| RANK | TEAM | CHANGE | SCHEDULE | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
— 0 |
@ DET |
Losing Jason Heyward makes them a little less interesting, but it helps that he was playing poorly. Even with that, Atlanta has some fantastic match-ups this week. |
| 2 |
 |
 +4 |
vs. CIN @ ATL |
Gonzalez, Espinosa and Span might all be emerging from their slumps at the same time plus we get a few week of prospect porn with the promotion of Anthony Rendon. Bonus points for their top-notch match-ups this week. |
| 3 |
 |
 -1 |
vs. HOU @ TOR |
Big Papi's "colorful" pre-game speeches are worth the price of admission alone. |
| 4 |
 |
+9 |
@ MIN vs. CWS |
Thanks to one of the greatest GIFs of all time, we are reminded of how much fun a Yu Darvish start can be. |
| 5 |
 |
-1 |
vs. ATL vs. MIN |
Come for the fantastic starting pitching and offense, stay for the sideshow that is the Tigers bullpen, now with more Papa Grande! |
| 6 |
 |
-3 |
@ WAS @ STL |
There is so much to like here, but this whole "Zack Cozart batting second" thing is so irritating that it cancels it all out. |
| 7 |
 |
+1 |
vs. PIT vs. CIN |
Edward Mujica has temporarily saved the St. Louis bullpen from their meltdown potential. |
| 8 |
 |
-3 |
vs. BAL vs. LAA |
It turns out their new juggernaut offense isn't quite so awesome when they are playing someone other than the Astros. |
| 9 |
 |
-2 |
vs. CLE vs. TB |
To prove to Evan Longoria that he is no longer affected by the old losing culture of the Devil Rays, James Shields should take a page out of the new winning culture of the Rays and bring a rare bird to the mound with him for his start this week. Might I recommend a North Island Brown Kiwi? |
| 10 |
 |
+2 |
@ SD @ ARI |
Sure, it cam against the Padres, but even a hint that Tim Lincecum might be returning to form is all we need. |
| 11 |
 |
— 0 |
vs. COL vs. SF |
Maybe we should all shut up and watch Didi Gregorius before we keep disparaging Kevin Towers for that trade. |
| 12 |
 |
-5 |
@ OAK @ SEA |
Wait, what? The O's can lose in extra innings now? Screw that. |
| 13 |
 |
+16 |
@ LAD vs. PIT |
All of the sudden the Brewers are over .500 and one of the hottest teams in the league. |
| 14 |
 |
+2 |
@ NYY vs. BOS |
At a minimum you have to tune in to see how the Toronto fans greet former manager John Farrell. You might not want to have the kids in the room for that. |
| 15 |
 |
-1 |
@ NYM @ CLE |
Rot for for choice this weekend, which is Ryan Howard-ese for Chooch Ruiz returns this weekend. |
| 16 |
 |
– |
vs. PHI @ MIA |
Tune in this weekend for the return of Shaun Marcum! It might be your only chance to see him before goes on the DL again. |
| 17 |
 |
-7 |
vs. LAA vs. BAL |
The Mariners recently "boasted" a starting outfield of Jason Bay, Endy Chavez and Carlos Peguero. So, yeah. |
| 18 |
 |
+2 |
vs. TOR vs. HOU |
The demise of Ichiro is getting pretty depressing, almost as depressing as watching Lyle Overbay play everyday. |
| 19 |
 |
-2 |
vs. MIL vs. COL |
Apparently $230+ million doesn't buy you a rotation with anyone worth watching after Clayton Kershaw. At least Matt Kemp finally homered. |
| 20 |
 |
+5 |
@ CWS @ KC |
Are you not excited for Big Game James facing his former team for the first time? Oh, you're not? How about Wade Davis? Yeah, that's understandable. |
| 21 |
 |
-3 |
@ ARI @ LAD |
That game with snow-covered trees was a nice novelty, but it wears off quickly after having to watch Jon Garland and Jeff Francis pitch. |
| 22 |
 |
-3 |
vs. SF @ CHC |
Chase Headley is back but it isn't really helping but at least Andrew Cashner is getting a look in the rotation. |
| 23 |
 |
+3 |
@ STL @ MIL |
Thanks to their overachieving pitching staff and underachieving lineup, you are almost guaranteed a close game. Only five of their games this year have been been decided by more than three runs. |
| 24 |
 |
-3 |
vs. TB @ TEX |
Hawk Harrelson might give this team The Will To Win but that doesn't give us The Will To Watch them. |
| 25 |
 |
+3 |
@ SEA @ OAK |
Their offense is coming around, but it is hard to get too excited to watch a team that is literally using a pitcher that was 20th on their depth chart on Opening Day. |
| 26 |
 |
-2 |
@ BOS @ NYY |
The thing about the Astros is that they are bad, but not comically bad, which is no fun for anyone. |
| 27 |
 |
–4 |
@ MIA vs. SD |
This might be the most unwatchable week worth of matchups for a team we will see all year. |
| 28 |
 |
-6 |
@ KC vs. PHI |
Why is the Cleveland Indians rotation? |
| 29 |
 |
-2 |
vs. TEX @ DET |
Joe Mauer continues to be amazing, but he is also the only player on the team with over 31 at-bats that has an average over. 238. |
| 30 |
 |
— 0 |
vs. CHC |
The only compelling reason to watch the Marlins is that they might be the first team to start a bloody coup against ownership in the middle of a game. |
