Most of the heavy hitters kept their spots at the top, but there was no shortage of drama last week. Here are our week 15 power rankings (stats accurate as of 7/1):
30. Arizona Diamondbacks (Last Week: 29)
The Diamondbacks have slipped back into the last spot in our rankings this week. Arizona hasn't been able to fix any of their major problems on offense or defense, and they're now trying to deal any assets they have before the trade deadline. Things are going to get worse before they get better in Arizona.
29. Tampa Bay Rays (Last Week: 30)
The Rays move up a spot this week, and the chatter about moving ace David Price is getting more serious. The Rays will need to carefully weigh the offers they get for Price, since some additions on offense would be a badly-needed improvement to Tampa Bay's ability to score runs.
28. Chicago Cubs (Last Week: 28)
The Cubs are in a very similar situation to the Rays, except Chicago has two starting pitchers to work with before the trade deadline. The Cubs desperately need help at the plate, as they're collectively hitting for a lowly .231 average.
27. Houston Astros (Last Week: 27)
The Astros will see even more youth in their lineup in upcoming games, calling up three players from Triple-A in lieu of DL-bound center fielder Dexter Fowler. Jose Altuve has been a nightmare for opposing pitchers, currently leading the American League in batting average at .344.
26. San Diego Padres (Last Week: 26)
The Padres' offense is by far the worst in all of Major League Baseball. San Diego has only scored 243 runs this season, making them the only team that's yet to score 300 times. The Padres have a .210 average as a team, and that statistic tells the story of their struggles at the plate.
25. Philadelphia Phillies (Last Week: 24)
The Phillies have really struggled recently, only winning two of their last 10 games. Philadelphia is going to have to take hard look at the components they have at the end of the season and make some tough decisions about how they want to move forward. The Phillies will also get a huge boost when ace Cliff Lee returns from the disabled list.
24. Colorado Rockies (Last Week: 23)
The Rockies continue to fall in our rankings, proving that even when you have the best offense in the league, pitching can still kill you. Colorado's pitchers have the worst ERA in baseball at 4.96. Could the Rockies be willing to deal for some pitching before the trade deadline?
23. New York Mets (Last Week: 22)
The Mets are anxiously awaiting the return of starting pitcher Dillon Gee, who's begun his rehab assignment in the minor leagues. New York is eight games out of first place in their division, and will need to do everything in their power to try gain some ground before yet another season slips away.
22. Texas Rangers (Last Week: 19)
The Rangers have been another team suffering from poor starting pitching. The Rangers join the Rockies as the only two clubs with a team ERA over 4.50. The Rangers have proven that they aren't shy about trading for pitching in recent years, and there's plenty being shopped around this season.
21. Chicago White Sox (Last Week: 25)
The White Sox have a powerful young offense led by rookie slugger Jose Abreu. Abreu has cranked 25 home runs and counting so far, and it will be exciting to see what his final total will be. The White Sox will have to put something together, as they are still eight games out of first place in the AL Central.
20. Minnesota Twins (Last Week: 21)
The Twins are in last place in the AL Central, but only by one game. Kurt Suzuki has been a great addition to the lineup for the Twins, and he's hitting .299 so far this season - the best average among the Twins' hitters.
19. Boston Red Sox (Last Week: 20)
The Red Sox have been trying to configure their outfield, placing younger players in the field. Boston is trying to shake up a lineup card that's been stagnant with the exception of David Ortiz. The Red Sox need offensive help from their young outfielders, or they run the risk of falling too far behind in the AL East to make a late run.
18. Cleveland Indians (Last Week: 16)
The Indians have had a tough time at the plate, tallying just two hits in their last two games. Errors and inconsistent offense have kept Cleveland from making a run to the to the top of the AL Central - even though the pitching has been solid, Cleveland's staff isn't getting the help it needs.
17. Miami Marlins (Last Week: 15)
The Marlins are five games out of first place in the NL East, and Giancarlo Stanton has been the easy early candidate for National League MVP. The Marlins will need to put together a vigorous effort to catch the Braves and the Nationals before either team can make the gap any larger.
16. Pittsburgh Pirates (Last Week: 18)
The Pirates have won seven of their last ten games, and they're now one of the three teams chasing the Brewers in the NL Central. Andrew McCutchen has lacked power this season, but he continues to lead the club in just about every other offensive statistic.
