2015 MLB Power Rankings: Wild Card race heating up
Jul 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) tosses the ball to first for an out during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Wild Card in both the American League and National League are carrying excitement as we near the trade deadline but for two different reasons.
In the AL, the current leaders are the Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins (surprising, I know). But behind them both sits at least five teams within 5.5 games and each one can be looked at as a threat to make a run.
In the NL, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs lead the way, with the Pirates currently just four back in the loss column of the St. Louis Cardinals for baseball’s best record. However, just two teams sit in reach of the Cubs as the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets sit no more than two games back.
After those two teams, there isn’t another one within seven games.
With a short week in the books because of the All-Star break, not much has changed with this week’s rankings.
Check them out.
Next: No new face in the top 10.
Jul 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
team. 33. The first place Cardinals are once again number one and welcome <strong><a href=. 58-34. Previous: 1st. St. Louis Cardinals. 1
7. How good are the Kansas City Royals? They made look <strong><a href=. 55-35. Previous: 2nd. Kansas City Royals. 2. team
Six straight scoreless starts for <strong><a href=. 53-40. Previous: 4th. Los Angeles Dodgers. 3. team. 71
The Pirates opened the second half of the season by getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers.. 53-38. Previous: 3rd. Pittsburgh Pirates. 4. team. 4
Los Angeles Angles. 5. team. 102. A rainout on Sunday seemed to be the only thing that could stop the Los Angeles Angels. Amazingly, it was their first since 1995.. 50-40. Previous: 5th
Previous: 7th. Houston Astros. 6. team. 135. A Career-high 13 strikeouts and an AL-best 12th win yesterday for <strong><a href=. 51-43
50-41. Previous: 9th. New York Yankees. 7. team. 43. Who has impressed you more this season? <strong><a href=
After going head-to-head with Greinke abd losing this weekend, is <strong><a href=. 49-41. Previous: 6th. Washington Nationals. 8. team. 90
2. Is <strong><a href=. 50-42. Previous: 8th. Minnesota Twins. 9. team
49-41. Previous: 10th. Chicago Cubs. 10. team. 9. Is <strong><a href=
Next: Giants continue to roll in a short week.
Jul 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8), third baseman Matt Duffy (5) center fielder Angel Pagan (16), first baseman Brandon Belt (9) and shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) celebrate after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4 at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
team. 40. The Giants have now won six straight and are just one game behind the Cubs for the second NL Wild Card.. 49-43. Previous: 12th. San Francisco Giants. 11
48-44. Previous: 11th. New York Mets. 12. team. 3. The Met stranded 25 baserunners in an 18-inning game on Sunday and amazingly won it.
Previous: 14th. Baltimore Orioles. 13. team. 11. The Baltimore Orioles would give anything to keep <strong><a href=. 46-45
21. <strong><a href=. 47-47. Previous: 13th. Tampa Bay Rays. 14. team
15. team. 39. The Toronto Blue Jays are nine games over .500 at home and are tied for the AL’s most road losses.. 47-47. Previous: 16th. Toronto Blue Jays
63. The Detroit Tigers are now under .500 for the first time since 2013.. 45-46. Previous: 15th. Detroit Tigers. 16. team
18. team. 8. The acquisition of <strong><a href=. 42-48. Previous: 17th. Arizona Diamondbacks
team. 128. The Chicago White Sox bid to be buyers at the deadline took a hit as they dropped three of four to the Royals.. 42-48. Previous: 19th. Chicago White Sox. 19
127. The San Diego Padres have won four straight but the story surrounding them is the rumor that <strong><a href=. 43-49. Previous: 23rd. San Diego Padres. 20. team
Next: Sweeps from the Brewers and Phillies?
Jul 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell (left) and center fielder Carlos Gomez during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Rangers. 21. team. 126. Is <strong><a href=. 43-48. Previous: 21st
14. The returns of <strong><a href=. 42-49. Previous: 20th. Boston Red Sox. 22. team
17. The Atlanta Braves announced over the break that <strong><a href=. 43-49. Previous: 22nd. Atlanta Braves. 23. team
96. If I told you the Oakland Athletics were fifth in the AL in runs this season, would you believe me? They scored 14 runs yesterday against the Twins.. 43-51. Previous: 26th. Oakland Athletics. 24. team
42-50. Previous: 24th. Seattle Mariners. 25. team. 62. The Seattle Mariners hope that a three-hit game, including two home runs, for <strong><a href=
76. The Brewers have .500 record since <strong><a href=. 41-52. Previous: 28th. Milwaukee Brewers. 26. team
Cincinnati Reds. 27. team. 61. <strong><a href=. 40-49. Previous: 27th
108. The Colorado Rockies have just five wins this season when the opposing team starts a left-handed pitcher. That’s the worst in baseball.. 39-51. Previous: 26th. Colorado Rockies. 28. team
29. team. 82. The Miami Marlins would love to trade <strong><a href=. 38-54. Previous: 29th. Miami Marlins
32-62. Previous: 30th. Philadelphia Phillies. 30. team. 6. The Philadelphia Phillies sweep of the Marlins was their first since mid-May.