We can’t shake up the MLB power rankings too much this week, because everyone has been pretty stagnant over the past week to 10 days. But the Blue Jays get a jolt, and we have a new No. 1, so that’s got to count for something, right?
With only four games on Monday’s schedule – and none with major implications – we’re putting the rankings out a day early.
First 4
1. (4/6/6/9) Pirates: They split with the Reds, but going to Anaheim and sweeping the Angels gives the Pirates the nod this week. They’re about due for their yearly appearance in first place, but we’ll jump the gun and make them No. 1 in the power rankings first. Will the collapse follow? Stay tuned.
2. (3/5/3/2) Reds: Had a rare opportunity to take the top spot, but dropped two of three in Arizona. The top 3 could be reversed again in a week, but each has more than 20 wins against the Central. The Brewers and Cubs are paying the price.
3. (1/1/1/1) Cardinals: Even with the 2011 World Series revenge factor and the late night start for the Rangers’ finale, the Cardinals can’t survive a sweep at home. They were due for a slump after winning 13 straight series. Playing in a division with the top three teams in baseball offers no guarantees for a return to No. 1, but we think they’ll be back.
4. (8/4/2/3) Rangers: Took back control of the AL West by winning 3 of 4 against the A’s, then swept the best team in baseball in its own ballpark. That will help erase a 6-game skid and get you back in the First 4.
The gooey center
5. (10/13/16/20) Blue Jays: Not only have they won 11 straight, but they are one of the few teams to have a decent stretch over their last 10 games. That the rest of the AL East won only 4 or 5 during that stretch and Toronto hasn’t passed even one of them holds them back here as well. It was tempting to send them all the way to the top for a week, though. However, in the past two weeks: Blue Jays > Orioles > Tigers > Red Sox. Therefore…
6. (6/11/8/13) Orioles: Won 2 of 3 in Detroit after beating Boston in 3 of 4. It’s that Blue Jays sweep that’s the issue.
7. (9/10/11/5) Tigers: Head-to-head matchups with AL East helps the AL Central leaders earn some respect.
8. (7/7/7/12) Red Sox: Maintaining the best record in the American League, but with every team in their division over .500, we can’t even guarantee they’ll be in the playoffs, let alone first place.
9. (2/3/5/15) A’s: Losing 3 of 4 to the Rangers in Texas after the hot streak they had is just a stumble. Going to Seattle and losing 2 of 3 to the Mariners is a faceplant.
10. (11/8/9/10) Diamondbacks: Taking care of business at home against the bad (Marlins) and good (Cincinnati).
11. (5/2/4/4) Braves: Lost 3 of 5 to the Mets, then 2 of 3 in Milwaukee and still have a 6-game lead in the NL East. They look like they’ll cruise to this title, but will they be sharp in the playoffs? They’ve got time.
12. (13/9/14/6) Yankees: Splits stabilize their position for once.
13. (17/27/12/7) Indians: Taking out the Royals and Twins establishes Cleveland as the only true challenger to the Tigers if there ever was one. And there might not be.
14. (16/12/15/11) Giants: The Padres came into San Francisco with a plan to put the Giants in their rear-view mirror for good. But if it was that easy, there’d be fewer rings in the Bay Area.
15. (14/15/10/8) Rockies: Despite a 5-game losing streak, they lost little ground here or in the standings.
16. (15/18/17/18) Padres: Diamondbacks and Dodgers last week. Padres and Giants this week. The NL West race is tight, so was that series and all of these teams don’t like each other.
17. (12/19/26/23) Royals: As soon as we declare they’re for real – with a disclaimer – they lose 4 in a row, giving the Indians back the title of top AL Central contender, and giving the flatlining White Sox their first signs of life in a while.
18. (22/22/22/22) Mariners: Being the thorn in Oakland’s side for the 2nd time in 2 weeks finally lifts these Mariners out of the No. 22 spot.
19. (18/14/13/17) Rays: Swung and missed on road trip to New York and Boston that could have made up some ground. Now they play the streaking Blue Jays. Loser gets last place, but somehow stays in contention.
20. (20/16/18/19) Phillies: Thought the head-to-head battle with the Nationals might clear some smoke around the two teams. Instead they just pulled each other down some more… in the power rankings – and below .500.
21. (19/17/19/14) Nationals: Tired of waiting for them to make a move. Excuse my negative Natitude.
22. (21/21/20/30) Twins: Swept the White Sox and dropped a spot. Sounds about right.
23. (24/24/23/21) Angels: Passing the Dodgers in this week’s power rankings will have to do.
24. (23/20/27/25) Dodgers: Did the splits with the Yankees and Padres. Mattingly as a Dodger in Yankee Stadium was a sight to see.
25. (25/23/24/27) Cubs: A matchup of 100-loss teams from last year was considered a prime ticket by the beancounters at Wrigley. At least the Cubs gave them a series win against the former division rival Astros. Those Ws don’t count toward that dismal 9-24 record against the Central this year, though.
26. (27/28/29/28) Astros: Took 2 of 3 from the Brewers, but dropped 2 of 3 to the Cubs. Could have jumped the two teams directly ahead of them last week to continue their unlikely climb, but will have to settle for just one.
Final 4
27. (26/25/28/26) Brewers: Peeked over the Cubs for a day, but sit in last again. Now the two also-rans of the NL Central will settle it on the field.
28. (29/29/25/24) Mets: A five-game series against the Braves could have been catastrophic for this staggering team. Instead they won 3 of them and then carried that into a series win against the Phillies.
29. (28/26/21/16) White Sox: Jesse Crain’s franchise-record 30 straight scoreless appearances was a bright spot. Then it ended.
30. (30/30/30/29) Marlins: Took 3 of 4 in San Francisco after ending the Cardinals’ series-winning streak. They keep it up and we won’t be able to keep them in 30th next week.