[The blog] certainly applies to the situation in Charlotte, Keselo

The Chicago Cubs remain the unanimous No. 1 team, but there was a bit of a shakeup in the rest of the top five. The Boston Red Sox, riding an 11-game win streak, are the new No. 2 team, after getting all five votes for the second spot. The Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of five straight, also moved up from No. 6 to No. 4, while the Washington Nationals fell back three spots to No. 5.Could Boston and Chicago be headed for an October showdown? Or are the Dodgers ready to get in the way of the Cubs postseason plans?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 24 |?Week 23 |?Week 22?|?Week 21?|?Week 20 |?Week 19 |?Week 18 |?Week 17 |?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: 99-56 Week 24 ranking: No. 1The Cubs finished up their home schedule on Sunday with a win, pushing their record at Wrigley this season to 57-24. It was a special night for David Ross, who homered in his final regular-season game at Wrigley and received four standing ovations and two curtain calls.?-- ESPN.com2. Boston Red SoxRecord: 92-64 Week 24 ranking: No. 4It has been an incredible season for Rick Porcello, who ranks first in the AL with 22 wins, third with a 3.11 ERA and second with 217 innings pitched. He is also tied for first with 25 quality starts. He has averaged 6.8 innings per start and has not once thrown fewer than five.?--?Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona3. Texas RangersRecord: 92-64 Week 24 ranking: No. 3After clinching the AL West on Friday, the Rangers have turned their attention to getting healthy and, potentially, securing the best record in the American League. On Friday and Saturday, respectively, Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish each tossed seven scoreless innings as they attempt to gear up for the postseason.?--?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away4. Los Angeles DodgersRecord: 90-66 Week 24 ranking: No. 6The last week of the regular season will see Los Angeles battling Washington for the No. 2 seed and home-field advantage in their division series. Sunday was the final home game broadcast by the legendary Vin Scully. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit5. Washington NationalsRecord: 91-64 Week 24 ranking: No. 2Bryce Harper is day-to-day after injuring his thumb on an awkward slide into third base on a triple. Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang deked Harper with a fake tag, even though there wasnt a throw -- a no-no in baseballs unwritten rules. That led to A.J. Cole throwing at Kang, which led to a benches-clearing meet-and-greet. Harper will have X-rays on Monday.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot6. Cleveland IndiansRecord:?90-65 Week 24 ranking: No. 5Despite the teams 3-0 loss to the White Sox on Sunday, it was the third consecutive strong outing by RHP Josh Tomlin. After a rough August, Tomlin has allowed just one earned run in his past three starts and has allowed zero home runs over that span.--?Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), Its Pronounced Lajaway7. Toronto Blue JaysRecord: 86-69 Week 24 ranking: No. 7With a precarious lead in the wild-card race, the Jays on Tuesday start a three-game series versus Baltimore and then finish the regular season in Boston. The Red Sox will be fighting for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.?-- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit8. Detroit TigersRecord: 83-72 Week 23 ranking: No. 11Last week, the Tigers split with the Twins while losing a series to the Indians. This week, they swept the Twins but lost a series to the Royals. Their fate was in their hands, but now theyre 1.5 games back of the second wild card with seven games to play. They might need a favor to get to the playoffs, considering they werent able to do it themselves.? -- Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers9. Baltimore OriolesRecord: 85-71 Week 24 ranking: No. 8The Orioles offense has been more down than up lately. So how about the boost that rookie Trey Mancini has provided? Mancini made his major league debut on Tuesday, and he has homered in all three of his starts. As the Os prepare for a crucial road trip to Toronto and then New York to finish the season, they could need another timely blast or two from Mancini to eke out a playoff berth.?--?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot10. New York MetsRecord: 83-73 Week 24 ranking: No. 10T.J. Rivera has hit in nine straight games, going 15-35 (.428). In his past 11 games, hes hitting .442 (19-43) with three homers and 11 RBIs. The Mets have set a franchise record with 13 pinch-hit homers this year, which is second in MLB to the Cardinals 15.?-- Joe Janish (@metstoday), MetsToday.com11. San Francisco GiantsRecord: 82-74 Week 24 ranking: No. 9San Francisco remains locked in a contentious, three-way battle with St. Louis and New York for the National League wild card. The Giants bullpen has kept things interesting, with an MLB-high nine blown saves in the past 30 days. San Francisco faces the Rockies and Dodgers to end the season. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona12. St. Louis CardinalsRecord: 81-74 Week 24 ranking: No. 13Despite two 10-run outbursts last week, the Cardinals offense still mostly continues to struggle, as theyve scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their past 14 games and rank 26th in the majors in runs per game in September. