Bewerbungen » Essendon at Etihad Stadium.The Lion

Another week, another No. 1 spot for the Chicago ... wait, no, scratch that.Another week, another No. 1 spot for the San Francisco Giants. Yes, thats better.One week after unseating the Cubs atop our MLB rankings -- the first time all season Chicago failed to win our poll -- the Giants, aided a bit by the All-Star break, have now held the lead for a fortnight. (After all, its an even year, right?)The rest of the top five remained the same, save for one change: after the Washington Nationals at No. 2, the Cubs at No. 3 and the Cleveland Indians at No. 4, the Boston Red Sox leapt from No. 9 to grab the No. 5 spot from the Texas Rangers.This weeks voters are Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider, Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, David Schoenfield of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Most of the team comments come courtesy of the SweetSpot Blog Network.Past rankings: Week 14 |?Week 13 |?Week 12 |?Week 11 |?Week 10 | ?Week 9 |?Week 8 |?Week 7 |?Week 6 |?Week 5 |?Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason1. San Francisco GiantsRecord:?57-36 Week 14 ranking: No. 1The Giants returned from the All-Star break by losing a three-game set against the Padres, including a walk-off balk by closer Santiago Casilla on Saturday. San Francisco travels east to face the Red Sox and Yankees this week in what will be a challenging test for the NL West leaders. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona2. Washington NationalsRecord: 56-37 Week 14 ranking: No. 2After Sundays pinch-hit home run, Daniel Murphy is hitting .350 with 18 home runs and a .608 slugging percentage. The only second baseman to hit .350 and slug .600 with at least 20 home runs is Rogers Hornsby (who did it six times!). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot3. Chicago CubsRecord:?55-36 Week 14 ranking: No. 3The Cubs begin the second half with a stretch of games that allows them to not have to board a plane until their Aug. 5 trip to Oakland. --?Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers4. Cleveland IndiansRecord:?54-37 Week 14 ranking: No. 4Even though the Indians attempted to appeal to the baseball gods in regard to the struggles and bad luck of Yan Gomes, it doesnt appear to have worked. After hitting .165/.198/.313 this season, Gomes sustained what appeared to be a serious injury in Sunday afternoons game. Maybe they shouldve gotten the live chicken. --?Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), Its Pronounced Lajaway5. Boston Red SoxRecord: 51-39 Week 14 ranking: No. 9After adding the underrated Brad Ziegler as a rental before the break, the Red Sox picked up Drew Pomeranz, who translated some relief success with the Athletics to a breakout in the Padres rotation. The team paid a high price for Pomeranz, who has thrown 102 innings this season, 35.1 short of his career high as a professional. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona6. Baltimore OriolesRecord:?53-37 Week 14 ranking: No. 7Is Dylan Bundy going to stay in the Orioles rotation? Buck Showalter made the somewhat surprising decision to give Bundy a start, but what happens now? Bundy cant handle a full starters workload, and the Os may need another starting pitcher anyway even if Bundy sticks. --?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot7. Texas RangersRecord:?55-38 Week 14 ranking: No. 5The Rangers, once with the best record in the American League, will need to pick things up if they want to do more than compete for a wild-card spot come October. How bad has it been? Since July 1, the pitching staff had put up an ERA of 7.43 heading into Sunday. --?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away8. Los Angeles DodgersRecord:?52-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 8Clayton Kershaws back passed another test Saturday with a 60-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium, and he is potentially lined up to pitch Thursday night for the Dodgers in Washington. Meanwhile, Los Angeles was among the clubs scouting the Friday night start of Tampa Bays Chris Archer. Archer was acquired by current Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in 2011 when he ran the Rays. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit9. Toronto Blue JaysRecord:?52-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 6The decision to sign first baseman Justin Smoak to a two-year extension does not mean Toronto has have given up on the possibility of bringing back Edwin Encarnacion this offseason. Toronto has eight players who are eligible for free agency at the end of the season: Jose Bautista, Michael Saunders, R.A. Dickey, Drew Storen, Jesse Chavez, Brett Cecil, Gavin Floyd and Encarnacion. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit10. Houston AstrosRecord: 50-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 10The signing of Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel to a five-year contract seemingly creates a logjam at third base, with top prospect Alex Bregman nearly ready as well. Luis Valbuena can slide over to first base and maybe Gurriel DHs, considering Evan Gattis has been terrible (.279 OBP). