Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Jun 30, 2013 14:38:15 GMT -5
My, how quickly the season has gone by. We're already 13 weeks into Base Knock Dynasty Baseball's third season. We've seen a record broken, big upsets, and some break-out talent so far in the 2013 season. In a year where it's anyone's chance to win, we'll take a look at every team in the American League at this stage of the season.
All records and placements are through Week 12 of the Base Knock Dynasty Baseball Regular Season. Key matchups are determined based on the team's need. If a rebuilding team is looking for a higher selection, a key game would be against another rebuilding team for draft position. But if a team is looking to make the post-season, a key game is determined if two top teams are playing each other.
The American League
American League Central Division
1. Kansas City Royals
Record: 7-5
Power Rankings: #10 - 3,395.2
A year after the team made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth in a tie with Seattle, the Royals have proven their here to stay after atop their division. The team's stars have played out of their minds, as Adam Wainwright is currently second in the Cy Young Race with 314 points, and Andrew McCutchen has been playing like his usual elite outfielder self. Jose Reyes returned to the team recently after missing most of the first half of the season with injuries. Like most team's this season, the Royals have also battled injuries, and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy and third baseman Wilson Betemit are those currently on the DL. It's a two team race in the worst division in the league. Wainwright could carry this team to a division title.
Key Matchups: BOS - Week 15, LAA - Week 18, MIN - Week 19
2. Minnesota Twins
Record: 7-5
Power Rankings: #11 - 3,328.3
Last year's central division champs have had a much tougher go of it this time around in 2013. The team finished 14-5 in a breakout season, but this season they've already matched their losing total from last season with 7 games left to go. The Twins have been led by hometown hero on offense in Joe Mauer, who's been hitting everything he sees at the plate. In the staff, Derek Holland has been dominate on the mound, and the team made a move to acquire Ricky Nolasco to boost the rotation. Anibal Sanchez is on the DL, but he brings this rotation to a completely different level. The team had a key win over the Royals in Week 4 and may have to do it again in order to get it done. The Twins have a shot to make it back to back trips to the post-seaon, but they'll have to do it by winning to the division in this tough American League.
Key Matchups: LAA - Week 14, BOS - Week 16, KC - Week 19
3. Detroit Tigers
Record: 2-10
Power Rankings: #27 - 1,918.3
How far Detroit has fallen since their glory days in 2011 as the top dogs in the American League Central. But things have changed and the Tigers are now looking to rebuild around young talent. Sure enough, the young talent has started to surface in the 2013 season, and the Tigers are beginning to see the fruit of this process. Jurickson Profar and Jackie Bradley Jr. have both made way to the Tigers' major league lineup this season. Also, Zack Wheeler made his debut and pitched impressively in his first start on the mound. Strangely, the Tigers defeated the rebuilding purpose by winning consecutive games over the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, distancing themselves from a possible number one overall selection.
Key Matchups: CLE - Week 19
4. Chicago White Sox
Record: 1-11
Power Rankings: #24 - 2,293.8
The White Sox "playoff guarenteed" season has quickly slid away admist a nine game losing streak. The team has only played two teams with losing records all season in Detroit and Cleveland in one of the toughest schedules in the league. But even if the schedule had been more favorable, things still wouldn't be that much better Chicago. At the top of the staff, Clay Buchholz has been dominate and was the leading Cy Young candidate for most of the season before going down with an injury early June. Francisco Liriano has also had a terrific season to give Chicago a great one-two punch atop the mound. On the downside, the offense has been almost non-exsistent. It will be interesting to see if Chicago pulls the plug on Liriano or Buchholz and cashes in for the future.
