MLB Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Hottest Heading Into The All Star Break?

Note that this list is not a list of who I believe has been best on the season. This is a power ranking of who are the hottest teams heading into the All Star Break. Yearly records will be considered, but will not be second to how teams have performed lately. This will also incorporate strength of schedule and other similar factors. Without further ado, here is the list:

30. San Francisco Giants

The Giants are, as Foreigner would say, “cold as ice” right now. The Giants are 4-16 over their last 20, as well as 9-21 over their past 30. Both marks are the worst in Major League baseball. On the season, the defending champions are 40-50 with one of the worst run differentials in the NL at -51. Clearly, the Giants have failed to replicate the magic that lead to their world series win last season.

29. San Diego Padres

The Padres started out 2013 as surprise contenders for the NL West crown. However, after going 5-15 over their past 20 games, it appears that the Padres are back to their losing ways. Their 41-51 record keeps them 6.5 games out of first already, and it appears that their resurgence, lead by Jason Marquis (9-4, 3.79 ERA, although with much worse peripheral stats) was simply a mirage.

28. Minnesota Twins

2013 as a whole has been a struggle for Minnesota, who has gone just 37-51 on the season. Over their past games, they are 5-15, so things don’t appear to be getting any better in Twinkie Town.

27. Chicago White Sox

Like the Twins, the White Sox have struggled all season long. Therefore, their 10-20 record over their past 30, and 6-14 over their past 20, was to be expected. This teams looks to be a big seller at the trade deadline, with Jake Peavy, Addison Reed, Jesse Crain, Matt Thornton, and Paul Konerko all being targets.

26. Houston Astros

A little while back, it looked like Houston was starting to get it together. They won 7 games in a row, including a sweep of their division rival Angels, and looked poised to at least prevent completely embarrassing themselves. With a 6-14 record over their past 20 games, and an atrocious -138 run differential on the season, it looks like the Astros’ losing selves are their real selves.

25. Colorado Rockies

Like the Padres, the Rockies started off as surprise contenders. However, after losing Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies have faded, going 7-13 over their last 20.

24. Cincinnati Reds

The Reds started off the season as one of the best teams in baseball. However, they have just simply been terrible as of late- mainly due to an offense that has yet to really click. The Reds’ pitching, led by Mat Latos, has been good, but the offense has been ice cold, especially lately. The Reds, losers of 5 out of their last 6 series, are 8-12 over their past 20 and 15-15 over their past 30, despite playing some weak teams. They just lost back to back series against the lowly Mariners and Brewers, and this team just looks lost right now. On the season, they are just 15-26 against teams over .500.

23. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers, decimated by injury, haven’t done much in 2013. They continued that streak, going 8-12 over their past 20 games, although they were able to manage a series win against the Reds in that time.

22. Arizona Diamondbacks

With a 47-44 record, it’s a testament to just how bad the NL West has been this season, that they are still leading their division. They are 9-11 over their past 20, and just 12-18 over their past 30.

21. Seattle Mariners

Despite beating the Reds in a series at Great American Ballpark, the Mariners are just 9-11 over their past 20 and 40-51 on the season.

20. Baltimore Orioles 

They’re 9-11 in their past 20 games and, despite being 8 games over .500, they are in desperate need of some pitching.

19. Kansas City Royals 

The Royals looked to be going on a bit of a run after their lukewarm start. Over their past 30 games, they are actually 4 games over .500. However, they have simmered off lately against some so-so teams, going 9-11 over their past 20.

18. New York Yankees

The Bombers started off 2013, despite a myriad of injuries, as one of the best teams in the American League. However, lately they have fallen off, going 10-10 in their past 20 and 14-16 in their past 30.

17. Atlanta Braves

The Braves started off as the best teams in baseball in 2013. However, lately, they have gone cold, with an inconsistent offense that leads the NL in both homers and strikeouts, being a reason why. They are exactly .500 over their past 30 games.

16. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies started off 2013 terribly, but had come on strong. However, they are fading a bit again, going 14-16 over their past 30.

15. Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays were touted as a world series contender heading into the season. However, that didn’t work, as their major acquisitions have mainly been busts. They have been better lately, though, with an 18-12 mark over their past 30, but just 10-10 over their past 20.

14. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers, who currently lead their division, have cooled off recently, going 16-14 over their past 30. Obviously, that’s a good record, but for a team like Detroit- they can (and will) do better.

13. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have been surprisingly good lately. After breaking out of the NL Central cellar, the Cubs are 11-9 over their past 20 games, a good mark for a team 9 games under .500 on the year.

12. St. Louis Cardinals

For awhile there, it looked like the Cardinals, like the Reds, were starting to fade a little bit. However, they have gone 17-13 over their past 30, and have one of the best records in baseball for the year. In a few games, they could be even higher.

11. Miami Marlins

The Marlins, predictably, started off the season as one of the worst teams in the game. However, they have been one of the better teams in the NL as of late, going 17-13 in their last 30, including a big series win against the Cardinals.

10. Cleveland Indians

The Indians’ offense was one of the best in the game early on. They started to fade a little bit into the year, but are 17-13 over their last 30 against some difficult teams.

9. Oakland A’s

Oakland has been one of the better teams in baseball over the past 2 seasons, but have somehow still managed to fly under the radar. They are 12-8 over their past 20 and are continuing their hot start.

8. Washington Nationals

The Nationals have struggled all season long, but seem to have found their groove lately. Their injured players are returning, and their underperformers are starting to perform. The Nats are 12-8 over their past 20, and 17-13 over their past 30 games. The team with baseball’s record in 2012 is back.

7. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have been a force all year long, so their 17-13 mark over their past 30 is no surprise, even in the stacked AL East.

6. New York Mets

What? Where did the Mets come from? They started the year off terribly, but have been 18-12 over their past 30. They’re hot right now.

5. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels started off 2013 as baseball’s biggest disappointment. However, as of late, they have caught on, winning 13 of their last 20.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates continue to shock the baseball world. They are 19-11 over their past 30, and remain incredibly hot.

3. Texas Rangers 

The Rangers are 19-11 over their past 30 games, the best mark in baseball. Enough said.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

With a 52-40 record, the Rays have been a solid team all season. However, they have really caught on lately, winners of 15 of their past 20 (tied for the best in baseball) and 18 of their past 30.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Since the callup of Yasiel Puig, the Dodgers have been the best team in baseball, period. Despite starting off 2013 in a terrible way, they are now NL West contenders. The Dodgers are an MLB-best 15-5 over their past 20, and tied for second at 18-12 over their past 30. The Dodgers are finally starting to live up to their 200 million dollar potential.