MLB Week 15 Power Rankings: An overview of the teams – Part 3
8. A few weeks ago, no one could have predicted that the Los Angeles Angels would manage to win 11 out of their previous 13 games and eight of their last nine. The Angels, nonetheless, shunned all critics and now enjoy a healthy 50-42 win-loss record for
the season. They have moved five places from the 13th spot to finish eighth this week.
The Angels are now in tough competition with the Texas Rangers (52-41) for the leader’s notch in the American League West Division. With a superior record on the road, the Angels have every possibility of attaining it.
Kendrys Morales’ season-long injury has hampered their efforts of converting hits into runs this season. Vernon Wells has still not reached top-form and had it not been Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, Angels would have been lagging far behind. The team needs
to be more aggressive in their approach as they enter the second-half.
9. Cleveland Indians are lucky to be leaders in the American League Central Division. With a winning percentage of .533, they are better than the Detroit Tigers just because of a superior score difference.
The last ten games have been even as they have won five with the number of losses equating the wins. To substantiate their lead and position, the Angels need to put up an improved performance in the second-half.
Having already won the opener against a relatively lowly Baltimore Orioles, they have a reasonable chance to bag a couple of wins. The Indians will not want to waste this opportunity!
10. Completing the top ten for week 15 are the Arizona Diamondbacks who have had an ordinary season thus far, compared to the high standards they have maintained in the past.
With a 49-43 win-loss record for the season, their performance has been satisfactory but they need to push the button now if they need to contend against the top teams. The Diamondbacks will first want to eradicate the two-game losing streak which they suffered
before the All-Star break.
Diamondbacks have been among the top teams for scoring runs but have not been able to replicate this performance at the mound and have leaked runs almost at the equal pace. With J.J. Putz now on the 15-day disabled list, the Diamondbacks will need a practical
solution to this growing problem area.
11. The St. Louis Cardinals have been a chief disappointment this week. They have slipped four places to lose their position in the top ten teams. Despite this lacklustre performance, they have still managed to hold on to their leader’s spot in the National
League Central Division.
The Cardinals are lucky in the fact that they have a relatively weaker division. Having said this, if the Cardinals continue to play in this fashion, the Milwaukee Brewers are all set to take over the top spot.
Kyle Lohse is losing his reputation at the mound and needs to quickly reinvent his precision to stabilise the pitching staff.
The good news for them, however, is that Albert Pujols and David Freese have returned from injuries and are looking good. If they manage to find their hitting form soon enough, the Cardinals can be up for a good fight as the season enters the second-half.
Colby Rasmus needs to compliment Pujols if he needs to find himself away from list of players being traded.
Continued in Part 4
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