2014 Power Rankings: June 30
RANK TEAM / RECORD TRENDING COMMENTS
1
Athletics
51-30
--
Last Week: 1 Yoenis Cespedes is riding a 13-game hitting streak, during which time he's batting a whopping .352. -- ESPN.com
2
Brewers
51-33
--
Last Week: 2 The Brewers went 18-10 in the month of June thanks in large part to an offense that averaged 5.43 runs per game in the month. They possess the best record in the National League and the second best run differential (+40) behind the Dodgers. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy inserted himself into the MVP discussion with a 1.029 OPS in June. -- Ryan Topp (@RDTopp), Disciples of Uecker
3
Angels
45-35
2
Last Week: 5 Garrett Richards continues to shine as he's 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five starts in June. He has a .161 batting average against in that stretch. -- ESPN.com
4
Tigers
44-34
3
Last Week: 7 Detroit either leads the AL or is in the top three in six major hitting categories. Bats are not the issue, if that term is even relevant for a team with the AL's second-best winning percentage, despite losing two of three to Houston to end their road trip. A rough staff ERA of 4.37 for June has taken a positive turn at 3.03 over the last seven days, good for third in the AL during that period. -- Ryan Callery, Walkoff Woodward
5
Giants
46-36
2
Last Week: 3 The Giants' 9.5 game lead in the NL West has dissolved entirely. Their misfortunes go beyond the losses of Angel Pagan and Brandon Belt to injury. They hit 15 fewer home runs as a team in June than they did in May, and have only won four of their last 19 games. -- Connor Grossman (@GiantsBaseball) West Coast Bias
6
Dodgers
47-37
2
Last Week: 8 Three weeks ago, Los Angeles was 33-31 and 9.5 games behind the Giants. When they wake up today, the Dodgers will have won 14 of 20 to tie the stumbling Giants, who have lost 15 of 19. Clayton Kershaw tossed another seven shutout innings Sunday, upping his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 28. During June, Kershaw struck out 61 and walked only four. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
7
Blue Jays
45-39
3
Last Week: 4 Mark Buehrle is winless in his past five starts after starting the season 10-1 in his first 12 starts. -- ESPN.com
8
Cardinals
44-39
2
Last Week: 6 The Cardinals dropped into a second-place tie in the National League Central after getting caught in the Clayton Kershaw buzzsaw. The Cards are also still seeking long-term help in their rotation after losing Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia. -- Matt Philip (@fungoes), Fungoes
9
Nationals
43-38
2
Last Week: 11 By scoring seven runs in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader, the Nats broke a streak of scoring four or fewer runs in their past 10 games. -- Harper Gordek (@harpergordek), Nationals Baseball
10
Mariners
44-38
4
Last Week: 14 Felix Hernandez could be in line to start the All-Star Game: He's 10-2 with a 2.10 ERA, including a 1.30 ERA over his past nine starts after allowing one hit in eight scoreless innings on Sunday. His final start before the break would come on Wednesday, giving him plenty of time off. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
11
Braves
44-38
1
Last Week: 12 The Braves picked a good time to complete their first four-game sweep of the Phillies in Philadelphia since 1964. They have an extremely favorable schedule between now and the All-Star break (two series against the Mets, one against both the Cubs and D-backs). They must take advantage of these weaker teams to increase their lead in the NL East. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County
12
Reds
43-38
3
Last Week: 15 Break up the Redlegs! All of a sudden, the Reds find themselves in second place in the NL Central. Cincinnati has won five in a row, eight of nine and 14 of their last 18 games -- including the first-ever four-game sweep of the Giants at AT&T Park. -- Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation
13
Orioles
42-39
--
Last Week: 13 The Orioles keep stumbling through their schedule and failing to put away weaker opposition. Still, they find themselves only 1.5 games out of first place in the American League East. This club has the makings of a major run in the second half. -- Jon Shepherd (@CamdenDepot), Camden Depot
14
Yankees
41-39
5
Last Week: 9 Last week was a microcosm of the whole season for the Yankees. They played mediocre to poor baseball, but did not lose much ground in the AL East. Chase Whitley was awful in two starts allowing 13 runs in 7.1 innings. Whitley falling back to earth may force the Yankees to trade for a starter sooner rather than later. -- Matt Bove (@RAYROBERT9), It's About the Money
15
Pirates
42-40
3
Last Week: 18 After having a rough May (allowing seven home runs while compiling a 5.67 ERA in five starts), Edinson Volquez rebounded in June (giving up just one homer while having a 3.67 ERA in six starts). -- ESPN.com
16
Royals
42-39
6
Last Week: 10 Fifteen of their next 19 games are on their road and their home series in that span is against the Tigers. The good news: All five road opponents currently have losing records and the Royals have a better record on the road. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