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot13. Seattle MarinersRecord: 82-73 Week 24 ranking: No. 12Seattle likely needs help to reach the postseason after a tough loss to Minnesota on Saturday and Baltimores recent sweep of Arizona. The Ms have three with Houston and four with Oakland to close the season. Nelson Cruz hit his 40th and 41st home runs on Sunday but left the game with a sore wrist.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona14. Houston AstrosRecord: 82-74 Week 24 ranking: No. 15The Astros had beaten the Angels 11 times in a row this season before losing Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- the final two in crushing fashion. On Friday, Ken Giles allowed six runs in the ninth inning, and Houston lost 10-6. On Saturday, the bullpen allowed nine runs in the final two frames, and the Astros lost 10-4.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot15. New York YankeesRecord: 79-76 Week 24 ranking: No. 14A week ago, the Yankees were, against all odds, legitimate contenders for a wild card. Now, on the heels of being swept by the Blue Jays, their season has effectively been ended. Nevertheless, this has been a successful campaign, if only because of should-be Rookie of the Year Gary Sanchez and the rebuilt farm system. --Domenic Lanza (@DomenicLanza),?Its About the Money16. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord: 77-78 Week 24 ranking: No. 18In his second MLB season, Jung Ho Kang has shown that his impressive power last year was no fluke. With 19 doubles and 20 home runs in 348 plate appearances, he has nearly as many extra-base hits (39) as singles (40).?-- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona17. Kansas City RoyalsRecord: 79-77 Week 24 ranking: No. 17The Royals are still aiming to finish above .500 for the fourth straight season, which the franchise hasnt done since it had six such seasons in a row from 1975 to 1980.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot18. Miami MarlinsRecord:?77-78 Week 24 ranking: No. 16Horrific news, as ace pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident over the weekend. Fernandez, the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year, was only 24 years old. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit19. Colorado RockiesRecord: 73-83 Week 24 ranking: No. 19Although the Rockies had a .500 record as late as Aug. 6, Saturdays loss ensured that they would finish 2016 with their sixth straight losing season. With an All-Star or Rookie of the Year candidate at virtually every position and their best starting pitching staff in years, its hard to see the Rockies giving manager Walt Weiss a contract extension, no matter how integral he has been in mentoring their young stars.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers20. Chicago White SoxRecord: 74-81 Week 24 ranking: No. 20With the attention this season focused on All-Star pair Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, with the emerging Carlos Rodon not far off the pace, it has been easy to miss center fielder?Adam Eatons breakout. With a solid bat and excellent defense, hes one of the ALs best and someone Chicago can retool around. --?Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona21. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 70-86 Week 24 ranking:?No. 21Coming into the year, one of the main goals for the Brewers was to develop young players. Thats exactly what they have done with Zach Davies, whom they received in the deal that sent Gerardo Parra to the Orioles at last years trade deadline. Davies wrapped up his 2016 campaign Friday against Cincinnati and finished his first full MLB season with an 11-7 record and 3.97 ERA in 28 starts.?-- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker22. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 69-87 Week 24 ranking: No. 25They finish with six home games and need to draw 164,529 to reach 3 million fans for the 14th consecutive season. Thats about 27,400 per game -- below their season average of 37,000.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot23. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 67-88 Week 24 ranking: No. 23Ryon Healy continues to impress, hitting .303/.336/.522 in 65 games and playing better than expected at third base (he split time between third and first in the minors). Pencil him in as a starter for 2017.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot24. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 65-90 Week 24 ranking: No. 22For the third time in franchise history, the Rays will have three batters with more than 60 extra-base hits. Much has been made of Evan Longorias resurgence, and Brad Millers 30 homers have garnered some attention. Corey Dickerson was the last to join the group, but this is the culmination of a solid second half (115 wRC+) that has seen his BABIP regress to expectations. --?Jason?Hanselman?(@sandykazmir), The Process Report25. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord: 70-86 Week 24 ranking: No. 23We know?Jerad Eickhoff?led the National League in home runs allowed (29), but we also know he isnt Kyle Kendrick. Among qualified starters, Eickhoff was fifth-best in the National League at limiting walks, allowing just 1.97 free passes per nine innings, and in terms of WHIP, he was 16th in the NL at 1.19.