A week off thanks to the All-Star Break has shaken up our rankings - here's how things look at the beginning of week 17: (stats current as of July 20th)
30. Texas Rangers (Last Week: 22)
The Rangers have found plenty of ways to lose, and they're getting pretty good at it. Texas has won just one of their last 10 games, and any hopes for a postseason berth continue to diminish. The Rangers will have to find someone who can pitch besides Yu Darvish, as they have the second-worst ERA in Major League Baseball at 4.89.
29. Colorado Rockies (Last Week: 24)
The Rockies are the National League version of the Texas Rangers, the only difference being they've found a way to win three of their last 10 games. Pitching has been a tremendous problem for the Rockies, as they have the worst ERA in baseball at 5.03.
28. Chicago Cubs (Last Week: 28)
The Cubs hold on to their spot at number 28 and are the only team in the NL Central that's not in contention for the division at the moment. Having already dealt Jeff Samardzija to the A's, the Cubs are on the prowl for more additions to their lineup before the trade deadline. Even though the success hasn't been immediate, the Cubs are making moves in the right direction.
27. Houston Astros (Last Week: 27)
The Astros also stay put at number 27 this week, and rookie George Springer continues to turn heads. Already with 20 home runs this season, Springer is one of the first high-potential Astros prospects to come good, but he won't be the last. The Astros have made huge strides this season, and if they keep their talented young players within the franchise, they will be sure to see success in the future.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (Last Week: 30)
The Diamondbacks move up to number 26 this week, and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has proven why he was on the NL MVP ballot last season. Goldschmidt has been a force at the plate this season, already with 18 home runs and 65 runs batted in.
25. San Diego Padres (Last Week: 26)
The Padres have potential, but they simply can't score runs. Despite some solid pitching, San Diego ranks dead last in Major League Baseball in almost every major offensive statistic. This is a team that will have to solve some problems at the plate if they ever want to be legitimate, and they could end this season as one of the worst offensive teams in history.
24. Philadelphia Phillies (Last Week: 25)
The Phillies are at the bottom of the NL East, and even with ace Cliff Lee set to return to the starting rotation, the future isn't very bright for baseball in Philadelphia. Cole Hamels has had his name thrown around in a lot of trade talk as we approach the deadline. Will the Phillies use some of their veteran players as trade bait to lure some fresh talent into Philadelphia?
23. Minnesota Twins (Last Week: 20)
The Twins are in last place in the AL Central at 11 games out. Only three teams have a worse earned run average than the Twins, who have posted a dreary 4.29 ERA. Minnesota will have to address some serious issues in their starting rotation if they want to be able to keep up in their division.
22. Miami Marlins (Last Week: 17)
The Marlins' stock has fallen lately, and Miami is all but out of the NL East race. Despite the team's struggles, one player continues to keep the fans interested - Giancarlo Stanton stunned the crowd in Minneapolis during the Home Run Derby, plastering a ball that was projected to travel up to 510 feet. Stanton has hit 23 real-life home runs this season, and is on pace for another huge year.
21. Boston Red Sox (Last Week: 19)
Boston sits tied with Tampa Bay for last place in the AL East, but the Red Sox are still very much in contention for the division. Jon Lester has been electric since the middle of June, winning all seven of his starts since June 12. There's a lot of catching up to do in Boston, but the Sox aren't out of this yet.
20. New York Mets (Last Week: 23)
The Mets are eight games out in a NL East race that's been incredibly fun to watch this season. The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals continue to fight for a postseason spot, while the Mets are trying to find ways to keep the pace. Jonathon Neise has proven to be a valuable starter this year, posting a 2.96 ERA.
19. Tampa Bay Rays (Last Week: 29)
The Rays make the biggest jump this week, moving up 10 spots to number 19. Joe Maddon has found a way to work his magic yet again, as his Rays have won seven of their last 10 games, keeping the AL East race wide open for yet another season.
18. Chicago White Sox (Last Week: 21)
The White Sox have had their ups and downs this season, but one thing has proven to be consistent: Jose Abreu. Abreu has been phenomenal in his rookie season, already blasting 29 home runs, which leads Major League Baseball. If his power remains consistent, Abreu will continue to edge out Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka as frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year.
17. Kansas City Royals (Last Week: 15)
Kansas City has the fifth-best batting average in Major League Baseball at .264, but the Royals have struggled to produce runs. Kansas City was the hottest team in baseball just a month ago, but a complete meltdown behind the plate has sent the Royals' stock plummeting. Kansas City will have to pick up the pace if they want to catch the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central title.