17
Marlins
39-43
1
Last Week: 16 With their 7-6, 14-inning loss to the A's Saturday, Miami became first team in history to lose five or more 13-plus inning games in a calendar month. The A's completed a three-game sweep in Miami Sunday, and the Marlins have now lost 14 of their last 19 at home. Andrew Heaney's first three starts: 17 innings pitched, 16 hits, three walks, 12 strikeouts. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
18
Indians
39-42
1
Last Week: 17 The Indians finally had a couple of days off this week and the results were mediocre unless your name is Josh Tomlin. The team was 2-3, splitting a mini-series with the D-backs and losing a series with the Mariners. The highlight of the week was Tomlin's 11-strikeout, one-hit shutout against the Mariners. -- Susan Petrone (@SusanPetrone), It's Pronounced "Lajaway"
19
Red Sox
38-44
3
Last Week: 22 It wasn't pretty, but the Red Sox took two of three from their archrivals in the Bronx, putting them just six games behind Toronto for the AL East lead. The outfield has drastically improved, now ranking 20th in baseball in WAR with a cumulative 2.1 mark after being dead last just a month ago. With Mookie Betts in the fold, Boston looks to have a fighting chance to return to the playoffs. -- Brett Cowett (@BACowett), Fire Brand of the AL
20
White Sox
39-44
4
Last Week: 24 Sunday was both the White Sox's first shutout of the season, and the first game of scoreless work by their bullpen in a week. Since Ronald Belisario was removed as closer, the Sox have turned to Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka for saves. Neither were on the Opening Day roster, yet they've already combined for 74.2 inning pitched. It's not a good bullpen, here. -- James Fegan (@TheCatbird_Seat), The Catbird Seat
21
Mets
37-45
4
Last Week: 25 The Mets are 11-16 in June and eight games below .500 through 82 games, but don't blame the bullpen. Mets relievers have posted a 1.67 ERA over their last 43 innings (1.67 ERA) and have stranded 80 percent of inherited runners this year (77 of 96). -- Joe Janish (@metstoday), Mets Today
22
Twins
37-43
2
Last Week: 20 The Twins dropped five of six on an ugly road trip to fall six games below .500. If they can't put together a little run heading into the All-Star break, they'll need to start looking at what parts they have to sell off at the deadline. -- Nick Nelson (@nnelson9), Twins Daily
23
Rangers
37-44
4
Last Week: 19 Yu Darvish recovered nicely from two rough outings. His eight-inning, 10-strikeout performance on Saturday was good for a game score of 83, his third-best mark of the season at only the halfway mark. -- Brandon Land (@one_strike_away), One Strike Away
24
Rockies
36-46
3
Last Week: 21 The Rockies will be glad to see the calendar flip to July. Not only do they get to say goodbye to an 8-19 June in which their starting pitchers put up a 7.13 ERA, but starting pitchers Brett Anderson and Jordan Lyles, as well as Gold Glove-winner Nolan Arenado, all out due to broken-hand-related maladies, should return soon. Adam Peterson (@PlayerTBNL), Rockies Zingers
25
Phillies
36-46
2
Last Week: 23 After losing four in a row at home to the Braves, the Phillies are now 10 games under and can officially kiss goodbye to 2014. The race for the worst record in baseball is on. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
26
Cubs
34-46
--
Last Week: 26 Anthony Rizzo ranks second in the NL in WAR among first basemen and is making his case for an All-Star nod. -- Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers
27
Astros
36-47
--
Last Week: 27 On Sunday, Jose Altuve became only the third player in major league history to have multiple steals in four straight games, the last being the Cleveland Naps' Ray Chapman in 1917. Altuve is hitting .424 in June. His 36 steals are more than seven teams. A 3-3 week brings Houston within two games of fourth place Texas in the AL West. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
28
Rays
35-49
2
Last Week: 30 The Rays took three of four from the Orioles in Baltimore, dropping only the nightcap of a day/night doubleheader on Friday. Despite owning the worst record in the American League, they no longer look like the worst team and a 10-game deficit in the East no longer looks insurmountable. -- Tommy Rancel (@TRancel), The Process Report
29
Padres
35-47
1
Last Week: 28 Odrisamer Despaigne salvaged the final game of the series for the Padres against Arizona on Sunday and the Cuban has now allowed one run in his two starts. Seems unlikely it will last, however, as he has just three K's in 13.2 innings. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
30
Diamondbacks
35-49
1
Last Week: 29 The D-backs finally caught up from their early start in Australia by playing only five games this week, going 3-2 as they split a pair with the Indians and took two of three from the Padres. Trade assets Brandon McCarthy, Brad Ziegler and Oliver Perez all pitched well while Aaron Hill and Martin Prado fizzled at the plate. The rebuild looms. Jeff Wiser (@outfieldgrass24), Inside the 'Zona
