MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees Take A Tumble

Aug 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(45) reacts in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

18. Minnesota Twins (55-56) The Twins look like they are in a full free fall. At the All-Star break, the Twins were nine games over .500; they now sit a game under as the Twins are having trouble keeping up with the other teams in the race. They ran into the machine that is the Blue Jays this week, and then got rolled over by the Indians over the weekend as well. They haven’t won any of the seven series since the All-Star break ended and continue to fall in the standings. The investment in Ervin Santana hasn’t paid off as the Twins were hoping, as he has struggled mightily recently. He got bombed for eight runs in a 17-4 blowout loss to the Indians over the weekend.

17. Detroit Tigers (54-57) The Tigers looked like they may be in the race for the long haul taking two of three from the Royals to start the week, but came back to earth over the weekend losing a series to the Red Sox. Justin Verlander put up a clunker to start the week, but responded well over the weekend against the Red Sox, which is an encouraging sign for the Tigers. 5.5 games and five teams are a lot for the Tigers to jump to get into a wild card spot, but if Verlander can regain any form, the Tigers have a chance as the offense continues to produce with J.D. Martinez as the focal point and Miguel Cabrera nearing a return.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (54-56) The Diamondbacks won one and lost one all week, as they try to reach the .500 mark for the first time since July 8th. To reach that goal they will need better performances from their starting pitching, as only Robbie Ray currently has an ERA under 4.00 in that group. It is a young group and it shows, as they toss one strong game and will follow it up with a clunker; essentially the story of the season for the D-Backs. They will get to play against two lower teams in the NL East this week in the red-hot Phillies and Braves though, so maybe this will be the week they reach .500 again.

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