16. Cleveland Indians (Last Week: 18)
Michael Brantley has carried the Indians' offense, hitting for a .394 average in the month of July. Brantley has recorded 26 hits this month, including 10 extra-base hits. If the Indians can continue to rally behind this offensive juggernaut, look for them to challenge the Tigers for the AL Central.
15. Cincinnati Reds (Last Week: 14)
The Reds are in a pretty good situation, even though their record makes them the second-worst team in the NL Central at the moment. Cincinnati is still only three games out of first place in the NL Central, and Todd Frazier has impressively filled the void left by Joey Votto's injury-plagued season.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (Last Week: 16)
The Pirates have quietly battled their way to two games out of the NL Central lead, and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen has led the way with a .320 average. McCutchen has also hit 17 home runs and driven in 62 runs this season, certainly putting him in contention to repeat as NL MVP.
13. Toronto Blue Jays (Last Week: 8)
The Blue Jays' powerful offense has kept them within three games of first place in the AL East. Toronto has one of the most powerful offenses in Major League Baseball, but the Blue Jays will need to consider overhauling part of their starting rotation to deal with the slew of power hitters they face in their division.
12. Seattle Mariners (Last Week: 10)
Despite having one of the worst offenses in Major League Baseball, the Mariners haven't made any excuses, and they're just nine games out of a heated, incredibly tough AL West race. The AL West is easily the most loaded division in baseball, and they might have the two best teams in the entire league.
11. New York Yankees (Last Week: 13)
The Yankees are three games out of first the in the AL East, coming off of a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. New York has found an ace in rookie Masahiro Tanaka, but there's not much left behind him in the starting rotation. Look for the Yankees to be active as we approach the trade deadline.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (Last Week: 2)
The Brewers' losing skid has landed them in the heat of a battle for first place in the NL Central. Milwaukee's recent form has been a dreadful, as the Brewers have won only two of their last 10 games.
9. Los Angeles Dodgers (Last Week: 3)
The Dodgers are locked up in a battle for the NL West with their hated rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles had a scare when their top slugger, Yasiel Puig, took a pitch to the hand against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, causing him to leave the game. Puig will not miss much time, as x-rays reportedly came back negative.
8. Atlanta Braves (Last Week: 7)
The Braves are now tied with the Washington Nationals for first place in the NL East, which has been the case for most of this season. These two teams will continue to battle for the division throughout the second half, and Atlanta will have to rely on its starting pitching to remain in the conversation.
7. Baltimore Orioles (Last Week: 9)
The Orioles lead one of the tightest races in Major League Baseball, possessing a three-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. With the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at just over seven games out, this will be a division to watch until the very end...just business as usual.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (Last Week: 11)
The Cardinals have found a way to catch the Brewers, who were one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball until the All-Star Break. Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta will end up as one of the best free agent signings of the year, as he leads the team with 14 home runs.
5. San Francisco Giants (Last Week: 6)
The Giants continue to try to fight off the Los Angeles Dodgers as they protect a shrinking NL West lead, and the race could get even hotter as we enter the second half of the season. Hunter Pence has been streaky, but he's had one of the hottest bats in baseball in July, recording 20 hits and hitting for a .323 average over the course of the month.
4. Washington Nationals (Last Week: 12)
The Nationals are now locked up with the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead, and Washington has found a lot of success behind young pitcher Tanner Roark. Roark has recorded nine wins already this season, and has had great command of his pitches that has landed him a team-best 2.91 ERA.
3. Detroit Tigers (Last Week: 4)
The Tigers sit on a 5.5 game cushion atop the AL Central, but Detroit has allowed their divisional lead to slip due to shortcomings in their bullpen. One thing that hasn't been slipping for Detroit, however, has been their offense. Victor Martinez's 21 homers have overshadowed the solid campaign that Miguel Cabrera has put together in 2014.
2. Los Angeles Angels (Last Week: 5)
The Angels have been one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning eight of their last 10 games. Much of the credit goes to Mike Trout, who has blasted 23 home runs and driven in 74 runs already this season. Trout will be the leading contender of the AL MVP at the end of this season if he keeps producing these monster numbers at the plate.
1. Oakland Athletics (Last Week: 1)
No surprise here. The A's have been stellar this season behind the bats of Brandon Moss and Josh Donaldson. Jeff Samardzija's newly-acquired arm will be put to good use, and he should start racking up the wins now that he can expect solid run support. This team will make a deep run unless something unexpected or freakish happens to either the lineup or the rotation.
Additional Reading: 5 Big Names Who Could Still Move Before The MLB Trade Deadline
