MLB Power Rankings: Week 17 Detroit Tigers Continue Free Fall

Jul 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Rajai Davis (20) warms up before their game against the Boston Red Sox Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, MLB Power Rankings include every team, but since our list is read mostly by Detroit Tigers fans, our title is usually specific to them. This week is the seventh in a row that the Tigers have fallen either one of two spots on our list. Either we are slowly losing faith in this team, or we are coming to terms that this roster is a below average one in the MLB.

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. This week, we also had to take into account roster additions and subtractions, which were made by several teams as late July trading has already begun.

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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 17 of the 2015 baseball season.

Jul 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

30. Philadelphia Phillies (37-63)

Left-hander Cole Hamels threw a no-hitter on Saturday. Talk about raising your trade stock.

Jul 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

29. Miami Marlins (41-58)

It’s kind of funny that Dan Jennings basically led the Colin Cowherd controversial comments.

Jul 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Daniel Descalso (3) dives safely into home to score a run as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) cannot hold onto the ball during the third inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

28. Colorado Rockies (42-54)

Rockies fans be like “Couldn’t have Johnny Cueto been traded before his start on Saturday???”

Jul 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman releases a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

27. Cincinnati Reds (43-53)

Is Aroldis Chapman next?

Jul 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) is hit by a pitch in the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

26. Milwaukee Brewers (43-56)

Where did the offense go over the weekend? Milwaukee averaged 1.25 runs in the four-game series against Arizona.

Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee Pedro Martinez (L) and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal (R) hold up the Dominican Republic flat at the end of his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

25. Boston Red Sox (44-55)

Loved Pedro Martinez’s response to that idiot Colin Cowherd’s Dominicans comment from last week.

Jul 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Carlos Sanchez (5) and left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) celebrate a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

24. Chicago White Sox (46-50)

Just a game behind the Tigers … yikes (that’s for Tigers fans)

Jul 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Jesus Aguilar (36) throws to first base in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

23. Cleveland Indians (45-52)

Time for Indians fans to give up on the season and break out the Major League DVD.

Jul 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Franklin Gutierrez (30) celebrates his grand slam home run in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

22. Seattle Mariners (46-53)

Who thought Franklin Gutierrez would play hero twice this week?

Jul 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians mascot Slider (left) is joined by other mascots at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

21. Oakland Athletics (44-56)

Can someone explain to me why the Athletics mascot is an elephant?

Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee John Smoltz makes his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

20. Atlanta Braves (46-52)

The Braves could really use John Smoltz out there … in the rotation or bullpen.

Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee Randy Johnson makes his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

19. Arizona Diamondbacks (46-51)

And anyone could use Randy Johnson.

July 26, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) is greeted at home plate by center fielder Leonys Martin (2) after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

18. Texas Rangers (47-50)

Could this team be buyers and sellers??

Jul 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) leaves the field after the Boston Red Sox 11-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

17. Detroit Tigers (48-50)

Well, the good news is it’s almost football season.

Jul 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) celebrates after the Padres beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

16. San Diego Padres (47-52)

Too little, too late?

Jul 26, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

15. Tampa Bay Rays (49-51)

We might just …

Jul 26, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) shakes hands with third baseman Manny Machado (13) after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

13. Baltimore Orioles (48-49)

… the fact the AL East is just average.

Jul 26, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman Juan Uribe (2) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in ten innings at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

12. New York Mets (51-48)

Welcome to New York, Juan Uribe.

Jul 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (15) pitches to the New York Yankees in the 9th inning at Target Field. Yankees win 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

11. Minnesota Twins (52-46)

Glen Perkins looking more like a member of the Tigers bullpen .. although Detroit would gladly take Perkins over everyone in their bullpen.

Jul 26, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) relieves Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Philliess at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

10. Chicago Cubs (51-46)

Swept by the Phillies???

Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee Craig Biggio makes his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

9. Houston Astros (55-45)

Interesting stat of the day: Craig Biggio is the only player in the last 102 years with 50 doubles and 50 steals in the same season.

July 26, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

8. Los Angeles Angels (55-43)

Mike Trout might have a career in basketball.

Jul 26, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Duffy (5) and catcher Buster Posey (28) high five team mates after defeating the Oakland Athletics 4-3 at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

7. San Francisco Giants (54-44)

Baseball’s streakiest team has won 11 of its last 12 games.

Jul 25, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

6. Washington Nationals (52-45)

Nice of Ian Desmond to finally show up …

Jul 26, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) fields a ground ball in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Yankees won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

5. New York Yankees (55-42)

Is it 1996 again?

Jul 26, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (56-44)

What an anticlimactic way to lose a scoreless innings streak.

Jul 25, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) singles against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pittsburgh Pirates (57-41)

Pittsburgh didn’t need Jose Tabata to spoil Max Scherzer’s start this time around.

Jul 19, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto throws a pitch against the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kansas City Royals (59-38)

Would Johnny Cueto by himself make the No. 2 spot on our list this week?

Jul 26, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday (7) follows through on a RBI double during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. The Braves won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

1. St. Louis Cardinals (63-35)

The Cardinals went 5-1 this week .. what happened in that one loss??

Next: Detroit Tigers: Top Four Hall of Fame Snubs