MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees Surging Up Rankings

Aug 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(19) stands on the mound after giving up a two run home to Baltimore Orioles third baseman

(13) during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeats Detroit Tigers 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

21. Cleveland Indians (48-56) The Indians were in sell mode at the deadline, and for good reason. They traded off David Murphy, Brandon Moss and Mark Rzepczynski, only acquiring Jayson Aquino. There were even rumors of teams asking about high-upside righty Carlos Carrasco, but the Indians rightfully resisted any of those offers. The Indians have an important week coming up, as they are six back of the Wild Card, but play the two current Wild Card teams, the Twins and Angels, this week. If they are going to make up ground, what better time to do it than beating the teams ahead of you?

20. Detroit Tigers (51-54) The surprise sellers at the deadline, the Tigers shipped off a number of important pieces. They moved David Price to the Blue Jays, Joakim Soria to the Pirates and Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets. Losing that much production should signal a team throwing up the white towel, but the Tigers are only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. That lead is not insurmountable when looking at the lineup they have even with Cespedes. Their pitching staff needs to improve big time though, as the starting rotation and bullpen have both been mediocre at best. They will not be out for long though, as the packages they received for those players could begin paying dividends as soon as next season.

19. Tampa Bay Rays (52-54) The Rays are only three games out of the wild card race in the AL, but feel like they are much further out. They didn’t do anything at the trade deadline to help improve their chances at the postseason, and would seem to be falling further and further behind as so many teams ahead of them loaded up. They traded Kevin Jepsen to the Twins at the deadline, which was the only move they made. They also sent down the struggling Matt Moore, who has not looked good yet since returning from Tommy John surgery, who has an 8.78 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in six starts.

Next: Padres still hopeful?