Welcome to the party, Minnesota.
After underachieving for most of the season, in a mediocre division, the Twins find themselves within striking distance. Entering Wednesday, the Twinkies have won 10 of 12 and have finally been getting relatively good starting pitching. If that continues, they are going to be a dangerous team in September. At least they might be relevant enough to get Joe Mauer the MVP award he so greatly deserves. The catcher ranks first in average (.367), OBP (.434), slugging (.611), and, obviously OPS in the AL. He's also in the top 15 in hits, home runs, RBI and plays solid defense at the toughest position on the field.
[note: "Previous Week" is actually two weeks ago. Power Rankings didn't run last week due to some clerical issues.]
- 1. Yankees | Record: 84-48 | Previous Week: 1
Mark Teixeira for MVP? Let's check his numbers away from homer-friendly Yankee Stadium: .265 average, 12 homers, 43 RBI, .848 OPS. In road games, Teixeira has the 29th best slugging percentage in the AL, the 14th-best on-base percentage and the 21st-best OPS. - Ed Price - 2. Cardinals| Record: 78-55 | Previous Week: 3
With a 10 1/2-game lead in the NL Central, the Cardinals' biggest worries right now are whether or not pitching coach Dave Duncan will be back in 2010 and who they're going to draw in the first round of the playoffs. With a 5-2 record against the Dodgers, it may behoove them to actually finish with a worse record than the Phillies to avoid whichever NL West team wins the wild card, as they have a losing record against both the Giants (3-4) and Rockies (0-4). - Pat Lackey - 3. Angels | Record: 78-53 | Previous Week: 2
The bullpen is still the third-worst in the league, with a 4.70 ERA, but somehow they've made it work. Their late-game offense is bailing them out, as they've had 40 come-from-behind wins, second most in the majors. - Jeff Fletcher - 4. Phillies | Record: 76-53 | Previous Week: 4
Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez were the big-name pickups, Cole Hamels was last year's postseason star and J.A. Happ is the Rookie of the Year candidate. But the other Philadelphia starter, Joe Blanton, has been pretty good. Since July 1, Blanton is 5-2 with a 2.14 ERA and
.234 average allowed. - Ed Price - 5. Dodgers| Record: 79-54 | Previous Week: 5
Newly acquired Jon Garland is quietly one of the most durable pitchers in the majors. He's on his way to his eighth consecutive 30-start season. He's pitched on a World Series winner. He's got a 3.45 ERA over his past 12 starts. Suddenly the Dodgers have some depth, with Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla fighting for the No. 5 spot. - Jeff Fletcher - 6. Red Sox | Record: 77-54 | Previous Week: 7
Since losing two of three to the hated Yankees, the Sox have picked things up a bit, winning seven of eight games. This has helped give them a decent-sized lead in the AL wild card. Keep an eye on Billy Wagner (4 IP, 0.00 ERA, 9 K). If he keeps pitching like this, the Red Sox have the best 1-2 back-end of the bullpen in the majors. - Matt Snyder - 7. Rangers | Record: 74-58 | Previous Week: 6
After Josh Hamilton's two-homer game, he has 10 bombs and 49 RBI. His OPS is .740 after having a .901 OPS last season. The Rangers are second in the majors in home runs and seventh in OPS. Can you imagine if Hamilton repeated his 2008 numbers? If he can continue his recent resurgence, that's one scary lineup - Matt Snyder - 8. Rays | Record: 71-60 | Previous Week: 8
Sean Rodriguez, the player to be named in the Scott Kazmir trade, was third in the minors in slugging (.616) and tied for sixth in homers (29). He played second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions this year in Triple-A. - Ed Price - 9. Tigers | Record: 70-61 | Previous Week: 10
Buyer's remorse? The Jarrod Washburn deal was hailed in almost all corners on July 31 (even here), but it's been nothing short of a disaster for the Tigers. He has a 6.81 ERA in six starts. The FOXSports.com report that he has been pitching with right knee soreness might explain some of that poor performance. - Andrew Johnson - 10. Giants | Record: 72-60 | Previous Week: 12
The Brad Penny signing probably doesn't have much of an impact on the Giants. San Francisco already had the second-best ERA in the league, and Penny isn't likely to improve it over his six starts. It's the offense that's going to make or break the Giants. - Jeff Fletcher - 11. Rockies | Record: 73-59 | Previous Week: 9
