2013 MLB Power Rankings Week 18

It had to come to an end some time didn't it? As glorious as it was the Atlanta Braves 14-game winning streak came to an end Saturday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the woeful Miami Marlins. The lone run came on a Jordan Walden wild pitch in the ninth and then Atlanta's longest winning streak since 2000 came to an end. Just like that. One win shy of tying the franchise record since they moved to Atlanta.The streak did, however, propel the Braves to the best record in baseball and to a commanding lead in the National League East. The 14 1/2 game lead over second place Washington almost matches the distance between the first place Los Angeles Dodgers and the last place, and defending champion, San Francisco Giants. I am not one for thinking a lead is too big to be blown, especially in August, but I have counted the Giants out of playing in October so that means I can count out the Nats too. Right? Right. And while I can't hand the NL East crown over to the Braves just yet I can offer them a condolence prize of being the top squad on my power rankings once again.

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

1. Atlanta Braves (72-46) ~ Winners of 15 of their last 16 the Braves have launched themselves to the top of the division and the top of baseball. I hope they remain there when all is said and done in October. (Last Week's Ranking 4)

2. Pittsburgh Pirates (70-47) ~ Minor League home run leader Andrew Lambo is set to be called up to a squad that is 12 wins away from clinching their first winning season since Lambo was in kindergarten. (LWR 1)

3. Detroit Tigers (69-47) ~ The Tigers have been just as hot as the Braves as they have won 17 of their last 20 including a demolition of the Cleveland Indians in a sweep last week to open a nice seven game cushion in the American League Central. (LWR 7)

4. Boston Red Sox (71-49) ~ Boston has already surpassed last season's win total of 69 and looks primed to make it back to the playoffs. (LWR 3)

5. Tampa Bay Rays (66-50) ~ Coming off of a brutal 0-5 West Coast trip the Rays will need to bounce back against the sub .500 Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays this week. (LWR 2)

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (67-50) ~ I already covered how hot the Braves and Tigers have been. The Dodgers? Well, they've only won 37 of their last 45 games. That is otherworldly. (LWR 8)

7. St. Louis Cardinals (67-50) ~ The best news the Cards have heard is that All-Star catcher Yadier Molina is nearing a return from the disabled list. St. Louis needs him if they are going to challenge Pittsburgh in the Central. (LWR 5)

8. Texas Rangers (68-50) ~ Well, I guess I should complete the quadrant of hot teams. The Rangers have won 12 of their last 13 to regain the top spot in the American League West. They also picked up Alex Rios from the Chicago White Sox to help counter the loss of Nelson Cruz who was suspended with his connection to Biogenesis. (LWR 12)

9. Oakland A's (66-50) ~ For the second time in roughly a week the A's lost Adam Rosales to the Rangers on waivers. He was in one state while his luggage was in another and his wife in yet a third. Talk about disorienting. (LWR 6)

10. Baltimore Orioles (65-52) ~ Talk of this year's MVP has begun and I bet Baltimore fans have to be wondering why their boy Chris Davis who leads baseball in homers is not being mentioned among Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout. (LWR 10)

11. Cincinnati Reds (65-52) ~ I bet most people forgot about Ryan Ludwick who was just activated from the disabled list this week. He hadn't played since Opening Day. (LWR 11)

12. Kansas City Royals (61-54) ~ There is optimism in KC and there should be. The Royals are threatening to make the postseason for the first time since winning the 1985 World Series. (LWR 13)

13. Cleveland Indians (63-55) ~ Last week Cleveland locked up utilityman Ryan Raburn to a two-year deal. Last week Raburn also made his pitching debut in a blowout loss to the Tigers. Is there anything more fun than a position player taking the mound? (LWR 10)

14. New York Yankees (59-57) ~ Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run of the season this weekend. I have a feeling the only news anyone will hear about the Yankees the rest of the year will involve A-Rod. (LWR 14)

15. Arizona Diamondbacks (59-57) ~ Cody Ross is out for the year with a dislocated hip. There is no way I can imagine that not hurting like hell. (LWR 16)

16. Colorado Rockies (55-64) ~ A sweep of the Pirates has to feel nice but that could be the last bright spot in the Rockies' season. (LWR 17)

17. Washington Nationals (57-60) ~ I said last week that the Nationals needed a sweep if they had any shot at the division. They got the sweep but it was against the wrong team as they took three straight from Philly after being swept by the Braves. (LWR 15)

18. Toronto Blue Jays (54-63) ~ Jose Bautista homered and had two doubles in a game he dedicated to a nine-year-old fan who recently lost his life Good on you Joey Bats. (LWR 20)

19. San Diego Padres (53-64) ~ San Diego lost Everth Cabrera to the Biogenesis scandal. Between him and Yonder Alonso there is a lot of steroid talk in San Diego. (LWR 18)

20. Seattle Mariners (54-63) ~ Perhaps the best baseball player I have ever watched, Ken Griffey Jr., was just inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame. Won't be long until he is enshrined in Cooperstown. (LWR 19)

21. Los Angeles Angels (53-63) ~ I mentioned earlier that Mike Trout is among the favorites for MVP. Could he bring home the hardware if the Angels finish with a losing record? (LWR 22)

22. New York Mets (54-61) ~ The only bright spot coming from David Wright's possible season-ending injury is the Mets get to see just what star prospect Wilmer Flores can do in the pros. (LWR 24)

23. San Francisco Giants (52-65) ~ It appears as if the Giants will continue their string of seesaw seasons. Win it all, miss the playoffs. Win it all and it looks like miss the playoffs again. (LWR 23)

24. Chicago Cubs (52-65) ~ Hey, the Cubbies aren't in last place. That's something to smile about. (LWR 25)

25. Philadelphia Phillies (52-65) ~ The Phillies take their 11-game road losing streak in to Atlanta to face the team with the best record (40-16) at home. Why do I have a feeling that you can throw those records out when you are talking Phillies-Braves? (LWR 21)

26. Minnesota Twins (52-63) ~ One has to wonder if Ron Gardenhire will be around to coach the team in 2014. The Twins have been more than irrelevant the past three years. (LWR 26)

27. Milwaukee Brewers (51-67) ~ The injuries keep on coming for the Brewers as second baseman Rickie Weeks is now lost for the rest of the year. (LWR 27)

28. Chicago White Sox (44-72) ~ Well, they ruined A-Rod's return to the majors last week. So there's that. (LWR 29)

29. Miami Marlins (44-72) ~ They get to be the team that put an end to Atlanta's 14-game winning streak. (LWR 28)

30. Houston Astros (37-79) ~ Houston won't break the record for the worst team in baseball history but they are far from good. And I mean far. (LWR 30)