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers26. San Diego PadresRecord: 66-90 Week 24 ranking: No. 27Jarred Cosart left his Saturday start after one inning, as he has apparently been dealing with a bone spur in his elbow for the past month. Also in that game, Yangervis Solarte singled in his first game action since his wife passed away one week prior. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit27. Atlanta BravesRecord: 63-92 Week 24 ranking:?No. 29Freddie Freeman is among the NL leaders in nearly every offensive category this year, leading the league in extra-base hits, OPS+ and runs created. Among NL position players, he is second in bWAR and third in fWAR. Even while playing for a last-place club, he should be in the top-five in MVP voting. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County28. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 64-91 Week 24 ranking: No. 28Against the Padres last week, Paul Goldschmidt unleashed three long home runs in two games. They were the first blasts hed hit in an away game since Aug. 9 at Citi Field, and Wednesday was his first multi-homer game since April 24.?--?Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona29. Cincinnati RedsRecord: 65-90 Week 24 ranking: No. 26The Reds lost their 90th game of the season this week (after losing 98 last year). The last time Cincinnati lost 90-plus games in back-to-back seasons? That was 1930-1934. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation30. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 56-100 Week 24 ranking: No. 30The Twins lost their 100th game on Sunday. Its their first time reaching the ignominious century mark in three decades. On the bright side, they have locked up the No. 1 pick in next Junes draft. -- ESPN.com Blue Jays Jerseys China . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Toronto Blue Jays Store . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Blue Jays Jerseys 2019 . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. LOUDON, N.H. -- NASCAR drivers mostly come from outside the Carolinas and they dont have Carolina or Charlotte across their uniforms, but they have a connection to the unrest in Charlotte.When protests in the city turned violent Wednesday night -- the day after a police officer fatally shot Keith Lamont Scott -- windows were smashed in the lobby to the building that houses NASCARs downtown offices. A window to the city-owned NASCAR Hall of Fame also was broken.While the Hall of Fame has remained open Thursday (with the National Guard protecting the facility), NASCAR closed its offices to normal business. Protests on Thursday night were more peaceful.Theres an emotional reaction, Connecticut native Joey Logano?said prior to practice Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A lot of times when you see things like this happen, its in a different city and you dont recognize where its at. But when you see the NASCAR building getting vandalized and you see areas of the city that you know very well with just crazy things happening, it makes you sick to your gut.You dont know what to do and you kind of feel helpless.Matt Kenseth was at the NASCAR offices Wednesday, several hours before the lobby windows were broken.You just hope it stops, Kenseth said. I dont know enough about what actually happened to start it all. Obviously, I think we are very, very, very fortunate to live in a free country, and peaceful protests and demonstrations are OK.The violence and the vandalism and theft and stuff isnt really a way to prove a point or try to make things better.Last week,?Brad Keselowski wrote a blog post about NFL quarterback?Colin Kaepernicks national anthem protest over social injustice.dddddddddddd In the blog, titled Truth and Grace, Keselowski wrote, My issue with Colins protest was not in the truth of his position. Theres no part of me trying to deny that. But Keselowski was in favor of a more graceful way to protest (specifically without offending members of the military or their families).[The blog] certainly applies to the situation in Charlotte, Keselowski said Thursday morning, after the Wednesday violence left one protester dead and another civilian in jail as a suspect in that shooting death.I think whether theres truth or not, that could be a long argument. I think there is some truth [giving credence to the protest], Keselowski said. But I think there is no argument about grace.Most of the drivers live at least a 20-minute drive away from where the protests occurred, either north or south of the center of downtown Charlotte.All we can do really is just say some prayers and hope that eventually everything calms down and everyone is able to come to some kind of peace at the end of this thing, and we can move on and move forward and make our world better, Logano said. Right now, its a scary situation.Austin Dillon is one of the few North Carolina natives competing at the Sprint Cup level.Its sad [where] the country is at this point in time, Dillon said. I hope that everybody that can look at everything and gather their thoughts and figure out the right way to fix the problems we have. Hopefully ... the right people will come together and fix these problems that are going on. ' ' '