Dave B’s MLB Power Rankings – October 1
Heading into the final week of baseball’s regular season, it has become clear who the “haves” and “have-nots” are. Some teams made a late charge this season and some fizzled – paging the Pittsburgh Pirates!!
Still as the season comes to a close, it is refreshing to see some new teams at or near the top of the Rankings. The curtain is closing with the Power Rankings reflecting optimism for a few hopeful teams.
Enough talk – let`s take a look at Dave B’s bi-weekly version of the MLB Power Rankings.
1. Cincinnati Reds (2) – The Reds barely sneak ahead of the Nationals based on a better record over the last 10. This team is looking like the team to beat in the NL at present – the pitching continues to sizzle and a healthy Joey Votto is making a difference
2. Washington Nationals (1) – The Nats have played .500 ball over the last 10 games. Like the Reds this team is terrific offensively with Ryan Zimmerman lighting it up now and with the pitching staff that not looking like they miss Mr. Strasburg all that much.
3. Texas Rangers (3) – The Rangers have gone just 4-6 in their last 10 games and barely hole onto a top 3 spot. Yu Darvish should return after a stiff neck forced him out of action which should help.
4. San Francisco Giants (7) – Bruce Bochy’s squad has looked terrific of late and now own the second best record in the NL. Buster Posey has been terrific and the pitching is finally realizing the lofty goals they had going into the season. Do you want to play the Giants in the first round of the playoffs? I didn’t think so!
5. Atlanta Braves (6) – Hey – maybe Chipper will come back for another season and have a third farewell tour! They are postseason bound based on their 8-2 stretch and are tough up and down the lineup – no huge stars but a great team.
6. New York Yankees (5) – Even though they are not as Hot as the team chasing them in the AL East, I put the Yanks ahead of the O’s based on talent alone. The Yanks are still top dogs in the East but have company at the top with…
7. Baltimore Orioles (8) – The Orioles won’t go away! Congrats on your first postseason berth in an eternity! It shows the baseball world that it can be done – you can compete and succeed against the big spenders!
8. Oakland Athletics (4) – still playing good ball and enter the last week of the season 2 games behind the Rangers. If they hold off the Rays they will be the second unforeseen AL team to make the expanded playoffs. There isn’t a ton of star power on this team – just a bunch of blue collar players making it work – I love it.
9. Chicago White Sox (9) – have won four straight games and have opened up a 3 game lead over the Tigers. They are an impressive 14 games over .500 and are #9 in the Rankings.
10. Tampa Bay Rays (12) – The Rays are 9-1 in their last 10 games and are within a whisker of the playoffs. They are healthy and finally playing some OK offense while their vaunted pitching staff just keeps doing their thing. If the Rays qualify, they will be a scary playoff team.
11. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (10) – They have the Rookie of the Year and possible MVP and the likely Cy Young winner on the team and yet they are still a long shot to make the playoffs. They waited too long this year to start playing their best ball but a 7-3 record in the last 10 has them barely outside the Top 10.
12. Detroit Tigers (11) – The Tigers have almost done enough to claim the Central – 7-3 in their last 10 games. Miguel Cabrera may be the first to win the Triple Crown since 1967 and Justin Verlander keeps getting it done. The Tigers are a frightening team with Cabrera and Fielder and if Verlander can get some support they could surprise in the playoffs.
13. St. Louis Cardinals (13) – The Cards have finished up strong going 7-3 in their last 10 games. If they could learn to play on the road we would be talking about this team as a serious contender. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
14. Los Angeles Dodgers (14) – The Dodgers have been good in going 7-3 in their last 10 games. Unfortunately the trade hasn’t worked they way they envisioned – the Dodgers are clearly a second tier team heading home this season.
15. Milwaukee Brewers (16) – looks like they heated up a tad late this season but their recovery has been remarkable considering the talent they lost in the offseason. They certainly do have some pieces in place though!
16. Philadelphia Phillies (17)
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (18)
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (15)
19. San Diego Padres (20)
20. New York Mets (21)
21. Seattle Mariners (19)
22. Kansas City Royals (22)
23. Boston Red Sox (24)
24. Toronto Blue Jays (23)
25. Cleveland Indians (26)
26. Minnesota Twins (27)
27. Miami Marlins (25)
28. Colorado Rockies (29)
29. Chicago Cubs (28)
30. Houston Astros (30)
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