Slotted just behind the Giants due to their series loss in San Francisco and the fact that you can trust the Giants pitching a bit more. The Jose Contreras deal doesn't do anything to change that, so the Rockies will have to hope their offensive superiority outlasts S.F. - Matt Snyder - 12. Twins | Record: 67-66 | Previous Week: 16
Maybe the American Idle just likes the Mall of America, but Carl Pavano has been a pleasant surprise since coming over from Cleveland. Pavano has gone 2-2 with a 4.06 ERA in five starts with Minnesota. With an at times shaky rotation, the Twins need more of the same. - Andrew Johnson - 13. Braves | Record: 70-62 | Previous Week: 13
Right fielder Matt Diaz led the majors in August batting average (.404), OPS (1.148) and on-base percentage (.467). And beginning Friday, Atlanta hits a soft part of the schedule, with 15 of 18 games against Cincinnati, Houston, the Mets and Washington. - Ed Price - 14. Mariners | Record: 69-64 | Previous Week: 14
Closer David Aardsma is the ninth pitcher in major league history to have at least 30 saves in the season in which he recorded his first. - Jeff Fletcher - 15. Marlins | Record: 68-64 | Previous Week: 11
When the year began, Florida looked like it had the makings of a nice young rotation. But all but one member of the season-opening rotation spent time in the minors: Ricky Nolasco (sent down part of May and June), Anibal Sanchez (rehab assignment last month), Andrew Miller (optioned in July) and Chris Volstad (sent down last Friday). - Ed Price - 16. Cubs | Record: 66-64 | Previous Week: 18
I guess I have to give them credit for finding a way to stay above .500, but it's going to take a pretty miraculous final month for this team to not be the biggest disappointment in the majors. Some players are fighting for their jobs at this point (looking right at you, Geovany Soto). - Matt Snyder - 17. White Sox | Record: 65-69 | Previous Week: 15
OK, so maybe GM Kenny Williams raised the white flag, but wasn't that the right move given the situation? The Alex Rios and Jake Peavy pickups might have helped Chicago hang in the race in some alternate reality, but they were more about quietly rebuilding a rapidly aging club for the long-term haul. - Andrew Johnson - 18. Brewers | Record: 64-67 | Previous Week: 20
On one hand, they've fallen off the face of the NL playoff map and need to seriously revamp their pitching staff if they want any hope of making 2010 look more like 2008. On the other hand, they've beaten the Pirates 21 consecutive times in Miller Park. That's gotta be worth something, right? - Pat Lackey - 19. Astros | Record: 63-69 | Previous Week: 21
Hypothetical question: If you're the Astros with your slightly sub-.500 record and team full of players that are 30-plus years old (except for Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, every productive regular is over 30), do you try and gear up for one more run with the current core in 2010 or do you start unloading, trying to rebuild a fairly empty minor-league system and be more competitive in the long run? - Pat Lackey - 20. Indians | Record: 58-73 | Previous Week: 23
Aaron Laffey is making a bid for a rotation spot out of spring training next season. In 90 innings this year, the left-hander has gone 7-3 with a 3.40 ERA. Now that Cliff Lee is off to Philadelphia, that represents the lowest ERA of any Indians starting pitcher. - Andrew Johnson - 21. Reds | Record: 60-73 | Previous Week: 28
This week, Brandon Phillips learned that there's no difference between "broken" and "fractured." The big question, though, is whether there's a difference between fifth place and sixth place in the NL Central. After trading for Scott Rolen and bringing Johnny Cueto back quickly from the disabled list, it's clear the Reds must think there is -- having won eight of 10 entering Wednesday's action . - Pat Lackey - 22. Blue Jays | Record: 59-72 | Previous Week: 17
This bullpen is going to have to be rebuilt from scratch. Toronto has just 19 saves this year (and 14 blown saves). No AL team has had fewer than 24 saves since the 1996 Tigers had 20. - Ed Price ... (Snyder's note: The Blue Jays are an abysmal 32-58 (.356) since May 19, that's why they dropped so far.) - 23. Diamondbacks | Record: 60-73 | Previous Week: 24
