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Jun 11, 2015

Blue Jays close in on Cardinals in Power Rankings

The St. Louis Cardinals are clinging to top spot in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, but the Toronto Blue Jays continue to close the gap.

Blue Jays celebrate

The St. Louis Cardinals are clinging to top spot in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, but the Toronto Blue Jays continue to close the gap.

The Blue Jays, who had sunk to as low as 26th in mid-May, have been storming up the rankings and are now ranked second, up from five in the previous rankings.

Other teams moving up include the Texas Rangers, pushing into a playoff spot and going from 15 to 11, and the San Diego Padres, who rise from 22 to 17.

Losing ground in this week's rankings, the Los Angeles Dodgers slide from four to seven, the slumping Washington Nationals, who fall from 10 to 14, and the Seattle Mariners, who drop from 18 to 22.

 

 

 

 

 

St. Louis Cardinals

This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 79-45

Team Stats

  • RS
    490
  • RA
    372
  • Diff.
    +118
  • OPS
    .709
  • ERA
    2.68

As much as the unheraled outfielders (Stephen Piscotty and Tommy Pham) are valuable in the wake of injuries, the pitching of LHP Jaime Garcia (1.79 ERA, 0.93 WHIP in 12 starts) is a difference-maker for the Cards.

Key Injuries: RHP Adam Wainwright (Achilles), 1B Matt Adams (quad), LF Matt Holliday (quad), CF Jon Jay (wrist), OF Randal Grichuk (elbow).

Toronto Blue Jays

This Week: 2 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 69-55

Team Stats

  • RS
    670
  • RA
    506
  • Diff.
    +164
  • OPS
    .777
  • ERA
    3.79

16-3 in the past 19 games, the Blue Jays are now the bullies of the major leagues, a travelling band of power hitters that now have the backing of competent pitching, so that when they jump out to an early lead, it's easy for the opposition to lose faith. Just ask the Angels, after Toronto outscored them 36-10 in three games over the weekend.
Key Injuries: RHP Marcus Stroman (knee), LF Michael Saunders (knee), 2B Devon Travis (shoulder).

Pittsburgh Pirates

This Week: 3 | Last Week: 2 | Record: 75-48

Team Stats

  • RS
    526
  • RA
    446
  • Diff.
    +80
  • OPS
    .720
  • ERA
    3.13

10-2 in the past dozen games and still managed to fall one spot thanks to the Blue Jays' crazy run. A positive development for the Pirates is a rebound for RF Gregory Polanco, who has struggled for much of the season, but has a .948 OPS in August.

Key Injuries: RHP A.J. Burnett (elbow).

New York Mets

This Week: 4 | Last Week: 7 | Record: 68-56

Team Stats

  • RS
    496
  • RA
    450
  • Diff.
    +46
  • OPS
    .696
  • ERA
    3.31

Sure, they're beating up on Colorado and Philadelphia, but the Mets have scored 49 runs in the past four games. For a team that has been getting by mostly on pitching, the Mets could be a postseason threat if it turns out they can actually hit. Getting 3B David Wright back in the lineup hasn't hurt in that respect.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow).

Kansas City Royals

This Week: 5 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 76-48

Team Stats

  • RS
    545
  • RA
    463
  • Diff.
    +82
  • OPS
    .729
  • ERA
    3.55

13-4 in the past 17 games, the Royals are gearing up for the postseason and may have a potential boost in the rotation, with oft-injured RHP Kris Medlen moving into a starting role after solid work in the 'pen this season.

Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow), LF Alex Gordon (groin).

Chicago Cubs

This Week: 6 | Last Week: 8 | Record: 72-51

Team Stats

  • RS
    432
  • RA
    413
  • Diff.
    +19
  • OPS
    .713
  • ERA
    3.52

 

Since getting swept at home by Philadelphia in late July, the Cubs are 21-5 and teams are going to have get used to the mashing of 1B Anthony Rizzo, 3B Kris Bryant and LF Kyle Schwarber -- they're just getting started.