Biggest Jump:4
Biggest Drop:6
RANK TEAM / RECORD TRENDING COMMENTS
1
Athletics
51-30
--
Last Week: 1 Yoenis Cespedes is riding a 13-game hitting streak, during which time he's batting a whopping .352. -- ESPN.com
2
Brewers
51-33
--
Last Week: 2 The Brewers went 18-10 in the month of June thanks in large part to an offense that averaged 5.43 runs per game in the month. They possess the best record in the National League and the second best run differential (+40) behind the Dodgers. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy inserted himself into the MVP discussion with a 1.029 OPS in June. -- Ryan Topp (@RDTopp), Disciples of Uecker
3
Angels
45-35
2
Last Week: 5 Garrett Richards continues to shine as he's 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five starts in June. He has a .161 batting average against in that stretch. -- ESPN.com
4
Tigers
44-34
3
Last Week: 7 Detroit either leads the AL or is in the top three in six major hitting categories. Bats are not the issue, if that term is even relevant for a team with the AL's second-best winning percentage, despite losing two of three to Houston to end their road trip. A rough staff ERA of 4.37 for June has taken a positive turn at 3.03 over the last seven days, good for third in the AL during that period. -- Ryan Callery, Walkoff Woodward
5
Giants
46-36
2
Last Week: 3 The Giants' 9.5 game lead in the NL West has dissolved entirely. Their misfortunes go beyond the losses of Angel Pagan and Brandon Belt to injury. They hit 15 fewer home runs as a team in June than they did in May, and have only won four of their last 19 games. -- Connor Grossman (@GiantsBaseball) West Coast Bias
6
Dodgers
47-37
2
Last Week: 8 Three weeks ago, Los Angeles was 33-31 and 9.5 games behind the Giants. When they wake up today, the Dodgers will have won 14 of 20 to tie the stumbling Giants, who have lost 15 of 19. Clayton Kershaw tossed another seven shutout innings Sunday, upping his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 28. During June, Kershaw struck out 61 and walked only four. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
7
Blue Jays
45-39
3
Last Week: 4 Mark Buehrle is winless in his past five starts after starting the season 10-1 in his first 12 starts. -- ESPN.com
8
Cardinals
44-39
2
Last Week: 6 The Cardinals dropped into a second-place tie in the National League Central after getting caught in the Clayton Kershaw buzzsaw. The Cards are also still seeking long-term help in their rotation after losing Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia. -- Matt Philip (@fungoes), Fungoes
9
Nationals
43-38
2
Last Week: 11 By scoring seven runs in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader, the Nats broke a streak of scoring four or fewer runs in their past 10 games. -- Harper Gordek (@harpergordek), Nationals Baseball
10
Mariners
44-38
4
Last Week: 14 Felix Hernandez could be in line to start the All-Star Game: He's 10-2 with a 2.10 ERA, including a 1.30 ERA over his past nine starts after allowing one hit in eight scoreless innings on Sunday. His final start before the break would come on Wednesday, giving him plenty of time off. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
11
Braves
44-38
1
Last Week: 12 The Braves picked a good time to complete their first four-game sweep of the Phillies in Philadelphia since 1964. They have an extremely favorable schedule between now and the All-Star break (two series against the Mets, one against both the Cubs and D-backs). They must take advantage of these weaker teams to increase their lead in the NL East. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County
12
Reds
43-38
3
Last Week: 15 Break up the Redlegs! All of a sudden, the Reds find themselves in second place in the NL Central. Cincinnati has won five in a row, eight of nine and 14 of their last 18 games -- including the first-ever four-game sweep of the Giants at AT&T Park. -- Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation
13
Orioles
42-39
--
Last Week: 13 The Orioles keep stumbling through their schedule and failing to put away weaker opposition. Still, they find themselves only 1.5 games out of first place in the American League East. This club has the makings of a major run in the second half. -- Jon Shepherd (@CamdenDepot), Camden Depot
14
Yankees
41-39
5
Last Week: 9 Last week was a microcosm of the whole season for the Yankees. They played mediocre to poor baseball, but did not lose much ground in the AL East. Chase Whitley was awful in two starts allowing 13 runs in 7.1 innings. Whitley falling back to earth may force the Yankees to trade for a starter sooner rather than later. -- Matt Bove (@RAYROBERT9), It's About the Money
15
Pirates
42-40
3
Last Week: 18 After having a rough May (allowing seven home runs while compiling a 5.67 ERA in five starts), Edinson Volquez rebounded in June (giving up just one homer while having a 3.67 ERA in six starts). -- ESPN.com
16
Royals
42-39
6
