MLB Power Rankings: Some Daylight -- MLB FanHouse

Finally, the regular season is almost over. Most baseball seasons -- especially since realignment and the addition of the wild card -- have at least three heated races down the stretch. While the Braves, Rangers and Giants have tried to make things interesting at different points in time, there is really only one race that's been in total doubt for the entire month: the AL Central. As the Twins and Tigers get set to play the only interesting game of the day, we're left sorting out what has been a relatively boring final month. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though. A week from Wednesday, the playoffs begin.

1. Yankees | Record: 102-56 | Previous Week: 1
New York has 102 wins and counting with four games to play. The Yankees already have more wins in a season than any team since the 2004 Cardinals, who won 105. Though they won't be trying to with home-field advantage sewn up, if the Bronx Bombers win out, they will have the second-highest single-season win total this decade behind the 2001 Mariners. - Andrew Johnson
2. Angels | Record: 93-64 | Previous Week: 3
Yeah, it was quite an emotional scene when all the Angels went out to center field after clinching the division to pay their respects to the Nick Adenhart display on the fence. It probably wasn't so cool that they celebrated in the clubhouse by dumping beer and champagne on his empty jersey, considering that he was killed by a drunk driver. - Jeff Fletcher
3. Dodgers | Record: 93-65 | Previous Week: 4
Matt Kemp is finishing off a great season, perhaps the first Dodger in five years to go .300-25-100 or better, but he's got this strange split. He's hitting .356 batting seventh or eighth, and .242 batting fourth or fifth. - Jeff Fletcher
4. Phillies | Record: 91-66 | Previous Week: 5
Yes, the bullpen is a major question mark heading into the postseason, but all the playoff teams have a few of those when October hit. There is talent in Charlie Manuel's relief corps -- no matter how far astray it has gone this year -- and this Phillies team is one win from equaling last year's World Series champion. That team also had question marks -- Jamie Moyer, he of the 4.99 ERA this year -- was Philly's No. 3 starter. - Andrew Johnson
5. Cardinals | Record: 90-67 | Previous Week: 6
Who really wants to play a team that can toss Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in a best-of-five series? The two Cy Young candidates can pitch at least three and maybe four games in a short series, which could give the Cardinals a real advantage, even if they draw the NL-best Dodgers in the Division Series. - Pat Lackey
6. Red Sox | Record: 91-66 | Previous Week: 2
For a team tied for the fourth-best record in baseball, Boston is awfully tough to figure out. The Red Sox have lost five straight, and, more troubling, have reason to worry about their top three starters going into the playoffs. Jon Lester is recovering from an ugly line drive off his leg, Josh Beckett missed his start Monday with "mild" back spasms and Clay Buchholz was bombed for five home runs by the Blue Jays on Tuesday. A week ago, that trio looked like it could form the most formidable rotation among the four AL playoff teams. Of course, it still could. - Andrew Johnson
7. Rockies | Record: 89-68 | Previous Week: 7
Catcher Chris Iannetta had a rare big moment on Tuesday night, but most of the second half has been about Yorvit Torrealba being the clutch producer at catcher. Torrealba took over the everyday job Aug. 9 and is hitting .325 since. - Jeff Fletcher
8. Braves | Record: 86-71 | Previous Week: 10
It's hard to use enough superlatives to describe how good the Atlanta rotation has been this year. Three starters -- Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens and Derek Lowe -- have won at least 14 games, and three -- Vazquez, Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson -- have ERAs under 3.00. It could take the Braves to 90 wins, but a loss Tuesday makes it unlikely it will also take them to the postseason. - Andrew Johnson
9. Tigers | Record: 84-73 | Previous Week: 9
Of the few games each day worth watching, the Tigers and Twins provided two of them Tuesday. The Tigers get the nod for now, based upon Justin Verlander stepping up and getting the job done when his team most needed him.
10. Twins | Record: 82-75 | Previous Week: 8
When I was ranking the teams Tuesday night -- before the Tigers-Twins game ended -- I actually put the Tigers and Twins tied, ready to put the winner of the nightcap on top of the other. Still, this could change any day, as these two teams are so equally matched at this point. At least there is one great race left for the last few days of the regular season.
11. Cubs | Record: 82-74 | Previous Week: 15
