MLB Week 15 Power Rankings: An overview of the teams – Part 7
27. The Kansas City Royals experienced their worst first half of the season since 2007, finishing with only 37 wins. This week, however, they have shown improvement and have jumped two places up from their 29th ranking last week.
Currently, they are 38-57 for the season and are rightly placed at the bottom of the American League Central Division. They are now more than likely out of playoff contention this year and should now work on a strategy for an improved performance in the
next.
Their pitching has been ordinary and has the worst ERA in the League. They need to work this out before the next season.
28. The Baltimore Orioles have tried what they could have this season. The only thing which is lacking in the bullpen is talent. The Orioles need to give more experience to young players like Chris Tillman and prepare them for the big stage.
After eight consecutive losses, the Orioles have managed two back-to-back wins and now have a win-loss record of 38-54. They are 18 games behind American League East Division leaders Boston Red Sox and seven games behind Toronto Blue Jays who are just above
the Orioles in the Division standings.
From this point onwards, the Orioles have a chance for the playoffs only if they manage to win 75 percent of their games.
29. The Chicago Cubs at the 29th position will be a remorseful sight for many baseball fans. However, their performance this season has earned them this position.
Carlos Pena has been hitting home-runs abundantly for the Cubs but his team has not augmented him. Their batters have been poor and pitching has been worse. The Cubs have managed to pile 388 runs this season but have ended up leaking 486 runs. This sort
of performance will never help the Cubs change the tide.
This is the right time for the Cubs to enter a rebuilding process and give the Minor League players a chance to play every day. The results might not change for them but it will surely highlight young prospects for the next season.
The only joy for the Cubs this season has been Starlin Castro. The short-stop is consistently improving and is one player for the future.
30. Maintaining their position at the 30th spot are the Houston Astros. They have been glued to the last spot this season and chances for improvement are bleak.
The Astros have not managed a series win since June 1 and are thus 19.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers who are the leaders in the National League Central Division. The major reason for this lacklustre performance has been a poor performance at home games
where the Astros have managed to win just 15 games out of 50. Their performance on the road has been slightly better with 16 wins in 45 games.
The Houston Astros do not have much to play for this season and are headed for their worst season ever. However, they have a proven track record of better performances in the second half and they will be hoping to repeat that and get rid of the last ranking
in the Majors.
The season now heads in to the second half after the All-Star break. The top five teams and the bottom five teams have largely remained the same with a major improvement shown from the Texas Rangers who have recorded a drastic jump with 11 straight wins.
It will be interesting how other teams perform as the second half catches pace.
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