Last Week: 10 Fifteen of their next 19 games are on their road and their home series in that span is against the Tigers. The good news: All five road opponents currently have losing records and the Royals have a better record on the road. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
17
Marlins
39-43
1
Last Week: 16 With their 7-6, 14-inning loss to the A's Saturday, Miami became first team in history to lose five or more 13-plus inning games in a calendar month. The A's completed a three-game sweep in Miami Sunday, and the Marlins have now lost 14 of their last 19 at home. Andrew Heaney's first three starts: 17 innings pitched, 16 hits, three walks, 12 strikeouts. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
18
Indians
39-42
1
Last Week: 17 The Indians finally had a couple of days off this week and the results were mediocre unless your name is Josh Tomlin. The team was 2-3, splitting a mini-series with the D-backs and losing a series with the Mariners. The highlight of the week was Tomlin's 11-strikeout, one-hit shutout against the Mariners. -- Susan Petrone (@SusanPetrone), It's Pronounced "Lajaway"
19
Red Sox
38-44
3
Last Week: 22 It wasn't pretty, but the Red Sox took two of three from their archrivals in the Bronx, putting them just six games behind Toronto for the AL East lead. The outfield has drastically improved, now ranking 20th in baseball in WAR with a cumulative 2.1 mark after being dead last just a month ago. With Mookie Betts in the fold, Boston looks to have a fighting chance to return to the playoffs. -- Brett Cowett (@BACowett), Fire Brand of the AL
20
White Sox
39-44
4
Last Week: 24 Sunday was both the White Sox's first shutout of the season, and the first game of scoreless work by their bullpen in a week. Since Ronald Belisario was removed as closer, the Sox have turned to Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka for saves. Neither were on the Opening Day roster, yet they've already combined for 74.2 inning pitched. It's not a good bullpen, here. -- James Fegan (@TheCatbird_Seat), The Catbird Seat
21
Mets
37-45
4
Last Week: 25 The Mets are 11-16 in June and eight games below .500 through 82 games, but don't blame the bullpen. Mets relievers have posted a 1.67 ERA over their last 43 innings (1.67 ERA) and have stranded 80 percent of inherited runners this year (77 of 96). -- Joe Janish (@metstoday), Mets Today
22
Twins
37-43
2
Last Week: 20 The Twins dropped five of six on an ugly road trip to fall six games below .500. If they can't put together a little run heading into the All-Star break, they'll need to start looking at what parts they have to sell off at the deadline. -- Nick Nelson (@nnelson9), Twins Daily
23
Rangers
37-44
4
Last Week: 19 Yu Darvish recovered nicely from two rough outings. His eight-inning, 10-strikeout performance on Saturday was good for a game score of 83, his third-best mark of the season at only the halfway mark. -- Brandon Land (@one_strike_away), One Strike Away
24
Rockies
36-46
3
Last Week: 21 The Rockies will be glad to see the calendar flip to July. Not only do they get to say goodbye to an 8-19 June in which their starting pitchers put up a 7.13 ERA, but starting pitchers Brett Anderson and Jordan Lyles, as well as Gold Glove-winner Nolan Arenado, all out due to broken-hand-related maladies, should return soon. Adam Peterson (@PlayerTBNL), Rockies Zingers
25
Phillies
36-46
2
Last Week: 23 After losing four in a row at home to the Braves, the Phillies are now 10 games under and can officially kiss goodbye to 2014. The race for the worst record in baseball is on. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
26
Cubs
34-46
--
Last Week: 26 Anthony Rizzo ranks second in the NL in WAR among first basemen and is making his case for an All-Star nod. -- Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers
27
Astros
36-47
--
Last Week: 27 On Sunday, Jose Altuve became only the third player in major league history to have multiple steals in four straight games, the last being the Cleveland Naps' Ray Chapman in 1917. Altuve is hitting .424 in June. His 36 steals are more than seven teams. A 3-3 week brings Houston within two games of fourth place Texas in the AL West. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
28
Rays
35-49
2
Last Week: 30 The Rays took three of four from the Orioles in Baltimore, dropping only the nightcap of a day/night doubleheader on Friday. Despite owning the worst record in the American League, they no longer look like the worst team and a 10-game deficit in the East no longer looks insurmountable. -- Tommy Rancel (@TRancel), The Process Report
29
Padres
35-47
1
Last Week: 28 Odrisamer Despaigne salvaged the final game of the series for the Padres against Arizona on Sunday and the Cuban has now allowed one run in his two starts. Seems unlikely it will last, however, as he has just three K's in 13.2 innings. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
30
Diamondbacks
35-49
1
Last Week: 29 The D-backs finally caught up from their early start in Australia by playing only five games this week, going 3-2 as they split a pair with the Indians and took two of three from the Padres. Trade assets Brandon McCarthy, Brad Ziegler and Oliver Perez all pitched well while Aaron Hill and Martin Prado fizzled at the plate. The rebuild looms. Jeff Wiser (@outfieldgrass24), Inside the 'Zona
