MLB Power Rankings: Week 12

Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been another week of .500 performances for a lot of MLB teams. The Kansas City Royals are the hottest team in baseball right now, winners of seven straight.

Oakland move to the top of the MLB Power Rankings after a rough week for the Giants ended with sweep at the hands of the surging Rockies.

So, here are my Week 12 power rankings. Disagree? Bring It!

1. Oakland Athletics (42-27) (Up 1)

The A’s have stuttered this week to a 3-3 record, but the Giants have really struggled. Josh Donaldson‘s 0-33 skid finally ended on Sunday and they will need his power to remain at the top.

2. San Francisco Giants (43-27) (Down 1)

A miserly one win this week for the Giants. However, they still hold the best record in baseball despite losing 6 of 7.

3. Milwaukee Brewers (41-29) (Up 1)

The Brewers will be worrying about a deep slump for Ryan Braun. Marco Estrada is on track to give up the most long balls in an MLB season, but the Crew have only lost 1 of the last 10 series.

4. Toronto Blue Jays (41-29) (Down 1)

The Blue Jays have gone off the boil lately, but still hold down a 4.5 game lead in the AL East.

5.Detroit Tigers (36-29) (No Change)

Justin Verlander holds a worrying 4.61 ERA, but a couple of wins to end the week has steadied the ship.

6. Kansas City Royals (36-32) (Up 11)

The Dale Sveum effect is now fully operational and the Royals are the hottest team in baseball including a sweep of the White Sox. A four game series in Detroit this week will be an acid test.

7. St. Louis Cardinals (37-32) (Up 2)

The Cardinals are quietly making a move towards the NL Central leading Brewers. Matt Adams has been a lot louder, homering for three days straight. A pitching staff ERA of 1.84 this week is worrying for the rest of the division.

8. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (37-31) (Down 2)

A good series win against the Athletics and a dominant weekend for Mike Trout including a pair of homers against the Braves.

9. Los Angeles Dodgers (37-34) (Up 4)

Slowed down the Diamondbacks at the end of the week after there wrecking ball approach in Week 11. Carl Crawford‘s stint on the DL doesn’t look like ending soon as he struggles in rehab.

10. Washington Nationals (35-33) (Down 2)

One game back in the tight NL East, they will need Bryce Harper to return soon to reignite their spluttering offense, just three runs per game this week.

11. Atlanta Braves (36-32) (No change)

The Braves offence lit up this week, pounding out 38 runs, led by 3 homers and a .480 BA for Evan Gattis. However, their pitching staff crumpled to a 6.09 ERA (worst in MLB). A least there was plenty of action!!

12. New York Yankees (35-33) (Up 2)

A sweep of the previously storming Mariners to start the week, but the Yankees slipped back out on the west coast in Oakland. Mark Teixeira‘s return to the line up will allay fears of adding to their injury list.

13. Miami Marlins (35-33) (Down 1)

The Marlins pitching staff were knocked about by the red hot Pirates bats. Top prospect Andrew Heaney is up to try and arrest a recent slide in starting pitching.

14. Colorado Rockies (34-35) (Up 9)

In a stark contrast of the previous week the Rockies are on a 5 game winning streak, including a sweep of the Giants. Rex Brothers impressed out of the pen with a perfect 9 pitch, 3K inning.

15. Baltimore Orioles (35-33) (No Change)

They will need to figure out their rotation with six starters, but a 1.86 ERA over the past week shows a promise after a few rough outings in Week 11. It should allow Nelson Cruz et al to win more games.

16. Seattle Mariners (35-34) (Down 9)

The definition of hot and cold. Pitching remains solid, but they are struggling to score runs. Justin Smoak and Corey Hart are due in rehab this week, could they be the answer?

17. Cleveland Indians (35-35) (Down 7)

Michael Brantley is the hottest hitter in baseball, .538 over the last week (26 AB’s). The Indians desperately need to find some pitching though.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (34-35) (Up 2)

The Pirates have finally found the Starling Marte who got a multiyear contract last summer. Marte and Andrew McCutchen have been a wrecking crew this week, 13 XBH’s between them including 5 HR’s, both have an average over .469.

19. Cincinnati Reds (33-35) (No Change)

The Reds ended the week winning four out of five against the Dodgers and Brewers. 33 runs this week supported by the return of Joey Votto, show an end to their scoring drought.

20. Texas Rangers (34-35) (Down 4)

Rangers pitching has stuttered this week, but they will hope a first career HR for Brad Snyder will improve output in right field.

21. Minnesota Twins (32-35) (Up 1)

A steady drop in the output of Trevor Plouffe has resulted in a trip to the DL. Fourth in the AL Central, but just five games out.

22. Chicago White Sox (33-37) (Down 4)

Adam Eaton‘s .409 average this week is a bright spot, but they will need better starting pitching before taking on the Giants this week.

23. Boston Red Sox (31-38) (Down 2)

Stephen Drew returned on Sunday after a week out, while Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks have stepped up their rehab for the Sox, is it too little too late?

24. New York Mets (31-38) (Up 1)

The Mets are finally starting to find pitching in Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Niese, but 17 runs in a week isn’t enough support.

25. Houston Astros (32-39) (Up 2)

Carlos Correa will join his fellow rookies in Houston shortly. The Astros are going to be very good, just not this season.

26. Philadelphia Phillies (29-38) (Up 3)

The Phillies rotation really settled down after a rough week, giving up just under 2.5 runs per game. Cole Hamels has a 1.78 run ERA over his last 7 outings, but reminiscent of Jeff Samardzija, Hamels has a losing record over that period.

27. Chicago Cubs (28-39) (No Change)

Talking of Samardzija, it is only a matter of time before the sweepstake begins. Who will give up their farm system for a three month loan? Try to get Jason Hammel for better value.

28. Arizona Diamondbacks (30-42) (Down 4)

A lot of the run production dried up, except for Paul Goldschmidt. If they don’t improve their rotation it will be a long season.

29. Tampa Bay Rays (27-43) (Up 1)

They haven’t been as bad as the Padres, so move off the foot of the rankings. David Price picked up a rare win, throwing 116 pitches. He will surely join Samardzija and Hammel on the trading block soon.

30. San Diego Padres (29-40) (Down 3)

Inept doesn’t even come close for the Padres. A .135 BA last week and just 13 total runs this week.