Post Session 13 Power Rankings
Welcome to the first installment of Nikc Cafardo's Power Rankings! Keep in mind that I hate your team, and that there is 1 game still in progress (MTL vs TOR), but because that still has a ways to go and the score isn't particularly close, I am writing this as if the game ended. If the result flips, sue me. Anyways, here is my power rankings:
1. Pittsburgh Pirates: 9-4 Session 13: W vs HOU (6-2) Last 3: 3-0 Run Diff: +17
Most of the hype surrounding the Pirates will be about star pitcher Darth Vader, but their recent addition of another key bat in Hes Nashtee, who won POTG against the Astros, continues to make these Pirates dangerous on both sides of the ball.
2. Boston Red Sox: 9-4 Session 13: W vs SFG (4-3) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +12
Peppers continues his historic reign as Red Sox manager, and trading for OotC member Hudson Quin as of late will help their identity on the mound a bit more. 8 players for the Red Sox had hits against the combination of Peters and Collins, including multi-hit games from Voorhees, Polinko, and Beezle. The deep lineup prevailed again, as it has time and time again.
3. Toronto Blue Jays: 9-4 Session 13: L vs MTL (5-1) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +25
The Blue Jays should rightfully be considered a top team, but after suffering arguably their worst loss of the season, it's hard to put them at #1. The offense hasn't been the same as of late, Ziggy Ceder and Graham Grams will have to bounce back to All-Star form soon if they want to go all the way.
4. St. Louis Cardinals: 9-4 Session 13: L vs CLE (5-0) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +17
Cardinals fans rejoiced when they acquired Gerzone, but his recent start against the Indians didn't reflect a Cy Young candidate pitcher. Nonetheless, the Cardinals have a ton of talented, new players and a great record. We may even get to see Whitt Bass and Buzz Schwinghammer start their first games for St. Louis next session.
5. Cleveland Indians: 8-5 Session 13: W vs STL (5-0) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +10
Now under new leadership, the pitching staff of the Indians just continues to grow. After Foxconn put together yet another impressive performance and they signed Angel Leon, Cleveland should be able to mix their pitchers up enough that no offenses can prepare. That being said though, they need to find some reliable depth on offense.
6. Colorado Rockies: 7-6 Session 13: W vs OAK (4-1) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +1
The Rockies continue to roll, Coors or not. They are 6-2 in their last 8, with those only 2 losses coming to playoff contenders by a tight margin. The pitching has been especially impressive, as Garrett Evans is coming off a POTG, Hank Murphy continues to look like a Cy Young candidate, and they recently acquired Tanner Hendrix. Under that staff with a powerful offense, I would expect the Rockies to sneak into the playoffs.
7. San Francisco Giants: 8-5 Session 13: L vs BOS (4-3) Last 3: 1-2 Run Diff: +4
Even with the large division lead the Giants had, they have fallen down the rankings as of late. With another loss (albeit to a strong opponent), the Giants need a win this next session if they want to feel comfortable at the top of the NL West.
8. Montreal Expos: 8-5 Session 13: W vs TOR (5-1) Last 3: 1-2 Run Diff: +10
As soon as it looked like the Expos were finally falling out of contention, they pick up a key victory on the backs of Demondre Bradford and Buttholo Colon. They are still .500 since a winning streak to open up the season, but they have made every game competitive.
9. Texas Rangers: 6-7 Session 13: L vs LAD (5-4) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +4
After Rabbi Chase's attempt to get Threefinger some relief help, the Rangers roster ended up just being Threefinger at pitcher again. They will need help if they want to avoid blowing late leads like they did against the Dodgers this session. Nonetheless, Barney Summers and John Fitz continue to rack up the singles to power the offense.
10. Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 7-6 Session 13: L vs PHI (4-3) Last 3: 0-3 Run Diff: +8
Once upon a time, the Devil Rays were the heavy favorites to walk away with the Paper Cup. Oh how the mighty fall, the Devil Rays are 2-5 in their last 7, and some of these losses are blowouts or to struggling teams. They still have all-star level hitters, but no matter the pitcher, they seem to struggle.