Biggest Jump:4
Biggest Drop:6
2014 Power Rankings: July 7
RANK TEAM / RECORD TRENDING COMMENTS
1
Athletics
55-33
--
Last Week: 1 It took trading top prospect Addison Russell to accomplish it, but after the acquisition of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, the A's rotation is so deep that just one of Jesse Chavez (116 ERA+) and Tom Milone (106 ERA+) can fit. -- Jason Wojciechowski (@jlwoj), Beaneball
2
Angels
51-36
1
Last Week: 3 Albert Pujols went 9-for-16 with two HRs and seven RBIs as the Angels swept Houston and have now won 13 of their past 16 games. -- ESPN.com
3
Brewers
52-37
1
Last Week: 2 The Brewers' once red-hot offense cooled down considerably, averaging 2.0 runs per game on the team's 1-4 trip through Toronto and Cincinnati last week. It was the first true "disaster" trip of the year for the Crew, who still sport a 28-19 record away from home. -- Ryan Topp (@RDTopp), Disciples of Uecker
4
Braves
49-39
7
Last Week: 11 The Braves couldn't make it 10 wins in a row, but they got into some better habits during their nine-game winning streak. They hit better (.747 OPS vs. .678 before) and pitched better (2.22 ERA vs. 3.34) than they had before the streak. With their next 18 games against sub-.500 opponents, can they build some cushion into their tenuous division lead over the Nationals? -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County
5
Tigers
48-37
1
Last Week: 4 The rotation has gotten back on track following a rough June. Tigers starters posted a 3.4 WAR in the past 30 games; they're tied for third, behind only the Nats (3.9) and Dodgers (3.8). Relatedly, the team's rebounded from a rough 9-19 stretch to go 12-5 and further pad a division lead they actually relinquished in mid-June. -- Alexandra Simon, Walkoff Woodward
6
Dodgers
51-40
--
Last Week: 6 They've won 20 of their past 30, and have allowed two or fewer runs in 17 of those games. Yasiel Puig, Dee Gordon, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke all made the NL All-Star squad. Kershaw vs. the Rockies this season: 3-0, 0.41 ERA, 0.273 WHIP, .070/.083/.113 with 32 strikeouts in 73 plate appearances. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
7
Nationals
48-39
2
Last Week: 9 Jayson Werth has finally awoken from a long spring slumber. He has more extra-base hits so far in July (7) than he did in all of June (6). -- Harper Gordek (@harpergordek), Nationals Baseball
8
Mariners
48-40
2
Last Week: 10 There was no shame in losing to Chris Sale on Friday, but losing 1-0 to ex-teammate Hector Noesi on Sunday hurt. They've been shut out 10 times; only the Rays, with 11, have been blanked more among AL teams. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
9
Giants
49-39
4
Last Week: 5 The Giants took two of three from the Padres over the weekend for their first series win in almost two weeks. The upcoming Bay Bridge series against the A's will provide a great litmus test for this team to gauge their ability to contend with the top teams in the league, while battling with the Dodgers for control of the NL West. -- Andrew Tweedy (@WCBGiants), West Coast Bias
10
Orioles
48-40
3
Last Week: 13 Despite serving a 50-game suspension last season for PEDs, Nelson Cruz was one of three Orioles to be voted onto the AL All-Star team as starters, along with catcher Matt Wieters (who can't play due to injury) and outfielder Adam Jones.-- ESPN.com
11
Cardinals
47-42
3
Last Week: 8 Second baseman Kolten Wong returned from the DL, but he wasn't enough to help the Cardinals avoid losing a series at home to the Marlins. Will GM John Mozeliak pull the trigger on a deal for a pitcher? -- Matt Philip (@fungoes), Fungoes
12
Blue Jays
47-43
5
Last Week: 7 Since holding a season-high six-game lead on June 6, the Jays are 9-19 and have fallen into second place. Don't blame the pitching: The offense is hitting .235 with a .302 OBP over that span and scored just four runs in a four-game sweep to the A's over the weekend. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
13
Pirates
47-41
2
Last Week: 15 Jeff Locke has been a huge boost to the rotation, with a 3.08 ERA in seven starts and pitching into the eighth inning in his past three outings. Oh, and since June 1, Andrew McCutchen has hit .364 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
14
Reds
45-42
2
Last Week: 12 Cincinnati has won 10 of 15, and just took two of three from first-place Milwaukee. The ongoing travails of Joey Votto, and rumors of another DL stint, however, continue to provide cause for concern. Even a non-Votto-like slash line of .255/390/.409 is better than the Reds could expect from replacements such as Ramon Santiago. -- Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation
15
Royals
45-42
1
Last Week: 16 Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon and Greg Holland are all All-Stars for the second consecutive year. The last time the Royals had at least three All-Stars in back-to-back years was 1982-83. George Brett, Willie Wilson and Dan Quisenberry made it both years, while Frank White and Hal McRae also made it in 1982. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
