Shea’s MLB Power Rankings (as of 9/1/2011)
Power rankings in September mean it’s really time for the men to separate themselves from the boys. Which teams made critical moves in their divisional races over the last week?
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This week’s power rankings read like an obituary for a few contending teams. Several crucial divisional battles were waged last week and some clubs’ playoff hopes were mortally wounded.
(Previous rankings in brackets)
1. (1) Philadelphia Phillies (91-48): Carved in stone atop the power rankings. Hunter Pence has been just the kind of offensive difference-maker the Phillies needed.
2. (6) New York Yankees (87-54): Who knew they’d outpitch Boston this season? And who knew Curtis Granderson would hit like Alfonso Soriano in his prime?
3. (5) Detroit Tigers (81-62): Their winning streak hits six games and their division lead widens to nine. So much for being a sneaky World Series sleeper. The Tigers are just straight-up contenders now.
4. (3) Arizona Diamondbacks (82-61): They’ve been a nice story but is their pitching deep enough or experienced enough to take them far in the playoffs? I’m skeptical.
5. (7) Milwaukee Brewers (85-69): With their power bats and power pitchers, they may be the toughest possible playoff opponent for Philly in the National League.
6. (2) Boston Red Sox (85-57): If Josh Beckett doesn’t bounce back from his ankle injury, it won’t matter how well Boston hits in the playoffs. The Red Sox can’t win with only Jon Lester.
7. (8) Texas Rangers (81-63): Boston may be the team the Rangers want in the playoffs. Their bats can feast on a depleted pitching staff.
8. (10) St. Louis Cardinals (76-67): A 7-3 run over their last 10 games doesn’t have the Brewers sweating in the NL Central but may have the Braves looking over their shoulder in the NL Wildcard race.
9. (9) Los Angeles Angels (78-65): The way they keep bouncing back when it looks like they’re toast in the American League West, it’s enough to wonder if they’re a team of destiny. No other AL team can match the one-two pitching punch of Jered Weaver and Dan Haren.
10. (4) Atlanta Braves (82-60): Pitching is still great on paper but the Braves’ hitting puts them a step behind the Phillies and Brewers, who boast strong offense and pitching.
11. (12) Tampa Bay Rays (78-64): We can’t write their obituary until their three-game weekend set with Boston is finished. If the Rays pull off a sweep, they’re right back in the hunt.
12. (14) San Francisco Giants (75-68): It just doesn’t look like the Giants will score enough to catch Arizona. Their goose is probably cooked.
13. (15) Los Angeles Dodgers (69-72): Hitting their stride when it’s too late. The Dodgers have been pretty competitive lately, riding the Kershaw/Kemp wave as always. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
14. (17) New York Mets (70-71): Remaining plucky and pesky in their tough division, the Mets have been the NL’s answer to the Toronto Blue Jays this season. That isn’t saying a whole lot.
15. (13) Chicago White Sox (71-70): Had their chances over the last few weeks but couldn’t gain any ground on the Tigers. The Pale Hose are finished. Any chance they try to trade Adam Dunn this offseason? Could they get anything for him at this point?
16. (16) Toronto Blue Jays (71-72): Running out of steam now but this is still a team to watch for next season. They’re loaded with young talent.
17. (11) Cleveland Indians (70-70): Like the White Sox, couldn’t rise to the occasion against division rivals when it mattered. The Tigers truly are the class of the division.
18. (29) Oakland Athletics (65-78): The most memorable part of their 2011 season will be Moneyball’s debut in theatres on September 23.
19. Chicago Cubs (62-81): Baseball isn’t as much fun when the Cubbies aren’t contending. Sigh.
20. Kansas City Royals (60-84): With Billy Butler doing his thing, Alex Gordon breaking out and Eric Hosmer enjoying a solid rookie season, the Royals have the young bats to be a force going forward. But the young arms need to catch up for this team to become relevant.
21. (22) Pittsburgh Pirates (66-77)
22. (21) Cincinnati Reds (70-73)
23. (25) Colorado Rockies (67-76)
24. (26) Florida Marlins (63-79(
25. (20) Houston Astros (48-95)
26. (24) Washington Nationals (65-75)
27. (19) Baltimore Orioles (56-85)
28. (18) Seattle Mariners (59-83)
29. (27) Minnesota Twins (59-84)
30. (30) San Diego Padres (62-81)
