MLB Power Rankings 2015: Week 9 Detroit Tigers continue to fall

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May 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos (61) prepares to douse left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) and reporter Emily Jones (R) following Hamilton

Can you believe it’s already June 1? It’s that time of year to get dunked in ice cold water.

The season is nearly two months old and fans are starting to understand who the contenders and pretenders are.

We would like readers to know that these power rankings are based on just one opinion, and the difference of opinion between readers and fans is what makes the power rankings so fun to discuss. Please let us know how we did in the comments section below.

For our list, we took into account record, strength of schedule, run differential and other human elements such as injuries.

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That means just because a team is on 8-2 hot streak, they don’t automatically jump to the highest spots. It’s like my high school coach always used to say, “A team is never as good as its best win, and it’s never as bad as it’s worse loss.”

Lastly, readers should know, the rankings are serious, but the comments for each team are not. There are so many baseball articles analyzing the most small details on the web, we wanted to start out the week with a little fun.

Here are MCB’s MLB Power Rankings heading into the ninth week of the 2015 baseball season.

May 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado (12) hits a walk-off home run in the 17th inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6 at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

30. Milwaukee Brewers (17-34)

Things are looking up Brewers fans. You’re team is 1-0 in 17 inning games.

May 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) reacts after striking out to end the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies defeated the Phillies, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

29. Philadelphia Phillies (19-33)

How do the Phillies follow up on a streak that sees them win six of seven? How about losing nine of the next 10.

May 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) celebrate final out against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies defeated the Phillies, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

28. Colorado Rockies (22-26)

If only the Rockies could play the Phillies more often.

May 26, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings (26) looks on from the dugout before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

27. Miami Marlins (20-31)

Has Dan Jennings quit yet?

May 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (36) pitches the ball against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the New York Yankees 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

26. Oakland Athletics (20-33)

Weird stat of the day: Oakland has a plus-one run differential this season.

May 30, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) hits a two-run home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (not pictured) in the third inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

25. Cincinnati Reds (22-27)

Joey Votto must be really, really good in order to draw a walk with only three balls.

May 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

24. Toronto Blue Jays (23-29)

Nelson Cruz has some competition for the best offseason signing. Josh Donaldson has six home runs in the last six games.

May 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) steals second base against the Houston Astros in the third inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

23. Chicago White Sox (23-26)

Well Chicago, not all your teams can be winners.

May 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Junichi Tazawa (36) throws the ball against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

22. Boston Red Sox (22-29)

With a team ERA of 4.53, maybe this team needs to start deflating its balls or at least find something to help their throwing.

May 29, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) high fives teammates in the dugout after scoring during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

21. Arizona Diamondbacks (23-26)

Another weird stat: on Sunday, Paul Goldschmidt became the first player to have three hits and three intentional walks in the same game.

May 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) follows through on his two run walk off double against the Boston Red Sox during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

20. Texas Rangers (26-25)

I told you this would happen.

May 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) reacts after striking out to end the seventh inning with the bases loaded against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

19. Seattle Mariners (24-26)

Seattle yielded the winning-run to Cleveland on a walk in the 12th. That has to be the worse way to lose.

May 31, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) hugs his catcher Christian Bethancourt (27) after the Braves defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-5 at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

18. Atlanta Braves (25-25)

After the fire sale before the season, Braves fans must be thrilled at 25-25.

May 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians players celebrate their 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

17. Cleveland Indians (24-26)

Don’t look now Tigers fans, but this team has won 10 of 13.

May 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Rays won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

16. Baltimore Orioles (23-26)

I have no idea what to make of the AL East, so they are all jumbled together on our list.

May 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Rivera (44) celebrates with relief pitcher Brad Boxberger (26) after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 9-6 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

15. Tampa Bay Rays (26-25)

See …

May 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the New York Yankees 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

14. New York Yankees (26-25)

Told you …

May 31, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) celebrates with right fielder Curtis Granderson (3) after defeating the Miami Marlins 4-3 at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

13. New York Mets (28-23)

Like the Rockies, the Mets wish they could play the Phillies all the time too.

May 31, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker (52) walks to the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

12. Los Angeles Angels (27-24)

Boy, looks like this team could be using Josh Hamilton right about now.

May 26, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starter Odrisamer Despaigne (40) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

11. San Diego Padres (25-27)

Who would have guessed that the pitcher to cool off the Pirates bats would be Odrisamer Despaigne.

May 31, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (C) is congratulated after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

10. Pittsburgh Pirates (26-24)

It would have been very fitting if the Pirates took boats from San Diego to San Francisco on Sunday night after the game.

May 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (15) and catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

9. Minnesota Twins (30-19)

I’m at a loss for words.

Jun 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Lennie Merullo, a member of the 1945 Chicago Cubs World Series team, throws out the first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

8. Chicago Cubs (26-22)

Sadly, the Cubs oldest living former player, Lennie Merullo, died at 98. He played on the team the last time the Cubs went to the World Series!

May 31, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain (44) reacts after giving up two runs in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

7. Detroit Tigers (28-24)

This team also has me at a loss for words.

May 31, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) celebrates with third base coach Roberto Kelly (39) after hitting a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

6. San Francisco Giants (30-22)

What are these Giants doing? It’s an odd-numbered year

May 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Chicago won 6 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

5. Houston Astros (31-20)

Seven weeks and counting in first place.

May 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

4. Washington Nationals (28-22)

Come on Bryce Harper! You have to be in the Home Run Derby!

May 31, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Christian Colon (24) hits a single during the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kansas City Royals (29-19)

I can say with 100 percent confidence that if you told Royals fans before the season that on June 1, they would be in second place, they would not guess behind the Twins.

May 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (8) argues with umpire Mike Winters (33) after being ejected from the game during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Dodgers 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-20)

The Dodgers seem to be battling umpires as much as the opposition these days.

May 31, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (18) celebrates after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (not pictured) for the final out of the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Dodgers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

1. St. Louis Cardinals (33-17)

To be fair, it’s hard to beat the Cardinals already. Then if they get a few calls, forget it.

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