A 2014 Beltway World Series is still a possibility. KP’s MLB Power Rankings display that fact clearly.
Tuesday night, both the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals clinched its division titles, being the first two teams to do so during the 2014 season.
The Angels, while recently clinching a playoff berth, have yet to clinch the AL West division title.
The Orioles partied with the hometown fans at Camden Yards, taking its first division title since 1997, all after an 8-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Washington, meanwhile, shutout Atlanta 3-0, taking its second NL East crown in three years.
One can’t help but wonder if it was a good omen that both of the Beltway teams clinched division titles on the same night.
Perhaps.
Or perhaps not, as the rivalry itself has come off as a bit forced over the years, but that’s more likely due to the fact that these two teams haven’t been among baseball’s elite during the same season since the Nats came to Washington (from Montreal).
The clear exception would be in 2012, although many felt that the Orioles were living on borrowed time, with a sub-par run differential, along with numerous one-run and extra inning victories.
The 2014 teams are a different story, with plenty of pitching and a legitimate chance to compete for a World Series title.
Each have faced its own challenges, specifically in the injury department. The Nats lost Ryan Zimmerman, as well as Bryce Harper for some significant time. The Orioles, on the other hand, have seen a 25-game suspension for Chris Davis, as well as season-ending injuries to both Matt Wieters and Manny Machado.
MLB Power Rankings: Orioles celebrate its first AL East division title since 1997
Yet, each team keeps chugging along.
But with so many victories and so much talent, where do the O’s and Nats fall in the latest edition of MLB Power Rankings at The Wife Hates Sports?
Not at the very top, as that spot is being reserved for the Angels, owners of baseball’s best record.
Where do you feel each team should be ranked?
The O’s land in second place, and join the Angels as two of the hottest teams in baseball. Both Baltimore and L.A. own the two best rating gains over the last two weeks. While the Nats do not land on this list, Washington does land in fourth place, not far behind the surging Orioles, Angels and Dodgers:
Los Angeles Angels: +48 points
Baltimore Orioles: +39 points
Los Angeles Dodgers: +38 points
Pittsburgh Pirates: +36 points
Toronto Blue Jays: +22 points
On the other side of the fence, the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres have been floundering in recent weeks. But the most disappointing team in this group has to be Atlanta, a clear playoff contender for months, and a squad that is quickly fading out of the picture. This week’s bottom five is:
Chicago Cubs: -44 points
San Diego Padres: -39 points
Atlanta Braves: -37 points
Minnesota Twins: -28 points
Cincinnati Reds: -27 points
The latest rankings are as follows, highlighting the clubs that had positive or negative jumps:
KP’s MLB Power Rankings: September 16, 2014
Note: Statistics and point totals as of Tuesday September 16, 2014 and do not include tonight’s games
1. Los Angeles Angels (226 points) – Previously: #1 (+48)
2. Baltimore Orioles (178 points) – Previously: #4 (+39)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (172 points) – Previously: #5 (+38)
4. Washington Nationals (161 points) – Previously: #3 (+19)
5. Oakland Athletics (146 points) – Previously: #2 (-2)
6. Detroit Tigers (122 points) – Previously: #9 (+21)
7. Seattle Mariners (115 points) – Previously: #6 (+3)
8. San Francisco Giants (110 points) – Previously: #7 (+3)
9. Kansas City Royals (95 points) – Previously: #8 (-8)
10. St. Louis Cardinals (77 points) – Previously: #10 (+20)
11. Pittsburgh Pirates (76 points) – Previously: #14 (+36)
12. Toronto Blue Jays (52 points) – Previously: #16 (+22)
13. Milwaukee Brewers (42 points) – Previously: #11 (-11)
14. Tampa Bay Rays (37 points) – Previously: #15 (0)
15. Cleveland Indians (23 points) – Previously: #13 (-21)
16. Atlanta Braves (13 points) – Previously: #12 (-37)
17. New York Yankees (11 points) – Previously: #17 (-15)
18. Miami Marlins (4 points) – Previously: #19 (+7)
19. New York Mets (-2 points) – Previously: #21 (+13)
20. Cincinnati Reds (-17 points) – Previously: #18 (-27)
21. Philadelphia Phillies (-42 points) – Previously: #22 (-12)
22. San Diego Padres (-47 points) – Previously: #20 (-39)
23. Boston Red Sox (-58 points) – Previously: #26 (0)
24. Chicago White Sox (-63 points) – Previously: #25 (-11)
25. Houston Astros (-71 points) – Previously: #28 (+14)
26. Minnesota Twins (-77 points) – Previously: #24 (-28)
27. Chicago Cubs (-89 points) – Previously: #23 (-44)
28. Arizona Diamondbacks (-95 points) – Previously: #27 (-14)
29. Colorado Rockies (-115 points) – Previously: #29 (-24)
30. Texas Rangers (-133 points) – Previously: #30 (-19)
* All stats per MLB.com
The Wife Hates Sports MLB Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record. It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system. The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and pitching staff, too.
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The O’s have slowed down and I think momentum – and the loss of key bats – may be what does them in. Honestly, it’s not the Angels that worry me… Baltimore actually beat the Angels in the season series this year and played them well. It’s still the Tigers that worry me the most… despite the flaws on that team. The clutch hits and power arms have the pieces for a deep run.
Agreed REV… without the big time major markets in play, it could very well be that way. It’s cool to see Baltimore and KC in there, but without NY and Boston, MLB might be hurting. Both LA teams are in though… the left coast should be watching.
Oh, and thanks.
Congrats on your Orioles, brosef, although I do think this year’s Major League Baseball playoffs are going to have problems attracting television ratings.