2013 MLB Power Rankings Week 3

This past week was all about Boston, and for good reason. The Red Sox are atop the American League East and help ease the minds, along with the Bruins, of everyone in the town by playing inspired ball. During home games for both teams the crowd sang the National Anthem. If you have a pulse it gave you goosebumps. Even Neil Freakin' Diamond showed up at Fenway for an impromptu rendition of "Sweet Caroline" which somehow became synonymous with the Red Sox. Things are looking better in Boston, but will it be good enough to claim the top spot in this week's rankings? In a word, no.

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

1. Atlanta Braves (13-5) They may have been plundered in Pittsburgh by the Pirates but the Braves still have the best record in the bigs and the home run leader in all of baseball, Justin Upton, set to tee off in Colorado. Giddyup. (Last Week's Rank 1)

2. Colorado Rockies (13-5) I did this on purpose, you see. The Rockies have the same record as Atlanta and play host to them to start the week. If one team sweeps the series they could cement their claim to the top spot next week. (LWR 5)

3. San Francisco Giants (12-7) Wanna make one of your friends buy you a beer? Ask them who leads the Giants in batting average (.317) and OPS (.927) so far this year. They aren't going to guess Brandon Crawford. You're welcome. (LWR 2)

4. Oakland A's (12-7) The A's were 6-0 on the road this year heading into their series against Tampa Bay. They left 6-3. (LWR 3)

5. Texas Rangers (12-6) The Rangers are good but no team can afford to keep losing pitchers at this rate. Matt Harrison is out until around the All-Star break after back surgery. (LWR 7)

6. Boston Red Sox (12-6) A Boston starter had not allowed more than three earned runs in a start until the 17th game of the season. That ties a major league record to open the year. (LWR 9)

7. Washington Nationals (10-8) Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has landed on the disabled list once again. This time he has opened the door for prospect Anthony Rendon. Let's see what he does with the opportunity. (LWR 4)

8. Cincinnati Reds (11-8) Joey Votto has a .522 OBP. Let me repeat that, because it bears repeating. Joey Votto has a .522 OBP. That means he has been on base more than not. That....is insane. (LWR 13)

9. Detroit Tigers (9-9) Prince Fielder is leading the league with 21 RBI. I can only hope he adds another inside-the-park home run this year. (LWR 9)

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (10-8) Didi Gregorious is here and the stud shortstop prospect might be here to stay. He has already clubbed two homers in his first three games. (LWR 6)

11. Kansas City Royals (10-7) Kansas City currently sits atop the AL Central. With Cleveland and Chicago faltering out of the gate and Detroit treading water this team might have an actual chance this year. (LWR 11)

12. St. Louis Cardinals (10-8) Matt Adams. The dude is hitting .542/.593/1.042. Video game numbers aren't even that good. Get this man a position! (LWR 12)

13. Baltimore Orioles (10-8) They just couldn't do it could they? They couldn't have another 3-3 week just to make me giggle. Sigh. (LWR 14)

14. New York Yankees (10-7) Brett Gardner and Ichiro have a combined one stolen base. I did not see that coming. (LWR 18)

15. Pittsburgh Pirates (10-8) They finished off their impressive homestand by taking three of four from Atlanta. It is officially time to raise the Jolly Roger in Pittsburgh. (LWR 24)

16. Tampa Bay Rays (8-10) Evan Longoria has found his power stroke with four long balls in the last seven games. Tampa's anemic offense needs him to keep that up. (LWR 16)

17. New York Mets (9-8) I missed this in my slurping of Matt Harvey last week so I will add it now. In four starts he has allowed 10 hits. Sweet jeebus. (LWR 15)

18. Los Angeles Dodgers (8-10) They salvaged a win Sunday to avoid an 0-fer for the week. One has to believe manager Don Mattingly is not safe if he doesn't produce with this team this year. (LWR 10)

19. Toronto Blue Jays (8-11) Brett Lawrie is back. I have a man crush on Brett Lawrie. Be prepared to see that name a lot in my rankings. Brett Lawrie. (LWR 17)

20. Los Angeles Angels (7-10) Another LA team, another manager in trouble if he doesn't produce. Mike Sciosca may be gone this year as well. (LWR 23)

21. Milwaukee Brewers (9-8) Well, I made fun of them last week and they haven't lost since. You're welcome Milwaukee. (LWR 27)

22. Philadelphia Phillies (8-11) After allowing only three earned runs in 15 innings over his last two starts it appears Roy Halladay has turned the corner. Philly fans better hope so. (LWR 21)

23. Seattle Mariners (7-13) They brought in the fences at Safeco to help the M's score some more runs. They currently rank last in the American League. Early, yes, but it doesn't look good. (LWR 19)

24. Chicago White Sox (7-11) Jake Peavy has allowed one earned run while going at least six innings in three of his four starts. Too bad the White Sox are terrible. (LWR 20)

25. Minnesota Twins (8-7) The Twins have played the fewest games in the league so far due to inclement weather. That said, I still don't think they miss the dome. (LWR 25)

26. Cleveland Indians (7-10) A third AL Central team in a row. If that was atop the rankings it would be a good thing. (LWR 22)

27. Chicago Cubs (5-12) Manager Dale Sveum was quoted that Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo might spend time in the minors at some point this year. If that happens Sveum might be looking in the minors for his next gig. (LWR 26)

28. San Diego Padres (5-13) Everth Cabrera is leading this team in home runs with two. The same Everth Cabrera who has a career total of seven homers in over 1,000 at bats. (LWR 29)

29. Houston Astros (5-13) Get your popcorn ready! Oh, Rick, you weren't ready?(LWR 28)

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/22114442/video-drew-stubbs-homer-causes-popcorn-shower-for-rick-ankiel

(Sorry for the sloppy link, I can't embed this video)

30. Miami Marlins (4-15) The Marlins have scored 43 runs in 19 games. That is ugly. (LWR 30)