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MLB Power Rankings Week 25: Detroit Tigers at No. 23
Sep 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is caught in a pickle and tagged out by Detroit Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine (27) during the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to believe, but there are just two weeks left in baseball’s regular season. With the season at its home stretch, the playoff picture has become very clear, however, there are still plenty of things still up in the air, and for the first time in months, our No. 1 spot was a bit unclear.
After losing eight of 11, the St. Louis Cardinals rebounded nicely against the Milwaukee Brewers early in the week, but then lost a series to the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. They also lost catcher Yadier Molina to a sprained thumb.
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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- Detroit Tigers: Ryan Kreidler increasing his value for the long term
- Report: Detroit Tigers sending multiple top prospects to Arizona Fall League
As always 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 25 of the 2015 baseball season.
Sep 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) reacts with first base coach Juan Samuel (8) after getting the first hit of the game against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
30. Philadelphia Phillies (56-94)
Maybe its time to start some Phillies players on the Eagles offense?
Sep 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) reacts with teammates after driving in the winning run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Phillies 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
29. Atlanta Braves (60-90)
Three wins in a row for the Braves! Well … they were against the Phillies.
Sep 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher John Axford (66) and catcher Dustin Garneau (50) celebrate the win over the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
28. Colorado Rockies (63-86)
The Rockies will not lose 100 games this season, so they have that going for them … which is nice.
Sep 19, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Domingo Santana (16) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a 2-run homer in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
27. Milwaukee Brewers (63-86)
At least Milwaukee has the Packers.
Sep 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia (26) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
26. Oakland Athletics (64-86)
The Raiders won on Sunday, so there was no way the Athletics would have too. Those two teams probably haven’t won on the same day since the Bush administration.
Sep 19, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) drives in two runs with a base hit in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. The Reds beat the Brewers 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
25. Cincinnati Reds (63-85)
Can the Cincinnati Reds play spoiler? Their 14 remaining games are against the Cardinals, Mets, Nationals, Cubs and Pirates.
Sep 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich (21) is congratulated by manager Dan Jennings (26) after scoring a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
24. Miami Marlins (64-86)
Woah! No. 24 for the Miami Marlins!? Dan Jennings must be thrilled.
Sep 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Victor Martinez (41) hits a RBI single during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
23. Detroit Tigers (69-79)
It seems like the Tigers have won a lot lately, but not really. Just 5-5 in the last 10. The standards must be getting lower in Motown.
Sep 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Melvin Upton Jr. (2) celebrates scoring in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
22. San Diego Padres (70-80)
Have the Padres front office learned their lesson from the failures in 2015? You can’t take short cuts when building a team.
Sep 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) reacts after fouling a ball off his foot against Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
21. Boston Red Sox (71-77)
Yes, David Ortiz. Please retire!
Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson (7) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
20. Chicago White Sox (70-78)
Well, we at least appear better than the Bears.
Sep 20, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (39) is congratulated by teammates after he hit the game winning RBI single during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
19. Tampa Bay Rays (72-77)
The Rays rally in the ninth the same day Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers beat the Saints in New Orleans. What a day for Tampa Bay!
Sep 20, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Logan Kensing (left) and catcher Jesus Sucre (2) celebrate their win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Mariners won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
18. Seattle Mariners (73-77)
The Mariners have won 14 of their last 20 games. Where was this all season?
Sep 19, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings (16) rounds third base before scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (71-78)
The Diamondbacks have officially been eliminated but hey, best offense in the National League.
Sep 20, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) comes out to talk with relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) and teammates during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
16. Baltimore Orioles (73-76)
Uh, oh. It could be a long offseason with the Ravens already 0-2.
Sep 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates a defensive play with third baseman Giovanny Urshela (39) in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
15. Cleveland Indians (74-74)
Put away the Major League DVD for now. The Indians are still in the pennant race!
Sep 19, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar (2) advances to third base from first base on a single as Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) applies a tag in the sixth inning during game two of a doubleheader at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
14. Minnesota Twins (76-73)
Does anyone want to go to the playoffs as the second Wild Card team in the AL?
Sep 19, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) scores against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning of game two of a doubleheader at Target Field. The Angels won 4-3 in 12 innings. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
13. Los Angeles Angels (76-73)
Apparently not.
Sep 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) throws to the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
12. Washington Nationals (78-71)
With the last series of the season versus the New York Mets, it isn’t quite over for the Nationals.
Sep 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Max Stassi (12) talks with starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
11. Houston Astros (79-71)
Houston … we have a problem.
Sep 20, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits a three run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
10. San Francisco Giants (78-71)
What did you expect? It’s an odd-numbered year.
Sep 20, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (left) celebrates his run scored with second baseman Hanser Alberto (68) against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
9. Texas Rangers (80-69)
Is it 2012 all over again except in reverse for the Rangers?
Sep 20, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) hits an RBI double to right center during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
8. New York Mets (84-65)
Still the Yankees little brother.
Sep 20, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (31) celebrates his three run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
7. New York Yankees (82-66)
Crucial, crucial series in Toronto to start this week.
Sep 7, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (85-63)
Is everyone injured for the Dodgers?
Sep 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) throws out Boston Red Sox left fielder Rusney Castillo (not pictured) in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
5. Toronto Blue Jays (85-64)
Maybe Josh Donaldson should close games too? He does everything else, right?
Sep 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales (25) celebrates his third home run during the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
4. Kansas City Royals (87-62)
Kendrys Morales for MVP! That’s actually a serious statement.
Sep 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) and first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) celebrate defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
3. Chicago Cubs (87-62)
Have an argument to be No. 1 after the incredible week. First, three out of four in Pittsburgh and then two out of three versus the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
September 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) leads off from third in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (89-60)
With four walks in five plate appearances, and the Pirates winning, Andrew McCutchen was walking on sunshine in LA on Sunday.
Aug 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. St. Louis Cardinals (93-56)
Yadier Molina goes down with a sprained thumb. Is this the injury that finally breaks the Cardinals back?