Hi everyone, we are deep into the dog days of summer. Less than two months left in the season. Should be fun let’s dive into the Rankings.
Playing out the String
30. Diamondbacks 35-78 5th in NL West, LW: 30
The Thursday 4-0 9th inning blown lead is a microcosm of the Season. The bullpen is historically bad.
29. Orioles 38-72 5th in AL East, LW: 29
The Orioles predictably had a rough week against the Yankees and Rays. They are just trying to avoid 100 losses at this point and that feat appears likely.
28. Rangers 39-73 5th in AL West, LW: 28
With Gallo and Gibson gone the Rangers have very little upper tier major league talent. Just a tough product to feature in a brand new ballpark.
27. Pirates 41-71 5th in NL Central, LW: 27
The Pirates would love to not have to play the Reds anymore this season. Holy hell has that matchup been one sided.
26. Marlins 47-66 5th in NL East, LW: 24
The weekend beatdown in Colorado likely has put the Marlins chance of finishing the Season with a positive run differential in likely jeopardy.
25. Twins 48-65 5th in AL Central, LW: 26
The Twins are the one team no one expected to be on this list. Will be an interesting offseason in what direction to move forward with.
24. Royals 48-63 4th in AL Central, LW: 25
Salvador Perez is having one of his best offensive seasons of his career with a .274 batting average and 27 homeruns, almost certain to have his jersey retired.
23. Nationals 50-62 4th in NL East, LW: 22
With so many veterans being traded the Nationals are one of the most unrecognizable teams from what they put on the field even a month ago. Any Regrets?
22. Cubs 52-62 4th in NL Central, LW: 21
Wilson Contreras must be one of the most loneliest players in the majors being the only member of the Cubs nucleus for many years to not get moved.
21. Rockies 51-61 4th in NL West, LW: 23
The Rockies are now 38-21 at home. Think if they were even within sniffing distance of .500 on the road where they would be (13-40 road record).
20. Tigers 54-60 3rd in AL Central, LW: 20
We were thinking the Tigers might be able to sneak into second in the AL Central but a series loss at Cleveland keeps them in third, overachieving team.
19. Cardinals 55-56 3rd in NL Central, LW: 17
The Cardinals are still toiling around .500. Their stars are playing well (Goldschmidt, Arenado, Wainwright) but too much inconsistency across roster.
18. Angels 56-56 3rd in AL West, LW: 19
Mike Trout is still dealing with his injury. Hopefully he can come back soon. Trout and Ohtani will make a close to another brutal season watchable.
17. Indians 55-55 2nd in AL Central, LW: 16
The injuries have just crippled the Indians this season. Unfortunately as a small market team they don’t have the depth to withstand major injuries.
Something to Play for
16. Mets 56-55 3rd in NL East, LW: 14
The Mets (after spending over three months in first place) have collapsed all the way down to third place in the NL East after getting swept in Philly.
15. Braves 57-55 2nd in NL East, LW: 18
Even with Ronald Acuna’s tragic injury I still like the Braves to win the NL East. There is just too much talent on this roster.
14. Mariners 59-54 3rd in AL West, LW: 11
The Mariners stood pat at the trade deadline which is smart but the Yankees Joey Gallo (a trade acquisition) had the most crushing hit against Seattle all season.
13. Phillies 59-53 1st in NL East, LW: 15
Bryce Harper has an OPS+ of 168 this season and has been tremendous as late. With the Tatis injury Bryce Harper has to be mentioned for NL MVP.
12. Reds 61-52 2nd in NL Central, LW: 13
If only the Reds could play the Pirates exclusively. Joey Votto recent surge has shown that he is still one of the best overall hitters in the national league.
11. Blue Jays 60-50 4th in AL East, LW: 12
With Guerrero, Bichette and Biggio it sounds like the Blue Jays are playing with a late 90’s NL All Star team. Their +123 run diffential shows should be better.
10. Yankees 62-50 3rd in AL East, LW: 10
With the Yankees going for it this season will be nothing short of a disappointment if the Yankees don’t get to at least the ALCS, forget just getting to playoffs.
9. Red Sox 65-49 2nd in AL East, LW: 7
The Red Sox are collapsing at the worst possible time. They have a huge series against the Rays at Fenway, a series loss and the Red Sox may just fade late.
8. Athletics 64-48 2nd in AL West, LW: 9
Just like the Braves I have never waivered in my belief of the Athletics winning the AL West and just like usual they are getting hot in the second half, watch out.
7. Padres 65-49 3rd in NL West, LW: 8
Blake Snell was outstanding on Sunday with 13 strikeouts. He has been massively disappointing this year but still can be as good as anyone when on.
6. Astros 66-46 1st in AL West, LW: 2
You lose 3 out of 4 at home to the Twins and I have to drop you down this list. Going 1-6 against the Orioles and Twins at home could bury the Astros in end.
5. Brewers 67-46 1st in NL Central, LW: 5
Losing a home series to the Giants is no shame in three hard fought games. The Reds are the Brewers only real threat at this point and they are six back.
4. White Sox 67-46 1st in AL Central, LW: 6
Many would say why do I have White Sox above Brewers when Brewers took a series from them recently. My answer is every metric says the Chi Sox are better.
3. Dodgers 67-45 2nd in NL West, LW: 3
The Dodgers got the best position player and pitcher acquired by any team at the trade deadline. Anything less than a championship is not acceptable.
2. Rays 68-44 1st in AL East, LW: 2
With three at Boston and then seven against the Twins and Orioles an 8-2 or 9-1 run in these next ten may make it almost impossible to be caught.
1.Giants 71-41 1st in NL West, LW: 1
A series win at Milwaukee after making a 4 run ninth inning comeback. Kris Bryant already making a huge impact, it may be the year of the Giants.