Dan Haren, Brandon Webb, Max Scherzer, Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds are a very solid nucleus. In the last month, they'll look to evaluate which guys will be productive enough to keep around them and look to the future. - Matt Snyder - 24. Mets | Record: 59-73 | Previous Week: 19
David Wright came off the disabled list Tuesday after missing 2 1/2 weeks with a concussion from a Matt Cain pitch. In the 15 games he missed, the Mets went 5-10 while scoring 3.7 runs per game. - Ed Price - 25. Padres | Record: 58-76 | Previous Week: 26
If last week was any indication, the Padres are going to enjoy their role as spoilers. They won back-to-back road series against the Braves and Marlins, playoff contenders. The Padres have 17 games left against the Dodgers, Giants and Rockies. - Jeff Fletcher - 26. A's | Record: 58-74 | Previous Week: 22
There isn't much of interest going on with the hitters in the big leagues, but the A's are excited about the future of slugger Chris Carter. Carter, who isn't expected to get a September call-up, has hit 27 homers with a 1.011 OPS combined at Double-A and Triple-A. He's hit at least 25 homers and driven in at least 90 runs in his past three seasons. - Jeff Fletcher - 27. Orioles | Record: 54-79 | Previous Week: 27
They're getting ready to shut down all their promising young pitchers to protect their arms. The young hitters have, for the most part, made good strides this year. Thus, the O's are looking to build toward a crescendo where they jump into a future pennant race -- but will it be 2010, or later? - Matt Snyder - 28. Pirates | Record: 53-79 | Previous Week: 29
As the Pirates barrel towards their record 17th consecutive losing season, they've compiled an incredible 18-49 record on the road. That's worse than even the Nationals. What makes that even more impressive is that the Bucs are 35-29 at home, even better than the Phillies. I know there's almost always a home/road split, but this is ridiculous.- Pat Lackey - 29. Royals | Record: 51-81 | Previous Week: 30
Since there's so little else to appreciate in Kansas City baseball-wise this time of year, how about some more Zack Greinke love. The right-hander is first in the AL in ERA, WHIP, complete games and shutouts and second in innings pitched and strikeouts. He should be the Cy Young winner, as Jeff Fletcher wrote Tuesday. - Andrew Johnson - 30. Nationals | Record: 46-87 | Previous Week: 25
In his first two outings for Washington after being released from the Mets and then picked up by the Nats, Livan Hernandez made quality starts -- six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs. Two more and he could tie Scott Olsen for fifth-most on the staff this year. - Ed Price ... (Snyder's note: The party is over. Nats have gone 3-12 since August 16. Booooooo!!!! )
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Best 1-2 in the back of the bullpen? Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera beg to differ. Hughes can go multiple innings (Wagner really can't) and Wagner even at his best was bad coming into innings with runners on. Look at Hughes' numbers as a reliever and tell me isn't better than it is reasonable to think Wagner will be.
I can't argue with that. I do think if Wagner returned to form they'd be better, but the chances of him doing so and sustaining it aren't great. I should have thought the comment through more when hurrying to get these completed.
Nice list. I'm certainly going to be pulling for the Red Sox but I like the Phillies chances if they can keep away from their closer. Any one of a number of teams has a real chance this year.
Well ... The list is getting closer to reality ... The Giants should be up two places with the Rockies right there with them. You are still over rating Detroit, the Rays and Texas but the next few weeks will show that as the playoff fight continues. Jeff Fletcher once again has it wrong in that Brad Penny could very well make a difference as he did tonight shutting out the Phillies. Yes clutch hitting will tell where the Giants end up but the Giants have the best pitching staff in MLB and they will make it exciting!
Thanks for the comment.
I actually initially had the Giants (with Rockies directly behind them) above the Tigers, but decided to change it last minute based upon my opinion the AL is much tougher. It was that same line of thinking that lands the Rangers and Rays ahead of the Giants and Rox ... especially the Rays.
They have played the Red Sox and Yankees 24 times. They survived those games with a 13-11 mark, but it has to wear a team down.
The Giants had a 1/2 game better record than the Rays when I made these rankings. You don't think the Rays strength of schedule accounts for the difference in ranking?
Well Matt, I guess that is where we differ ... You think the American League is Much better and I am not so convinced that is true. The Ray's do have to contend with the Yanks and RSox but the Giants have the Dodgers and Rockies to deal with. I am not convinced that the AL is stronger ... they simply don't let their pitchers hit so they have one more guy that can hit in the lineup. I like the NL way ... it's traditional baseball and still appreciate a good hitting pitcher or one that takes his hacks and can move a base runner up. Not sure that I buy that the Tigers or the Rays should get some kind of special consideration because they are in the AL. Looking at the Giants rotation you can bet there are some teams pulling for the Rockies to edge them out ... in a five game series with
Lincecum, Cain, Zeto, Penny and Sanchez with Randy Johnson working as a setup man you can bet that no team is excited about having to deal with a quality pitcher every game in a short series. Clutch hitting will be big for the Giants this month (and next if they hang in) ... but I don't see a team that can come close to the Giants pitching in either league. We all know that it is about who gets hot at the right time and peaking in October. Giants are still in it and I think they are a better team than the Rays and the Tigers ... and Texas for that matter! :)
Not sure why you would bring up home and away stats in MVP consideration between Mauer and Texiera. I am certain that the overall combined stats both home and away are the only real consideration in the MVP vote and the contribution that the player has made over the course of the season to get his team to the top. The Yankees are certainly at the top of the majors and Texiera's contributions in getting them there are huge. Texiera's defense is equally as good as Mauers, irregardless of where they play. I am not real sure then what your point was in bringing the away stats up. ALways love your power rankings but I think you need to leave the bias out of it
Uh, Skip, maybe he brings up the away stats b/c the new Yankees stadium has shown to be a hitters park. Same reason that the home/away splits are always looked at for members of the Rangers and Rockies.
THE LIST IS SLOWLY COMING INTO THE REALM OF REALITY. THE ANTI YANKEES ARE EVEN JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON...LATE, BUT LOGICAL. THE YANKEES HAVE THE BEST BULL PEN IN THE MAJORS, THE BEST INFIELD, THE LEGITIMATE MVP IN MARK TEXIERA, THE BEST OFFENSE, AND HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE IN THE WORLD SERIES. HO-HUMM...ANOTHER WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES.
BIG BILL
Don't be so cocky. I'm a Yank fan and I see a lot of flaws. The Outfield defense is weak and the Starters after Sabathia aren't as strong as some other teams (especially the Giants and Cards). Still I do see the Yanks in the Series and probably winning it (so long as we get past the Angels).
First, the power rankings comments should not be used to focus on your argument against someone for MVP. I haven't decided yet who I want to see win MVP for the AL yet but I am tired of people trying to find excuses for good numbers especially because the player is a yankee. Example "let's look at Tex numbers away from homer friendly yankee stadium". Yes, he hits more home runs in his home field but those homers were not not "yankee stadium homers" meaning they were not hit just into the short porch of right field. Most would have been homers in any stadium. Regardless, even though he is a great bat in the line-up,Tex's value to the team is more his defense at first base. It's been too long since the yanks had that and it might be the difference between getting to and winning post-season games.
I can't believe the Twins crashed and burned faster than the Hindenburg. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though given the state of their pitching all season. Bad time for the big bats to go silent too.
Overall I think the Red Sox have a better bullpen then the Yankees but Phil an Mo are a bit better then Pap and Billy. While both teams have good starting pitching you kind of have the feeling you can count on any one of them. CC hasnt exactly been stellar in the post season, Burnett has just plain stunk lately, Pettite,who knows, and they dont seem to have a clue how to handle Joba.
Beckett is struggling but I think he'll be better, its just a matter of how much. Lester has been consistent and the Sox best hope for going all the way. Its a little scary being a Sox fan thinking may have to depend on Clay B
The Angels I just dont think have good enough pitching.
I really think it's going to come down to a hot pitching staff and any team could win, I really couldnt pick one.
Meant to say kind of have the feeling you cant count on them ....