15. Kansas City Royals (Last Week: 14)
The Royals have signed 42-year old Raul Ibanez, who was recently cut from the Los Angeles Angels after having trouble at the plate this season. We won't see Ibanez as an everyday player in the field, and he's not going to replace slugger Billy Butler as the designated hitter...but Ibanez will give the Royals a great option as either a pinch hitter or a backup in the outfield.
14. Cincinnati Reds (Last Week: 17)
The Reds have been on an incredibly strong run recently, winning eight of their last 10 games.
Johnny Cueto will have to increase his precision to remain in the running with the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw for the NL Cy Young Award, but you can't count Cueto out yet, as he's had a remarkable 2014 season thus far.
13. New York Yankees (Last Week: 11)
The Yankees have been suffering from mediocre performances at the plate recently, and they've now won just three of their last 10. The Yankees received exciting news this week, as C.C. Sabathia is on the mend and will begin his rehab assignment shortly.
12. Washington Nationals (Last Week: 13)
The Nationals have been in a relentless pursuit of first place in the NL East, going back and forth with the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead on a nearly daily basis. Bryce Harper returned to the lineup Monday night and helped the Nationals defeat the Rockies.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (Last Week: 9)
The Cardinals are still leading the charge to catch the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, and St. Louis will try to cut that lead even more before the All Star Break. The Cardinals looked to be the easy favorites in the preseason in the NL Central, but their lineup hasn't played to their potential so far in 2014.
10. Seattle Mariners (Last Week: 12)
The Mariners have been one of the hottest teams in baseball for the last couple weeks, continuing to win ball games as they gain ground in the AL West. Felix Hernandez has lived up to his nickname of "King Felix," continuing to dominate the hitters that he faces. Will Seattle be able to muster up enough wins to find a postseason birth this season?
9. Baltimore Orioles (Last Week: 7)
Buck Showalter's Orioles have been struggling recently, but still remain only 1.5 games out of the AL East divisional lead. Nelson Cruz has been insane this season, already crushing 25 home runs. Cruz might be the best free agency signing that took place prior to the 2014 season.
8. Toronto Blue Jays (Last Week: 6)
With the Orioles' recent losing skid, the Blue Jays have really missed out on an opportunity to increase their lead in the AL East. The Jays have had a tough time winning ball games as of late, only winning four of their last 10 games.
7. Atlanta Braves (Last Week: 10)
The Braves' pitching continues to propel them into the lead in the NL East. So far this season, Atlanta pitching has provided 59 quality starts, which is the most in all of Major League Baseball. The Braves will continue to count on starting pitching along with All Star-closer Craig Kimbrel to win games.
6. San Francisco Giants (Last Week: 3)
The Giants have continued their losing skid, and they endured a sweep at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds last week. San Francisco could be a team on the hunt for an another player or two before the deadline who can help them keep their lead in the NL West.
5. Los Angeles Angels (Last Week: 8)
The Angels have been on a great run, continuing to stay within striking distance of the Oakland A's in the AL West. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols have provided Los Angeles a great one-two punch that's been absolutely dominating opposing pitchers recently.
4. Detroit Tigers (Last Week: 5)
The Tigers have regained their lead in the AL Central, winning eight of their last 10 games. Detroit's powerful offense has the Tigers 3.5 games above the second-place Royals. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander will have to continue to grind out wins to keep their club at the top.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (Last Week: 4)
The Dodgers have one of the most explosive offenses in Major League Baseball, especially on the base paths. The Dodgers have stolen 81 bases so far this season, which is easily the most in the league.
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Last Week: 2)
The Brewers remain at the top of the NL Central in the standings, and that's where they plan to stay. Milwaukee's starting pitching has provided 55 quality starts this season, which ties them with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second-most in Major League Baseball.
1. Oakland Athletics (Last Week: 1)
No surprise here. The A's have consistently been winning games, taking seven of their last 10. Josh Donaldson is starting to come out of his slump and the A's are getting solid production up and down the lineup. They don't want to be the best team in just the regular season, as their hopes of a World Series may come true this season.
We won't be producing a power rankings next week due to the All Star Game, but be on the look out as we will continue the rankings the following week!
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