11. Philadelphia Phillies: 6-7 Session 13: W vs TBDR (4-3) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: -10
The Phillies are coming off a key win, and all of a sudden look like the Season 1 Phillies again since the long scoreless streak ended. Not only have they been winning, but they have added new faces like Hudson Hildebrandt, Joel Embiid, and BB Bambino Jr, who did alright in his debut. Whether or not it is too late for them to make a playoff push is up for debate though.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks: 6-7 Session 13: W vs SEA (2-0) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: -12
The Diamondbacks haven't been over .500 in 2 seasons now, but with the way the pitching has turned it around recently, I could see this happening. Early in the season the offense was praised and the pitching was looked down on, but after giving up only 1 run in the past 3 sessions, it looks to be on the turnaround. Now, they just need to find the offense again, as they had struggled to score until the Chiggins walk-off.
13. Milwaukee Brewers: 6-7 Session 13: L vs DET (2-1) Last 3: 1-2 Run Diff: -1
The Brewers always seem to be in the middle of the pack, and a matchup against the Tigers seemed to be the perfect opportunity for them to finally break out. However, they couldn't manage to score off of Woolridge, and were forced to have Morello pitch. Granted, they were probably unlucky with all the runners left on base, but they will need their top hitters like Arata Hightower to show up every session if they want to be a playoff team.
14. Houston Astros: 6-7 Session 13: L vs PIT (6-2) Last 3: 1-2 Run Diff: -9
They may be leaders in the AL West, but the Astros have played rather uninspiring as of late. Another game that was not close, and the top of the lineup did not perform. The top 4 of Bear Thomas, DCM, McGiles, and Fat Batter went only 1 for 10 against Crumblepuff. Although the bottom of the lineup impressed, they will need their stars to shine next session.
15. San Diego Padres: 6-7 Session 13: L vs BAL (8-1) Last 3: 1-2 Run Diff: -13
The Padres were given the opportunity to gain ground on the Giants and possibly become a playoff contender, but instead they suffered their worst loss of the year to a struggling O's team. Their bats were silenced, with only 2 players getting hits, and just when it looked like they found a reliable reliever in Cinnamon, he gives up 8 runs in just 1 inning.
16. Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-8 Session 13: W vs TEX (5-4) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: +1
Everybody was waiting for the Dodgers to finally look like the team everyone knew they were, and with them now being 2-1 in their last 3 coming off a wild come-from-behind victory, it looks to me that they found their stride. They are allowing just over 4 runs per game in the last 5 sessions, which is an improvement.
17. Detroit Tigers: 4-9 Session 13: W vs MIL (2-1) Last 3: 2-1 Run Diff: -21
The Tigers are well out of a playoff spot, but their performance of late shows they aren't giving up. Although they have only scored a combined 3 runs in the last 2 sessions, they are clearly on the up and coming based on record. Woolridge is a pitcher to watch next session against a strong Blue Jays offense.
18. Oakland Athletics: 5-8 Session 13: L vs COL (4-1) Last 3: 0-3 Run Diff: -6
Under JP Panik, the A's have struggled once again. They lost once again as none of their hitters were able to show much power, something their contact-heavy lineup has run into before. Whether new addition Joe Runzer will be able to be an effective starter hasn't been answered yet, but I'm not sure it will matter until they can put up a ton of runs.
19. Baltimore Orioles: 4-9 Session 13: W vs SDP (8-1) Last 3: 1-2 Run Diff: -10
This is a big win for the Orioles, as both the hitting and pitching showed up on the same day. The pitching staff had always been impressive, but the bats were always quiet. Off the back of new leader Meerkat, and whit Whit Merto and Hans Goober hitting well, the Orioles showed what their ceiling is.
20. Seattle Mariners: 4-9 Session 13: L vs ARI (2-0) Last 3: 0-3 Run Diff: -12
The season started so well for the Mariners, but it's been all downhill from there. They have 1 win in their last 9 sessions, which is really bad. The offense has now scored only 2 runs in the past 4 sessions, neither Brate or Porn will be able to save that. The Mariners have a long ways to go before they get back to their beginning of the season start.