We’ve talked about the Dodgers, Braves and Tigers in recent weeks, and rightfully so as they all appear to be headed to the playoffs. But it’s time to change it up this week and look at two teams who have been huge disappointments this season.
Last year, the Washington Nationals finished with the best record in the majors at 98-64. They lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Cardinals in the National League Division Series — and with ace Stephen Strasburg back after being shut down in September – the Nationals were clear favorites to win the NL East this year but have not been the same team.
Part of the problem has been the lack of run support. Strasburg has a 2.93 ERA but owns a 6-9 record as the Nationals rank 26th in runs scored. The roster is virtually the same as a year ago, but they haven’t been able to put anything together since a 7-2 start to the season and now sit at 60-63, almost assured of missing the playoffs.
There’s also the defending World Series Champion Giants, who at 94-68, won the NL West by eight games in 2012. In the playoffs, they were down 0-2 in the NLDS (a best of five series) and 3-1 in the NLCS, but won six straight elimination games before sweeping the Tigers for their second World Series title in three seasons.
Fast forward to 2013, the Giants are 55-68 and in last place in the NL West. They have also been undone by poor offense (ranked 26th in runs scored) and subpar seasons by Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. They were in first place in mid-May with a 23-15 record but went 17-35 thereafter to derail their season.
Both the Nationals and Giants have bright futures and could very well bounce back next year. But for teams expected to compete every year, 2013 was not what they had in mind.
1) Dodgers (72-51) (3)
Had their ten-game winning streak snapped Sunday, but are still 25-4 since the All-Star break and have showed no signs of slowing down.
2) Braves (76-48) (1)
Took two of three from the Nationals this weekend to grow their ridiculous NL East lead to 15 1/2 games.
3) Tigers (73-51) (2)
Took three of five in a big series with the Royals as Miguel Cabrera had four more home runs last week and Max Scherzer (18-1) earned another win as well.
4) Cardinals (71-52) (8)
Adam Wainwright earned his league-leading 14th win of the season Sunday and ranks third in strikeouts (173) and fifth in ERA (2.66) but still has virtually no shot at winning the Cy Young thanks to what Clayton Kershaw has been doing.
5) Red Sox (73-53) (5)
Lost two of three to the Yankees in a heated series and now lead the Rays by one game in the AL East.
6) Pirates (72-51 (4)
With two wins in nine games, the Pirates are doing their darndest to let the Cardinals and Reds back into the NL Central race.
7) Rays (70-52) (7)
In his past nine starts, David Price has pitched at least seven innings including four complete games.
8) Rangers (71-53) (6)
After alternating wins and losses last week, the Rangers lead the A’s by a 1/2 game in the AL West.
9) Reds (70-54) (11)
Quick, who’s leading the Reds in RBIs? Nope, it’s not Joey Votto but Brandon Phillips with 92. The second baseman needs seven more to break his career high of 98 set in 2009.
10) Athletics (70-53) (13)
After a three-game series with the Mariners this week, Oakland plays the Orioles, Tigers, Rays and Rangers – all teams currently in the playoffs.
11) Indians (66-58) (12)
The Indians would be in much better standing in the wild card race if they played better on the road, where they own a 28-33 record.
12) Diamondbacks (64-58) (14)
With an impressive sweep over the Orioles followed by taking two of three from the Pirates, don’t count them out of the NL wild card race just yet.
13) Orioles (67-56) (9)
Lost all three games to the Diamondbacks last week in walkoff fashion.
14) Yankees (64-59) (15)
A 5-2 week helped the Yankees playoff chances and Alfonso Soriano had a lot to do with that. He tied a major league record with 18 RBIs in a four-game span last week.
15) Royals (64-59) (10)
Came back down to earth with a 3-5 week and are now six games out of the second wild-card spot.
16) Mariners (57-66) (17)
Since taking over as closer, Danny Farquhar has converted seven of eight save chances – all this month – for the Mariners.
17) Nationals (60-63) (16)
At 60-63, the Nationals are one loss away from tying last year’s total.
18) Rockies (58-67) (19)
Jorge De La Rosa has done a nice job for the Rockies with a 12-6 record having only allowed more than three earned runs five times in 25 starts.
19) Angels (55-68) (20)
Josh Hamilton is finally starting to turn it around with three home runs and six multi-hit games in his past ten games.
20) Mets (56-66) (18)
The Mets suffered their 12th walkoff loss of the season on Sunday, 4-3 in San Diego, and third during their current 11-game road trip.
21) Blue Jays (57-67) (22)
Because of Cabrera and Chris Davis, Edwin Encarnacion probably won’t get looked at for MVP consideration but he ranks third in the AL in home runs (31) and RBIs (92).
22) Padres (56-68) (23)
Will Venable had himself a series against the Mets this weekend. He went 8-for-19 including a four-hit game, as well as a walkoff homerun on Sunday.
23) Cubs (53-70) (21)
Cubs pitchers have hit five home runs this year. They could have used some of that this weekend scoring eight runs in four games.
24) Twins (54-68) (24)
Part of the reason for the subpar season the Twins have had is pitching as they rank last in the majors in quality starts with 47.
25) Giants (55-68) (28)
A 6-4 loss to the Marlins on Sunday cost the Giants a chance at their first series sweep since May.
26) Phillies (54-69) (25)
The Phillies beat the Dodgers 3-2 Sunday and now try for their first two-game winning streak of the second half.
27) Brewers (54-70) (26)
Yovani Gallardo looked sharp on Saturday in his first start back form the DL. He allowed three hits and no runs in six innings of a 2-0 shutout over the Reds.
28) White Sox (49-74) (27)
True, their season may have been over for a while, but they showed some heart in taking five or seven from the Tigers and Twins last week.
29) Marlins (47-75) (29)
The Marlins finally achieved something remarkable this season: They rank dead last in runs, average, on base percentage and slugging percentage.
30) Astros (41-82) (30)
Had their first two-game winning streak in two months…so there’s that.