MLB Power Rankings: Week 16 Detroit Tigers Continue Slide
Jul 19, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong (16) makes an out against New York Mets third baseman Eric Campbell (29) during the eighteenth inning of a baseball game at Busch Stadium. The Mets won 3-1 in eighteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
After a much needed All-Star Break, the second half of the baseball season finally began on Friday. With just three games since our MLB Power Rankings last week, little has changed, but there was some movement.
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 for Week 16 of the 2015 baseball season.
Jul 19, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur (3) celebrates his walk off two run home run during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Marlins, 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
30. Philadelphia Phillies (32-62)
Woah! A sweep??
Jul 19, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher A.J. Ramos (44) walks off the field after allowing a two run home run to Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur (3) (not pictured) in the bottom of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Marlins, 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
29. Miami Marlins (38-54)
Well, it was the Miami Marlins …
Jul 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; The San Diego Padres grounds crew removes the tarp after a rain delay in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
28. Colorado Rockies (39-51)
At least Sunday’s rainout means the Rockies didn’t get swept.
Jul 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
27. Chicago White Sox (42-48)
Well, Jeff Samardzija had a good run of two good starts in a row …
Jul 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
26. Milwaukee Brewers (41-52)
Craig Counsell must not be that bad of a manager.
Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pete Rose is honored prior to the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
25. Cincinnati Reds (40-49)
The Pete Rose and Frank Thomas interaction on the All-Star Game post game show got about as awkward as it could get.
Jul 19, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
24. Seattle Mariners (42-50)
Seattle has 31 games against the Rangers, Athletics, White Sox and Rockies remaining on their schedule. Florida State’s football team had a tougher schedule than that.
Jul 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (22) celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
23. Oakland Athletics (43-51)
Oakland scored 14 runs on Sunday, but in the previous six games, the Athletics had 13 runs.
Jul 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Kelly Johnson (24) throws his helmet after he struck out to end the sixth inning during their game against the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field. The Cubs won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
22. Atlanta Braves
Speaking of no runs, just one in the last two games for the Braves.
Jul 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) walks to the mound to relieve relief pitcher Tommy Layne (59) during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
21. Boston Red Sox
Time to bring back Bobby Valentine …. nah, they aren’t that desperate.
Jul 19, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Zach McAllister (left) is congratulated by catcher Yan Gomes (right) after the Indians defeated the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 in the 11 innings at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
20. Cleveland Indians
Too bad the Indians weren’t home on Sunday versus the Reds. The walk-off walk has to be my favorite thing in this sport … yawn.
Jul 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock hits a single in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
19. Arizona Diamondbacks
Six straight losses, so their last win was against …
Jul 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) talks with pitching coach Mike Maddux (31) and catcher Robinson Chirinos (61) on the mound during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
18. Texas Rangers
… the Rangers!
Jul 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; A general view of a Petco ad reflected in a puddle during a rain delay at Petco Park in the fifth inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
17. San Diego Padres
Which is a bigger sign of the apocalypse? That it rained in Southern California on Sunday or that the Padres have won four in a row?
Jul 19, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Rajai Davis (20) resting in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Orioles beat the Tigers 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
16. Detroit Tigers (45-46)
Buy! Sell! Buy! Sell! The fan base can’t make up their minds.
Jul 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno (31) throws a pitch during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
15. Tampa Bay Rays
This week, we managed two …
Jul 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) celebrates the win with Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (30) at the end of a game a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
14. Toronto Blue Jays
… AL East teams back-to-back.
Jul 19, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Mets third baseman Eric Campbell (29) hits a sacrifice bunt during the eighteenth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Mets won 3-1 in eighteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
13. New York Mets
The Mets offense has been so bad, it might be time to try suicide squeezes when a runner is on second base too.
Jul 19, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielders David Lough (9) Adam Jones (left) and Nolan Reimold (right) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Orioles beat the Tigers 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
12. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles really struggle on the road, so naturally, they come into Comerica Park and win two-of-out three.
Jul 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena (18) and right fielder Colby Rasmus (28) celebrate with teammates after defeating the Texas Rangers 10-0 at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
11. Houston Astros
Two weeks out of first place and counting … Ok, so is it old yet?
Jul 19, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; A general view as workers try and brush the water off the outfield as the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim was officially called a rain out. This is the first time the Angels have been rained out at home since June 16, 1995. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
10. Los Angeles Angels
Again, rain in Southern California? What?? Do the Angels and Padres even have tarps?
Jul 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) celebrities with teammates after scoring a run against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics won 14-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
9. Minnesota Twins
This weekend, Minnesota showed us again why, 2-1, losses are tougher than, 14-1, defeats.
Jul 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Santiago Casilla (left) celebrates with catcher Buster Posey after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
8. San Francisco Giants
Seven consecutive losses and six straight victories all in July. This team is about as flaky as high school girls.
Jul 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jason Motte (30) delivers a pitch to an Atlanta Braves batter in the ninth inning of their game at Turner Field. The Cubs won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
7. Chicago Cubs
ESPN’s Jayson Stark wrote that a study shows Cubs have the 14th best fan base in baseball. Boy, I do not want to be Stark today. Bet he has plenty of e-mails.
Jul 8, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
6. New York Yankees
C.C. Sabathia is an ace again!? Not likely ..
Jul 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
5. Washington Nationals
Eight losses is a lot for a guy who has a 2.09 ERA.
Sep 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Travis Snider (23) warms up on deck at the beginning of a game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
Where is Travis Snider when you need him???
Jul 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
I don’t know, Harper. Zack Greinke looks pretty tough …
Jul 7, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggerrr holds a sign to vote for Mike Moustakas (not shown) before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 7-1. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
2. Kansas City Royals (55-35)
Johnny Cueto and the Royals mascot, Sluggerrr, have similar hair, so it would only make sense he would be traded to Kansas City.
Jul 19, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark Reynolds (12) hits for a single during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Busch Stadium. The Mets won 3-1 in eighteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
1. St. Louis Cardinals (58-34)
Does one run in 18 innings count as 0.5 runs per game in the season average?
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