Key Matchups: NYY - Week 15, CLE - Week 18, NYY - Week 19
5. Cleveland Indians
Record: 0-12
Power Rankings: #28 - 1,661
What's this, the Indians are at the bottom of the division? Well, yes, but this year there's actually a possibility they climb out of the cellar despite an awful record. Unlike most rebuilding teams, the Indians have quietly kept their few key players amidst the rebuilding process and will have key players in Giancarlo Stanton and Dustin Pedroia ready should they make a run. Along with their two studs, Manny Machado has lived up to hype and is another pice to the puzzle for this Cleveland team. The Indians should be in the running for the number one pick this next June but will they still be rebuilding by then?
Key Matchups: NYY - Week 14, CHW - Week 18, DET - Week 19
Final Prediction:
1. Kansas City Royals (11-8)
2. Minnesota Twins (10-9)
3. Detroit Tigers (3-16)
4. Chicago White Sox (2-17)
5. Cleveland Indians (1-18)
American League East Division
1. Boston Red Sox
Record: 9-3
Power Rankings: #3 - 4,112.6
What a turnaround in for the Fenway faithful. They've been nothing short of spectacular just a season after going 8-11. The team made the moves necessary in the off-season, and now they look like they could be a front-runner for the American League Championship. Cliff Lee and Lance Lynn have been terrific on the hill to lead a very deep rotation. Robinson Cano and Alex Gonzalez lead a talented lineup that can mash with any team in baseball. Boston has their work cut out for them staying ahead of the Jays and Rays, but if they can secure the first round bye, it'll make their post-season run a whole lot easier.
Key Matchups: MIN - Week 16, TB - Week 18, TOR - Week 19
2. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 9-3
Power Rankings: #9 - 3,397.3
In the year of the flip-flopped AL Central, the Jays were one of the team's that flipped to the top to grab a share of the division's best record going into Week 13 of 2013. The team has greatly benefitted from a much improved rotation with James Shields at the helm right in the thick of the Cy Young race. Matt Harrison's return could provide a huge boost to the pitching staff when he returns in possibly late July. The offense, led by slugger Jose Bautista, has been very good. The Jays have a fairly easy schedule remaining with the exception of facing Tampa Bay and Boston (Week 19). The last game of the season could decide the winner of the AL East.
Key Matchups: TB - Week 14, SEA - Week 17, BOS - Week 19
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 8-4
Power Rankings: #6 - 3,585.9
And here is yet our third team in the American League East that finished with a losing record in 2012 that is cruising at the midpoint of the season. While Jay Bruce and Wilin Rosario have been slugging it at the plate, the real key is in the pitching. Matt Moore and Julio Teheren, once baseball's most coveted pitching prospects, have become elite major league level talent. Both have been exceptional on the mound, and joined by Cole Hamels have formed a top group. The Rays have outplayed Toronto even though the record doesn't show it, but getting the sixth seed and playing Kansas City instead of Texas could have its benefits.
Key Matchups: TOR - Week 14, BOS - Week 18, LAA - Week 19
4. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 5-7
Power Rankings: #13 - 3,173.4
Now to the teams that have flopped. The Orioles have already matched their loss total from last season just 12 weeks in. A 1-3 start is tough to get out of for any team, and it appears that the Orioles simply don't have the firepower to have a go at it in this tough division. There are some interesting pieces on this team that led Baltimore to the playoffs last year. Adam Jones and Jason Kipnis have been terrific, and the Orioles may have gotten the steal of the off-season in signing James Loney to play first base. Verlander and Zimmermann have been good as usual on the mound, bu there isn't the depth in the rotation that there is in Boston, Toronto, and Tampa. The Orioles have declared fire sale for this season this past week but one good off-season and they could be right back in the mix.
