Monday Power Rankings

1. Rays (Last week 1)- Last week they were number one and were behind the Yankees, this week they're number one and are tied with the Yankees. They're doing it with great pitching (more or less 5 above average starters all season), great defense, and good enough hitting. Kind of a no brainer. It will be interesting offseason for the Rays. They theoretically could be coming off a world series championship and have to break up the core, it will be hard to retain Crawford

2. Yankees (2)- You can't put anyone else above them besides the Rays but they do seem highly vulnerable. Ivan Nova pitched great yesterday but it's a scary thought that he could be in the playoff rotation. Think about it though; Pettitte is no lock to be back healthy and pitching on a 100+ pitch count, Burnett is simply abysmal, Vazquez was so bad he's a reliever, and Hughes for all the goodness he's given has an ERA north of 5 since June.

3. Twins (3)- Not really a good week, but they're still the 3^rd best team in the AL which means they are the 3^rd best team in baseball.

4. Rangers (7)- The only real team who jumped a good amount this week. The NL Leaders didn't have great weeks and they beat the Twins 3 times.

5. Red Sox (4)- There are teams in the NL with better records but can you really tell me that they are better teams than the Red Sox? Maybe a partial reason for doing these rankings is to illustrate the difference in quality between leagues, but so be it.

6. Reds (8)- Rose this week mostly because of bad weeks by the Braves and Padres, but they are still playing well and with a 5 game lead over St. Louis they may have locked up the division.

7. Braves (6)- Got swept by the Rockies but ended up taking 2/3 from the Marlins. They still have a slight lead (2 games) over the Phillies but new 1b Derek Lee has given them nothing and I wouldn't necessarily be surprised if the Braves missed out on the postseason. I have to rank them for what they've done, not what they might do in the future so they're still 7^th, but I'm not loving their chances from this point out anymore.

8. Phillies (9)- They got swept by the Astros but they also swept the Padres. They arguably have the best talent in the NL and in the last month I think that will begin to show. Don't be surprised to see them rise in the coming weeks.

9. Padres (5)- Really bad week, have lost 4 in a row including a sweep by the Phillies. A 5 game lead over the Giants still gives them a nice buffer zone, but they can't keep having weeks like this if they plan to make the playoffs, let alone do well in the playoffs.

10. Giants (13)- As it's noted above they are 5 games back of the division lead but just 1.5 from the wild card. We know they have the pitching (with Lincy being the weak link?) and now Kung-Fu Panda may be ready to join their surprisingly decent to good lineup batting .481 this week with 9 RBI.

Best of the Rest
11. White Sox (11)- Last week I made fun of Mark Kotsay, Kenny Williams may have listened and gotten himself some Manny Ramirez. Manny has become the TO of baseball amazing when he tries, a cancer when he doesn't. Trying to play for a new contract next year, I suspect he'll rake and although he won't be enough to get the Sox into the playoffs, it'll be fun to watch.            
12. Rockies (14)- Swept the Braves and took 2 of 3 from the Dodgers. CarGo the destroyer is back, and suddenly they are still within a prayer of the postseason.                     
13. Blue Jays (12)- The Jose Bautista show continues as the Jays fight to seem relevant even though they are better than 20 or so teams in the league.                         
14. Cardinals (10)- Terrible week losing series' to Pittsburgh and Washington. It will be tough coming out of this hole, but maybe they can "Restore the Honor". I can't believe I just linked a Glenn Beck page, excuse me while I barf.
15. A's (16)- Great young pitching with a handful of starters in their 20s with ERAs under 4, impressive.
16. Dodgers (18)- They aren't bad but it's almost better to be bad than kind of good so you don't ruin your future, which may have happened slightly with their deadline deals
17. Marlins (15)- Nolasco will either be put on the DL or just stink when he starts because of his injury. The Fish are always decent sprinkled with some good years, maybe next year they have one?
18. Tigers (19)- Miguel Cabrera continues to mash like hell, too bad the rest of the team is hurt or just bad.
19. Mets (20)- At this point in the rankings, being mediocre ain't bad
20. Brewers (21)- 3 wins in a row. In an always kind of bleh division, if Weeks is legit and Braun and Prince have turnaround seasons they could make a run.
21. Angels (17)- Horrible week continues their dreadful season. 5 games under .500. They have been good for a long time now, will they rebound over the young Rangers and A's?          
22. Astros(22)- Once they rebuild the team becomes good. It's likely just a flash in the pan but still.

No Ranking Needed
Nats- Strasburg is gone, 'nuff said.
Cubs- Anyone else realize that Dempster is kinda legit?                                             
Royals-Top farm system should all be up in the majors around the time Greinke signs with the Yankees.   
Indians-Safe to call LaPorta a bust?                                         
Diamondbacks- Dan Hudson has been terrific, but so has Max Scherzer.              
Orioles- Luke Scott, do you trade him for value or keep him cause he isn't too old and is quite good?
Mariners- The horrendous year for the #6org continues!
Pirates- I'm assuming there is light at the end of this tunnel you just may need to bring your binoculars.