Week 23 MLB Power Rankings

Labor Day has come and gone. I took the liberty of taking yesterday off from writing my rankings. Now that means I get to do it on a Tuesday. Same stchick, different day. The first of September though. We are coming down to it all. Let's see where the teams fall in the rankings this week.

1. Washington Nationals (82-52) The Nats remain atop the list. But barely. They maintain the best record in the bigs but all the buzz is about the eventual shutdown of Strasburg. (Last Week's Rank 1)

2. Cincinnati Reds (82-54) The hard charging Reds are getting their former MVP Joey Votto back from the DL. Things are looking good in Cincy. (LWR 2)

3. Texas Rangers (80-54) The Rangers called up stud shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar who did what so many others making their major league debut did this year: hit a home run in his first at bat. (LWR 3)

4. New York Yankees (76-58) Their lead in the AL East has dwindled to a mere game over the Baltimore Orioles. That isn't all, the Tampa Bay Rays have closed to within 2 1/2. Things are getting interesting in the Bronx.

5. Oakland Athletics (76-58) Their nine-game winning streak came to an end last night but the A's have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last month. They are now tied for the 2nd best record in the AL with the Yankees. (LWR 12)

6. Baltimore Orioles (75-59) The O's came within an error of sweeping the Yanks in New York over the weekend. They are also due to get Jason Hammel back rom the DL this week. (LWR 9)

7. Atlanta Braves (76-59) Kris Medlen has not allowed an earned run in his last four starts. Atlanta has been floundering lately but Medlen has been more than steady when the Braves need him most. (LWR 5)

8. San Francisco Giants (77-58) The Los Angeles Dodgers made a blockbuster trade and the Giants have responded by opening a 4 1/2 game lead in the NL West. Funny how things work out like that. (LWR 7)

9. St. Louis Cardinals (73-62) The Cards have leapfrogged the fading Pittsburgh Pirates for the second wild card spot. They also get back Lance Berkman from the DL. If he can contribute at all the Cards offense will be scary good. (LWR 10)

10. Tampa Bay Rays (74-61) They beat the Yankees last night and could make things very interesting with a sweep. The Rays always seem to be in the mix of things this time of year. (LWR 6)

11. Chicago White Sox (73-61) They were swept by the Detroit Tigers which made their division lead go poof. Looks like this will be a drag out, knock down fight til the end for the lone playoff spot out of the AL Central. (LWR 9)

12. Detroit Tigers (72-62) As I mentioned they swept the ChiSox to get back in the division race. Let's see if they can close the season the way I thought they would play all year. (LWR 13)

13. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-63) Don Mattingly called a closed doors meeting last week. That is never good. The Dodgers have been fading since that blockbuster trade. (LWR 11)

14. Los Angeles Angels (72-63) The Angels have been hot lately. The problem with that is two of the top three teams in the AL reside in the same division. Another potential problem is ace pitcher Jered Weaver may miss his next start. If that is at all serious the Angels can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. (LWR 15)

15. Pittsburgh Pirates (70-64) The Buccos had an abysmal August by going 11-17 and losing their wild card lead to division mate St. Louis. Their playoff hopes are slim but they can still get their first winning season in nearly two decades by winning 12 more games. (LWR 14)

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (66-70) The best of the non-contenders. The D'Backs would be better suited turning to the young guns to see what they have for next year. Word is they won't recall Trevor Bauer until the AAA playoffs are over. (LWR 16)

17. Seattle Mariners (66-70) If the Mariners keep this up they just might finish at .500 this year which is much better than I could have imagined for them this season. (LWR 17)

18. Philadelphia Phillies (65-70) The Phils were one lousy 9th inning away from a sweep in Atlanta over the weekend. They have been playing inspired ball since the break but they dug too big a hole early on. They won't sniff the playoffs this year. (LWR 18)

19. Milwaukee Brewers (65-69) Like the Phillies the Brewers have been playing much better in the second half. Also like the Phillies it is too little too late. (LWR 21)

20. San Diego Padres (62-74) Over the last month Chase Headley has hit .326/.369/.642 while driving in 30 runs. They were wise not to trade him at this year's deadline. (LWR 20)

21. New York Mets (64-71) The Mets have won seven of nine but will have to fight the Phillies off to finish in 3rd in the NL East. (LWR 22)

22. Boston Red Sox (62-74) The Sox were humiliated last week by winding up on the wrong end of a 20-2 drubbing by the A's. They are currently mired in a seven game slide. (LWR 19)

23.Toronto Blue Jays (60-74) The only good news the Jays have received over the last month was the return of ace Brandon Morrow. He will do his part to help the Jays avoid finishing last in the AL East. (LWR 23)

24. Kansas City Royals (60-74) Top prospect Wil Myers was just named minor league player of the year. Why the Royals don't plan on calling him up is beyond me at this point. (LWR 25)

25. Miami Marlins (60-75) Maybe the expectations for the Marlins this year were a tad unfair. Just because they spent on free agency for what seems like the first time in their history didn't mean they would contend. Did it? (LWR 24)

26. Cleveland Indians (57-78) The Indians have a horrendous -157 run differential which is second worst in all of baseball to the lowly Houston Astros. That is a massive focal point for what went wrong in Cleveland this year. (LWR 26)

27. Colorado Rockies (55-78) Josh Rutledge .342/.360/.608 has been a nice surprise for the Rockies this year. With Troy Tulowitzki manning short they would be wise to get him some reps at second to form a nice double play combo out west. (LWR 28)

28. Minnesota Twins (55-80) The Twins placed Joe Mauer on waivers last week. I wonder if they actually wanted someone to try and take that massive contract off their books. (LWR 27)

29. Chicago Cubs (51-83) Last week they assured themselves of a losing season. Cubs fans will have to wait another year or two to (hopefully) start seeing the results they expect from bringing in Theo Epstein. (LWR 29)

30. Houston Astros (42-93) Rumor has it the rocket could make a return trip to Houston as early as next week. While completely gimmicky if Roger Clemens does indeed suit up that will potentially be the best thing to happen to the Astros all year. (LWR 30)