This will be the final edition of the MLB Watchability Rankings for the first half of the season…due to the All-Star Break next week, we're going to take next week off, and this will serve as your rankings for the next two weeks. That's why each team has three series listed as opposed to the usual two.
| RANK | TEAM | CHANGE | SCHEDULE | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
 +5 |
@ CHC vs SD vs PHI |
The Cardinals' +124 run differential was bested by just two teams in 2012. That's over the entire season, not just the first half. |
| 2 |
 |
+3 |
vs BOS @ LAA @ HOU |
Since losing three straight series in June, the A's are 10-4. That'll do. |
| 3 |
 |
 -1 |
@ DET vs BAL vs NYY |
Winning the division is even more imperative for the Rangers thanks to the Rays' hot streak pushing them right behind Texas for the AL's top wild card slot. |
| 4 |
 |
-3 |
vs NYM @ CIN @ WAS |
Three straight series losses has dimmed some of the optimism in Pittsburgh, but over those nine games, their run differential has been even. |
| 5 |
 |
+2 |
@ OAK vs NYY vs TB |
If the Red Sox played just .500 ball over the last two weeks, they might not be in first place in the division right now. However, they've been better than that, and hold the best record in the American League. |
| 6 |
 |
-3 |
vs TEX @ KC @ CHW |
The Tigers beat the crap out of the Indians in Cleveland this week, and then turned around and lost a series AT HOME to the White Sox. I don't even know anymore. |
| 7 |
 |
-3 |
vs TOR @ TEX @ KC |
Baltimore has fallen out of the playoff picture thanks to a 3-4 week and a red hot run from the Rays. The Orioles' torrential offensive output has gone dry lately. |
| 8 |
 |
+3 |
vs COL @ WAS @ TOR |
The turnaround of the Dodgers over the last six weeks has been positively stunning. They could be in first place at the All-Star Break. |
| 9 |
 |
+1 |
vs CIN @ CHW @ NYM |
The Braves continue to hum along at the top of the NL East standings. Just as their offense was starting to heat up, Jason Heyward hurt his hamstring last night. Oh bother. |
| 10 |
 |
+9 |
vs HOU @ TOR @ BOS |
10-1 in July, and 15-3 since dropping to 38-37 last month. Never count out Joe Maddon's bunch. |
| 11 |
 |
-3 |
@ ATL vs PIT @ SF |
Losing back to back series against two of the worst teams in baseball? That's a paddlin'. |
| 12 |
 |
-3 |
vs KC @ MIN @ SEA |
Danny Salazar might be Cleveland's best or second-best starter by the end of the season. Not sure what that says about him and the team, but… |
| 13 |
 |
— 0 |
@ SEA vs OAK vs MIN |
A sweep in Seattle, and the Angels will head into the All-Star Break above .500…and the playoff race will still seem miles away. |
| 14 |
 |
— 0 |
@ PIT vs PHI vs ATL |
New York has put together a 5-1 road trip heading into their hosting of the All-Star Game at Citi Field next week, and they have a better record than the Giants. This is stunning. |
| 15 |
 |
-3 |
vs MIL @ SF vs CHC |
With the way the Dodgers are playing, .500 ball won't cut it for the Diamondbacks anymore. |
| 16 |
 |
+1 |
vs MIN @ BOS @ TEX |
JETES IS BACK! And he's hurt again. Oh. |
| 17 |
 |
-2 |
@ MIA vs LAD vs PIT |
After cutting Atlanta's lead in the NL East to four games, the Nats lost three out of four in Philly. This is the kind of crap that drives baseball fans crazy. |
| 18 |
 |
— 0 |
@ CLE vs DET vs BAL |
The Royals can still get to .500 by the All-Star Break, but they'll need players other than Eric Hosmer to step up. |
| 19 |
 |
-3 |
@ BAL vs TB vs LAD |
The Jays are now 6-11 after that 11 game winning streak. The success was fleeting, I guess. |
| 20 |
 |
+1 |
vs STL @ COL @ AZ |
Look at the Cubs, showing a little bit of a pulse…until Theo and Jed really start unloading the stars, that is. |
| 21 |
 |
+4 |
vs CHW @ NYM @ STL |
Philly's recent tear has given the team hope for 2013, but I still think there are too many holes that need to be patch. |
| 22 |
 |
+2 |
@ LAD vs CHC vs MIA |
Five games under, 4.5 games out. At least Tulo's back! |
| 23 |
 |
-3 |
vs WAS |
60 losses before the All-Star Break wouldn't be a good look, but Miami is a sweep away from hitting that benchmark. |
| 24 |
 |
+4 |
@ TB vs SEA vs OAK |
Jarred Cosart makes his major league debut tonight against the Rays. Hey look, something to care about! |
| 25 |
 |
-3 |
@ SD vs AZ vs CIN |
3-14 over their last 17 games. The sad part is that we can't count the defending champs out of the NL West race quite yet. |
| 26 |
 |
— 0 |
@ AZ vs MIA vs SD |
Considering the firestorm around Ryan Braun, the awful starting pitching, the never ending parade of injuries…Milwaukee isn't doing so bad. |
| 27 |
 |
-4 |
vs SF @ STL @ MIL |
They've somehow one-upped the Giants by going 3-16 over their last 19 games. Unlike San Francisco, I think we *can* count out the Padres. |
| 28 |
 |
+2 |
@ PHI vs ATL vs DET |
I rag on the White Sox a lot, but good for them for taking series with the Orioles and Tigers around a sweep by the Rays. |
| 29 |
 |
— 0 |
vs LAA |
Joe Saunders makes his return to Anaheim and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
| 30 |
 |
-3 |
@ NYY vs CLE @ LAA |
1-10 in June. The pathetic White Sox have nearly overtaken Minnesota for fourth in the AL Central. But here, they have the basement all to themselves. |
