2013 MLB Power Rankings Week 12

All year I stuck by the Toronto Blue Jays. I picked them to win the American League East, as did many others. I mean, after the offseason they had how could you go against them? Well, they fell flat on their faces out of the gate. Mired in last place most of the season the Jays are showing signs of life lately. Big signs. Signs to the tune of an 11-game winning streak which ties the franchise record. They go for win number 12 tonight against the Rays. Will they get it? Won't they? Either way the Jays are hot and are now back in the thick of things in the everybody is over .500 AL East.

*Note ~ As always stats and records are through Sunday's games.

1. St. Louis Cardinals (47-29) ~ The Cards may be coming off of a sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers but they still maintain the best record in baseball. Their hold on the top spot in the rankings, however, is loosening. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Pittsburgh Pirates (46-30) ~ In their highest ranking since I have been doing these (only a year or so) the Pirates are looking like the real deal. Pedro Alvarez is supplying the power by homering in his last four games. (LWR 6)

3. Cincinnati Reds (45-32) ~ That's right. The top three teams all reside in the same division. The third place Reds would be leading any other division in baseball. (LWR 2)

4. Boston Red Sox (45-33) ~ Jacoby Ellsbury led the AL in steals in 2008 and 2009. Well, he's doing it again this year with 32 swipes against only three caught stealing attempts. (LWR 2)

5. Detroit Tigers (42-32) ~ Justin Verlander gets all the pub, and it is well deserved, don't get me wrong. But, teammate Max Scherzer became the first starter since Roger Clemes in 1997 to start the season 11-0. (LWR 7)

6. Atlanta Braves (44-33) ~ The Braves had a soft schedule last week against the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. They finished that week 3-5.(LWR 4)

7. Texas Rangers (44-32) ~ Texas has ridden a five-game winning streak back to the top of the AL West. (LWR 9)

8. Oakland A's (44-34) ~ The A's have won 22 games at home and 22 on the road. The problem there is they have also lost 22 on the road. (LWR 5)

9. Baltimore Orioles (42-34) ~ Baltimore ran into the buzzsaw that is the Blue Jays. I am not going to hold that sweep against them and you shouldn't either. (LWR 8)

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (41-34) ~ Closer Heath Bell has served up a long ball in five straight games. Lucky for Arizona J.J. Putz is on the mend and should return shortly to restore order at the back of the bullpen. (LWR 10)

11. Toronto Blue Jays (38-36) ~ I mentioned their 11-game winning streak. But it gets even better for the Jays. Shortstop Jose Reyes is set to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday. (LWR 17)

12. New York Yankees (41-34) ~ Good news for the Yankees: Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are nearing their returns from injury. Bad news for the Yankees: it looks like Mark Teixeira is going to miss an extended period due to another wrist injury. (LWR 12)

13. San Francisco Giants (38-37) ~ The good news for the Giants? The Miami Marlins have left town. The better news? Pablo Sandoval has been activated from the DL. (LWR 14)

14. Tampa Bay Rays (39-37) ~ Wil Myers launched his first career home run in Yankee Stadium this past weekend. It was a go ahead grand slam off CC Sabathia. It doesn't get much more memorable than that. (LWR 11)

15. Washington Nationals (37-38) ~ In one of my favorite quotes of all time Jayson Werth stated last week that the Nats needed to be ready to "eat some face." Brilliant. (LWR 15)

16. Colorado Rockies (39-38) ~ Michael Cuddyer is riding a 21-game hitting streak, longest in the majors this season. (LWR 13)

17. San Diego Padres (38-38) ~ Rumor has it that teams are interested in acquiring starting pitcher Edinson Volquez. While the Padres are right in the thick of things in the NL West it might be wise to get something for Volquez if they can. (LWR16)

18. Cleveland Indians (38-36) ~ Chris Perez is nearing a return to the bigs and may resume closing duties in Cleveland. I think they would be best suited flipping him at the deadline and keeping Vinnie Pestano in the closer role. (LWR 18)

19. Philadelphia Phillies (36-40) ~ The Phils nearly blew a 7-1 lead against the Mets Saturday only to be bailed out by an absolute bomb from Kevin Frandson in the bottom of the ninth to end it. And it was a bomb. I saw it in person. (LWR 20)

20. Kansas City Royals (35-38) ~ The Royals have hit 40 home runs this season as a team. Baltimore's Chris Davis has hit 27 all by himself. (LWR 19)

21. Los Angeles Angels (33-43) ~ After a blistering June Mike Trout is reheating up the Trout vs. Miguel Cabrera for MVP talks. (LWR 21)

22. Minnesota Twins (34-38) ~ Minnesota has called up top pitching prospect Kyle Gibson who will make his major league debut this weekend. If there is one thing the Twins need it is quality pitching. (LWR 22)

23. Los Angeles Dodgers (32-42) ~ With Matt Kemp nearing a return from the DL the plan is to continue to lay Yasiel Puig in the outfield. First good thing the Dodgers have done this year. (LWR 23)

24. Seattle Mariners (34-43) ~ Someone picked up Raul Ibanez in one of my fantasy leagues this weekend and it shocked me. What shocked me more was looking at his stats and seeing 17 long balls. All I can say is RAAAUUUUULLLLLLL!!! (LWR 24)

25. Chicago Cubs (31-43) ~ Remember when the Cubs almost acquired Dan Haren for Carlos Marmol? Are there two players having worse seasons than those two? Jeez. (LWR 25)

26. Chicago White Sox (31-42) ~ Time to blow things up in Chicago. I expect to see Jake Peavy and other veterans with high price tags to move. That is if anyone wants them ie Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn. (LWR 26)

27. New York Mets (30-42) ~ The Mets had a nice week taking series from the Braves and Phillies. (LWR 28)

28. Milwaukee Brewers (31-43) ~ More bad news for the Brew Crew. Centerfielder Carlos Gomez left a game this weekend after crashing into the wall. What more can go wrong for Milwaukee? (LWR 27)

29. Houston Astros (29-48) ~ You have to figure the Astros will look to trade off any of their "veteran" players. Here's looking at you Bud Norris. (LWR 29)

30. Miami Marlins (25-50) ~ You have to figure the Marlins will look to trade off anyone making any money. Here's looking at you Ricky Nolasco. (LWR 30)

*Programming note ~ There will be no rankings the next two weeks as I will be away on vacation. Sorry kids.