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We have now officially turned the corner into the second half of the 2024 MLB season. As such, fans are gaining a more realistic picture of how the postseason might look.
With that said, there is still plenty of baseball left to be played. Already, some teams who looked like they would own MLB are showing signs of slipping, while other clubs look resurgent. Today, we are issuing our MLB Power Ranking predictions for the end of the 2024 MLB season's fourteenth week.
Top Ten MLB Power Rankings - Week 14
10. Boston Red Sox
Now 7-3 in their last ten games, the Boston Red Sox appear intent on joining the MLB's top ten teams in the week ahead. Manager Alex Cora's club has some favorable matchups coming up, including fixtures against the A's and Marlins, two struggling ball clubs.
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Certain players like Jarren Durran and Rafael Devers have made the difference. Durran is in the midst of a breakout season and currently ranks 4th in WAR, while Devers' 17 home runs and 43 RBIs lead the club.
9. Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals appear to have lost some of the steam that they started the season with. However, starting pitching continues to be an ace card for the team. After ranking 27th in starter ERA last season, KC now sits with the sixth-best starting ERA in baseball. The trio of Brady Singer, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo continues to dominate, as the three own a combined 2.81 ERA across nearly 300 total innings.
"Bet on Brady. Brady Singer is now 8-0 to the OVER in his last 8 home starts. He’s on his way to also being 8-0 SU in his last 8 home starts as well." - SDQL GURU
8. Seattle Mariners
Although the Seattle Mariners still enjoy a 5.5 game lead in the AL West, they will be needing to check their backs for the surging Houston Astros. Although Seattle ranks 29th out of 30 teams in batting average, pitching has been a saving grace.
In the month of June, Seattle's 3.49 combined ERA was the fifth-best in MLB. The efforts of certain starters such as Logan Gilbert and George Kirby have been superlative, as both those individuals have ERA figures under 2.00 over each of their past 20 innings.
7. Atlanta Braves
Simply put, the Altanta Braves' big bats have been shy this season. After setting an MLB record for single-season team slugging percentage last season, the Braves currently rank a mediocre 17th in batting average. Former NL RBI champ Matt Olson is hitting .252 while shortstop Orlando Arcia's average has slumped to just .211. Marcell Ozuna, however, still ranks within the league's top five in homers and RBIs.
""There's nothing better than playing at home" @Collin_McHugh caught up with Marcell Ozuna after tonight's W" - Bally Sports South
With that said, the Braves remain a competitive club. The team's ERA ranks fifth in MLB, and performances from Chris Sale and Max Fried has been particularly outstanding. Losing reigning MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. was not easy, but the Braves are an experienced team who knows how to stay in the mix.
6. Milwaukee Brewers
Fresh off of a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers, the Milwaukee Brewers know how to stick to their game. Manager Pat Murphy extolls his team to be agressive on the basepath, a strategy that has yielded results.
The Brewers are tied for the most steals in MLB, rank fourth in on-base percentage, and remain within the league's top ten in runs scored. Furthermore, an upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies will yield further opportunities for the team to remain close to the top.
5. New York Yankees
A team that was previously at the very top of the MLB Power Rankings has slowed down. Now 3-7 in their past ten, the New York Yankees rank dead-last in ERA allowed over the past two weeks, which has been brought on by a series of horrid starts from top arms like Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil.
"3-hit night for The Judge" - New York Yankees
Captain Aaron Judge has hit .357 over the past two weeks, but no other member of the roster has managed .250 over that period of time. Juan Soto, who still manages to come up with clutch hits, has hit just .195/ over his past thirteen games.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Losing Mookie Betts to a fractured wrist earlier this month could not have been an easy pill for the Los Angeles Dodgers to swallow. However, manager Dave Roberts' club still rank in the top three in virtually every important category.
Now 51-32 on the season, the Dodgers remain a comfortable 7.5 games ahead of the Padres in the NL West. Their ERA ranks first in the NL, as does the number of home runs hit. Predictably, Shohei Ohtani continues to lead his team. The Japanese superstar has hit .413/.533/.1000 with 8 home runs and 17 RBIs over his past 13 contests.
3. Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians have been able to rely on such an effective bullpen that they lead MLB when leading after seven innings. Set up men like Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis are ensuring that their star closer, Emmanuel Clase and his 0.70 ERA are able to clean up. Clase currently leads the AL in saves with 25.
"Emmanuel Clase, Vicious 93mph Slider." - Pitching Ninja
Additionally, Cleveland's hitting has been strong. Outfielder Steven Kwan's .370 average leads all of MLB, while Josh Naylor and Jose Ramirez combined for 32 home runs in the month of June.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
It was not long ago that pundits were predicting that the 2024 Philadelphia Phillies had a shot at setting the single-season MLB wins record. While that is still a possibility, it may be more likely still that the Phillies relinquish their spot atop the Power Rankings in the coming week.
Foremostly, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber have been added to the team's IL. The pair have combined for about 40% of the team's total home runs this season. However, the club's 3.04 ERA is the best in baseball, so do not expect manager Rob Thomson's club to suffer too much.
1. Baltimore Orioles
The more time that passes, the harder the Baltimore Orioles look to beat. Manager Brandon Hyde's club has shown tremendous power, and their 137 home runs lead the league in the category by a wide margin. Over the past fifteen days, O's hitters have logged a .289 batting average, and their pitching has put forth the lowest ERA in the AL.
"Gunnar Henderson has been an absolute MADMAN" - Talkin' Baseball
With series' against the Cubs and Athletics on the horizon, do not be surprised to see the Orange Birds climb to the top of the MLB standings in the week ahead.