Key Injuries: RF Jorge Soler (oblique).

Los Angeles Dodgers

This Week: 7 | Last Week 4 | Record: 67-56

Team Stats

  • RS
    505
  • RA
    454
  • Diff.
    +51
  • OPS
    .750
  • ERA
    3.53

Losers of five straight, with five runs scored in the past four games, the Dodgers are threatening to waste epic pitching performances by RHP Zack Greinke and LHP Clayton Kershaw. Adding 2B Chase Utley may not solve the offensive problems, but at least he's a proven option while Howie Kendrick is hurt.
Key Injuries:  LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), RHP Brandon McCarthy (elbow), 2B Howie Kendrick (hamstring).

Houston Astros

This Week: 8 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 69-57

Team Stats

  • RS
    499
  • RA
    421
  • Diff.
    +78
  • OPS
    .722
  • ERA
    3.33

Since the All-Star break, Astros pitchers have combined for a 2.69 ERA, which includes strong work from starters Scott Feldman (2.36), Scott Kazmir (2.41) and Michael Fiers (2.42).
Key Injuries: RF George Springer (wrist).

New York Yankees

This Week: 9 | Last Week:9 | Record: 69-55

Team Stats

  • RS
    586
  • RA
    518
  • Diff.
    +68
  • OPS
    .749
  • ERA
    3.85
As the Yankees' bats go quiet, RF Carlos Beltran (1.026 OPS in August) is going his best to keep them afloat. Today, the Yankees are tied with the Blue Jays for the AL East lead, but it still feels like an uphill climb. 
Key Injuries: RHP Michael Pineda (forearm).
San Francisco Giants

This Week: 10 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 66-58

Team Stats

  • RS
    532
  • RA
    470
  • Diff.
    +62
  • OPS
    .734
  • ERA
    3.67

It wasn't that long ago that SS Brandon Crawford was merely a speedbump in the Giants' lineup. Now, he leads the team with 19 home runs, ranks second with 75 RBI and has an .811 OPS.

Key Injuries: RHP Tim Hudson (shoulder), RHP Tim Lincecum (forearm), 2B Joe Panik (back), CF Angel Pagan (knee), RF Hunter Pence (oblique).

Texas Rangers

This Week: 11 | Last Week: 15 | Record: 64-59

Team Stats

  • RS
    548
  • RA
    571
  • Diff.
    -23
  • OPS
    .725
  • ERA
    4.36
A 9-2 record in the past 11 games have lifted the Rangers into a playoff spot. If the Rangers are going to hold it, they need pitching to hold up and the rotation has been getting healthier, with LHP Martin Perez and LHP Derek Holland a couple of potentially important arms that have been contributing lately.
Key Injuries: RHP Yu Darvish (elbow), LF Josh Hamilton (knee), C Robinson Chirinos (shoulder), C Carlos Corporan (thumb).
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This Week 12 | Last Week 11 | Record: 63-61

Team Stats

  • RS
    499
  • RA
    501
  • Diff.
    -2
  • OPS
    .696
  • ERA
    3.84

With nine wins in the past 30 games, the Angels have squandered a playoff position, though not to the point that they couldn't easily reverse field and take it back. One encouraging sign is that RHP Jered Weaver has been really good (2.08 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) in three starts since coming off the DL.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Skaggs (elbow), LHP C.J. Wilson (elbow)

Tampa Bay Rays

This Week: 13 | Last Week: 14 | Record: 62-62

Team Stats

  • RS
    460
  • RA
    474
  • Diff.
    -14
  • OPS
    .700
  • ERA
    3.63

RHP Nathan Karns has been quietly effective for the Rays. He's not going deep into games, usually, but has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 10 of his past 12 starts.
Key Injuries: RHP Alex Cobb (forearm), RF Steven Souza (finger).

