The Yankees reign supreme again. From what I can remember the Yankees and Rays have been the two teams at the top of the MLB Power Rankings all season.
Biggest Jump: The Minnesota Twins jumped five spots to number six and have also retaken the division lead in the AL Central.
Biggest Drop: The Detroit Tigers dropped five spots to number 19 and are losing steam down the home stretch.
Rank (LW) Team Record
1. (1) New York Yankees 69-43
Despite starting the month of August with a 3-6 record the Yankees still sit atop of the AL East and remain number one in the power rankings. The Yanks can pick up some wins with a four-game series against the Royals this weekend.
2. (2) Tampa Bay Rays 69-45
On Sunday the Rays almost had their third no-hitter thrown against them this season. During last week’s five-game losing streak the Rays batted .149 and yet still find themselves one game out of first place.
3. (3) Texas Rangers 65-47
The Rangers hold the MLB’s biggest divisional lead at 8.5 games. A big reason is their 23-14 record against division rivals.
4. (5) San Diego Padres 65-46
Since the Padres made trade deals for Miguel Tejada and Ryan Ludwick they have gone 6-6 however still remain atop of the NL West. Tejada and Ludwick will show their value in the last two weeks of the season.
5. (4) Atlanta Braves 66-48
In their most recent home stand the Braves went 5-2 and increased their MLB best home record to 39-15.
6. (11) Minnesota Twins 64-49
Even with their best hitter out, Justin Morneau, the Twins still have the best batting average in the majors (.282) and have reclaimed the division lead in the AL Central.
7. (7) St. Louis Cardinals 64-49
Winners of eight of their last ten games the Cardinals are in first place in the NL Central after sweeping division foes the Reds.
8. (8) San Francisco Giants 64-50
After posting the best record in the majors in July the Giants have started August with a 4-5 record. This weekend the Giants play their biggest series of the season so far against the Padres.
9. (9) Cincinnati Reds 64-51
Before the Cardinals came into town the Reds had a two-game division lead and were on a four-game winning streak. After getting swept by the Cardinals the Reds are now one-game back and on a three-game losing streak.
10. (6) Boston Red Sox 65-49
The best third place team in baseball. The Red Sox still have a shot at the division and wild card however with the season ending injury to Kevin Youkilis their chances are looking slim.
11. (10) Chicago White Sox 63-50
After losing last weekend’s series against the lowly Orioles the White Sox look to bounce back and retake the AL Central lead against the Twins.
12. (12) Philadelphia Phillies 62-50
A month ago the Phillies were fading fast from playoff contention with their lack of offense and injuries. The Phillies are now within reach of the NL East lead and wild card thanks to winning 14 of their last 18 games.
13. (13) Los Angeles Dodgers 59-54
In five wins in August the Dodgers have scored 37 runs. In their four losses in August they have scored only 8 runs.
14. (16) Colorado Rockies 58-54
In the last six games Carlos Gonzalez is batting .454 with two home runs and five RBI.
15. (19) Toronto Blue Jays 59-53
Jose Bautista is having a career year batting .259 with 35 HR, 86 RBI, 75 runs and a .972 OPS. It was a surprise to see that Bautista was not traded at the deadline.
16. (15) Los Angeles Angels 58-57
Too little, too late: Since trading for pitcher Dan Haren and hitter Alberto Callaspo the Angels have a 6-12 record.
17. (17) Oakland Athletics 56-56
The A’s have realized their playoff chances are done and look to their young prospects to finish out the rest of the season.
18. (18) New York Mets 56-56
What a difference a month makes. At the start of July the Mets were nine games above .500 and two games out of first place. The Mets are now at .500 and are nine games back in the NL East.
19. (14) Detroit Tigers 55-59
Trading for Jhonny Peralta was suppose to help the Tigers in their playoff chase however they are 5-10 since the trade. Injuries to Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen have not helped either.
20. (20) Florida Marlins 55-56
The two things the Marlins have to play for the rest of the season is being spoilers and the rise of rookie of the year candidate Gaby Sanchez.
21. (21) Milwaukee Brewers 53-61
The Brewers did not trade Prince Fielder or Cory Hart at the deadline. Hart will stay with the Brewers after signing an extension but I wouldn’t be surprised if Fielder is traded in the off-season as he will be a free-agent after next season.
22. (24) Washington Nationals 49-64
Stephen Strasburg struggled in his return from the disabled list lasting only 4 1/3 innings allowing six earned runs.
23. (22) Chicago Cubs 48-65
The Cubs have a 6-13 record since manager Lou Piniella announced he is retiring at the end of the season.
24. (26) Houston Astros 48-65
Despite being 16 games back of the NL Central lead the Astros have a 30-24 record against their division rivals.
25. (23) Kansas City Royals 47-66
The Royals have a lost 17 of 25 games since the All-Star break.
26. (25) Cleveland Indians 47-66
Indian fans suffer through another season of losing and trading away of star players. The Indians could field a playoff team with all the players they have traded away the last couple of years.
27. (28) Arizona Diamondbacks 45-69
One reason for the Diamondbacks losing ways this season: 1,047 strikeouts by Diamondback hitters.
28. (27) Seattle Mariners 44-70
The Mariners have traded away two ace pitchers this season, Cliff Lee and Brandon Marrow. Marrow was traded in the off-season to the Blue Jays and to go long with his 9-6 record, 4.45 ERA and 151 K’s he lost a no-hitter with one out to go against the Rays.
29. (27) Pittsburgh Pirates 39-73
There are always two things in baseball that are certain to happen each season: The World Series will be played in October and the Pirates will finish last in the NL Central.
30. (30) Baltimore Orioles 39-74
Buck Showalter should have been hired months ago! The O’s are 7-1 since he took over as manager but are still the worst team in baseball.
Original Story:
http://fansided.com/2010/08/11/mlb-po...