Key Matchups: KC - Week 14, MIN - Week 17, TEX - Week 18
5. New York Yankees
Record: 1-11
Power Rankings: #22 - 2,470.9
What happened to New York? How do you go from a game from the World Series to 1-11 through your first 12? That's just baseball I guess. Yes, injuries have definitely played a part in it, but the Yankees are now a rebuilding team just a year after being 14-5 and one of the top teams in the American League. Mark Texeira, Aaron Hill, and Corey Hart have all missed significant time with injuries on the offensive end. Now that the team has traded away Kyle Seager, Starlin Castro may be the only threat in the lineup. Things look brighter on the hill for New York. Matt Harvey has had one of the best rookie seasons in recent history as a start pitcher, and Jacob Turner has been coming into the zone over the past few weeks. New York's season is over, so it's a fight for a higher draft pick at this point.
Key Matchups: CLE - Week 14, CHW - Week 15, CHW - Week 19
Final Prediction:
1. Red Sox (15-4)
2. Blue Jays (14-5)
3. Rays (13-6)
4. Orioles (8-11)
5. Yankees (2-17)
American League West Division
1. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 12-0
Power Rankings: #2 - 4,394.6
The defending champs have been nothing short of terrific this season, and we're still waiting for them to lose at this late point in the season. Their depth is incredible, especially in the rotation, and they've stayed atop the American League despite numerous injuries in the first half of the season. Hanley Ramirez and Mike Trout have led one of the league's best offense that just got better. Top prospect Wil Myers has finally hit the majors, and he's been hitting well in his first few games. In the rotation, ace Jered Weaver has struggled, but he may have been replaced by the 12-0 Max Scherzer, who leads the Cy Young race. The Angels haven't lost in 15+ games (not including the playoffs), and we're starting to wonder if they'll ever go down.
Key Matchups: TEX - Week 15, TEX - Week 16, TB - Week 19
2. Texas Rangers
Record: 11-1
Power Rankings: #1 - 4,435.1
As I finish talking about the defending champions, meet, point-wise, the best team in Base Knock Dynasty Baseball. The Rangers have been cruising through the competition, with the exception of one fluke week against Oakland in Week 8. Depth is the key word with Texas, as they seem to have an endless amount of players coming in and out of the lineup and rotation. Ian Kinsler has been his usual self at second, but the surprise of this offense is Pedro Alvarez monster season. He's been mashing the ball all around Arlington. On the mound, the Rangers have a slew of talented pitchers headlined by C.C. Sabathia. Will Texas be able to overtake L.A. for the #1 seed and a first round bye? They have two games to do it.
Key Matchups: LAA - Week 15, LAA - Week 16, SEA - Week 19
3. Seattle Mariners
Record: 7-5
Power Rankings: #15 - 3,106.7
Now we come back down to earth a little bit in the wild west of the American League. The Mariners have been solid this season, but pale in comparison to the Angels and Rangers. To get into the postseason, they'll likely have to beat out Toronto or Tampa, a tall task. Regardless of current standing, off-season acquisitions have carried this offensive unit. Along with David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre and Edwin Encarnacion have been killing the baseball to all corners of the outfield. Felix Hernandez leads a very talented rotation which recently added top prospect Gerrit Cole to the mix, and he's been pitching extremely well. Seattle's got their work cut out for them as the "next team" after the two giants.
Key Matchups: TEX - Week 14, TOR - Week 17, TEX - Week 19
4. Oakland Athletics
Record: 5-7
Power Rankings: #16 - 2,933.5
Oakland has had a predictable season to say the least. They've lost to most of the top teams, but have been the lesser ones, with a key win over Texas thrown in there. However, unlike most teams at the bottom of their respective divisions, Oakland is no pushover. There is lots of young talent just waiting to blossom. A few disappointments in the off-season investments have led to their demise. Chase Headley, Nick Swisher, and Michael Bourn have all vastly underachieved. Mark Buerhle hasn't been that spectacular on the mound either. A surprise for Oakland has been young pitcher Eric Stults, who has shown he's he to stay in the A's rotation. The Athletics are a long shot to make the post-season at this point, but they appear to be on the right track to make a push next season.