Washington Nationals

This Week: 14 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 62-61

Team Stats

  • RS
    518
  • RA
    497
  • Diff.
    +21
  • OPS
    .711
  • ERA
    3.76

13-22 in the past 35 games, the Nationals are spiralling down and their collapse follows relative underachievement in the first half of the season. This could have been a World Series contender and now they're in tough to just make the postseason.
Key Injuries: None.

Baltimore Orioles

This Week: 15 | Last Week: 13 | Record: 62-62

Team Stats

  • RS
    547
  • RA
    498
  • Diff.
    +49
  • OPS
    .732
  • ERA
    3.83

Losing five straight, with six road games at Kansas City and Texas next up on the schedule, makes the Orioles' once-reasonable playoff hopes seem less and less likely.
Key Injuries: None.

Arizona Diamondbacks

This Week: 16 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 62-62

Team Stats

  • RS
    567
  • RA
    529
  • Diff.
    +38
  • OPS
    .737
  • ERA
    3.99

They don't get a ton of pub, by Diamondbacks outfielders David Peralta (hitting .374 with a 1.029 OPS since the All-Star break) and A.J. Pollock (hitting .388 with a 1.018 OPS since ASB) have been crushing it lately.
Key Injuries: C Tuffy Gosewisch (knee), RHP Jeremy Hellickson (hamstring).

San Diego Padres

This Week: 17 | Last Week: 22 | Record: 61-63

Team Stats

  • RS
    505
  • RA
    544
  • Diff.
    -39
  • OPS
    .683
  • ERA
    3.91

Winning five of the past six helps the Padres to respectability, but they're 11.5 out in the Wild Card race, the pursuit of which they committed to by not dealing veterans at the non-waiver trade deadline.
Key Injuries: LHP Cory Luebke (elbow), RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder), CF Wil Myers (wrist).

Minnesota Twins

This Week: 18 | Last Week: 17 | Record: 63-61

Team Stats

  • RS
    533
  • RA
    547
  • Diff.
    -14
  • OPS
    .699
  • ERA
    4.17
Losing CF Aaron Hicks hurts the playoff push, though it gives top prospect CF Byron Buxton some regular reps. The rookie to watch, though, has been 3B/DH Miguel Sano, who has 11 home runs with a .978 OPS in his first 44 games.
Key Injuries: RHP Ricky Nolasco (ankle), RHP Phil Hughes (back), CF Aaron Hicks (hamstring).
Cleveland Indians

This Week: 19 | Last Week: 19 | Record: 58-66

Team Stats

  • RS
    493
  • RA
    518
  • Diff.
    -25
  • OPS
    .711
  • ERA
    3.82

RHP Josh Tomlin has had a couple of really strong starts, striking out 11 and allowing nine base-runners in 13 1/3 innings since returning from shoulder surgery.
Key Injuries: RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow), RHP Cody Anderson (oblique).

Oakland Athletics

This Week: 20 | Last Week: 20 | Record: 55-71

Team Stats

  • RS
    517
  • RA
    500
  • Diff.
    +17
  • OPS
    .698
  • ERA
    3.59

3B Danny Valencia has been productive since arriving in Oakland, posting an .869 OPS after he was waived by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Key Injuries: RHP Jesse Hahn (forearm), RHP Kendall Graveman (oblique), 1B Ike Davis (hip).
 

Chicago White Sox

This Week: 21 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 58-65

Team Stats

  • RS
    472
  • RA
    528
  • Diff.
    -56
  • OPS
    .686
  • ERA
    3.99

Going 9-15 in the past 24 games leaves the White Sox adrift, with nothing to show for the decision to keep RHP Jeff Samardzija at the non-waiver trade deadline. 
Key Injuries: None.

Seattle Mariners

This Week: 22 | Last Week: 18 | Record: 57-68

Team Stats

  • RS
    479
  • RA
    -577
  • Diff.
    -98
  • OPS
    .706
  • ERA
    4.33
The Mariners have been outscored by 43 runs..in the last 10 games! Oof.
Key Injuries: LHP James Paxton (finger).
Boston Red Sox

This Week: 23 | Last Week: 26 | Record: 57-68

Team Stats

  • RS
    569
  • RA
    612
  • Diff.
    -43
  • OPS
    .739
  • ERA
    4.57

It's been a lost season for the Red Sox, but they're getting some production out of young outfielders that could be promising for the future. Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo have an OPS of 1.060 and 1.024, respectively, since the All-Star break.

