2013 MLB Power Rankings Week 19

Ever since Yasiel Puig was called up to the pros some two months ago the Los Angeles Dodgers have been hot. Real hot. Like, walking through hell in a gasoline suit hot. Odds are, East Coast Bias aside, you have heard about that. But did you know just how hot they have truly been? The Dodgers have won 42 of their last 51 games. To put that in perspective that is an 82.35% winning percentage. The Atlanta Braves, owners of the best record in baseball, are the only team to have a winning percentage for the season above 60%. Now that is what I call a hot streak. Can they keep it up and win it all come October? Perhaps. But for now, they will still have to play second fiddle to Atlanta as far as the power rankings go.

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

1. Atlanta Braves (76-48) ~ The Braves have a staggering 15 1/2 game lead over the second place Washington Nationals in the National League East and are an equally impressive 12-4 against Wahington this year. Danny Espinosa, however, remains unimpressed. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (72-51) ~ Their 10-game winning streak came to an end last night at the hands of two errors by shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the ninth inning. Han-Ram has never been known for his defensive prowess. (LWR 6)

3. Detroit Tigers (73-51) ~ Detroit may have cooled off after winning 17 of 20 but they won a very important series against the surging Kansas City Royals this week to assume their dominance in the American League Central. (LWR 3)

4. Boston Red Sox (73-53) ~ Ask any Boston fan what happened this last week and all they will tell you is Ryan Dempster plunked Alex Rodriguez and he deserved it. That is truly all they will choose to remember from this past week. (LWR 4)

5. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-51) ~ Pittsburgh's gassed bullpen may get some, well, relief as they signed veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth to a minor league deal. (LWR 2)

6. Tampa Bay Rays (70-52) ~ In his first 50 games as a pro Wil Myers is sporting a slash line of .311/.363/.497 with 37 runs driven in. With little competition in the AL I believe Myers is your Rookie of the Year. (LWR 5)

7. St. Louis Cardinals (71-52) ~ Top prospect Kolton Wong has been called up and should help fill an area of need for the Cards. Shortstop has been a black hole for most of 2013. (LWR 7)

8. Texas Rangers (71-53) ~ In four August starts Yu Darvish has 42 strikeouts. If there is anyone in my mind who I might vote for ahead of Max Scherzer of the Tigers for AL Cy Young award honors it is Darvish. (LWR 8)

9. Oakland A's (70-53) ~ Aside from the Dodgers I guess not much has changed in my top 10. Losing Bartolo Colon will hurt though. He has been their best pitcher all year putting up 14 wins, his highest output since 21 in his Cy Young year of 2005. (LWR 9)

10. Cincinnati Reds (70-54) ~ With the Cards and Pirates trading blows the Reds have snuck back into the conversation in the NL Central and find themselves only 2 1/2 games out. (LWR 11)

11. Baltimore Orioles (67-56) ~ Closer Jim Johnson is sporting his highest ERA (3.62) since 2009 but Francisco Rodriguez is even worse at 4.66 in 10 games since coming over to Baltimore. I'd say Johnson's job is safe. (LWR 10)

12. Kansas City Royals (64-59) ~ Before the season started I considered placing a bet that the Royals would finish under .500 again. Truth be told I am glad I didn't place that bet. (LWR 12)

13. Cleveland Indians (66-58) ~ A month ago I thought the Indians had a legit shot at a playoff spot, maybe even the division. Not so much anymore. (LWR 13)

14. New York Yankees (64-59) ~ If there was a better four game stretch than the one Alfonso Soriano just had then I can't remember it. In those four games he smacked five homers, scored nine runs and drove in an eye-popping 18 runs. That isn't a typo. Dude drove in 18 in four games. (LWR 14)

15. Arizona Diamondbacks (64-58) ~ Go ask Kirk Gibson what he thinks of Ryan Braun. Go ahead. I'll wait. (LWR 15)

16. Washington Nationals (60-63) ~ Stephen Strasburg was ejected from his start Saturday due to excessive wildness. Maybe it was a retaliation to Bryce Harper being plunked so many times. Maybe it isn't. We may never know. (LWR 17)

17. Colorado Rockies (50-67) ~ Troy Tulowitzki has hit only .222 since being activated from the disabled list. Couple his slump with Carlos Gonzalez's absense and this season is just about over for the Rockies. (LWR 16)

18. Toronto Blue Jays (57-67) ~ This Blue Jays season is giving me flashbacks to when I famously (at least amongs people who know me) called "Leaf not Manning". I couldn't have been more wrong on both accounts. (LWR 18)

19. San Diego Padres (56-68) ~ Something just doesn't seem right when Wil Venable is leading the team in home runs with 17. (LWR 19)

20. Seattle Mariners (57-66) ~ Something just doesn't seem right when the immortal Raul Ibanez is leading the team in home runs with 25. (LWR 20)

21. New York Mets (56-66) ~ First Jordany Valdespin took a pitch to the man region in Spring Traning and now LaTroy Hawkins took a comebacker to the fmaily jewels on the mound. Please kids, wear a cup. (LWR 22)

22. San Francisco Giants (55-68) ~ Pablo Sandoval has hired his brother to be his personal chef and has already lost 22 pounds. Can you say svelte panda? (LWR 23)

23. Los Angeles Angels (55-68) ~ In the battle for biggest disappointment the Angels are clearly outclassing the Blue Jays. (LWR 21)

24. Minnesota Twins (54-68) ~ The streak is over. A run scored while the Twins recorded an out for Andrew Albers ending his scoreless innings streak to start his career at an even 18. (LWR 26)

25. Milwaukee Brewers (54-70) ~ Since returning to the closer role Jim Henderson has converted all eight save chances while striking out 14 batters in 8 2/3 innings without allowing a single run. (LWR 27)

26. Chicago Cubs (53-70) ~ Another mental error for star shortstop Starlin Castro led to a run that should never have scored. Maybe the Cubs should think about getting him a prescription for Adderol. (LWR 24)

27. Philadelphia Phillies (54-69) ~ The Phils got their first win under Ryne Sandberg on Sunday. In fact, it was the first game the Phillies scored in under Sandberg after being shut out the previous two nights. (LWR 25)

28. Chicago White Sox (49-74) ~ Adam Dunn is hitting .239/.343/.476 which is abysmal to say the least. Consider that these numbers are the best he has put up in his now almost three year career as a white Sox. Yikes. (LWR 28)

29. Miami Marlins (47-75) ~ Steve Cishek has converted 22 straight save opportunites and is carrying a solid 2.80 ERA after finishing April over 5.00. (LWR 29)

30. Houston Astros (41-82) ~ Houston is playing .333 baseball and is a mere two wins away from assuring that they will not beat the 1962 Mets for the worst record in baseball history. (LWR 30)