Key Matchups: SEA - Week 15, TEX - Week 17, SEA - Week 18
Final Prediction:
1. Angels (18-1)
2. Rangers (16-3)
3. Mariners (11-8)
4. Athletics (8-11)
I'll post a National League Mid-Season Report when I return from Colorado.
All records and placements are through Week 12 of the Base Knock Dynasty Baseball Regular Season. Key matchups are determined based on the team's need. If a rebuilding team is looking for a higher selection, a key game would be against another rebuilding team for draft position. But if a team is looking to make the post-season, a key game is determined if two top teams are playing each other.
The American League
American League Central Division
1. Kansas City Royals
Record: 7-5
Power Rankings: #10 - 3,395.2
A year after the team made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth in a tie with Seattle, the Royals have proven their here to stay after atop their division. The team's stars have played out of their minds, as Adam Wainwright is currently second in the Cy Young Race with 314 points, and Andrew McCutchen has been playing like his usual elite outfielder self. Jose Reyes returned to the team recently after missing most of the first half of the season with injuries. Like most team's this season, the Royals have also battled injuries, and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy and third baseman Wilson Betemit are those currently on the DL. It's a two team race in the worst division in the league. Wainwright could carry this team to a division title.
Key Matchups: BOS - Week 15, LAA - Week 18, MIN - Week 19
2. Minnesota Twins
Record: 7-5
Power Rankings: #11 - 3,328.3
Last year's central division champs have had a much tougher go of it this time around in 2013. The team finished 14-5 in a breakout season, but this season they've already matched their losing total from last season with 7 games left to go. The Twins have been led by hometown hero on offense in Joe Mauer, who's been hitting everything he sees at the plate. In the staff, Derek Holland has been dominate on the mound, and the team made a move to acquire Ricky Nolasco to boost the rotation. Anibal Sanchez is on the DL, but he brings this rotation to a completely different level. The team had a key win over the Royals in Week 4 and may have to do it again in order to get it done. The Twins have a shot to make it back to back trips to the post-seaon, but they'll have to do it by winning to the division in this tough American League.
Key Matchups: LAA - Week 14, BOS - Week 16, KC - Week 19
3. Detroit Tigers
Record: 2-10
Power Rankings: #27 - 1,918.3
How far Detroit has fallen since their glory days in 2011 as the top dogs in the American League Central. But things have changed and the Tigers are now looking to rebuild around young talent. Sure enough, the young talent has started to surface in the 2013 season, and the Tigers are beginning to see the fruit of this process. Jurickson Profar and Jackie Bradley Jr. have both made way to the Tigers' major league lineup this season. Also, Zack Wheeler made his debut and pitched impressively in his first start on the mound. Strangely, the Tigers defeated the rebuilding purpose by winning consecutive games over the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, distancing themselves from a possible number one overall selection.
Key Matchups: CLE - Week 19
4. Chicago White Sox
Record: 1-11
Power Rankings: #24 - 2,293.8
The White Sox "playoff guarenteed" season has quickly slid away admist a nine game losing streak. The team has only played two teams with losing records all season in Detroit and Cleveland in one of the toughest schedules in the league. But even if the schedule had been more favorable, things still wouldn't be that much better Chicago. At the top of the staff, Clay Buchholz has been dominate and was the leading Cy Young candidate for most of the season before going down with an injury early June. Francisco Liriano has also had a terrific season to give Chicago a great one-two punch atop the mound. On the downside, the offense has been almost non-exsistent. It will be interesting to see if Chicago pulls the plug on Liriano or Buchholz and cashes in for the future.
Key Matchups: NYY - Week 15, CLE - Week 18, NYY - Week 19
5. Cleveland Indians
Record: 0-12
Power Rankings: #28 - 1,661
What's this, the Indians are at the bottom of the division? Well, yes, but this year there's actually a possibility they climb out of the cellar despite an awful record. Unlike most rebuilding teams, the Indians have quietly kept their few key players amidst the rebuilding process and will have key players in Giancarlo Stanton and Dustin Pedroia ready should they make a run. Along with their two studs, Manny Machado has lived up to hype and is another pice to the puzzle for this Cleveland team. The Indians should be in the running for the number one pick this next June but will they still be rebuilding by then?