Key Injuries: C Christian Vazquez (elbow), 2B Dustin Pedroia (hamstring), RHP Clay Buchholz (forearm), RHP Koji Uehara (wrist).

Detroit Tigers

This Week: 24 | Last Week: 23 | Record: 59-65

Team Stats

  • RS
    549
  • RA
    601
  • Diff.
    -52
  • OPS
    .763
  • ERA
    4.51

A good news, bad news situation for the Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander is once again the ace of the starting rotation.

Key Injuries: RHP Joe Nathan (elbow), RHP Anibal Sanchez (shoulder), LHP Daniel Norris (oblique).

Milwaukee Brewers

This Week: 25 | Last Week: 25 | Record: 53-72

Team Stats

  • RS
    495
  • 134
    561
  • DIFF
    -66
  • OPS
    .697
  • ERA
    4.20

1B Adam Lind has had a productive year for the Brewers, posting an .839 OPS and his fWAR of 2.0 is the second-best of his career, behind only 2009 with the Blue Jays.
Key Injuries: None.

Atlanta Braves

This Week: 26 | Last Week: 27 | Record: 54-71

Team Stats

  • RS
    460
  • RA
    562
  • Diff.
    -102
  • OPS
    .677
  • ERA
    4.24
Snapped a seven-game losing slide with Monday's win over Colorado, but with an MLB-low .677 OPS, the Braves aren't going to pose much of a threat down the stretch.
Key Injuries: LHP Mike Minor (shoulder), RHP Jason Grilli (Achilles).
Miami Marlins

This Week: 27 | Last Week: 28 | Record: 50-75

Team Stats

  • RS
    464
  • RA
    522
  • Diff.
    -58
  • OPS
    .681
  • ERA
    3.98

It's quite a pitching staff that the Marlins are going with down the stretch. After trades and injuries, RHP Tom Koehler and LHP Brad Hand are the 1-2 duo at the top of the rotation.

Key Injuries: RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder), RF Giancarlo Stanton (wrist), RHP Jose Fernandez (arm), RHP David Phelps.

Cincinnati Reds

This Week: 28 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 52-71

Team Stats

  • RS
    487
  • RA
    543
  • Diff.
    -56
  • OPS
    .713
  • ERA
    4.09

To be fair, the Reds' rotation might be worse, but prospects Anthony DeSclafani and Raisel Iglesias have more upside to explore. 
Key Injuries: RHP Homer Bailey (elbow), SS Zack Cozart (knee), C Devin Mesoraco (hip), CF Billy Hamilton (shoulder).

Colorado Rockies

This Week: 29 | Last Week: 29 | Record: 49-74

Team Stats

  • RS
    551
  • RA
    665
  • Diff.
    -114
  • OPS
    .756
  • ERA
    5.21

It's not a huge deal that SS Jose Reyes isn't thrilled about playing for the Rockies. The likeliest outcome following the trade from Toronto is that Reyes would get flipped again, with the Rockies eating some salary. A team in this situation doesn't need a declining $22-million/year shortstop.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Chatwood (elbow), RHP Adam Ottavino (triceps), 1B Justin Morneau (concussion), LF Corey Dickerson (foot), RHP Jordan Lyles (toe).

Philadelphia Phillies

This Week: 30 | Last Week: 30 | Record: 50-75

Team Stats

  • RS
    472
  • RA
    626
  • Diff.
    -154
  • OPS
    .690
  • ERA
    4.75

The Phillies are at least hitting, posting a .769 OPS as a team since the All-Star break.

Key Injuries: LHP Cliff Lee (elbow), 3B Maikel Franco (wrist).

Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca