So whats the best team in the league?

[DoubleOffTheWall]

So our team has sucked horribly the last week and is trending downward with skaggs out and wilson wilting like a lil biznatch.

But can one clearly say there is a best team out there?

The As havent hit nearly as well since Cespedes left.

The tigers' lost sanchez and verlander is now injured and was sucking anyway.

Anyone really feeling the nats braves or anyone in the NL central? They all seem like pretenders.

I actually gotta go with the Dodgers and Orioles.

The dodgers pitching is lights out. Sorry, but kershaw ryu and grienke is just unfair.

The Os play hard. machado went down and his teammates just punished the yanks. They just play tough. They dont seem to slip up like our offrnse has been..

Edited August 12, 2014 by DoubleOffTheWall

[Docwaukee]

One of the main reasons why there is even any remote doubt about this team is because we are in second place.  It's a good team.  A playoff caliber team.  We can pick them apart all we want, but in reality, there really isn't anyone head a shoulders better.  

[fan_since79]

Our offense has been one of the worst in the majors since the ASB. That has got to change if we're thinking of going far in the playoffs. We don't have the starting pitching to dominate in the absence of an offense.

[arch stanton]

Better to have an offensive slump in early August that late October.

[Tyler]

As much as I hate to say it... gotta go with the Dodgers.

[Troll Daddy]

A's and Dodgers are still the best two teams.

[Waybackman]

The best team in MLB is the one that wins the World Series. It will probably be a surprise.

[Troll Daddy]

I would pick the A's to beat the Dodgers if they both ended up in the WS.

Edited August 12, 2014 by Troll Daddy

[Stradling]

Play well going into the playoffs. If we get hot at the end of September like we were at the beginning of July then we could easily be the best team in baseball.

[nando714]

Dodgers are the best right now Imo

Orioles a close 2nd

Edited August 12, 2014 by nando714

[sneaky_flute]

I'd say the A's simply due to their pitching staff. Both leagues are pretty mediocre so it's hard to label any of the teams "juggernauts." The Orioles have a comfortable lead in the AL East and there's nothing great about that team aside from a couple of bullpen arms. 

[DoubleOffTheWall]

I don't know how the dodgers can be beat in a 7 game series with that staff, and kershaw likely pitching 3 games. unless they have an offensive implosion, they are going to run through teams. 

 

The Orioles, no matter what you want to say about lack of names or pitching depth, keeps getting it done. 

[Troll Daddy]

KC and the Mariners have been both playing some good baseball lately.

[YouthofToday]

Holy overreaction to small sample sizes.

Edited August 12, 2014 by YouthofToday

[Mudville]

2/3rds of a season is not a small sample size.

[Angel Oracle]

A's

Raviners

O's

Halos  (23 game team hitting slump more than just a routine team hitting slump) 

Royals

M's

 

If the Royals end up in the post-season, their lights out late innings pen (Crow/Herrara/Davis/Holland) compares to pretty much any other.

Their rotation isn't chopped liver either (Shields, Ventura, Duffy, and Vargas all with sub 3.50 ERAs, and Guthrie not a bad 5th starter).

[YouthofToday]

The best team in MLB is the one that wins the World Series. It will probably be a surprise.

I actually strongly disagree with this. The English Premier League is a much better system to determine a league's best team. The small sample series in baseball do not necessarily create a result where the best team wins.

[Stradling]

I actually strongly disagree with this. The English Premier League is a much better system to determine a league's best team. The small sample series in baseball do not necessarily create a result where the best team wins.

Would you rather be the best team or the Champion?

[stormngt]

A's

Raviners

O's

Halos  (23 game team hitting slump more than just a routine team hitting slump) 

Royals

M's

 

If the Royals end up in the post-season, their lights out late innings pen (Crow/Herrara/Davis/Holland) compares to pretty much any other.

Their rotation isn't chopped liver either (Shields, Ventura, Duffy, and Vargas all with sub 3.50 ERAs, and Guthrie not a bad 5th starter).

Why did we give up on Vargas again?

[nando714]

Why did we give up on Vargas again?

Angels offered but less years than KC offered I believe. Also he wasn't given a QO.

[DoubleOffTheWall]

Our offense is struggling because we have only 1 elite hitter, surrounded by some average to above average guys. we can't lean on a core group of 3-4 hitters to consistently come through, with contributions from lesser hitters. 

 

we literally need 9 guys on the same page to have that blistering offense we showcased for several weeks. 

[The God of Runs]

The best team in the league are whoever the Halos are playing

[arch stanton]

Would you rather be the best team or the Champion?

Why not be both? For those of us who follow closely all season it's great to have a team that wins regularly and convincingly. I don't consider 2008 a failed season because they didn't win in the post season. I can't follow for 6 or 7 months then consider it a failure because they lost the last game they played.

 

On the flipside. post season is a bonus season where the big boys can go head-to-head although in baseball the change in pitching rotations makes it different from the regular season. Either way, the day after the WS ends is always an empty feeling knowing you have to wait for spring to watch baseball again.

[ksangel]

"The Orioles have a comfortable lead in the AL East and there's nothing great about that team aside from a couple of bullpen arms"

 

 

Jones & Machado are close to the best at their positions and Markakis, Hardy, Davis and Cruz are solid roll players.  Defensively they are very good too.  Their pitching is good also - not great - with Tillman, Chen and Gausman.  Jimenez seems to be getting better too as of late.  Britton is lights out as a closer and they have a solid bullpen.  So don't count the O's out. 

 

Dodgers have the best pitching and that will be tough to beat...I just don't like the character of their team to go all the way.  Too many individuals.

 

Angels will be there if they can find a replacement for Skaggs to go along with Richards and Weaver.  Can't count on Shoemaker or Santiago and especially not Wilson at this stage.  The offense will come back at some point.

 

Brewers are the dark horse - similar to the O's but better pitching - they can beat the Dodgers as they recently showed.

 

Royals are too young and their offense is questionable and beyond Shields their top three pitching is very, very young and not playoff tested.  Vargas is really struggling too.

 

Tigers need Verlander or Sanchez to come back...would hate to meet them in a one game playoff for sure.  They definitely have the offense to beat anyone.

 

Nationals are good too but a lot will depend if their pitching comes through.  Gio Gonzales and Strausburg have not been pitching well at all and they need those two to go along with Zimmerman to make a top three.  Bullpen is solid also.  Also need Ryan Zimmerman to return soon.

 

Cardinals and Pirates are ok - don't see either one making a run at it - especially St Louis without Yadier Molina and the Pirates without McCutchen.

 

A's definitely top of the heap for pitching but it will be interesting to watch over the next 50 games what losing Cespedes does to their offense. 

 

As witnessed by the 2002 Angels - great pitching doesn't always win so I don't see the A's and Dodgers as locks to be in the World Series.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 12, 2014 by ksangel

[Jimmag]

Why not a Freeway Series this is as good of a chance we have had in a long time for it to happen.

 

Angels in six. Book the parade