16
Yankees
44-43
2
Last Week: 14 Brandon McCarthy is an upgrade over Vidal Nuno, but hardly an impact pitcher. Throw in the bad news about CC Sabathia and it's hard to imagine the Yankees making a run unless the bats suddenly explode in the second half. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
17
Indians
43-44
1
Last Week: 18 The week started with the Indians getting shut out on one hit in back-to-back games. By the time the dust had settled Sunday, they'd taken four of six from two contending teams -- the Dodgers and Royals. You could say a lot of different things about the 2014 Indians, but I don't think "predictable" is one of them. -- Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), It's Pronounced "Lajaway"
18
Marlins
43-45
1
Last Week: 17 Sunday, they won a club-record 10th straight game in which Henderson Alvarez started. The final six games before the break are on the road, at Arizona and the Mets, so Miami MIGHT just be at .500 next Sunday night. Giancarlo Stanton was named to his second All-Star team, while Casey McGehee is part of the Final Man Vote. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
19
White Sox
42-47
1
Last Week: 20 Although they took two of three from Seattle, the White Sox combined for six hits Saturday and Sunday, and Jose Abreu and Alexei Ramirez -- both named AL All-Star reserves -- went 1-for-17. -- ESPN.com
20
Red Sox
39-49
1
Last Week: 19 Having lost five of their past six games, the Red Sox have dropped to fifth place in the AL East and have looked more and more like a seller at the trade deadline. Phenom Xander Bogaerts is reeling from an abysmal June, when he hit .135 with a 3/27 BB/K ratio, and the team's offense is just as horribly anemic. -- Brett Cowett (@BACowett), Fire Brand of the AL
21
Rays
41-50
7
Last Week: 28 Tampa Bay continues to climb the AL ladder a little bit at a time. A 6-1 week capped off a 9-2 road trip through three cities, including division leaders Baltimore and Detroit. -- Tommy Rancel (@TRancel), The Process Report
22
Twins
39-48
--
Last Week: 22 The Twins have lost 10 of their past 13 games, and much of it can be attributed to bad starting pitching. Twins starters own a 7.43 ERA in that span, and their 5.01 overall mark is the worst in the AL. -- ESPN.com
23
Padres
39-49
6
Last Week: 29 The wide search for a new GM continues, with candidates reportedly including Kim Ng, MLB's senior VP for baseball operations; Dodgers VP of scouting Logan White; Diamondbacks scouting director Ray Montgomery; former Marlins GM Larry Beinfest; plus assistant GMs A.J. Preller (Rangers), Billy Eppler (Yankees), Mike Hazen (Red Sox) and A.J. Hinch (Padres). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
24
Mets
39-49
3
Last Week: 21 The Mets are tied with Athletics for most first-inning runs (60). Rookie Eric Campbell has a 7-game hitting streak, batting .464 over that stretch, and has hit safely in 16 of his 18 starts. -- Joe Janish (@metstoday), Mets Today
25
Cubs
38-48
1
Last Week: 26 A big reason for the Cubs' run differential this year has been pitching. With the trade of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel this weekend, the offense will need to carry the load. Coming into Sunday, the Cubs offense ranked 24th in baseball in runs scored. -- Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers
26
Rangers
38-50
3
Last Week: 23 Despite losing 14 of 16 before a win July 5, Texas will at least send Yu Darvish and Adrian Beltre to the All-Star Game, both deserving of the honor in a season that hasn't brought too much else to the state of Texas. -- Brandon Land (@one_strike_away), One Strike Away
27
Phillies
37-51
2
Last Week: 25 Chase Utley is the team's lone All-Star, the first time that's happened since Randy Wolf was the only choice in 2003. Meanwhile, they've lost nine of 10 and 13 of 16, so the only question now: Who will Ruben Amaro try to trade? -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
28
Rockies
37-52
4
Last Week: 24 Numbers do lie. Despite having the best average in baseball and being in the top three in runs and hits, they were sliced and diced by Nationals and Dodgers starters last week. Now looking up at San Diego in the NL West, the Rockies look to end the first half on a positive note with six home games: three vs. San Diego and three vs. Minnesota. -- J.J. Buck (@jbuck610 ), Rockies Zingers
29
Astros
36-54
2
Last Week: 27 A winless week brings their slump to 16 losses in their past 20 games. Jose Altuve is going to his second All-Star Game, and Dallas Keuchel is part of the Final Man Vote. Jonathan Singleton's week: 1-for-24 with 10 strikeouts. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
30
Diamondbacks
37-53
--
Last Week: 30 Good story department: A year ago, David Peralta was playing independent ball for the Amarillo Sox, who apparently played in Pensacola, Florida, not Amarillo, Texas. The D-backs signed him, and he played the rest of 2013 in the California League. Promoted to Double-A this year, he's now in the Arizona outfield and has hit .325 in 31 games. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
