MLB Power Groupings: Introducing the Disaster Zone

Despite getting swept by Tampa, the Marlins have charged back into position to contend again, and I don't expect them to fall back. We all know the issues the Mets are having so that could even mean there is room to grow as far as the standings are concerned.

Finally we have the NL Central teams, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. I honestly have the worst time trying to figure these three out. Pittsburgh and Houston especially, because last week they were on the brink of disaster.

But now the Cubs record is just as bad the other two, yet they are just a few games out of first place.

These are things that just baffle me. We'll give these three the benefit of the doubt, but now that interleague play is over, it's up to St. Louis and Milwaukee to create some distance between them and the competition, or at least them and Pittsburgh.

 

I like the middle, where the center is warm.

Tampa Bay, Toronto, Seattle, Cincinnati, Colorado

Start sweating if you are a Toronto fan. Tampa Bay looks like they are getting things going, the Red Sox are using interleague as a bit of a spring board, and the Yankees are just sort of cruising at a good pace.

The Blue Jays, however, are doing none of that.

Seattle is just the little team that could. You have to love the fact that they are still hanging around here and hanging around so close.

Hey Colorado, slow down. Wow, did this team come out like fire since the Hurdle firing, or what?

 

In it to win it.

New York Yankees, Detroit, Texas, Milwaukee, San Francisco

As I pointed out earlier, the Tigers have really used interleague play as a weapon, especially gaining some distance ahead of the few bottom feeders. Texas, meanwhile, is the exact opposite of that.

They used interleague play to lose the division lead and now things are starting to look a little concerning.

Texas still has six more wins than losses, but splitting six games with two of the worst National League teams in San Diego and Arizona is just a missed opportunity.

 

Here we are, where we should be.

Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis, Los Angeles Dodgers

A warm welcome to the newest member of the group, the Los Angeles Angels!

It's about time the Angels joined everyone up at the top in the position we all thought they were good enough for. They've made the move that most thought they were capable of and not even at full health either.

The Angels have used interleague play as a very dangerous weapon in the standings, not only gaining ground by winning, but doing it by letting Texas lose.

The Cardinals are in a neck and neck race with the Milwaukee Brewers. They remain the one team in this group that are where they should be, but could probably do a little bit better.

The Dodgers could probably do better too, but I don't want to ask too much of them, you know?

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*All statistics, standings, and opinions were based off their states going into action on June 29.

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