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot11. New York MetsRecord: 49-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 11The Mets lead the majors with a 3.46 ERA on the road, but their record away from home is only 23-22. David Wright, who last played on May 27, leads the team in stolen bases with three.?--?Joe Janish (@metstoday),?MetsToday.com12. St. Louis CardinalsRecord:?47-44 Week 14 ranking: No. 13Maybe its time to bench Jhonny Peralta and see what Greg Garcia can do playing every day. Peralta is hitting .221/.258/.416 in 120 plate appearances while Garcia is hitting .333 in 75 at-bats, but with 16 walks for a .462 OBP. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot13. Miami MarlinsRecord: 49-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 14Miami, fully in the race for a wild-card berth, is looking to upgrade its rotation in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but the club remains resistant to dealing players off its active roster. The Marlins have been linked to starters such as?Rich Hill of the As, and Michael Pineda?and?Nathan Eovaldi of the Yankees, if New York decides to become a seller. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit14. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord:?47-45 Week 14 ranking: No. 12Were seeing the future of the Pirates, who are in the thick of the wild-card race: Tyler Glasnow held his own in a cameo before the break, Jameson Taillon is due back Tuesday, and Chad Kuhl is getting a chance to show his excellent minor league numbers were not a fluke. Josh Bell collected two walks, a single and a home run in his first four MLB plate appearances before being sent down to shake off some fielding rust in the outfield. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona15. Detroit TigersRecord: 48-44 Week 14 ranking: No. 15Over the past few years, people were wondering if Justin Verlander was done. Though the 3.91 ERA doesnt scream elite, the fact that hes tied for second in the league in quality starts with 13 for a team that desperately needs consistency in its rotation suggests the Tigers are glad he still has some gas in the tank.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers16. Kansas City RoyalsRecord:?46-45 Week 14 ranking: No. 16Theyll certainly be looking for starting pitching at just a game over .500, but maybe they can take solace that back in 2014 they were 47-44 at this point, and actually fell to 48-50 before heating up in late July. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot17. Seattle MarinersRecord: 46-46 Week 14 ranking: No. 18Seattle sits sixth in the AL in runs scored, but 10th in runs allowed. Pitching has been the issue for the Ms, who got a stellar seven-inning, eight-strikeout performance from Hisashi Iwakuma in shutting out the Astros on Saturday. Felix Hernandez will return Wednesday against the White Sox after a lengthy DL stint -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona18. Chicago White SoxRecord:?45-46 Week 14 ranking: No. 17On the road to start baseballs second half, the White Sox were blanked in back-to-back contests against the Angels. They wasted an excellent start Saturday by James Shields, who pitched eight innings of two-hit ball but couldnt find any run support in the loss. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona19. New York YankeesRecord: 45-46 Week 14 ranking: No. 19Taking three of four from the Indians before the All-Star break helped keep the Yankees feeble playoff hopes alive. If losing two of three at home to the Red Sox out of the break didnt completely snuff them out, it should have been enough to convince the entire front office that the time to sell is now. The next few weeks might be the most interesting ones in the entire 2016 Yankees season. --?Stacey Gotsulias (@StaceGots),?Its About the Money20. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord:?43-50 Week 14 ranking: No. 21In terms of the flashy stats, Jeanmar Gomez is in the middle of a career year with 25 saves and a career-low 2.53 ERA. In terms of the underlying metrics, he has been extremely lucky on base hits finding Phillies gloves, posting a .253 BABIP vs. a career rate of .296. In terms of the trade deadline, hes a sell-high candidate?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers21. Colorado RockiesRecord:?42-49 Week 14 ranking: No. 20If were going to discount Rockies hitters, then perhaps we should give extra credit to Jon Gray, who has become the ace of the Colorado Rockies staff. He has given the Rockies length, going at least six innings in eight of his past 10 starts and hasnt allowed more than four runs since May 19. Rate-stat wise, his 1.17 WHIP is stellar, and hes striking out more than a batter per inning (9.73 K/9)--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers22. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 40-52 Week 14 ranking: No. 25The As reportedly wanted Anderson Espinoza for Rich Hill, with the Red Sox instead dealing for Padres lefty Drew Pomeranz. Hill didnt help his trade value by leaving his start Sunday after five pitches with a blister issue. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot23. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 40-52 Week 14 ranking: No. 23Matt Shoemaker continued his resurgence with a 13-strikeout shutout and has a 2.36 ERA over his past 11 starts. What if the Angels put him on the trade block? -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot24. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 39-51 Week 14 ranking: No. 24Jimmy Nelson began the second half of the season on a high note, tossing seven scoreless innings against Cincinnati on Saturday night. It was his first time reaching the seventh inning since May 29. -- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker25. San Diego PadresRecord: 41-51 Week 14 ranking: No. 22Teenage pitching phenoms carry a ton of risk, but the recently acquired Anderson Espinoza is one to dream on. Because of Espinozas small stature (6-foot, 160 pounds), big stuff and solid command, he draws some comparisons to Pedro Martinez. The resurgence of Melvin Upton Jr. (.262/.311/.454) is making him a trade candidate. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit26. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 40-53 Week 14 ranking: No. 26On Saturday, Jake Lamb doubled off Kenley Jansen in the ninth to tie the score and tripled in the 12th before scoring as the games walk-off run. Lambs 0.78 win probability added performance in that game left him with 4.17 WPA for the season, making him first in all of MLB. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona27. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 35-56 Week 14 ranking: No. 27Give kudos to Kevin Cash for keeping the Rays players together during this stretch of three wins in 27 games. You watch from afar with expectations of an outburst or player dissension, but so far the band plays on. Poorly. The only question remaining is who will be left on Aug. 2. --?Jason Hanselman (@sandykazmir), The Process Report28. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 33-58 Week 14 ranking: No. 28With the trade deadline two weeks away, the last-place Twins are in seller mode. Their lone All-Star rep, Eduardo Nunez, is one candidate to help a contender. Other chips include catcher Kurt Suzuki and starter Ervin Santana. Terry Ryan has indicated that he will be open to listening to any offer. -- Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN), Twins Daily29. Cincinnati RedsRecord:?34-58 Week 14 ranking: No. 29Since May 30, Joey Votto is hitting .328/.462/.560. Despite a slow start this season, Votto has actually posted the highest OPS (.978) of any National League player since the 2015 All-Star break. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation30. Atlanta BravesRecord: 32-60 Week 14 ranking:?No. 30The Braves spent more money than any other team in the 2016 draft, at just over $15.5 million. They maximized their pool allowance and stayed under the threshold by just $5. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County Carnell Lake Womens Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Alejandro Villanueva Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Louis-Lipps-Jersey/ . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Dermontti Dawson Womens Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Rod Woodson Youth Jersey . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Veteran Brisbane Lions defender Daniel Merrett says he can understand why supporters of the embattled AFL club are staying away in droves.Just 10,195 people watched Brisbanes 79-point thumping against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, the clubs worst-ever crowd at the Gabba.While there were mitigating factors - such as rain and the low levels of support for the Giants in Brisbane - Merrett said players were getting the message.I suppose youre not going to watch your team get beaten every week, are you? Merrett told reporters on Wednesday.All we can do is stick together as a group, train hard and build for the future.If you get caught up in that you can let it affect you.The only way to raise those crowd numbers is by playing good footy.Merrett missed the Giants match due to illness, but is expected to return to the Lions side for Sundays likely wooden spoon playoff against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.The Lions say they wont sack coach Justin Leppitschh if they lose, but a 13th straight defeat, to the suspension-ravaged Bombers would seriously ramp up the pressure on him.ddddddddddddMerrett said Brisbane wont be handling the match any differently despite the stakes at hand.Its a way to build the game up this weekend, he said.(But) its no good putting extra emphasis on it.Well prepare the way we always prepare, well train well this week, stick together and be united.Merrett said he felt the scrutiny on Leppitsch, who is contracted to the end of 2017, was unfair.A lot of the performance comes down to the players, and as senior players, we take responsibility for that, he said.The best way the senior players can support our coach is by putting on a good performance this weekend.There is a lot of external noise, and thats all it is.Internally, were still tight, were united. 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