Post by Rangers GM (Mike) on Jul 3, 2012 21:59:23 GMT -5
| Team | Rank (LW) | Record | Trending | Comments | |
[tr] | Rangers | 1 (2) | 10-1-1 |  | For the first time since week 6 we have a new top dog in the league. The Rangers became the first team since week 1 to beat the Giants and did so in impressive fashion. They put some insane offensive stats coming very close to beating the record for most HRs, R, and TB. We'll see if they can extend their 6 game winning streak against the Reds. |
 | Braves | 2 (3) | 9-2-1 | | It wasn't easy, but Atlanta was able to hold on and reclaim the #2 spot for the first time since week 5. After a weak showing the previous week, the pitching bounced back with a 2.851 ERA and twice as many QS as last week. Pence and Freeman paced the offense and had vital roles in the close 8-6-0 win over Tampa. They have a tough matchup this week against the suddenly struggling Indians. |
 | Giants | 3 (1) | 10-2 |  | After 11 weeks of dominance, the formerly hottest team in the league finally got their second loss of the season. It's hard to blame the Giants as they proved to everyone once again that they have the best pitching staff in the league. The offense also bounced back after looking horrible the previous week. Unfortunately for them, it just wasn't enough as Texas put up one of the best all around weeks all year. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see them quickly bounce back and start a new winning streak. |
 | Indians | 4 (4) | 8-4 | - | Things are not looking good in Cleveland right now. Since starting 7-1 the team has looked terrible and has now dropped 3 of their past 4. Their GM isn't happy and described his team's season so far pretty well in "What started out as a team hitting it over the wall, slowly became a team hitting it to the wall, and now a team that has simply...HIT THE WALL." Obviously at 8-4 they still are leading their division, but they need to start winning games if they want to keep their spot, especially when they face teams that are 2-9. |
 | Phillies | 5 (7) | 5-6-1 | | Utley's back, Howard's on a rehab assingment, and the Phillies have won 3 of their last 4 matchups. Their GM has to be excited about the way things are going right now. Coming off an impressive win over the division leading Indians, Philly kept rolling as they shutout the Royals with great hitting and pitching. As we've said all along, this team will be dangerous once it gets the big guys back and they currently own a 1/2 game lead in the wild card. |
[tr] | Tigers | 6 (8) | 6-5-1 | | Great week for the Tigers as they were able to take down the 7-5 Cubs. This win was especially important as it was only their second win of the year against a team with a record over .500. The offense was solid as usual, but the pitching was horrible and has been a recurring problem for them all season. They are going to have to do a lot better than a 5.337 ERA if they want a chance at beating the Giants. |
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[/td][td]In what should have been an easy win, Boston couldn't beat the inconsistent Nationals. They've been struggling lately with only one win in their past four matchups and their pitching was been very inconsistent and a problem all year. However, they still hold a 2 game lead in the wild card and face below .500 teams for the next two weeks.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Cubs[/td][td]8 (6)[/td][td]7-5[/td][td][/td][td]The rebuilding Cubs put up some hideous numbers with a .182 average and ERA of about 6.6. Amazingly, after pretty much selling off everyone they're still above .500 and have a 2 game lead in the wild card. Who knows, they might still make the playoffs.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Nationals[/td][td]9 (11)[/td][td]5-7[/td][td][/td][td]The Nationals are one of the hardest teams to figure out in the league. Some weeks they look like a playoff team and other weeks they look they should be in the hunt for the number 1 pick next year. This was one of their good weeks as they got a quality win over the Red Sox. The pitching was pretty good, but it was the offense that led them to victory as Zimmermann finally woke up and had an outstanding week. The playoffs are in reach for this team as they sit just a 1/2 game out.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Astros[/td][td]10 (12)[/td][td]4-7-1[/td][td][/td][td]Unlike last week where the pitching was to blame for the loss, their pitching led them to victory. They put up a solid 80 Ks, 7 SV, and a 3.36 ERA. Peavy continued his bounce back season as he and Blanton teamed up to lead the pitching. A win against the Cubs this week would put them in a solid position to make a run at the wild card as they're only 2 games out.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Reds[/td][td]11 (9)[/td][td]4-8[/td][td][/td][td]After a nice bounce back win the previous week, the Reds couldn't handle the lowly Mariners and have now lost 3 of their past 4. Cincy pitched pretty well with a 3.453 ERA and 6 QS as Johan and Kershaw continued their All-Star caliber seasons. The hitting failed them though and led them to a tough 6-7-1 loss. They'll try to bounce back against Texas this week in very tough matchup.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Rockies[/td][td]12 (10)[/td][td]5-7[/td][td][/td][td]After ending their losing streak last week, they returned to their old ways as they couldn't beat Houston in a close 6-7-1 defeat. Not surprisingly the relief pitching and offense were solid as Fowler and Trumbo continued their breakout seasons. The starting pitching was a problem again though as they only managed 1 QS and an ERA over 6. They need to trade for some pitching if they want that wild card spot.[/td][/tr]
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[/td][td]Mariners[/td][td]13 (15)[/td][td]3-8-1[/td][td][/td][td]After two weeks in a row of losing to elite teams in close matchups, the Mariners finally were able to get a much-deserved win against the Reds. The pitching was terrible as Vargas and Floyd were the lone bright spots. The offense though bailed them out as acquisitions McCutchen, Holliday, and Rasmus led the way. They're only 3 games out of the wild card and if they continue to make smart transactions there's no reason why they can't make up the ground.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Marlins[/td][td]14 (16)[/td][td]3-9[/td][td][/td][td]After returning to the 16th spot, the Marlins were able to make it a quick stay by upsetting the AL East leading Indians. They had one of their best all around performances of the season as they had excellent hitting and pitching. This week's matchup against KC is a chance for them to potentially gain some ground in the wild card as the Phillies have a tough matchup.[/td][/tr]
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[/td][td]Rays[/b][/td][td]15 (13)[/td][td]3-8-1[/td][td][/td][td]That's a tough loss to take. As late as Sunday, the Rays looked as though they were gonna upset the elite Braves, but ended up falling just short in the 6-8-0 loss. On a positive note, the offense looked solid as Hosmer showed signs of life and new acquisitions Lawrie and Rios led the way. The pitching though was nothing special and was the main culprit to blame for the loss. Look for them to try and bounce back against the unpredictable Nationals.[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][td]Royals[/td][td]16 (14)[/td][td]4-8[/td][td][/td][td]After looking so great last week, nothing went right for the Royals this week as they were shutout by Philly. Their hitters only managed to hit a weak .240 and drive in only 16 runs. The pitching did them no favors either as they struggled to the tune of a 5.771 ERA. They're only 2.5 games back, but their pitching struggles are nothing new and they will probably need to make a deal if they want to make the playoffs.[/td][/tr][/table]