If you are like me, then you are probably sick and tired of the weekly bias in the power rankings by ESPN, MLB, FOX, and others. For some reason, they continue to cater to the “popular”, big-market teams in baseball, and find any little reason they can to keep the non-“popular teams” down in their rankings.
My goal is to put an end to that and put teams where they belong with as little bias as possible.
Week-by-week power rankings should be based mainly on a team’s performance in the last 7-15 days, not off what the team did months ago. The way that I plan on ranking teams will be based on teams’ most recent performances, their record/stats in a 7-15 day stretch, and the strength of the teams that they have faced. Overall record will have an impact, but will have the least amount of impact.
Without further ado, here is Wisconsin Sports Heroics’ very first power rankings.
1. Tampa Bay Rays
Randy Arozarena’s solo home run, June 14, 2021
Since May 13, the Rays have won 23 of 28 games while outscoring opponents by 86 runs during that stretch.
Impressive, especially since the Rays are a fellow small market team.
A big reason for their stellar play is by far their bullpen. They lead the AL in ERA at 3.08, and in their last 17 games, the Rays bullpen has a stellar ERA of 1.59. Also, in their last 15 games, they are 11-4. Their offense hasn’t been lighting up the competition lately, but they are getting wins with outstanding pitching.
2. Chicago White Sox
Brian Goodwin makes an impressive diving catch, June 14, 2021
Like the Rays, the White Sox are winning with their pitching staff. The White Sox starting pitchers are putting up absurd numbers. In their last 20 games, they have a record of 11-4 and an ERA of only 2.85. During the last 7 days, White Sox pitchers are 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and a WHIP of only 1.05. The Sox are also 8-2 in their last 10 games as a team. It’s worth noting that so far this season, the White Sox run differential is an amazing +106!
3. San Francisco Giants
Brandon Crawford crushes a two-run home run in 5th, June 14, 2021
The third spot was a tough one. I ultimately landed on the Giants based on them being in first place in their division, and the fact that in 65 games this season, they have been on the road for 38 games. They are 22-16 in those games, as well, having the fifth best road record in baseball.
The Giants have had one of the best bullpens in the NL this season, and that was on full display in the last 12 games. During that stretch, the Giants’ bullpen have only given up five earned runs in 48 innings. In their last 16 games, the Giants are 10-6 and have taken three out of four games against both the Cubs and the Dodgers during that stretch.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Smith belts a 2-run HR, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead, June 14, 2021
I’m not putting the Dodgers as high as some other national media outlets because they have faced lesser competition the last 15 days and haven’t produced the numbers that they should be with the amount of talent that they have. That being said, they are still 7-3 in their last 10 games and their overall pitching and batting numbers are still towards the top in the MLB.
The Dodgers also have the second best run differential at +93. The next two weeks will be tough for LA, facing the Padres, Cubs and Giants. To say that they will be getting tested is an understatement.
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Willy Adames makes a terrific play to get the out, June 15, 2021
Since no one else will give the Brewers the respect that they deserve, then I will.
And no, I’m not being biased. There are a lot of stats to back this up.
Since acquiring Willy Adames from the Rays on May 21st, the Brew Crew have a record of 17-5. When it seemed like the Brewers’ season was going down the drain, they traded for Willy Adames and started soaring thanks to his contagious, up-beat personality. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and their three-headed monster of a starting rotation are red hot.
Oh yeah, their offense is starting to heat up as well in the last two weeks.
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The Rest of The Top 20
6. Chicago Cubs
7. Boston Red Sox
8. San Diego Padres
9. Oakland Athletics
10. Houston Astros
11. Cleveland Indians
12. New York Mets
13. Toronto Blue Jays
14. St. Louis Cardinals
15. Philadelphia Phillies
16. Atlanta Braves
17. New York Yankees
18. Los Angeles Angels
19. Cincinnati Reds
20. Miami Marlins
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