Shea’s MLB Power Rankings (as of 8/4/2011)
The trade deadline has passed and the rosters are set for the stretch run. Who looks vastly improved in our weekly power rankings?
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(Previous rankings in brackets)
Who failed to step up? And which teams already look like they were wrong to consider themselves buyers?
(Previous rankings in brackets)
1. (2) Philadelphia Phillies (71-39): The Hunter Pence acquisition cements their status as the team to beat.
2. (3) New York Yankees (67-42): Riding a six-game winning streak but they failed miserably at the trade deadline. When have we ever said that bout the Yankees? I just don’t see their pitching rotation holding up. They desperately need Phil Hughes to a rock down the stretch. 
3. (1) Boston Red Sox (68-41): Erik Bedard could be a solid fill-in for Clay Buchholz at the back of Boston’s rotation.
4. (10) Milwaukee Brewers (62-50): In a weak division like the National League Central, the Brew Crew didn’t have to tinker much. They’re already the division’s best team.
5. (6) Detroit Tigers (59-51): Nickel-and-dime acquisitions like Doug Fister and Wilson Betemit were just what this team needed. The Tigers may hold on to win the American League Central after all.
6. (5) Atlanta Braves (64-48): Michael Bourn’s acquisition could be a nice offensive catalyst but Dan Uggla essentially “arrived” this month as well. The second baseman has five homers in his last six games and his hit streak sits at 25 games.
7. (8) Arizona Diamondbacks (61-50): With a good balance of hitting and pitching, not to mention a solid bullpen, are the D-Backs better equipped for the playoffs than the Giants are?
8. (7) San Francisco Giants (62-49): Carlos Beltran doesn’t have a homer as a Giant yet but he’s warming up. He’ll be a make-or-break piece of the defending champs’ playoff puzzle.
9. (13) Los Angeles Angels (60-51): L.A. probably made the right move to essentially stand pat at the deadline. The Halos are in contention and shouldn’t have sold but they’re also far behind the elite teams’ talent level, so buying may not have bridged the gap enough.
10. (4) Texas Rangers (61-50): Mini-slump aside, the Rangers did well at the deadline. Their bullpen looks positively awesome now.
11. (12) Florida Marlins (55-55): Tied for baseball’s best record over the last 10 games at 8-2. Not that it matters.
12. (18) Toronto Blue Jays (56-54): The AL’s answer to the Marlins in that they’re playing well but stuck in a powerhouse division. The Colby Rasmus acquisition will pay dividends…next year and beyond if not this year.
13. (9) St.Louis Cardinals (58-53): Given their age and Adam Wainwright’s absence, the Cards were never destined to stay in the playoff hunt all season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept slipping.
14. (17) Tampa Bay Rays (57-52): Surprised that they didn’t become full-fledged sellers at the deadline. As much talent as the Rays have, they’re 10 games out of the AL Wildcard slot. .
15. (11) Pittsburgh Pirates (54-55) They go for broke at the trade deadline, pick up Derek Lee and Ryan Ludwick…and they lose six straight. The baseball gods are cruel.
16. (21) Los Angeles Dodgers (50-60): Crazy to think that a team 10 games under .500 may deserve the NL MVP (Matt Kemp) and the NL Cy Young (Clayton Kershaw). [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
17. (16) Cleveland Indians (54-54): Almost ready to put the Tribe’s run to bed. They’re all the way back to .500 now. Still, they’re just four games out of first in their division, so all hope is not lost.
18. (28) Chicago Cubs (46-65): A modest four-game winning streak scoots them into the top 20. Nothing to see here.
19. (19) Cincinnati Reds (54-57): Given how attainable the NL Central is, it’s a bit surprising that Cincy didn’t make an aggressive play for a pitcher last week.
20. (22) Minnesota Twins (51-59): One homer in 52 games for Joe Mauer, Mr. Head and Shoulders himself. Wow.
21. (14) New York Mets (55-55)
22. (30) Seattle Mariners (48-63)
23. (20) Oakland Athletics (49-62)
24. (23) Colorado Rockies (51-60)
25. (26) San Diego Padres (48-64)
26. (15) Chicago White Sox (52-57)
27. (24) Washington Nationals (53-57)
28. (27) Kansas City Royals (47-63)
29. (29) Houston Astros (37-74)
30. (25) Baltimore Orioles (43-64)
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One reply on “MLB Power Rankings / August 4th 2011”
The Phiiles are going to be hard to beat for sure. Best AL challengers could be the Rangers or BoSox.