Biggest Jump:7
Biggest Drop:5
RANK TEAM / RECORD TRENDING COMMENTS
1
Athletics
55-33
--
Last Week: 1 It took trading top prospect Addison Russell to accomplish it, but after the acquisition of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, the A's rotation is so deep that just one of Jesse Chavez (116 ERA+) and Tom Milone (106 ERA+) can fit. -- Jason Wojciechowski (@jlwoj), Beaneball
2
Angels
51-36
1
Last Week: 3 Albert Pujols went 9-for-16 with two HRs and seven RBIs as the Angels swept Houston and have now won 13 of their past 16 games. -- ESPN.com
3
Brewers
52-37
1
Last Week: 2 The Brewers' once red-hot offense cooled down considerably, averaging 2.0 runs per game on the team's 1-4 trip through Toronto and Cincinnati last week. It was the first true "disaster" trip of the year for the Crew, who still sport a 28-19 record away from home. -- Ryan Topp (@RDTopp), Disciples of Uecker
4
Braves
49-39
7
Last Week: 11 The Braves couldn't make it 10 wins in a row, but they got into some better habits during their nine-game winning streak. They hit better (.747 OPS vs. .678 before) and pitched better (2.22 ERA vs. 3.34) than they had before the streak. With their next 18 games against sub-.500 opponents, can they build some cushion into their tenuous division lead over the Nationals? -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County
5
Tigers
48-37
1
Last Week: 4 The rotation has gotten back on track following a rough June. Tigers starters posted a 3.4 WAR in the past 30 games; they're tied for third, behind only the Nats (3.9) and Dodgers (3.8). Relatedly, the team's rebounded from a rough 9-19 stretch to go 12-5 and further pad a division lead they actually relinquished in mid-June. -- Alexandra Simon, Walkoff Woodward
6
Dodgers
51-40
--
Last Week: 6 They've won 20 of their past 30, and have allowed two or fewer runs in 17 of those games. Yasiel Puig, Dee Gordon, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke all made the NL All-Star squad. Kershaw vs. the Rockies this season: 3-0, 0.41 ERA, 0.273 WHIP, .070/.083/.113 with 32 strikeouts in 73 plate appearances. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
7
Nationals
48-39
2
Last Week: 9 Jayson Werth has finally awoken from a long spring slumber. He has more extra-base hits so far in July (7) than he did in all of June (6). -- Harper Gordek (@harpergordek), Nationals Baseball
8
Mariners
48-40
2
Last Week: 10 There was no shame in losing to Chris Sale on Friday, but losing 1-0 to ex-teammate Hector Noesi on Sunday hurt. They've been shut out 10 times; only the Rays, with 11, have been blanked more among AL teams. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
9
Giants
49-39
4
Last Week: 5 The Giants took two of three from the Padres over the weekend for their first series win in almost two weeks. The upcoming Bay Bridge series against the A's will provide a great litmus test for this team to gauge their ability to contend with the top teams in the league, while battling with the Dodgers for control of the NL West. -- Andrew Tweedy (@WCBGiants), West Coast Bias
10
Orioles
48-40
3
Last Week: 13 Despite serving a 50-game suspension last season for PEDs, Nelson Cruz was one of three Orioles to be voted onto the AL All-Star team as starters, along with catcher Matt Wieters (who can't play due to injury) and outfielder Adam Jones.-- ESPN.com
11
Cardinals
47-42
3
Last Week: 8 Second baseman Kolten Wong returned from the DL, but he wasn't enough to help the Cardinals avoid losing a series at home to the Marlins. Will GM John Mozeliak pull the trigger on a deal for a pitcher? -- Matt Philip (@fungoes), Fungoes
12
Blue Jays
47-43
5
Last Week: 7 Since holding a season-high six-game lead on June 6, the Jays are 9-19 and have fallen into second place. Don't blame the pitching: The offense is hitting .235 with a .302 OBP over that span and scored just four runs in a four-game sweep to the A's over the weekend. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
13
Pirates
47-41
2
Last Week: 15 Jeff Locke has been a huge boost to the rotation, with a 3.08 ERA in seven starts and pitching into the eighth inning in his past three outings. Oh, and since June 1, Andrew McCutchen has hit .364 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
14
Reds
45-42
2
Last Week: 12 Cincinnati has won 10 of 15, and just took two of three from first-place Milwaukee. The ongoing travails of Joey Votto, and rumors of another DL stint, however, continue to provide cause for concern. Even a non-Votto-like slash line of .255/390/.409 is better than the Reds could expect from replacements such as Ramon Santiago. -- Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation
15
Royals
45-42
1
Last Week: 16 Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon and Greg Holland are all All-Stars for the second consecutive year. The last time the Royals had at least three All-Stars in back-to-back years was 1982-83. George Brett, Willie Wilson and Dan Quisenberry made it both years, while Frank White and Hal McRae also made it in 1982. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
