MLB Power Rankings 2015: Week 14 Detroit Tigers at No. 13
Jul 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; The Joseph Bowman
Fourth of July Weekend has come and gone and major league baseball has officially hit the end of the first half. Where does the time go?
As the Kansas City Royals proved last season, there is still plenty of time to make a move in the standings, but we also have a sizable sample size for the MLB Power Rankings.
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 generally 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 14th week of the 2015 baseball season.
Jul 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Braves during the tenth inning at Turner Field. The Phillies defeated the Braves 4-0 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
30. Philadelphia Phillies (28-56)
Before Sunday, when was the last time this team won a game? That’s a serious question.
Jul 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
29. Colorado Rockies (35-47)
Isn’t it about time for some Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez rumors?
Jun 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
28. Miami Marlins (35-48)
Remind me, who is Dan Jennings again?
Jul 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) is congratulated in the dugout during the eighth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
27. Chicago White Sox (36-43)
Is Jeff Samardzija on his way out of Chicago again?
Jul 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Gerardo Parra (28) celebrates with starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann (41) after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Carlos Contreras (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. The Brewers won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
26. Milwaukee Brewers (36-48)
Eight wins in a row? The Brew Crew is making its move! Just 18 1/2 back of the Cardinals!
Jul 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) prepares to deliver a pitch against the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
25. Seattle Mariners (38-44)
Well, the Tigers still haven’t won on the west coast yet, so perhaps this is the chance for the Mariners to get hot.
Jul 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder Ben Zobrist (18) prepares to throw the ball to first from his knees to record an out against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at O.co Coliseum. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
24. Oakland Athletics (38-47)
Against right-handed starters, the Athletics are 33-32.
Jun 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) waits in the on deck circle against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Brewers defeated the Phillies, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
23. Cincinnati Reds (36-44)
Over the weekend, Ryan Braun threw a little Reds fan a ball, but the kid threw it back. Good job kid! If Braun threw me a baseball, I wouldn’t want it either.
Jul 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning in an inter-league game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
22. Cleveland Indians (38-43)
It seems like Cleveland leaves Pittsburgh disappointment no matter what sport it is.
Jul 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates rounding the bases after Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hit a two-run home run as Houston Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (9) walks away during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
21. Boston Red Sox (39-45)
Don’t look now, but Boston is just six games back of first place.
Jul 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller (17) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
20. Atlanta Braves (40-42)
Only took two out of three from the Phillies, you outta be ashamed of yourself Atlanta.
Jun 14, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres fans react after a strike call during an at bat of third baseman Yangervis Solarte (foreground, right) during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
19. San Diego Padres (39-45)
Padres fans be like, “Who the heck is Tommy Pham?” Don’t worry Padres fans, some Cardinals fans are asking the same question.
Jul 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-42)
Paul Goldschmidt was elected the starting first baseman for the National League All-Star team. At least the voters got something right.
Jun 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Twins 11-7. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
17. Texas Rangers (41-42)
Josh Hamilton to miss his second straight game due to a groin injury. The guy is a china doll … with really cool facial hair.
Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
16. New York Mets (42-41)
Do the Mets grow pitchers on trees?
Jul 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) congratulate designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) after Pujols hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
15. Los Angeles Angels (44-38)
The Angels swept the Rangers and outscored them, 33-8, over the weekend. Los Angeles is filing a petition to play Texas more often.
Jul 5, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) and shortstop Jose Reyes (7) celebrate after their game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Blue Jays won 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
14. Toronto Blue Jays (43-41)
Imagine if this team had any pitching at all. Wow.
Jul 5, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
13. Detroit Tigers (41-40)
How many more times can Tigers fans stand to hear after a pitcher gets shelled, “But he had really good stuff”?
Jul 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana (54) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
12. Minnesota Twins (43-39)
Remember when we said at the beginning of the season that the Ervin Santana suspension all but proves the Twins will not be contenders. We couldn’t be more wrong, and now he is added to the roster almost as a deadline move.
Jul 5, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) hits a two run single in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
11. Tampa Bay Rays (43-41)
Still can’t …
Jul 5, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
10. New York Yankees (44-38)
… figure out …
Jun 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) delivers in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
9. Baltimore Orioles (43-39)
… the AL East.
Mar 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa (45) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
8. San Francisco Giants (42-41)
The Giants have lost six in a row, and things will probably only get worse with the loss of Travis Ishikawa #sarcasm.
Jul 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher James Russell (40) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
7. Chicago Cubs (44-36)
Third best record in the NL since May 29! Unfortunately, it’s also the third best record in the NL Central.
Jul 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) greets designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) after his home run put the Astros ahead of the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
6. Houston Astros (48-36)
12 weeks in first place and counting …
July 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches the second inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (46-37)
Forget Max Scherzer or Gerrit Cole, Zack Greinke should start the All-Star Game. If not for his 1.48 ERA, then for his boyish charm.
Apr 13, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Travis Ishikawa (3) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the third inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
4. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-34)
The Pirates are 1-0 since adding Travis Ishikawa to the roster. Coincidence???
Jul 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) walks off the field with pitching coach Steve McCatty (54) after being removed from the game against the San Francisco Giants with an apparent injury during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
3. Washington Nationals (46-36)
Stephen Strasburg is headed back to the disabled list … maybe the Nationals will throw Max Scherzer twice in the rotation?
Jun 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Kansas City Royals fans cheer following the eighth inning of a 4-1 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
2. Kansas City Royals (46-33)
Thanks a lot for voting your guys in as starters in the All-Star Game Royals fans. Now the NL is guaranteed to win.
Jul 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Kevin Siegrist (46) throws the ball against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
1. St. Louis Cardinals (53-28)
A four-game losing streak this week??? Is the world coming to an end?