Despite their 11-17 record in August, the Cubs are still 39-31 since the All-Star break (17-10 in September), an improvement on their 43-43 mark prior. Over a full season, that pace would probably have them in the thick of the NL Central and wild-card races. I'm not saying the Cubs don't need to make some changes this winter, because they do, but the situation probably isn't as dire as it seems. - Pat Lackey
12. Marlins | Record: 84-74 | Previous Week: 14
Cameron Maybin, one of the key chips Florida received in the Miguel Cabrera trade, couldn't take hold of the Marlins' center field job in 2009, but a promising stint as a September callup makes it seem like it will be his next year. Maybin has a .791 OPS in 23 games this month. - Andrew Johnson
13. Giants | Record: 84-73 | Previous Week: 11
Brian Wilson is one of only four relievers to have at least 35 saves each of the past two seasons. The others are Mariano Rivera, Joe Nathan and Jonathan Papelbon. Pretty good company. - Jeff Fletcher
14. Rangers | Record: 85-72 | Previous Week: 12
The Red Sox tried to leave the door open for the up-and-coming Rangers by losing five straight games. Instead, the Rangers let them off the hook by eliminating themselves. Still, the team, front office and fans alike have reason for optimism heading into 2010. There is a good foundation in place for the first time since the Ivan Rodriguez-Juan Gonzalez days.
15. Rays | Record: 81-76 | Previous Week: 16
With one more win, the Rays will clinch their second winning season in a dozen years of existence. Funny enough, given the talent on the 2009 version of this club and the levels the 2008 team reached, this year will still be seen as a bit of a disappointment, especially because Tampa Bay wasn't at least able to push Boston and New York in September. What a difference a year makes ... - Andrew Johnson
16. Mariners | Record: 81-76 | Previous Week: 13
Improving the defense was a point of emphasis last winter, and it seems to have worked. Last year the Mariners ranked 26th in the majors in defensive efficiency, which measures the percentage of balls in play converted outs. This year they are second. - Jeff Fletcher
17. Blue Jays | Record: 74-84 | Previous Week: 20
So Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi says "The division," meaning the AL East "isn't going to change." At face value, he has a point. The economic realities of squaring off head-to-head with the Red Sox and Yankees every year surely makes it difficult for the other three teams to compete. Only the Rays proved it is possible to do so, possible even to take down both teams and win the division outright. Couple their success with Ricciardi's assorted missteps in charge of the Jays and his words suddenly sound more like sour grapes from a man whose days in Toronto are numbered. - Andrew Johnson
18. A's | Record: 75-82 | Previous Week: 17
Despite what seemed like a horrible year, the A's are just one victory from exceeding last year's total (75). That's the good news. The bad news is they will have their fourth consecutive losing season. - Jeff Fletcher
19. Brewers | Record: 77-80 | Previous Week: 18
The Brewers demoted struggling veteran J.J. Hardy to Triple-A for two weeks in August for the morally gray purpose of setting his arbitration clock back a year and increasing his trade value. Since returning, Hardy's hit worse than he did before his demotion, hitting .220/.304/.244 in 11 games. Which is to say that the Brewers better not be planning on using Hardy to restock their rotation. If they're serious about doing that this winter, it's going to have to be through free agency. - Pat Lackey
20. White Sox | Record: 76-81 | Previous Week: 19
A bright spot that can be taken from this disappointing season? Gordon Beckham is a superstar in the making. He's hitting .272 with 14 home runs, 63 RBI, 27 doubles, seven stolen bases and an .816 OPS in 99 games of his rookie campaign. He's also plays solid defense, always hustles and is a positive clubhouse presence. And he just turned 23 two weeks ago.
21. Reds | Record: 75-82 | Previous Week: 21
Since his return from a wrist injury, Jay Bruce has hit .375/.459/.813 and has hit four homers in his last four games. This season looked to be kind of a lost one for Bruce, who had just a .283 OBP before going on the DL in mid-July, but his tear in September coupled with the Reds very good play (they're 17-9 this month) gives Cincy fans something to look forward to in 2010. - Pat Lackey
22. Padres | Record: 73-85 | Previous Week: 22
Bud Black probably deserves some second- or third-place votes on Manager of the Year ballots. Any manager whose team plays over .500 in the second half, after falling hopelessly out of contention, deserves some credit. - Jeff Fletcher
23. Astros | Record: 73-84 | Previous Week: 23
