MLB Team Rankings: Evaluating Recent Performance and Strength of Schedule

To rank the MLB teams based on their recent performance and the strength of their opponents, we can create a point system that considers the following factors:

1. Win-Loss Record (Last 14 Games): Reward teams for wins and penalize for losses.
2. Strength of Schedule (SOS): Reward teams more for winning against stronger opponents and penalize less for losses against strong opponents.
3. Power Rating: Use power rating as a tiebreaker or additional factor to account for the overall strength of the team.

Point System

• Win Points:
• Win: +2 points
• Loss: 0 points
• SOS Adjustment:
• For each win, add points equal to the SOS percentage (higher SOS, more points).
• For each loss, subtract points equal to half of the SOS percentage (to minimize penalty for strong opponents).
• Power Rating Bonus:
• Multiply the team’s Power Rating by 10 and add it to the total points (higher power ratings earn more points).

Calculation

Let’s calculate the points for each team based on this system and rank them.

Example Calculation for Arizona

• Wins: 10 wins × 2 points = 20 points
• SOS Adjustment: (10 wins × 44.39) – (4 losses × 22.195) = 443.9 – 88.78 = 355.12 points
• Power Rating Bonus: 0.58 × 10 = 5.8 points
• Total Points: 20 + 355.12 + 5.8 = 380.92 points

Let’s calculate and rank the rest of the teams:

Team	Wins	Losses	SOS	Power Rating	Win Points	SOS Adjustment	Power Rating Bonus	Total Points
Arizona	10	4	44.39	0.58	20	355.12	5.8	380.92
San Diego	12	2	45.92	0.66	24	481.36	6.6	511.96
Minnesota	9	5	34.69	0.49	18	311.46	4.9	334.36
San Francisco	9	5	48.47	0.56	18	434.37	5.6	457.97
Los Angeles Angels	8	6	52.55	0.55	16	444.93	5.5	466.43
Baltimore	7	7	59.69	0.55	14	468.98	5.5	488.48
NY Mets	8	6	52.55	0.55	16	444.93	5.5	466.43
NY Yankees	8	6	49.49	0.53	16	417.54	5.3	438.84
Boston	8	6	48.47	0.53	16	411.36	5.3	432.66
Cincinnati	8	6	52.55	0.55	16	444.93	5.5	466.43
Oakland	8	6	46.43	0.52	16	397.93	5.2	419.13
Cleveland	8	6	40.82	0.49	16	366.42	4.9	387.32
Tampa Bay	8	6	50.51	0.54	16	427.27	5.4	448.67
Toronto	7	7	51.53	0.51	14	447.22	5.1	466.32
Milwaukee	7	7	45.92	0.48	14	386.32	4.8	405.12
Kansas City	7	7	40.82	0.45	14	358.22	4.5	376.72
Miami	7	7	50.00	0.50	14	435.00	5.0	454.00
Los Angeles	7	7	56.12	0.53	14	474.49	5.3	493.79
Atlanta	6	8	53.06	0.48	12	418.08	4.8	434.88
St. Louis	6	8	45.41	0.44	12	354.71	4.4	371.11
Chicago Cubs	7	7	51.53	0.51	14	447.22	5.1	466.32
Seattle	7	7	37.76	0.44	14	324.44	4.4	342.84
Houston	6	8	50.51	0.47	12	394.08	4.7	410.78
Washington	5	9	62.76	0.49	10	438.42	4.9	453.32
Texas	6	8	39.80	0.41	12	321.60	4.1	337.70
Pittsburgh	6	8	57.14	0.50	12	411.42	5.0	428.42
Detroit	5	9	56.12	0.46	10	384.18	4.6	398.78
Philadelphia	4	10	56.12	0.42	8	328.48	4.2	340.68
Colorado	6	8	65.31	0.54	12	464.58	5.4	481.98
Chicago White Sox	1	13	52.55	0.30	2	180.48	3.0	185.48

Ranked List

1. San Diego Padres – 511.96 points
2. Los Angeles Angels – 466.43 points
3. NY Mets – 466.43 points
4. Cincinnati Reds – 466.43 points
5. Toronto Blue Jays – 466.32 points
6. Tampa Bay Rays – 448.67 points
7. Baltimore Orioles – 488.48 points
8. Los Angeles Dodgers – 493.79 points
9. Miami Marlins – 454.00 points
10. Washington Nationals – 453.32 points
11. San Francisco Giants – 457.97 points
12. NY Yankees – 438.84 points
13. Boston Red Sox – 432.66 points
14. Colorado Rockies – 481.98 points
15. Arizona Diamondbacks – 380.92 points
16. Atlanta Braves – 434.88 points
17. Houston Astros – 410.78 points
18. Pittsburgh Pirates – 428.42 points
19. Milwaukee Brewers – 405.12 points
20. Oakland Athletics – 419.13 points
    21. Detroit Tigers – 398.78 points
21. Kansas City Royals – 376.72 points
22. St. Louis Cardinals – 371.11 points
23. Texas Rangers – 337.70 points
24. Minnesota Twins – 334.36 points
25. Philadelphia Phillies – 340.68 points
26. Seattle Mariners – 342.84 points
27. Chicago Cubs – 466.32 points
28. Chicago White Sox – 185.48 points

Conclusion

The ranking shows that the San Diego Padres are leading with their exceptional recent performance, having faced a moderately strong schedule. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox rank lowest due to their poor performance despite facing relatively tough opponents. The point system accounts for both win records and the difficulty of their schedule to provide a comprehensive ranking.