rankings- Best in the West Dominate Top 5
1. Oakland A’s (61-37, 1.5 game lead in AL West) Last Week: 1
Much of the same from the best team in baseball. As an added bonus Yoenis Cespedes takes home back to back derby championships in the process. The A’s have a knack for dominating at home and this season proves to be no different. A 32-16 record is enough to worry anymore traveling along Interstate 880. After the AL takes home the win in the All-Star Game, the A’s have to love their chances if they can make it deep into October. They possess two 11 win pitchers in Kazmir and Gray to go along with a very dangerous offense. If anyone can stop them, it will have to come from their own division.
2. Los Angeles Angels (59-38, trailing Oakland by 1.5 games in AL West) Last Week: 3
There is little to no doubt this has been the hottest team in baseball. 8-2 in their last ten games is enough to turn my head, but it’s how they’ve been getting it done is what impresses me- situational hitting. Coming off a prime example walk-off win against Fernando Rodney and the Mariners, the Halos have been much more patient at the plate. They have the power to mash with the best of them, but have lacked the discipline to perform. With that plate vision in place, this becomes a much more dangerous ballclub. In regards to the division, they are 26-19 against the West. Indeed, fear the Angels.
3. Saint Louis Cardinals (54-45, tied with Milwaukee for NL Central lead) Last Week: 5
If you are a fan of the Walking Dead, you know the “Walkers” keep on coming. It is almost eerie similar to the Cardinals roster because no matter who gets taken out, a new face steps in and fills the role. 7-3 in their last ten, they have finally started to settle into a groove. NL Central fans know that year in and year out the Redbirds make their runs after the All-Star Break. 2B Kolten Wong has become a recent breakout star in the power game. If he can continue to make strides in his contact, his speed alone could add another dimension to the lineup.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (55-45, tied with San Francisco for NL West lead) Last Week: 2
Yikes…..4-6 in the last ten is not what Mattingly and company were looking for. But, in their defense the Boys in Blue were pretty banged up this last week. Yasiel Puig has been complaining of a sore hand and Hanley Ramirez was plunked twice in the series finale win against the Cardinals. The difference has been in the starting pitching and they have had a rough stretch since coming off the break. I do not see too much concern here as the depth should take care of itself. Scott Van Slyke (8 HR in 131 ABs) is receiving more time and looks promising. Just a down week and a couple notches on the Power Rankings. Nothing to worry about.
5. San Francisco Giants (54-44, tied with Los Angeles for NL West lead) Last Week: 7
The Giants break through into the top five and also moved their way into first place in the division. Taking a look at the rest of the National League, I truly believe that they will have to win the division if they want to make the playoffs. The NL Central is a mess and the East has more than one contender. How will they take down LA? It has to be in that offense (ranked 25th in the MLB in team batting average). You cannot expect Pence to carry eight other guys on a daily basis. Be on the lookout for San Fran to be scoping the market for a bat in the coming weeks.
Rest of the League (last week in parenthesis)-
6. Detroit Tigers (2)
7. Milwaukee Brewers (6)
8. Washington Nationals (11)
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (13)
10. Atlanta Braves (9)
11. Seattle Mariners (10)
12. Cincinnati Reds (12)
13. Baltimore Orioles (8)
14. New York Yankees (17)
15. Cleveland Indians (15)
16. Toronto Blue Jays (14)
17. Kansas City Royals (16)
18. Chicago White Sox (21)
19. New York Mets (19)
20. Miami Marlins (18)
21. Tampa Bay Rays (20)
22. Boston Red Sox (24)
23. Minnesota Twins (22)
24. Philadelphia Phillies (23)
25. Arizona Diamondbacks (29)
26. San Diego Padres (26)
27. Chicago Cubs (25)
28. Colorado Rockies (27)
29. Houston Astros (28)
30. Texas Rangers (30)
Before I Go: Here’s something you don’t see every day: all three National League Divisions have ties at the top. Should be an exciting finish to what has been a very closely contested season.
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Main Photo by by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images