There is one bright spot for the Astros this year: Wandy Rodriguez has finally broken out for a full season after threatening to do so in each of the past three. His 2.97 ERA is matched by 8.6 K/9 and a 2.97 K:BB ratio. It's just too bad that the Astros don't have much of anything besides him, Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, and Roy Oswalt. Unless they seriously upgrade this roster, 2010 won't look much different than 2009. - Pat Lackey
24. Diamondbacks | Record: 68-89 | Previous Week: 24
It's been a lousy year on just about every level, but manager A.J. Hinch said they have a shot at getting back to contention next year if they can change the attitude. "We can be a competitive team soon, as soon as next year," he said. "We have to rekindle our competitive juices. Just coming back and wiping the slate clean and starting 0-0 isn't going to be enough." - Jeff Fletcher
25. Mets | Record: 67-91 | Previous Week: 25
Jeff Francoeur would like a multi-year deal with New York, and on the surface, it might seem like a good idea. Frenchy has hit .308 since arriving in the Big Apple this July, after all. But he'll turn 26 this January and he doesn't seem to have grown fundamentally as a player. The older he gets, the less hope there is that his raw tools will help him blossom into a superstar, and this Francoeur probably doesn't deserve a big extension, not for a team with first-division aspirations like the Mets. - Andrew Johnson
26. Royals | Record: 64-94 | Previous Week: 26
Zack Greinke (I know we mentioned him last week, but he's really the only thing worth continuing to watch on the 2009 Royals at this point) has one more start: Saturday against the Twins. Considering the Twins could still really need a win, Greinke has a shot to garner his 17th win and cement more Cy Young votes. Plus, if he really deals, he could lower his ERA below 2.00.
27. Indians | Record: 64-92 | Previous Week: 28
They have fired Eric Wedge. He may have been part of the problem, but he wasn't the problem these last few years. We'll see if they come through in the offseason with an actual plan, not just a patchwork roster mixed with still-developing youngsters and aging veterans.
28. Orioles | Record: 60-97 | Previous Week: 27
Baltimore is building toward something in 2010 or 2011, but that doesn't mean it won't be a turbulent offseason in the Charm City. The Orioles may need to find a new manager if Andy MacPhail is non-plussed by the job Dave Trembley did -- a possibility that seems increasingly likely with another September Swoon almost in the books. Oh yes, the O's will need a third baseman, a first baseman and a pitcher or two even if Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz can avoid major growing pains to challenge the big boys in the East. - Andrew Johnson
29. Pirates | Record: 59-97 | Previous Week: 29
They took three of four from the Dodgers over the weekend, but they're still trucking towards the club's second 100-loss season this decade, needing to go 4-2 the rest of the way out to avoid it. That's an awfully tall task with all six games on the road, as the Pirates are a mind-bogglingly bad 19-56 away from PNC Park this season. - Pat Lackey
30. Nationals | Record: 54-103 | Previous Week: 30
Lost amid all the champagne celebrations this week in Anaheim, the Bronx and Boston was Washington's clinch. The Nationals will finish with the worst record, meaning they will be first in line next June to select phenom Bryce Harper. All joking about the Nats' sorry state aside, drafting Stephen Strasburg and Harper in back-to-back seasons could go a long way toward turning this moribund franchise around. - Andrew Johnson

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-30-2009 @ 8:40PM

ruready4success said...

I am a Cards fan but without a doubt the Yankees are preeminent this regular season and thus easily deserve the #1 power ranking. However, the Yanks will face a stern test when the playoffs start soon, especially in a five game first round series. Based on last several years' experience, St. Louis is far better at advancing deeper into the playoffs than the New York Yankees. Only time will tell how things turn out this year.

Cheers!
Jito

9-30-2009 @ 11:47PM

mkinzer1 said...

I would have put the Reds at 15 or 16, maybe even higher. They are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now if not the hottest. Looks like you wrote this with only the teams overall record in mind. Not a good assessment at all.

10-01-2009 @ 9:40AM

redbeacon51 said...

im ready for the yankee's to choke yet againt this year's playoff's, really i dont care who eliminates them, just as long as it gets done

10-01-2009 @ 6:38PM

Joe said...

I guess you can never wipe away 87 years of frustration.

10-01-2009 @ 11:55AM

Harley said...

the mets should be a lot lower. hey are playing worse baseball than all the teams these so called power rankings have behind them. i wouldnt go by win-loss record either. if the mets didnt go 19-9 in the month of may they would have a worse record than the nationals.