Wartezimmer » into productive middle-of-the-order power hitter Matt Kemp

The Chicago Cubs?check in at No. 1 for the second straight week, potentially starting a new streak on top of the rankings. The Washington Nationals remain a strong No. 2, keeping the NL theme alive at the top. The Cleveland Indians check in as the top AL team at No. 3, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays at No. 4, their highest spot all season. Theyve been as high as No. 6 three different times.With Andrew Miller headed to Cleveland, can the Indians make a run at the Cubs and Nats for the top spots?The Boston Red Sox were one of the big fallers this week, dropping from No. 5 all the way to bottom of the top 10 after a disappointing 2-5 week that included a sweep at home by the Detroit Tigers. The week did end on a high note with a ninth-inning rally to salvage a split against the Los Angeles Angels. Can Boston use that momentum to jump back into the top five?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 16 |?Week 15 |?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. Chicago CubsRecord: 63-41 Week 16 ranking: No. 1The Cubs have yet to lose a series since the All-Star break, going 10-6 in that span. With Aroldis Chapman at the back of the bullpen, ?Chicago looks like its the team to beat again.?--?Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers2. Washington NationalsRecord: 61-44 Week 16 ranking: No. 2New closer Mark Melancon, acquired from the Pirates, will displace the struggling Jonathan Papelbon. Among relievers with 15 saves, Papelbon ranked 23rd of 24 in batting average allowed, 22nd in wOBA and 18th in K rate. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot3. Cleveland IndiansRecord: 60-42 Week 16 ranking: No. 4Although the Indians potential deal for?Jonathan Lucroy fell through, it was a good weekend for the Tribe. They acquired Andrew Miller to shore up the bullpen and swept the Oakland As. The Indians are now 53-0 when they enter the ninth inning with a lead. --?Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), Its Pronounced Lajaway4. Toronto Blue JaysRecord: 59-46 Week 16 ranking: No. 7Troy Tulowitzki suffered a small chip fracture in his thumb when hit by a pitch on Sunday, but its not clear whether hell need a stint on the disabled list. The Jays will evaluate him on Monday and see whether he can grip a bat. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot5. San Francisco GiantsRecord: 61-44 Week 16 ranking: No. 3The Giants snagged Eduardo Nunez to help cover for injuries in the infield. Still leading the NL West despite a July record below .500, the Giants have Joe Panik back on the roster and could have Matt Duffy back this week. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona6. Texas RangersRecord: 62-44 Week 16 ranking: No. 8The Rangers have found themselves on a roll again. After a four-game sweep of the defending-champion Royals at home this past weekend, the Rangers are six games up on the Astros in the AL West and will look to solidify their position before Mondays trade deadline. --?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away7. Los Angeles DodgersRecord: 59-46 Week 16 ranking: No. 9Corey Seagers home run Sunday was his first since the All-Star break, but hes hitting .396/.418/.604 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in those 11 games with eight doubles and just four strikeouts. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot8. St. Louis CardinalsRecord: 56-49 Week 16 ranking: No. 11It was a scary moment for the Cardinals on Sunday when rookie shortstop?Aledmys Diaz got hit on his right hand (the throwing one) by an Andrew Cashner pitch. It doesnt look like hell miss too much time, which is big for the Cardinals, who trail the Marlins for the second wild-card spot in the NL after dropping the final two games of their weekend series against Miami.? -- ESPN.com9. Baltimore OriolesRecord: 59-45 Week 16 ranking: No. 6The Orioles have been a team of streaks lately. Before an extra-inning win on Sunday to escape Toronto with a slim first-place lead, the Os had the following stretch: won four, lost four, won five, lost five. Baltimores offense was surprisingly bad in July (13th in runs scored with 89), but perhaps Adam Jones much-needed three-run blast in the 12th inning Sunday will jump-start a struggling lineup. --?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot10. Boston Red SoxRecord: 57-46 Week 16 ranking: No. 5Drew Pomeranz relied on his curveball during his strong second start for the Red Sox last week (6 IP, 2 ER, 7 K) but still threw 22 pitches at 90 mph or faster. In an underwhelming performance Saturday, Pomeranz threw just 11 pitches 90 mph or faster, yielding five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona11. Houston AstrosRecord: 55-49 Week 16 ranking: No. 10A brutal weekend sweep in Detroit: Pitchers?Collin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel both got pounded, and Saturdays loss came after they Astros took the lead in the top of ninth. Fun stat: Jose Altuve is hitting .417 on the road. Since World War II, only Stan Musial in 1948 and Ichiro Suzuki in 2004 have hit .400 on the road for the season (250 PAs). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot12. Detroit TigersRecord: 57-48 Week 16 ranking: No. 15Finally, the Tigers got hot! They have a six-game win streak after sweeps of the Astros and Red Sox. That pushes them all the way up to ... one game out of the second wild-card spot and 4? games out in the AL Central. The playoff picture and whether the Tigers should buy or sell at the deadline wouldve been much clearer if those wins had come against their AL Central opponents earlier this month. --?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers13. Miami MarlinsRecord: 57-48 Week 16 ranking: No. 12The Marlins acquired Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea from the Padres but received bad news when Rea left his first start and was placed on the DL with an elbow sprain. Cashners debut went better, as he allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot14. New York MetsRecord: 54-50 Week 16 ranking: No. 13After going 15-7 in April, the Mets had losing records in May and June and finished July at .500. Neil Walker has a five-game hitting streak and is 12-for-19 (.631) with five RBIs in those ballgames. --?Joe Janish (@metstoday),?MetsToday.com15. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord: 52-51 Week 16 ranking: No. 16Mark Melancon had a fantastic 3?-year run with the Pirates: an incredible 1.80 ERA over an even more incredible 260 1/3 innings. His replacement as the Pittsburgh closer, however, is hardly a step down; Tony Watson has thrown 268 2/3 innings of 2.24 ERA ball during the same span. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona16. Seattle MarinersRecord: 52-51 Week 16 ranking: No. 14After an amazing .333/.383/.609 July, Kyle Seager is in the midst of a career year. Now in his fifth full season in the majors, Seager has never finished with a slugging percentage above .454 -- but with two-thirds of 2016 in the books, Seagers SLG is .522. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona17. Colorado RockiesRecord: 52-53 Week 16 ranking: No. 20The Rockies reached .500 on Saturday (and then dropped back under Sunday), the latest in a season theyve done so since 2010. As Charlie Blackmon deadpanned, Congratulations, were average. Both he and Rockies fans are glad the team got there, but they want more. --?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers18. New York YankeesRecord: 52-52 Week 16 ranking: No. 17Sell mode engaged. With the team dropping three to the lowly Rays this past weekend and ownership finally coming to its senses, the 2016 endgame that many Yankees fans have been waiting for took off for real Sunday in the form of the Andrew Miller trade. Now well see what other moves the Yankees can/will make to start building for the future as they continue to hover aimlessly around .500. -- Brad Vietrogoski,?Its About the Money19. Chicago White SoxRecord: 51-54 Week 16 ranking: No. 19The White Sox have been poised to turn this seasons trade deadline on its ear, with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana arguably the two best pitchers available. They moved Zach Duke for interesting center-field prospect Charlie Tilson but have waited until the final hours before the deadline to see whether they can drive up their starters prices. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona20. Kansas City RoyalsRecord: 49-55 Week 16 ranking: No. 18Goodbye, 2016. The Rangers swept the Royals in a four-game series as the Royals dropped to 49-55. Wade Davis landed on the DL, Kendrys Morales may be traded, and theyd love to find a taker for Ian Kennedy (good luck). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot21. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 47-58 Week 16 ranking: No. 21While Huston Street had an epic ninth-inning meltdown on Sunday, the good news was Tyler Skaggs delivered his second scoreless outing of the week in his return from Tommy John surgery. In 12 1/3 innings, he allowed seven hits and just three walks with 13 strikeouts. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot22. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 47-58 Week 16 ranking: No. 22Sonny Grays troubles continue, as hes allowed seven runs in three of his past six starts, his ERA ballooning to 5.84. He leads the majors with 15 wild pitches and has the fourth-worst slugging percentage allowed among qualified starters. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot23. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord: 48-59 Week 16 ranking: No. 25The Phillies have lost four series and split one since the All-Star break, with the split coming in their most recent series against the MLB-worst Braves. This should make them sellers at the trade deadline, but they havent sold anything yet. --?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers24. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 47-56 Week 16 ranking:?No. 24Amid all of the Jonathan Lucroy trade drama, the Brewers have not missed much of a beat on the field. They have gone 7-3 during their homestand, taking series from both Arizona and Pittsburgh. -- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker25. San Diego PadresRecord: 45-60 Week 16 ranking: No. 23With Matt Kemp joining Melvin Upton Jr. on the departed list, the Padres likely will eventually call up Hunter Renfroe and/or Manuel Margot and give them some playing time down the stretch. Both outfielders are hitting over .300 in Triple-A. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot26. