Pro-GM Power Rankings - Episode 9
Jul 31, 2017 16:42:50 GMT -5
Post by Buster Olney on Jul 31, 2017 16:42:50 GMT -5
Pro-GM Power Rankings
Episode: 9
Week: 17
First off, sorry for not posting the last couple of weeks. I just got back from a trip to Seattle+Portland, and now I'm travelling again in LA. That being said, I think the trade deadline is the perfect time for us to get back on track. In each description, I've included a quick 3 week recap of the 3 matchups I've missed since the last rankings.
Let's get right to it...
Episode: 9
Week: 17
| Rising | Falling |
| Atlanta Braves (+4) | Seattle Mariners (-5) |
| Colorado Rockies (+3) | San Diego Padres (-3) |
| Baltimore Orioles (+3) | Los Angeles Angels (-2) |
| Texas Rangers (+2) | Cleveland Indians (-2) |
| Pittsburgh Pirates (-2) |
First off, sorry for not posting the last couple of weeks. I just got back from a trip to Seattle+Portland, and now I'm travelling again in LA. That being said, I think the trade deadline is the perfect time for us to get back on track. In each description, I've included a quick 3 week recap of the 3 matchups I've missed since the last rankings.
Let's get right to it...
Key games to keep an eye on this week...
American League
- Chicago White Sox (11-3-2) vs Detroit Tigers (9-7)
National League
- Philadelphia Phillies (12-4) vs New York Mets (9-6-1)
- Chicago Cubs (16-0) vs St. Louis Cardinals (10-6)
1.
Toronto Blue Jays (13-2-1) Last Week: 1
The Blue Jays have been rolling along the last few weeks. They got past the Rangers with (surprisingly) some trouble in week 14, nabbed a big time win against the White Sox in week 15, and shut out the Red Sox 11-0 in week 16. A week 17 matchup against the Athletics should be another easy win. Molina and Smoak are big time pieces that make this team even stronger than it already was. The pitching has depth, but since this team is punting saves, a few bad starts could be this team's achilles heel in the playoffs.
2.
Chicago Cubs (16-0) Last Week: 2
A strong win against the Rockies in week 14 and wins against the Diamondbacks+Padres has this team sitting pretty at 16-0. That being said, I see the Blue Jays as the better team even more so now than I did 3 weeks ago. The Cubs have some really good players and can win the saves category, but the starting pitching has just been too unreliable this season, especially Moore and Gausman. If Gausman continues to run through teams like he has recently, the Cubs could jump up.
3.
Cincinnati Reds (15-1) Last Week: 3
The Marlins, Mets, and Nationals stood no chance against Cincinnati; each team lost by a score of 11-1. The Reds have continued to make strong moves at the deadline, acquiring JD Martinez, LeMathieu, and Robbie Ray. The Ray injury is unfortunate, but it seems he's avoided a (very) serious injury for now. Concussions are no joke. Honestly, these top 3 teams can be ranked in any order and it would make sense. Any of these 3 teams can beat each other in any given week, but if I had a gun to my head this is how I'd rank them.
4.
Baltimore Orioles (12-4) Last Week: 7
Okay Baltimore, I see you. With perhaps the most impressive three game stretch by any team this season, the Orioles beat the Mariners, Rays, and Angels. Don't forget the Chicago White Sox in week 14. The Nola trade has really improved the starting rotation thus far and adding Altuve will only make this team more dangerous. With Schwarber looking lethal again, this team is a starting pitcher or two from challenging the top 3 in the rankings.
5.
Tampa Bay Rays (13-2-1) Last Week: 6
The Rays went 2-1 the last 3 weeks, beating the Tigers, losing to the Orioles (who have also beat the Mariners and Angels), and easily defeating the Athletics. There doesn't seem to be much movement in Tampa Bay during this trade deadline weekend, but Avila being traded to the Cubs may create a hole at C if he doesn't get regular at bats. With Trout healthy again, this team is not to be overlooked despite being behind the top 3.
6.
Los Angeles Angels (12-4) Last Week: 4
The Angels beat a tough Indians team in week 14, a weak Red Sox team in week 15, but stumbled against the Orioles in week 16, losing 6-5. It doesn't look like the team is making any big moves at the deadline, but I think this team needs some starting pitching help if it really wants to make noise in the playoffs. Relying on their stacked lineup will make it tough to win the World Series.
7.
Chicago White Sox (11-3-2) Last Week: 8
A loss to the Blue Jays in week 15 shows this team is still behind the top dogs in the AL, but a solid 2-1 stretch these last 3 weeks keeps this team on track for the playoffs, where anything can happen. Acquiring Tanaka, Cody Allen, and Britton really improves the pitching staff, but you'd like to see this team acquire another reliable starter.
8.
Colorado Rockies (13-3) Last Week: 11
A close loss to the Cubs in week 14 could be seen as a moral victory since they didn't get blown out. Easy wins against the Brewers and Astros have this team sitting comfortably at the top of the division. DeJong has been really impressive. Bumgarner is back, a potential x-factor in this stretch run going into the playoffs.
