MLB 16 The Show: Midseason Power Rankings
We have reached the midway point of our inaugural season in the MLB 16 The Show league. At this point, enough games have been played for us to get a true idea of who the real contenders are. With just a few more weeks until the postseason, now is as good of a time as any to breakdown the top 10 teams to this point in the season. These are not necessarily the 10 teams that will go on to make the playoffs, but the 10 teams that at this stage in the season, have the best chance of wreaking havoc if they were to reach the postseason.
- KyleLea20 (Mariners): 15-3
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
The race for the top spot is tight, but the slight edge goes to the Mariners. This team is very well balanced. They are #2 in the league in batting average and in ERA, so this team can get things done in a variety of ways. The blockbuster acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez from the Marlins without having to part ways with Felix Hernandez or Nelson Cruz makes the Mariners the early favorites to win it all.
- Texas__Ranger21 (Phillies): 13-3
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
The Phillies were the other team that had a legitimate case of being in the #1 spot. Despite not having much talent on their roster, this team continues to rake offensively, posting a team batting average of .323, which is tops in the league by a whopping 65 points. There is never an easy out against this team, so it usually takes an offensive onslaught to beat them. That is no easy task, as the Phillies are also a top 10 pitching team. They are the team to beat in the National League.
- Sir_Ochocinco85 (Diamondbacks): 10-2
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
If any team is going to spoil the Phillies-Mariners World Series matchup, perhaps it will be the Diamondbacks. This team has won seven games in a row and does not appear to have any real competition in the NL West. With a playoff spot likely a foregone conclusion, the race is on for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Mediocre pitching could prove to be this team’s downfall though. The Diamondbacks may need to swing another trade to put them over the top.
- mbeezy89 (Astros): 19-11
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
The biggest threat to the Mariners in the AL appears to be coming from their own division. The Astros to this point have played more games than any other team, but they have been successful. The Astros have all the talent in the world, but they will have two things working against them going forward: a 1-3 record against the Mariners, and the likelihood of having to play a one-game playoff in the wildcard round to determine their fate.
- TrippOnDeeze (Pirates): 8-5
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
The Pirates currently find themselves third in the division, but do not let that fool you. This team is legit. The offense has not started clicking yet, but it should only be a matter of time before Andrew McCutchen and company get it going. The pitching has been lights out, posting a 1.37 ERA, which is third-best in the majors. The Pirates still have nine games remaining against the Cardinals, so that head-to-head matchup will prove pivotal in whether or not the Pirates can claim the NL Central title.
- daskins21 (Reds): 13-7
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
Had these rankings been done a couple weeks ago, the Reds probably would be #1. However, they have come crashing back to earth of late, losing six of their last 10 games, thanks in large part to four losses against the Cardinals. The pitching remains solid, but the offense has struggled to muster up much of anything lately. It appears to be a three-team race in the NL Central, but the Reds might not have enough talent to win this division.
- fabiorulezd00d (Mets): 8-6
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
Despite making a very questionable trade earlier in the season, which sent Jacob deGrom to the Astros, the Mets remain very much alive in the playoff picture. This team isn’t great in any one aspect, but the talent is there on paper. A division title could be a lost cause, but five more games remain against the Phillies. Still, it looks like the treacherous one-game wildcard against an NL Central team is the more likely scenario, so a return to the World Series will be difficult.
- jaynastyy10 (Red Sox): 8-3
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
Despite an 8-3 record, the Red Sox are not among the elite teams in the league just yet, even with the addition of reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper to the squad. The pitching has been great, but the offense, even with Harper, has been downright dreadful. This team has all the talent in the world offensively, but they have only been able to muster a .167 batting average and have generated just 29 runs in 11 games. Hanging onto the lead in the AL East could be tough with those numbers.
- Jae-Gee (Yankees): 8-6
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
The Yankees are the other team squarely in the mix in the AL East. Much like that other team in New York, the Yankees are not great in any one aspect, but they find a way to win games. Five more games loom against the rival Red Sox, and each one of them will be huge. The Yankees will want to avoid the wildcard round at all costs, so a second half run will be crucial to this team’s chances of making noise in the postseason.
- MarryDaWanna (White Sox): 8-11
Image courtesy of sportslogos.net
In all honesty, there are really only nine legitimate contenders at this stage in the season. The drop-off between #9 and #10 is significant. The White Sox find themselves on this list by default, mainly because they are currently leading the AL Central, which is by far the worst division in the league, despite being three games under .500. For that reason and that reason alone, the White Sox slide in here at #10.