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 43-62 Week 16 ranking: No. 26By trading Tyler Clippard to the Yankees, the D-backs moved one of their most productive pitchers this season. With Josh Collmenter designated for assignment and Brad Ziegler shipped to the Red Sox earlier in July, Arizona is fresh out of relievers with track records of success. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona27. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 42-61 Week 16 ranking: No. 27This past week was a reminder of what has been and what could have been for the Rays. They dropped four consecutive one-run contests out West and maintain the leagues worst record in such games. The losses and wins of late have both involved great efforts by the rotation, as the 2.36 ERA by the starters since the All-Star break leads all of baseball. --?Jason Collette (@jasoncollette), The Process Report28. Cincinnati RedsRecord: 42-62 Week 16 ranking: No. 29The resurgent Reds have won all five of their series since the All-Star break and enjoyed their first winning month in more than two full seasons. Behind the improved play is the unstoppable Joey Votto, who just became one of only 11 players in the past century to post a .550-plus OBP in July. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation29. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 40-64 Week 16 ranking: No. 28The Twins have played 104 games. In the first 52, they went 15-37. In the second 52, they went 25-27. Theyve been playing decent ball for two months, but by the time they turned things around, it was too late to matter. -- Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN), Twins Daily30. Atlanta BravesRecord: 37-68 Week 16 ranking:?No. 30The Braves spun two pitchers they got off the waiver wire in May into highly-thought-of prospect Travis Demeritte in a trade with Texas. They turned on- and off-the-field disaster Hector Olivera into productive middle-of-the-order power hitter Matt Kemp. Both trades used players who werent part of the future to greatly further the Braves rebuilding effort. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County Nike Free Shoes On Sale . 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Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Nike Free Outlet Uk . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. The International Olympic Committees compromise on Russian eligibility in the upcoming Rio Games, announced Sunday, is guaranteed to satisfy the fewest number of people. It punts responsibility to each sports international federation on an absurdly compressed timetable, further complicating a Summer Olympics already beset with problems.With the torch lighting in 11 days, here are some takeaways from the ruling:The IOCs decision underscores how badly broken global anti-doping and sports governance are, on the eve of its showcase event. Sixteen years worth of attempts to harmonize global anti-doping rules have brought us to this juncture, and many have lost faith in the system. Individual athletes can be suspended for small amounts of pain or cold medications and inadvertent use of tainted supplements, but higher up the food chain, when it comes to federations and nations, the standard of strict liability doesnt apply.The rationale for the IOCs decision was individual athletes rights versus considerable evidence of systemic corruption in Russias sports establishment, and government involvement in that establishment. But the IOC then pivoted and said any Russian athlete with a prior doping offense cannot compete even if his or her ban was served. This rights issue has been arbitrated before and wont stand up if legally challenged.A wider investigation into Russian sport should have been triggered no later than January 2016, when Part II of the World Anti-Doping Agencys independent commission report was released. There was plenty of smoke at that point and athlete representatives called for it. Insttead, WADA did not act until May, pushing its newest report to mid-July.dddddddddddd Now, each individual international federation will cull through each Russian athlete using criteria that are not well defined, and apt to be unevenly applied. Many, if not all, of them are vulnerable to same overlapping interests as the IOC and WADA. So far, federations have rubber-stamped the Russian Olympic Committees nominations. What federation is going to buck Russia when the IOC wouldnt?Expect bureaucratic confusion and legal/arbitration challenges right up to the Opening Ceremony on Aug. 5 in Rio. The Parade of Nations will be suspenseful as we await the letter R.Fairly or not, any event where a Russian athlete competes or medals in Rio will be dominated by this conversation. This, in turn, obscures the fact that doping is hardly just a Russian problem.Whistleblower Yulia Stepanova was denied the chance to compete as a neutral athlete in Rio, condescendingly referred to as an athlete who doesnt meet ethical criteria in the IOCs ruling. Stepanova had to flee Russia in fear after helping expose corruption. Track and fields world governing body (the IAAF) and WADA both supported her bid to compete under a neutral flag. The IOC hid behind the rationale that athletes must compete under a national flag, when in fact the IOC has allowed athletes to compete under the Olympic flag in past Games, and authorized a refugee team for Rio. Not a great message to whistleblowers going forward. ' ' '