September is nearly here and as always we are seeing some clear separation between the haves and the have-nots in Major League Baseball. There are only two real close division races in the Bigs – the rest of the divisions have leaders running away.
The trade deadline has come and gone and as per usual the rich have gotten richer and the poor have gotten poorer. For the first time this season the American League has given way to a pair on National League teams atop the standings.
The All Star break is over – now is time to focus on the impending trade deadline only a couple of weeks away. The moves that will be made will most certainly have an impact on the Power Rankings in two weeks. Will the rich get richer?
We have arrived at the half-way part of the season – what a perfect time to take a look at the teams that have impressed throughout the first three months of the season and the teams that have fallen flat.
Another two weeks has passed – time for Dave B’s bi-weekly MLB Power Rankings! This week sees some familiar teams at the top with a traditional powerhouse almost reaching the pinnacle.
Two weeks have passed since my last Power Rankings and amazingly the top dogs just keep getting it done. While there has been some definite separation between the elite and “not so elite teams”, many of the clubs that have been solid all year have remained in my Top 15.
Two weeks have passed since my last Power Rankings and unlike a couple of weeks ago; there has been some change throughout the rankings. Teams are emerging while others are fading as we start ramping up for the Dog Days! Who are those teams?
Two weeks have passed since my last Power Rankings and surprisingly the teams at the top and the bottom have remained right there. In the middle of the Rankings there has been some movement – predictably the cream is remaining on top while the sludge has continued to occupy the bottom.
Two weeks have passed since my last Power Rankings and although the MLB season remains fluid, the Top 3 spaces on the Rankings have remained the same. As always there are some interesting surprises and some absolute disappointments in the Rankings – that’s why they play the games!
Take a look at Dave B’s bi-weekly MLB Power Rankings and let me know what you think.
Surely there is somebody that disagrees with me!
1. Texas Rangers (1) – They have the best record in baseball and along with a very strong offense – the pitching staff has also looked very, very good. They are the most complete team and for the second time in a row occupy Top Spot in the Rankings!
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (2) – The Dodgers keep getting it done – 7-3 in their last 10 games and an incredible 10-2 at home this season. Matt Kemp has been sensational and the Dodgers’ pitching has been one of the surprises of the season so far. LA leads the NL and reclaims their #2 rank.
3. St. Louis Cardinals (3) – The Cards are hanging around with the NL’s second best record. They are just 5-5 in their last 10 games but when the team needs a win, they seem to get it.
4. Baltimore Orioles (17) – The Orioles – leading the AL East? Don’t get used to it but enjoy it now if you are a Baltimore fan. They swept Toronto last week and based on their 14-8 record deserve their Top 5 spot – for now!
5. Atlanta Braves (12) – The Braves have been great so far this year and now look like they will get Tim Hudson back in the very near future. They are tough as usual and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
6. Tampa Bay Rays (11) – still have James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Jeff Niemann and Matt Moore throwing for them. In other words, you can’t count the out! They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and are within a whisker of Top 5.
7. New York Yankees (6) – The injury to Michael Pineda certainly hurts but help in on the way in the form of Andy Petite. The Yankees are hitting the ball extremely well and are starting to find their groove.
8. Washington Nationals (5) – The Nationals have lost four straight but are still tied for the NL East lead. Bryce Harper has been called up to make a decent offense that much better. The pitching has been solid all season but needs to pick back up.
9. Toronto Blue Jays (9) – starting pitching has been good – the bullpen and the offense have sputtered. Jose Bautista is hitting .190 – imagine what this team will do when he finally wakes up!
10. New York Mets (10) – The Mets have won two straight and are 12-9 on the season. This team may be short on payroll but they have proven that they have a ton of heart. How long will the Mets hold onto the Top 10? Who knows?
11. Cleveland Indians (19) – sit atop the AL Central despite a 4-7 home record! If they can solve their closer issues and start winning some games at home, the Indians could be Top 10 on the next Rankings. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
12. San Francisco Giants (20) – they lost Brian Wilson but Tim Lincecum is starting to round into form, Matt Cain has been good and the rest of the starting pitching looks scary once again. They have a struggling Miami team up next which helps their cause.
13. Cincinnati Reds (16) – are 7-3 in their last 10 games and finally look like a team that could challenge St. Louis in the Central. The starting pitching has been better and Joey Votto is heating up!
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (7) – The Diamondbacks are scuffling a bit at the moment – 4-6 in their last 10 games. But the makeup of this team ensures that they won’t quit at any point this season!
15. Detroit Tigers (4) – Detroit has gone an ugly 2-8 in their last 10 games but with the talent on the roster, you’d think they should get it together. They still have some guy named Justin Verlander who gives them a Top 15 nod – just barely!
16. Chicago White Sox (8)
17. Philadelphia Phillies (13)
18. Boston Red Sox (14)
19. Milwaukee Brewers (21)
20. Colorado Rockies (22)
21. Oakland Athletics (25)
22. Seattle Mariners (15)
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (26)
24. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (18)
25. Houston Astros (23)
26. Miami Marlins (24)
27. Chicago Cubs (28)
28. Kansas City Royals (27)
29. San Diego Padres (29)
30. Minnesota Twins (30)
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Two weeks of MLB are in the books and already some of the cream is rising to the top. With most team having played 10 games early in the season there are certainly some surprises – the Nationals, the Dodgers and the Orioles currently lead their respective Divisions – insane!
It is almost that time of year folks – the smell of popcorn and hot dogs is filling the air in 30 North American cities – baseball is here! Every two weeks during the regular season, Dave B will compile a list of teams on the rise and teams on the decline in the Majors.
This week’s MLB power rankings showcase a few teams unexpectedly on the ropes and a few teams unexpectedly clawing their way back into the playoff hunt.
This week’s MLB power rankings showcase a few teams unexpectedly on the ropes and a few teams unexpectedly clawing their way back into the playoff hunt.
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?
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?
With the waiver deadline arriving, it’s safe to say we’ve officially entered baseball’s stretch run. Which teams are making a final push up the power rankings?
