Week 22 MLB Power Rankings

They may be a day late but I had a fantasy football draft last night. That took precedent. Sue me. That being said, if you are a fantasy football player my weekly fantasy blog will soon be NFL related. Just a heads up. But you didn't come here for fantasy football advice. You came to see the latest MLB rankings. So here they are. In all heir glory. Programming note that the records and stats will be through Monday, August 27th.

1.Washington Nationals (77-50) Stephen Strasburg starts tonight. It appears to be one of his last three appearances of the year. Too bad they won't be in October. (Last Week's rank 1)

2. Cincinnati Reds (78-52) The Reds, like the Nats, are a mere 5-5 in their last ten games. If they played better they would have the number one spot. That said, they look to me like th best team in baseball at the moment. (LWR 2)

3. Texas Rangers (76-52). Did anyone have a better week than 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre? He not only had a three-homer game he also hit for the cycle in another game. Not too shabby. (LWR 5)

4. New York Yankees (74-54) The Yankees lead in the AL East is down to 3 1/2 games and now they may be without Mark Teixeira for a while. Is there trouble brewing in the Bronx? (LWR 3)

5. Atlanta Braves (73-56) Ben Sheets has been placed on the DL. That shouldn't come as a big surprise. The Braves comfortable playoff cushion is dwindling near the end of the year. After 2011 that should not be a surprise either. (LWR 4)

6. Tampa Bay Rays (70-58) AL Cy Young candidate David Price was roughed up against Texas Monday night suffering his first loss since June 13th. (LWR 6)

7. San Francisco Giants (71-57) Somehow, some way the Giants continue to lead the NL West. With what the Dodgers just did they may not hold that title for long. (LWR 9)

8. Chicago White Sox (71-56) The White Sox had me confused all week. Then they swept the Yankees and the hot Seattle Mariners. Maybe the Sox are better than I thought. (LWR 10)

9. Baltimore Orioles (70-57) The O;s have now won a team record 13 consecutive one-run games. Their magical season continues as they strive for a playoff berth for the first time in this millennium. (LWR 12)

10. St. Louis Cardinals (71-57) The Cards have overtaken the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2nd wild card. They snuck into the playoffs last year and appear to be more than capable of winning it all again this time around. (LWR 11)

11. Los Angeles Dodgers (69-60) In the biggest trade I can remember the Dodgers have added Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett. Unreal. Simply unreal. Oh, and Nick Punto was added too. I should mention him to be fair. (LWR 7)

12. Oakland Athletics (70-57) Last week I mentioned that Brett Anderson was coming back from the DL. In his first two starts he has pitched 14 innings while giving up just six hits and one run. That is ace-calibur stuff right there. (LWR 13)

13. Detroit Tigers (69-58) The Tigers continue to play under everyone's expectations. They are also only one series away from leading the division as they remain just two games back of Chicago. (LWR 14)

14. Pittsburgh Pirates (68-60) The Pirates just finished off a 1-6 week and released struggling pitcher Erik Bedard. Their playoff chances are starting to walk the plank. (LWR 8)

15. Los Angeles Angels (66-62) Speaking of playoff chances slipping away the Angels are now 10 games back in the division. If manager Mike Scioscia wasn't signed for the next eternity I would bet his seat would be pretty hot right now. (LWR 16)

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (64-65) The Diamondbacks just suspended former MLB player and current announcer Mark Grace indefinitely as he was picked up for his 2nd DUI this year. Before you ask I am not above calling this a dis-grace. (LWR 15)

17. Seattle Mariners (62-67) Felix Hernandez won his 3rd 1-0 game this month. He is pitching out of this universe right now. (LWR 18)

18. Philadelphia Phillies (61-67) The Phils have been playing inspired ball of late including a sweep of the best team in baseball; division rival Washington. (LWR 20)

19. Boston Red Sox (62-67) They just traded away some top talent but they also shed a lot of salary. Odds are they will use that to offer Jacoby Ellsbury a large contract to keep the MVP-calibur player in Beantown. (LWR 17)

20. San Diego Padres (60-70) The Fathers have won eight in a row and are just as hot now as they were two weeks ago. When they also played my Braves. Fun stuff really. (LWR 26)

21. Milwaukee Brewers (60-67) Last week the Brewers cut Randy Wolf. On his birthday. I hope they bought him a beer. (LWR 23)

22. New York Mets (59-69) Last week I mentioned that the Mets should shut Johan Santana down. Then they did. The Mets should give me luxury box seats this weekend on the house. (LWR 19)

23.Toronto Blue Jays (57-70) The Jays just got news that Jose Bautista will miss the rest of the season. Good thing their season has been over for a while now. (LWR 21)

24. Miami Marlins (58-71) Giancarlo Stanton has clubbed 29 homers in 99 games this year. The fish would be well served to lock him up long term ASAP. (LWR 22)

25. Kansas City Royals (56-71) Just 10 losses away from another non-winning season in KC. More of the same for the last decade. (LWR 24)

26. Cleveland Indians (55-73) At the end of July the Indians were contending. Now they are fighting to stay out of the division cellar. (LWR 25)

27. Minnesota Twins (52-76) Ah, the Twins. The only reason the Indians could have such a horrendous month and not be the worst team in their division. (LWR 27)

28. Colorado Rockies (52-75) Troy Tulowitzki is poised to come back in September. All I can ask myself is why? (LWR 28)

29. Chicago Cubs (49-78) Chris Volstad picked up his first win in more than a calendar year. That's about all I got for the Cubbies. (LWR 29)

30. Houston Astros (40-88) Manager Tony DeFrancesco picked up his first managerial win in MLB. In Houston I don't think he will get many more this year or next if they keep him on. (LWR 30)