2015 MLB Power Rankings: Rays take lead of resurgent AL East
Jun 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) celebrates with Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Joey Butler (9) after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
All season I have been amazed at what the Tampa Bay Rays have gotten out of baseball’s third lowest payroll.
If Joe Maddon was still around, it wouldn’t be much of a big deal. Instead, they have a rookie manager in Kevin Cash who has served as the Cleveland Indians bullpen coach for the last two seasons.
They also have a new general manager in Matthew Silverman who just like his predecessor Andrew Friedman has found his way to a few hidden gems.
The Rays have six players in their everyday lineup who were not everyday players in 2014. They also have a pitching staff that sports the American League’s best ERA despite four starting pitchers on the disabled list.
Coming into today, the Rays have the third best record in the AL and sit atop what has now become baseball’s best division.
As winners of eight of their last 10 games, the Rays are one of the hottest team in baseball.
Other teams coming off of strong weeks include the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles.
The same can’t be said for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets.
Here are the power rankings for the week.
Next: How do the Cardinals keep doing it?
Jun 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Randal Grichuk (15) is congratulated by catcher Yadier Molina (4) and right fielder Jason Heyward (22) after hitting a three RBI home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. team. 33. Another week in the books and the St. Louis Cardinals remain as baseball’s elite thanks to their next-man-up approach. Since losing <strong><a href=. 45-24. Previous: 1st. St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros. 2. team. 135. After consecutive losing weeks, the Astros faced off against two of the worst teams in baseball (Mariners, Rockies) and got themselves back on track. How many of you had <strong><a href=. 41-30. Previous: 2nd
39-27. Previous: 4th. Kansas City Royals. 3. team. 7. Add the Royals to the list of teams taking advantage of a soft schedule last week. Where would this team be right now without the efforts of <strong><a href=
After a dominating start to the week, the Pittsburgh Pirates became apart of baseball’s second no-hitter of the season, courtesy of <strong><a href=. 39-30. Previous: 5th. Pittsburgh Pirates. 4. team. 4
21. Rookie production has been huge for the Rays this season. <strong><a href=. 40-31. Previous: 7th. Tampa Bay Rays. 5. team
Previous: 3rd. Los Angeles Dodgers. 6. team. 71. For the fourth time this season the Dodgers dropped a series against the San Francisco Giants. Their inability to defeat their division rivals are the only reason the Dodgers are not sitting alone in the NL West this season.. 39-31
While many have their opinions about <strong><a href=. 38-31. Previous: 6th. New York Yankees. 7. team. 43
40. If not for their 10-3 record against the Dodgers, the Giants would be under .500 this season. Help is on the way however as both <strong><a href=. 38-33. Previous: 11th. San Francisco Giants. 8. team
9. First it was <strong><a href=. 37-30. Previous: 9th. Chicago Cubs. 9. team
team. 2. The Minnesota Twins have accomplished a lot this season without their biggest free agent acquisition, <strong><a href=. 37-32. Previous: 10th. Minnesota Twins. 10
Next: Orioles bats making noise.
Jun 16, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts after hitting a first inning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
39. The Toronto Blue Jays already potent offense may become even more dangerous as the team is expecting rookie second baseman <strong><a href=. 37-34. Previous: 8th. Toronto Blue Jays. 11. team
The Texas Rangers lead all of baseball with a starters ERA of 2.21 in June. That stat is amazing considering the fact that they have five pitchers who made starts last season on the DL.. 37-33. Previous: 14th. Texas Rangers. 12. team. 126
37-33. Previous: 14th. Washington Nationals. 13. team. 90. The Washington Nationals were all smiles over the weekend. After dropping three of four to the red hot Rays, the Nationals swept the Pirates, including the game Saturday in which Scherzer threw his first career no-hitter.
Baltimore Orioles. 14. team. 11. The Orioles offense has exploded as of late. Last week they scored a major league best 52 runs and clubbed eight home runs in one game in a 19-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.. 36-33. Previous: 18th
The Mets inability to score runs has once again put them behind the Nationals in the NL East. Last week their offense produced just 13 runs which was by far the worst in the NL.. 36-35. Previous: 12th. New York Mets. 15. team. 3
Over the last two weeks, the Tigers have seen the returns of Verlander and <strong><a href=. 35-34. Previous: 15th. Detroit Tigers. 16. team. 63
team. 102. Los Angeles Angels manager <strong><a href=. 35-35. Previous: 16th. Los Angeles Angels. 17
34-35. Previous: 19th. Arizona Diamondbacks. 18. team. 8. The Arizona Diamondbacks offense took a hit with <strong><a href=
Previous: 20th. Atlanta Braves. 19. team. 17. Much has been made as of late about the Atlanta Braves focus in stockpiling young arms (via draft and trades). To that I ask can any of these guys hit?. 35-35
127. With <strong><a href=. 34-38. Previous: 17th. San Diego Padres. 20. team
Next: There are quite a few managers on the hot seat
Jun 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (23) argues a call and is tossed from the game by Umpire Alfonso Marquez (R) during the fifth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Previous: 26th. Seattle Mariners. 21. team. 62. Speaking of fired managers, this is the section of the rankings where those candidates begin. With such high expectations this season for the Seattle Mariners not currently being met, <strong><a href=. 32-38
team. 61. Cincinnati Reds manager <strong><a href=. 32-36. Previous: 24th. Cincinnati Reds. 22
96. Oakland Athletics manager <strong><a href=. 31-41. Previous: 28th. Oakland Athletics. 24. team
14. The Boston Red Sox are another team who had high expectations this season. If it were up to their fans, manager John Ferrell would have probably been shown the door weeks ago.. 31-40. Previous: 25th. Boston Red Sox. 25. team
26. team. 82. The Miami Marlins may be the first case I have seen where their fans would love to see two manager firings in one season. That’s what happens when the guy calling the shots (GM <strong><a href=. 30-41. Previous: 27th. Miami Marlins
Fans in Chicago have been calling for the firing of White Sox manager <strong><a href=. 30-38. Previous: 22nd. Chicago White Sox. 27. team. 128
28. team. 108. The Colorado Rockies could very well fire manager <strong><a href=. 30-39. Previous: 23rd. Colorado Rockies
76. The Milwaukee Brewers were the first team to fire their manager this season and is giving former player <strong><a href=. 25-46. Previous: 29th. Milwaukee Brewers. 29. team
24-47. Previous: 30th. Philadelphia Phillies. 30. team. 6. The Phillies are sure to see the end of general manager <strong><a href=
Next: Gordon Beckham loves to hit for his parents wouldn't you say?