Category Archives: MLB
Token MLB Power Rankings: July 23
It was an ugly week for both Yankee and Red Sox fans. Unfortunately, that means both of us at Token Sports are down right miserable. But if you are a fan of any of the other teams in baseball, you might be in better spirits. And there’s been a big shakeup at the top of the Token Power Rankings.
1. Washington Nationals (55-39, 1st in NL East)
The Nationals are going to keep rolling, even if they keep lying about shutting down Stephen Strasburg, which they should. Long term success if more important for this very young franchise than one-and-done playoff run. If the Nats are smart, they won’t make any big moves this season.
2. Texas Rangers (56-38, 1st in AL West)
Veteran Roy Oswalt, who was pitching well, is sitting out his next Monday due to back stiffness. If he’s out longterm, they need to go get a pitcher. Ryan Dempster in Texas anyone?
3. Detroit Tigers (52-44, 1st in AL Central)
The Tigers are certainly a great looking team. When you win five straight, and score 5 or more runs in four of those games, you’re certainly doing something right.
4. New York Yankees (57-38, 1st in AL East)
The Yankees are showing how important Mariano Rivera was to the team, after losing four straight one-run games, three of them giving up a run in the 8th inning or later. If the offense can put it back together and provide solid run support, they’ll be in much better shape.
5. Cincinnati Reds (55-40, 1st in NL Central)
Five of their last eight wins have come against teams with losing records. They now face four games against the Houston Astros and Colorado Rookies, the two worst teams in the Majors. Time for a feast.
6. San Francisco Giants (53-42, 1st in NL West)
Two straight quality starts out of Tim Lincecum, with 17Ks between the two. The Freak’s next start is against the Padres, one of the worst hitting teams in the Majors.
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (54-40, 2nd in NL Central)
OF Andrew McCutchen is on pace to hit .372 with 38 HR and 114 RBI (according to ESPN). 10 straight games against the Astros and Cubs should only improve that possibility.
8. Atlanta Braves (52-43, 2nd in NL East)
Ben Sheets is the Brave’s Andy Pettitte (so far). He’s 2-0 after missing all of last year, and has allowed zero runs over 12 innings.
9. Los Angeles Dodgers (52-44, 2nd in NL West)
The Dodgers have won four straight, but now face a offensively hot St Louis Cardinals team, that has scored 23 runs in their last three games combined. Will the pitching hold?
10. St Louis Cardinals (50-45, 3rd in NL Central)
The Cardinals are the best at getting players on base, and that usually leads to runs. Like the 23 total players they’ve plated in their last three wins. Pitching ain’t too bad either (5th in quality starts).
Token Power Rankings: July 16
We’re into the second half of the season now, after the stupid All-Star Break, so we should look at the best teams in baseball and decide if the season ended right now, who’d be the favorite. Starting this week, we’ll look at the Token Sports Top 10 Power Rankings in baseball, and oddly enough, my NY Yankees are not #1 to start it off.
1. Texas Rangers (54-35, 1st in AL West)
The Rangers are first in three major hitting category in the big leagues, including a .340 on-base-percentage. That and an above-average pitching staff, that can only get better as it matures, makes this team a favorite once again.
2. New York Yankees (54-34, 1st in AL East)
Sure, the Yankees are No. 1 in the ESPN Power Rankings, and in my heart they are definitely the best team in the majors, but the numbers aren’t there. In fact, there is little reason for them to have the record they have, which puts them at the best in the majors. An awfully good hitting team that feasts on the homer, but an average pitching staff without Mariano Rivera makes this team second fiddle, for now.
3. Washington Nationals (51-35, 1st in NL East)
Who would have thunk that the Nationals would be this good for this long. Thanks in large part to ace Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 2.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP), the Nationals are the best pitching team in the Majors (#1 in ERA, Quality Starts, WHIP, BAA), and looking like a strong contender in the weak National League.
4. San Francisco Giants (49-40, 1st in NL West)
One of the best pitching staffs in the Majors belongs to the Giants, who rank 5th in ERA (3.53) and 3rd in BAA (.241). Lacking in run support is the biggest hindrance to this strong team’s chances.
5. Atlanta Braves (49-39, 2nd in NL East)
The Braves are surging, winning 7 straight going back before the All-Star Break. This team has a lot of talent and is making its moves through solid hitting. Adding another strong starter to the rotation before the trade deadline would improve this team’s chances.
6. Cincinnati Reds (50-38, 1st in NL Central)
A great pitching staff (3nd in ERA 3.33 and 2nd in WHIP 1.23) is wonderful from a young staff. An offense that hasn’t seemed to reach its potential yet this season and Dusty Baker’s unwieldy managerial style make the Reds a team to watch out for.
7. Chicago White Sox (49-39, 1st in AL Central)
The Chi-Sox are just a good team. 3rd in the Majors in WHIP (1.23) and 7th in Runs (423), plus a whole lot of veteran talent (Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Jake Peavy, Orlando Hudson, Kevin Youkilis) make them into a team that has all the right pieces to make a run at the World Series.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (48-42, 2nd in NL West)
To me, quality starts from your rotation is what makes or breaks you team, and Dodgers are 1st in the Majors with 57 from their staff that includes Chris Capuano and Clayton Kershaw. But like most NL West teams, they struggle with offense. Look for a move soon to add another bat to make a run at the Giants, or one of the two Wild-Card spots now available this year.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (49-39, 2nd in NL Central)
Wow, the Pirates! Who would have guessed the Pirates AND the Nationals would be in the Top 10 of the Token Sports Power Rankings? Pitching wins championships, and pitching is propelling the Pirates, are 6th in ERA, 7th in BAA, and 9th in WHIP.
10. Detroit Tigers (46-43, 2nd in AL Central)
Miguel Cabrera. Austin Jackson. Prince Fielder. All three are slugging over .500 on the season, and Cabrera and Fielder have 137 RBI between them. That and perennial Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander always makes the Tigers a dangerous team in the second half.
Oh brother…
What in the world is going on in Boston?
In case you forgot, I’m a Yankees fan. True and true. But I got to feel a little remorse for those reeling Red Sox, don’t I? Some of the worst relief pitching ever yesterday after they had a comfortable and dominant 9-0 lead over the Bronx Bombers.
Fourteen (14) runs in two innings off five (5) different pitchers. All but one of those runs was earned.
As Sean McAdams tweeted:
I don’t think we can find worse relief pitching that.
So what does all this mean for a Boston team that has lost two since their home, Fenway Park, turned 100? What does it mean for a 4-10 team with a new manager?
It means it’s a rebuilding year, so deal with it. I’ve been saying this since the off-season. This is a rebuilding year for the Red Sox, who need to change their mindset and they way they play. That’s what Bobby Valentine is there for: a new mindset. So everyone who is doubting him, including the players, needs to step back and relax, and learn to work with it. It’s never easy having a new manager, especially one as loud as Bobby V, but he’s not known for being soft and a loser.
Winning will return to Boston. But in the meantime, I’ll sit and smile as my Yankees roll along.
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