Key Matchups: NYY - Week 14, CHW - Week 18, DET - Week 19
Final Prediction:
1. Kansas City Royals (11-8)
2. Minnesota Twins (10-9)
3. Detroit Tigers (3-16)
4. Chicago White Sox (2-17)
5. Cleveland Indians (1-18)
American League East Division
1. Boston Red Sox
Record: 9-3
Power Rankings: #3 - 4,112.6
What a turnaround in for the Fenway faithful. They've been nothing short of spectacular just a season after going 8-11. The team made the moves necessary in the off-season, and now they look like they could be a front-runner for the American League Championship. Cliff Lee and Lance Lynn have been terrific on the hill to lead a very deep rotation. Robinson Cano and Alex Gonzalez lead a talented lineup that can mash with any team in baseball. Boston has their work cut out for them staying ahead of the Jays and Rays, but if they can secure the first round bye, it'll make their post-season run a whole lot easier.
Key Matchups: MIN - Week 16, TB - Week 18, TOR - Week 19
2. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 9-3
Power Rankings: #9 - 3,397.3
In the year of the flip-flopped AL Central, the Jays were one of the team's that flipped to the top to grab a share of the division's best record going into Week 13 of 2013. The team has greatly benefitted from a much improved rotation with James Shields at the helm right in the thick of the Cy Young race. Matt Harrison's return could provide a huge boost to the pitching staff when he returns in possibly late July. The offense, led by slugger Jose Bautista, has been very good. The Jays have a fairly easy schedule remaining with the exception of facing Tampa Bay and Boston (Week 19). The last game of the season could decide the winner of the AL East.
Key Matchups: TB - Week 14, SEA - Week 17, BOS - Week 19
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 8-4
Power Rankings: #6 - 3,585.9
And here is yet our third team in the American League East that finished with a losing record in 2012 that is cruising at the midpoint of the season. While Jay Bruce and Wilin Rosario have been slugging it at the plate, the real key is in the pitching. Matt Moore and Julio Teheren, once baseball's most coveted pitching prospects, have become elite major league level talent. Both have been exceptional on the mound, and joined by Cole Hamels have formed a top group. The Rays have outplayed Toronto even though the record doesn't show it, but getting the sixth seed and playing Kansas City instead of Texas could have its benefits.
Key Matchups: TOR - Week 14, BOS - Week 18, LAA - Week 19
4. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 5-7
Power Rankings: #13 - 3,173.4
Now to the teams that have flopped. The Orioles have already matched their loss total from last season just 12 weeks in. A 1-3 start is tough to get out of for any team, and it appears that the Orioles simply don't have the firepower to have a go at it in this tough division. There are some interesting pieces on this team that led Baltimore to the playoffs last year. Adam Jones and Jason Kipnis have been terrific, and the Orioles may have gotten the steal of the off-season in signing James Loney to play first base. Verlander and Zimmermann have been good as usual on the mound, bu there isn't the depth in the rotation that there is in Boston, Toronto, and Tampa. The Orioles have declared fire sale for this season this past week but one good off-season and they could be right back in the mix.
Key Matchups: KC - Week 14, MIN - Week 17, TEX - Week 18
5. New York Yankees
Record: 1-11
Power Rankings: #22 - 2,470.9
What happened to New York? How do you go from a game from the World Series to 1-11 through your first 12? That's just baseball I guess. Yes, injuries have definitely played a part in it, but the Yankees are now a rebuilding team just a year after being 14-5 and one of the top teams in the American League. Mark Texeira, Aaron Hill, and Corey Hart have all missed significant time with injuries on the offensive end. Now that the team has traded away Kyle Seager, Starlin Castro may be the only threat in the lineup. Things look brighter on the hill for New York. Matt Harvey has had one of the best rookie seasons in recent history as a start pitcher, and Jacob Turner has been coming into the zone over the past few weeks. New York's season is over, so it's a fight for a higher draft pick at this point.
