Shea’s MLB Power Rankings (as of 8/11/2011)
We don’t see many massive shifts in the power rankings this week. It’s interesting to notice, though, that virtually every division has become a two-team race.
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(Previous ranking in brackets)
1. (1) Philadelphia Phillies (77-40): The only thing left for the Phillies to prove is which one of its pitchers deserves the National League Cy Young. Does Cole Hamels have a leg up on Halladay and Lee?
2. (4) Milwaukee Brewers (67-50): Riding a six-game winning streak, this talented team is finally spreading its wings. Yovani Gallardo’s recovery from a slow start has been key. 
3. (2) New York Yankees (70-45): Curtis Granderson is having the season so many hungry poolies thought he’d have with the Yankees in 2010. Lapping the field in runs scored and challenging for the home-run crown to boot.
4. (6) Atlanta Braves (69-49): We never would have said this two months ago, but…maybe Dan Uggla could give Jason Heyward some instruction in the batting cage.
5. (3) Boston Red Sox (72-44): They only really slide because the teams above them are hot. Jacoby Ellsbury is suddenly pushing Adrian Gonzalez for MVP votes. Could the “scrappy” Red Sox player beat out the more talented one, just like when Dustin Pedroia beat out Kevin Youkilis?
6. (10) Texas Rangers (66-52): Their new relievers could come in very handy during some crucial battles with the Angles on the horizon.
7. (7) Arizona Diamondbacks (64-53): Justin Upton’s breakout season is damned exciting considering he’s still just 23 years old.
8. (9) Los Angeles Angels (64-53): In a short series, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren can still make L.A. a dangerous foe.
9. (5) Detroit Tigers (61-55): Letting the Cleveland Indians off the mat during an epic series with them this week. At least Max Scherzer’s 3.09 ERA since the All-Star break suggests another second-half tear is possible.
10. (8) San Francisco Giants (64-54): Carlos Beltran’s hand injury doesn’t jive well with the Giants’ slump. What if starring in The Franchise on Showtime distracted them too much this season?
11. (13) St. Louis Cardinals (62-55): I have to admit, I didn’t think Lance Berkman would still be in one piece this late in the season. The .988 OPS is vintage Big Puma.
12. (17) Cleveland Indians (58-56): Wednesday’s win over Detroit suggests Ubaldo Jimenez could be an X-factor in a late-season comeback for the Tribe.
13. (14) Tampa Bay Rays (62-54): Bouncing back with seven wins in 10 games but the Rays probably dug themselves too big a hole earlier this season. Evan Longoria has been disappointing but his power numbers still project to 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI over a full season.
14. (12) Toronto Blue Jays (59-57): Pesky as ever and grooming a future pennant run. Prospect Brett Lawrie got the early call and clubbed his first homer this week. He’s a nice distraction from Jose Bautista’s concerning post-break stat line of .214 with two homers in 21 games. Has he played himself out of the MVP race?
15. (18) Chicago Cubs (50-67): It doesn’t mean anything but the Cubbies have played a nice spoiler of late, winning eight of 10.
16. (26) Chicago White Sox (57-59): Still not too late for them to steal the American League Central. One hot streak could be enough. Hint hint, Mr. Dunn. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
17. (25) San Diego Padres (52-66): Another team whose recent improved play won’t have any direct bearing on the playoff picture.
18. (15) Pittsburgh Pirates (56-60): Not only did the Pirates freefall, the Brewers’ hot streak compounded Pittsburgh’s misery. The Bucs are suddenly 10-plus games back in the division and stuck with Derek Lee and Ryan Ludwick.
19.(27) Washington Nationals (56-60): The idea that a team 20.5 games back in its division wants to hurry Stephen Strasburg back from Tommy John surgery is downright frightening.
20. (22) Seattle Mariners (50-66): King Felix is still under contract through 2014 but we’ve heard whispers all season about him “auditioning” for the Yankees. Could we see a blockbuster offseason trade to put him in pinstripes?
21. (21) New York Mets (58-58)
22. (23) Oakland Athletics (52-64)
23. (24) Colorado Rockies (55-63)
24. (19) Cincinnati Reds (56-61)
25. (16) Los Angeles Dodgers (52-64)
26. (11) Florida Marlins (55-62)
27. (20) Minnesota Twins (52-65)
28. (28) Kansas City Royals (49-68)
29. (30) Baltimore Orioles (45-69)
30. (29) Houston Astros (38-79)
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