MLB Power Rankings: Yankees are the boss, Tigers at a loss
By Tim Boyle
20) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
At least we’re not the Nationals, right? The Miami Marlins are having another one of those seasons where even the good performances they get are completely wasted. This team is far from a contender. They just don’t spend enough on the roster to ever become legitimate.
Many of the offseason additions made by Miami have failed. Notably, Jorge Soler and Avisail Garcia haven’t been all that good. Even Jazz Chisholm Jr., a budding star on the roster, has struggled this season. The Marlins are a bit of a mess and a team other clubs should look forward to seeing on the schedule.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
The biggest fall from grace of the year belongs to the Los Angeles Angels. It feels like only yesterday they were a regular top ten team in the MLB Power Rankings. Following their massive losing streak and inability to get back on the horse to win some games, they drop further down this week as they try to figure things out under new manager Phil Nevin.
The offensive issue is on the infield with very little offense from any of those guys. Anthony Rendon is also out of the rest of the season which further hurts their chances even with him not performing great. The early stellar starting pitching has slipped but more so it’s the failings of the bullpen that have dragged the Angels down.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are not a good baseball team, but maybe they can finish close to .500. It’s probably the best they can hope for at this point of the season. The offense has been putrid and the pitching just isn’t deep enough to give them any sort of sustained success.
Christian Walker is having a Joey Gallo-type season with power and not much else. Armed with four quality starting pitchers, the Diamondbacks are too many pieces short of having a credible ball club. There’s no secret as to why they aren’t making the postseason. The only mystery might be why they aren’t worse.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
There are few words to describe what the Chicago White Sox have done this year that wouldn’t get you fired from a job. It has been bad. It has been ugly. This favorite to win the American League Pennant is so lost even with a wild card spot within reach if they can ever get their act together. Can they? Tony La Russa looks ready to walk the bases loaded to start a game.
The White Sox have dealt with some major injuries this year, losing shortstop Tim Anderson for the offense and starting pitcher Lance Lynn. Minus closer Liam Hendriks as well, they haven’t had anyone step up in their place. The White Sox are too talented to completely fade away. They also have too many weaknesses to catch up again.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
How hopeful should Texas Rangers fans be? They are surprisingly close to a wild card spot. The division is way too far in the distance but maybe an increase in offense and some better pitching can make them a competitor. They might need a collapse or two from the teams ahead of them.
Issues for the Rangers go beyond the poor production at the plate from Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. Nobody else has stepped up. While they do have some decent power, the team is fully-staffed with players hitting below the .250 mark and reaching base at a clip under .300. The club is heading in the right direction with an 81-win campaign probably the maximum they can accomplish.