State rivals chase Giants in baseball rankings roundup
The Giants only managed a split with the lowly Braves and lost two of three to a Cardinals team barely in the upper echelon of the National League Central, but they easily continue to lead their four state rivals in this week’s baseball rankings roundup.
According to the four polls sampled here (ESPN, Bleacher Report, USA Today and SI.com) the Giants have an average ranking of 2.75. They topped out at second in ESPN and USA Today’s polls.
The Dodgers, trailing the Giants in the N.L. West by 3 1/2 games, are much further back here with an average 10.75 ranking. Their week, which included losing three of four to the unstoppable Cubs and a three-game sweep of a hapless Atlanta team.
The Angels (20.75), A’s (23.5) and Padres (26.75) continue to anchor the lower portion of all four polls. A silver lining for the Angels is their average increase of 2.75 was the most of any California team.
Sorting the data:
Giants
Average rank: 2.75
Average change: +.5
High/low: 2/4
From ESPN (No. 2): News of Hunter Pence’s torn hamstring is cause for dismay. The veteran outfielder will likely miss two months and Bruce Bochy will need to get creative in filling the hole left by Pence’s absence.
Dodgers
Average rank: 10.75
Average change: 0
High/low: 6/14
From USA Today (No. 12): Corey Seager batting .389 with five home runs and 8 RBI in June.
Angels
Average rank: 20.75
Average change: +2. 5
High/low: 19/22
From Bleacher Report (No. 21): There is so much money invested in the current roster that the Angels will make every effort to contend before considering the idea of selling, but with the consensus worst farm system in baseball they’d be wise to move what they can if things don’t improve.
A’s
Average rank: 23. 5
Average change: +1.75
High/low: 20/26
From ESPN (No 20): The A’s continue to be one of the more up-and-down teams in baseball. Over their last 11 games, they’ve lost three straight, won five straight and lost three straight. There was some good news over the weekend as Sonny Gray returned from the DL and pitched five strong innings (1 ER, 5 Ks) in the A’s loss to the Astros.
Padres
Average rank: 26.75
Average change: +.25
High/low: 26/27
From ESPN (No. 27): James Shields was finally dealt, but it seems quite unlikely that San Diego’s best starter, southpaw Drew Pomeranz, will be moved. As of Saturday, Pomeranz ranked eighth among qualified starters in both ERA (2.22) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.66), and he’s making a mere $1.35 million this season.
Compiled by Jeff Caraska
This story was originally published June 6, 2016 at 6:15 PM with the headline "State rivals chase Giants in baseball rankings roundup."