With roughly seven weeks left in the regular season here is our take on the game’s 10 best teams.
10. Tampa Bay Rays: 63-54 record; 4.1 runs scored, 3.7 runs allowed*—The Rays survived without Evan Longoria for better than three months and now find themselves in the hunt for the wild card with their lineup-anchor back in the number three spot. Though he’s hitting just .207 since his return on August 7 Longoria, who has finished in the top-20 in the MVP voting each of the past four seasons, is bound to find his stroke. Previous: NR
9. Los Angeles Angels: 62-56 record; 4.7 runs scored, 4.3 runs allowed*—With the acquisition of Zack Greinke, the Angels have no excuse not to make a big run to make the playoffs. With the previous additions of veteran Albert Pujols (26 home runs, 82 RBIs) along with rookie sensation Mike Trout (.340 batting average, 22 home run, 38 steals) leading their offense, they can score with the best of them. But the continued disappointing seasons from starting pitchers Ervin Santana (6-10 record, 5.59 ERA) and Dan Haren (8-9 record, 4.68 ERA) have held them back. The former AL Cy Young Award winner Greinke could be the difference maker in the wild card chase. Previous: 5
8. Los Angeles Dodgers: 65-54 record; 4.0 runs scored, 3.7 runs allowed—The Dodgers seem to have survived a stretch, which saw them lose 19 of 25 games around mid-season, to now suddenly reclaim first place in the NL West. Outfielder Matt Kemp has been on fire since his return hitting .354 with 5 home runs and 23 RBIs since July 13. Hanley Ramirez has provided some much-needed pop in the lineup, hitting .317 in his first 21 games in Dodger blue. Previous: NR
7. Chicago White Sox: 64-52 record; 4.7 runs scored, 4.1 runs allowed*—After losing the incredibly consistent Mark Buehrle to the Marlins this past offseason many thought the White Sox staff would suffer. Instead they’ve found two good young starters in Chris Sale (14-3 record, 2.60 ERA) and Jose Quintana (5-2 record, 2.77 ERA) while veteran Jake Peavy has had his best season in Chicago (9-8 record, 3.04 ERA). On the downside Philip Humber is now 4-5 with a 6.86 ERA since his perfect game on April 21. Previous: 6
6. St. Louis Cardinals: 64-53 record; 4.9 runs scored, 4.0 runs allowed*—The Cardinals, winners of 17 of its last 25 games, have finally started to make the run that most pundits predicted they would make. They currently lead the majors in run-scoring differential at plus-110 on the season. In addition, they lead all of the National League in runs scored. Unsung hitters like Yadier Molina (.312 batting average, 16 home runs, 54 RBIs) and World Series MVP David Freese (.297 batting average, 16 home runs, 66 RBIs) are a big reason why. Previous: 7
5. Atlanta Braves: 68-49 record; 4.7 runs scored, 3.9 runs allowed*—Atlanta is another team on the rise having won 16 of its last 21 games to take control of the wild card race. Despite the loss of starter Brandon Beachy (2.00 ERA) the Braves’ rotation has benefited from stellar performance from Ben Sheets (4-2 record, 2.13 ERA) and Paul Maholm (2-1 record, 1.57 ERA). Meanwhile seven regulars in their lineup have 50 RBIs or more. Previous: NR
4. Texas Rangers: 68-49 record; 5.1 runs scored, 4.4 runs allowed—The Rangers, who’ve been in first place in the division since early April, seem to be on auto-pilot these days, yet somehow they’ve been able to maintain a size-able lead over Oakland and Los Angeles (6.5 games). The good news for them is that Josh Hamilton’s hitting is back. The former MVP, who hit a combined .202 in June and July is hitting .328 in August and has 5 home runs in his last 8 games. Previous: 3
3. Cincinnati Reds: 71-46 record; 4.3 runs scored, 3.6 runs allowed*—The Reds have defied logic of late. Without possibly the game’s best hitter in Joey Votto, who hasn’t played since July 15, Cincinnati has won 21 of 29 games to take control of the surprisingly-strong NL Central. Since his absence starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos are a combined 8-2 in 12 total starts with a 2.46 ERA. Meanwhile, fireballer closer Aroldis Chapman has an incredible 106 strikeouts in just 57 innings pitched this season to go along with 28 saves. Previous: 4
2. Washington Nationals: 73-45 record; 4.4 runs scored, 3.6 runs allowed—Despite the run Atlanta has made in the NL East, the Nationals still have a comfortable four-and-a-half-game lead to go along with the game’s best record. They still have an impending issue though as the team’s best player, starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (14-5 record, 2.81 ERA,) may be shut down soon as part of his predetermined innings limit, presumably so that his future will see less injuries. Given that the franchise has not made the postseason since 1981, the future may not ever be as good as it is now. Previous: 2
1. New York Yankees: 70-48 record; 5.0 runs scored, 4.0 runs allowed—Despite injuries to Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, and C.C. Sabathia (again) the Yankees keep on rolling, despite playing in the ever-tough AL East. Derek Jeter is hitting .320, Robinson Cano has 25 home runs along with a .311 batting average, and even Ichiro is hitting .312 in his short stint in pinstripes. Provided they improve their clutch hitting (hitting with runners in scoring position especially) a healthy Yankee squad should be the team to beat come October. Previous: 1
*—designates statistics not including Thursday night’s games.
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