9.
Philadelphia Phillies (12-4) Last Week: 9
The Phillies suffered a bad loss in week 14 against the Pirates, but bounced back with wins against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Whit Merrifield has been huge this year. If Darvish gets traded to a contender, he could be in line for more wins.
10.
Seattle Mariners (9-6-1) Last Week: 5
Yikes, what happened? Since beating the Rays the week of our last power rankings, this team has lost 3 straight. The Orioles in week 14 was forgivable, but losing to the Yankees in week 15 was a bad loss. Couple in a shellacking at the hands of the Indians in week 16 and I have no choice but to push this team down the rankings quite a bit. Strasburg on the DL really hurts and this team will need to turn it around quickly to avoid missing the playoffs.
11.
Detroit Tigers (9-7) Last Week: 12
No chance against the Rays, but the Tigers won the games they should win against the A's and Royals. Quiet trade deadline far, but with Moose leading the way this team is in the middle of the AL playoff hunt.
12.
Cleveland Indians (7-8-1) Last Week: 10
The Indians are on a tidy two game win streak after losing week 14 to the Angels. Still out of playoff contention at the moment, the Indians look like sellers after trading Cody Allen and Tanaka.
13.
New York Yankees (8-8) Last Week: 13
Bad loss to the BoSox in week 14, but bounced back with consecutive wins over the reeling Mariners and Twins. Marte is finally back from his suspension and will be a boost to this team as they hope to make the playoffs. Yankees fans have to be thrilled at how Paxton has pitched this year.
14.
Atlanta Braves (9-7) Last Week: 18
Strong stretch the last 3 weeks for Atlanta, going 3-0. The team is rolling along, but could use some extra depth after a couple injuries last week. Salazar's resurgence looks real and he could be a x-factor down the stretch. Liriano going to Houston could help his value. Should be interesting to see if Toy makes any more moves.
15.
New York Mets (9-6-1) Last Week: 14
Strong last 3 weeks for the Mets as they go 2-1 to stay in the playoff hunt. Todd Frazier has yet to go on a hot streak with the Yankees, he could carry this team if he gets it going.
16.
Arizona Diamondbacks (7-8-1) Last Week: 16
Tough three game stretch for Arizona as they lost to the Cubs and Phillies. Oren is selling at the deadline, but still has some pieces to win enough games to sneak into the playoffs.
17.
Pittsburgh Pirates (8-8) Last Week: 15
A strong win against the Phillies in week 14, but weak loss against the Braves as the Pirates got shut out in week 16. Injuries are killing the team at the moment.
18.
St. Louis Cardinals (10-6) Last Week: 17
The Cardinals are doing ok without Turner so far, going 2-1 the last 3 weeks. This week's game against the Cubs is a near-guarantee loss. Hopefully Swanson can figure it out in AAA, but not sure if he will be a factor for the rest of the year. He still has a ton of talent.
19.
Los Angeles Dodgers (5-9-2) Last Week: 19
The loss to the Stros in week 14 and a tie with the lowly Brewers in week 16 has this team firmly out of the playoff race. McCullers on the DL again for what seems like the fifth time this year. Estrada having a shockingly bad year.
20.
Oakland Athletics (3-13) Last Week: 20
Just as it looked like the A's might be turning it around, they suffer 3 straight losses from week 14-16. Odubel Herrera hasn't stolen many bases this year, surprisingly, but has been on fire since the break. Jeffress going back to Milwaukee may help him find his 2016 form.
21.
Texas Rangers (4-12) Last Week: 23
Rangers put up a decent fight against Toronto in week 14, losing 5-7. Porcello is pitching better recently, even if it's not like his 2016 CY Young season.
22.
Washington Nationals (6-10) Last Week: 21
The Nationals also suffered a 0-3 stretch the last 3 weeks. Their lineup is awesome, but the pitching staff is...bare to say the least. Moncada, Sanchez, and Judge should terrorize this league for years to come.
23.
Boston Red Sox (5-11) Last Week: 24
The Red Sox are sellers at the deadline, but have some bright spots in Raimel Tapia and Eric Hosmer. Finnegan's 2016 looks to be lost, but he hasn't qualified for another year of service yet.
24.
Houston Astros (5-11) Last Week: 25
Actually a decent 2-1 stretch for the 'Stros.
25.
San Diego Padres (5-10-1) Last Week: 22
This team actually has a decent amount of talent, but not enough depth hence the 0-3 stretch since week 14.
26.
Kansas City Royals (3-13) Last Week: 26
27.
San Francisco Giants (2-14) Last Week: 28
28.
Milwaukee Brewers (3-12-1) Last Week: 27
29.
Miami Marlins (0-16) Last Week: 29
30.
Minnesota Twins (0-16) Last Week: 30