Key Matchups: CLE - Week 14, CHW - Week 15, CHW - Week 19
Final Prediction:
1. Red Sox (15-4)
2. Blue Jays (14-5)
3. Rays (13-6)
4. Orioles (8-11)
5. Yankees (2-17)
American League West Division
1. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 12-0
Power Rankings: #2 - 4,394.6
The defending champs have been nothing short of terrific this season, and we're still waiting for them to lose at this late point in the season. Their depth is incredible, especially in the rotation, and they've stayed atop the American League despite numerous injuries in the first half of the season. Hanley Ramirez and Mike Trout have led one of the league's best offense that just got better. Top prospect Wil Myers has finally hit the majors, and he's been hitting well in his first few games. In the rotation, ace Jered Weaver has struggled, but he may have been replaced by the 12-0 Max Scherzer, who leads the Cy Young race. The Angels haven't lost in 15+ games (not including the playoffs), and we're starting to wonder if they'll ever go down.
Key Matchups: TEX - Week 15, TEX - Week 16, TB - Week 19
2. Texas Rangers
Record: 11-1
Power Rankings: #1 - 4,435.1
As I finish talking about the defending champions, meet, point-wise, the best team in Base Knock Dynasty Baseball. The Rangers have been cruising through the competition, with the exception of one fluke week against Oakland in Week 8. Depth is the key word with Texas, as they seem to have an endless amount of players coming in and out of the lineup and rotation. Ian Kinsler has been his usual self at second, but the surprise of this offense is Pedro Alvarez monster season. He's been mashing the ball all around Arlington. On the mound, the Rangers have a slew of talented pitchers headlined by C.C. Sabathia. Will Texas be able to overtake L.A. for the #1 seed and a first round bye? They have two games to do it.
Key Matchups: LAA - Week 15, LAA - Week 16, SEA - Week 19
3. Seattle Mariners
Record: 7-5
Power Rankings: #15 - 3,106.7
Now we come back down to earth a little bit in the wild west of the American League. The Mariners have been solid this season, but pale in comparison to the Angels and Rangers. To get into the postseason, they'll likely have to beat out Toronto or Tampa, a tall task. Regardless of current standing, off-season acquisitions have carried this offensive unit. Along with David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre and Edwin Encarnacion have been killing the baseball to all corners of the outfield. Felix Hernandez leads a very talented rotation which recently added top prospect Gerrit Cole to the mix, and he's been pitching extremely well. Seattle's got their work cut out for them as the "next team" after the two giants.
Key Matchups: TEX - Week 14, TOR - Week 17, TEX - Week 19
4. Oakland Athletics
Record: 5-7
Power Rankings: #16 - 2,933.5
Oakland has had a predictable season to say the least. They've lost to most of the top teams, but have been the lesser ones, with a key win over Texas thrown in there. However, unlike most teams at the bottom of their respective divisions, Oakland is no pushover. There is lots of young talent just waiting to blossom. A few disappointments in the off-season investments have led to their demise. Chase Headley, Nick Swisher, and Michael Bourn have all vastly underachieved. Mark Buerhle hasn't been that spectacular on the mound either. A surprise for Oakland has been young pitcher Eric Stults, who has shown he's he to stay in the A's rotation. The Athletics are a long shot to make the post-season at this point, but they appear to be on the right track to make a push next season.
Key Matchups: SEA - Week 15, TEX - Week 17, SEA - Week 18
Final Prediction:
1. Angels (18-1)
2. Rangers (16-3)
3. Mariners (11-8)
4. Athletics (8-11)
I'll post a National League Mid-Season Report when I return from Colorado.