16
Yankees
44-43
2
Last Week: 14 Brandon McCarthy is an upgrade over Vidal Nuno, but hardly an impact pitcher. Throw in the bad news about CC Sabathia and it's hard to imagine the Yankees making a run unless the bats suddenly explode in the second half. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
17
Indians
43-44
1
Last Week: 18 The week started with the Indians getting shut out on one hit in back-to-back games. By the time the dust had settled Sunday, they'd taken four of six from two contending teams -- the Dodgers and Royals. You could say a lot of different things about the 2014 Indians, but I don't think "predictable" is one of them. -- Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), It's Pronounced "Lajaway"
18
Marlins
43-45
1
Last Week: 17 Sunday, they won a club-record 10th straight game in which Henderson Alvarez started. The final six games before the break are on the road, at Arizona and the Mets, so Miami MIGHT just be at .500 next Sunday night. Giancarlo Stanton was named to his second All-Star team, while Casey McGehee is part of the Final Man Vote. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
19
White Sox
42-47
1
Last Week: 20 Although they took two of three from Seattle, the White Sox combined for six hits Saturday and Sunday, and Jose Abreu and Alexei Ramirez -- both named AL All-Star reserves -- went 1-for-17. -- ESPN.com
20
Red Sox
39-49
1
Last Week: 19 Having lost five of their past six games, the Red Sox have dropped to fifth place in the AL East and have looked more and more like a seller at the trade deadline. Phenom Xander Bogaerts is reeling from an abysmal June, when he hit .135 with a 3/27 BB/K ratio, and the team's offense is just as horribly anemic. -- Brett Cowett (@BACowett), Fire Brand of the AL
21
Rays
41-50
7
Last Week: 28 Tampa Bay continues to climb the AL ladder a little bit at a time. A 6-1 week capped off a 9-2 road trip through three cities, including division leaders Baltimore and Detroit. -- Tommy Rancel (@TRancel), The Process Report
22
Twins
39-48
--
Last Week: 22 The Twins have lost 10 of their past 13 games, and much of it can be attributed to bad starting pitching. Twins starters own a 7.43 ERA in that span, and their 5.01 overall mark is the worst in the AL. -- ESPN.com
23
Padres
39-49
6
Last Week: 29 The wide search for a new GM continues, with candidates reportedly including Kim Ng, MLB's senior VP for baseball operations; Dodgers VP of scouting Logan White; Diamondbacks scouting director Ray Montgomery; former Marlins GM Larry Beinfest; plus assistant GMs A.J. Preller (Rangers), Billy Eppler (Yankees), Mike Hazen (Red Sox) and A.J. Hinch (Padres). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
24
Mets
39-49
3
Last Week: 21 The Mets are tied with Athletics for most first-inning runs (60). Rookie Eric Campbell has a 7-game hitting streak, batting .464 over that stretch, and has hit safely in 16 of his 18 starts. -- Joe Janish (@metstoday), Mets Today
25
Cubs
38-48
1
Last Week: 26 A big reason for the Cubs' run differential this year has been pitching. With the trade of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel this weekend, the offense will need to carry the load. Coming into Sunday, the Cubs offense ranked 24th in baseball in runs scored. -- Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers
26
Rangers
38-50
3
Last Week: 23 Despite losing 14 of 16 before a win July 5, Texas will at least send Yu Darvish and Adrian Beltre to the All-Star Game, both deserving of the honor in a season that hasn't brought too much else to the state of Texas. -- Brandon Land (@one_strike_away), One Strike Away
27
Phillies
37-51
2
Last Week: 25 Chase Utley is the team's lone All-Star, the first time that's happened since Randy Wolf was the only choice in 2003. Meanwhile, they've lost nine of 10 and 13 of 16, so the only question now: Who will Ruben Amaro try to trade? -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
28
Rockies
37-52
4
Last Week: 24 Numbers do lie. Despite having the best average in baseball and being in the top three in runs and hits, they were sliced and diced by Nationals and Dodgers starters last week. Now looking up at San Diego in the NL West, the Rockies look to end the first half on a positive note with six home games: three vs. San Diego and three vs. Minnesota. -- J.J. Buck (@jbuck610 ), Rockies Zingers
29
Astros
36-54
2
Last Week: 27 A winless week brings their slump to 16 losses in their past 20 games. Jose Altuve is going to his second All-Star Game, and Dallas Keuchel is part of the Final Man Vote. Jonathan Singleton's week: 1-for-24 with 10 strikeouts. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit
30
Diamondbacks
37-53
--
Last Week: 30 Good story department: A year ago, David Peralta was playing independent ball for the Amarillo Sox, who apparently played in Pensacola, Florida, not Amarillo, Texas. The D-backs signed him, and he played the rest of 2013 in the California League. Promoted to Double-A this year, he's now in the Arizona outfield and has hit .325 in 31 games. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot
Biggest Jump:7
Biggest Drop:5
