The Philadelphia Phillies continue to have a stranglehold on baseball’s best overall record, but this week, it’s the New York Yankees that took over the top spot in KP’s MLB Power Rankings.
Despite being 4 ½ games behind the Phillies heading into Monday, the Yankees, steadied by consistent pitching and powerful offense, saw another boost in ranking after a stretch of winning five of seven road games during the week. On top of that, the Bronx Bombers saw a points boost after taking away the American League East division lead from the Red Sox.
Meanwhile, the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers continue to gain steam, but remain in sixth place, mostly due to a sub-par road record.
Curtis Granderson is slugging his way to a possible American League MVP award
KP’s MLB Power Rankings: August 22, 2011
Note: Records and point totals as of Monday morning and do not include night games
1. New York Yankees – 77-48 (220 points) – Last Week: #2
Curtis Granderson (7 HR, 20 RBI’s, .342 average in August) may be cementing himself as the favorite for the American League MVP.
2. Philadelphia Phillies – 82-44 (202 points) – Last Week: #1
With just 35 AB’s in August, John Mayberry is still making a major impact, batting .343, with 5 HR and 12 RBI’s during that stretch.
3. Boston Red Sox – 77-49 (181 points) – Last Week: #3
Pricey free agent Carl Crawford is batting just .251, with 8 HR and 40 RBI’s in 99 games during his first season with the Red Sox.
4. Texas Rangers – 73-55 (150 points) – Last Week: #4
Colby Lewis may be 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA in 25 starts, but he’s also allowed 28 HR on the season, more than any other pitcher in the American League.
5. Atlanta Braves – 76-52 (129 points) – Last Week: #5
Dan Uggla’s 9 HR’s in August is the most of any player on any team in baseball.
6. Milwaukee Brewers – 77-52 (116 points) – Last Week: #6
Prince Fielder’s 22 RBI’s in the month of August is more than any other player in baseball.
7. Tampa Bay Rays – 69-56 (95 points) – Last Week: #9
Desmond Jennings’ eight steals in August is more than any other player in the American League.
8. St. Louis Cardinals – 67-60 (82 points) – Last Week: #7
Having another great year, Albert Pujols will cash in this offseason
To this point during his contract year, Albert Pujols has 21 doubles, 31 HR, 77 RBI’s and a .289 average in 450 AB’s.
9. Detroit Tigers – 68-58 (67 points) – Last Week: #11
In his first season with the Tigers, Victor Martinez leads the team in average (.324), while hitting 8 HR, with 70 RBI’s in 408 AB’s.
10. Los Angeles Angels – 69-59 (64 points) – Last Week: #10
Riding a four-game win streak, the Angels remain within striking distance, just four games back of the division-leading Rangers.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks – 69-59 (53 points) – Last Week: #8
The young D’Backs are hitting a cold spell in August, losing six straight games. Still, Arizona holds a one game lead over the Giants.
12. Toronto Blue Jays – 65-62 (45 points) – Last Week: #15
Since the All-Star Break, Ricky Romero is 4-0, giving up just 4 ER in 32 IP (1.13 ERA), while holding opposing hitters to a .097 batting average.
13. Cincinnati Reds – 62-65 (42 points) – Last Week: #14
Drew Stubbs has struck out 28 times in 19 August games, which is more than any other player in the National League.
14. Chicago White Sox – 63-63 (41 points) – Last Week: #13
The abysmal Adam Dunn numbers continue: .169 average, 150 strikeouts, 11 HR and just 40 RBI’s in 103 games and 356 AB’s.
15. San Francisco Giants – 68-60 (30 points) – Last Week: #12
Why are the Giants ranked so low in the MLB Power Rankings this week? The team’s .240 average – worst in the National League – coupled with a losing road record, are two reasons for the drop.
16. San Diego Padres – 59-70 (18 points) – Last Week: #19
It may come as a surprise to many, but the young 6’4” lefty Cory Luebke has more strikeouts (33) in August than any other pitcher in the National League.
17. New York Mets – 60-67 (15 points) – Last Week: #16
Jason Bay has had a disappointing season, batting just .237, with 9 HR and 43 RBI’s in 363 AB’s.
18. Cleveland Indians – 62-61 (13 points) – Last Week: #17
In four starts with the Indians, Ubaldo Jimenez has disappointed posting a 7.29 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 21 innings. Ugly.
Many Indians fans are likely wishing that Ubaldo Jimenez was still wearing a Rockies jersey
19. Colorado Rockies – 60-68 (1 point) – Last Week: #20
Since returning from the DL, Carlos Gonzalez has been swinging a hot bat, knocking in 20 runs in August, which is the second most in the National League.
20. Los Angeles Dodgers – 57-69 (-5 points) – Last Week: #18
Clayton Kershaw (15-5, 2.60 ERA and 199 K’s) deserves to have his name mentioned in the National League Cy Young chase.
21. Washington Nationals – 62-64 (-11 points) – Last Week: #23
Over 120 games into the season, who could have guessed that Danny Espinosa (18 HR, 57 RBI’s, .230 avg) would be outperforming Jayson Werth (15 HR, 48 RBI’s, .229 avg)?
22. Pittsburgh Pirates – 59-67 (-11 points) – Last Week: #21
Different members of the rotation are contributing: Kevin Correia leads the team in wins (12), Jeff Karstens leads in ERA (3.09) and James McDonald in strikeouts (115).
23. Oakland Athetics – 57-70 (-26 points) – Last Week: #24
Over the last 30 days, Hideki Matsui is swinging a really hot bat, posting a .374 average, with 4 HR and 18 RBI’s in 107 AB’s.
24. Florida Marlins – 57-70 (-48 points) – Last Week: #22
Mike Stanton (30 HR, 77 RBI’s in 2011) continues to be one of the most feared young power hitters in the National League.
25. Chicago Cubs – 56-71 (-59 points) – Last Week: #26
During the month of August, Aramis Ramirez is batting .385, with 5 HR and 18 RBI’s.
26. Kansas City Royals – 52-76 (-71 points) – Last Week: #27
Perhaps the Royals should have traded Joakim Soriah when they had the chance last year. His 4.13 ERA and .267 avg allowed has been a disappointment in 2011.
27. Seattle Mariners – 53-72 (-78 points) – Last Week: #25
During the month of August, Mike Carp is batting .351, with 4 HR and 18 RBI’s.
28. Minnesota Twins – 55-71 (-82 points) – Last Week: #28
No one could have predicted that Michael Cuddyer (18 HR, 61 RBI’s, .297 average) would lead the Twins in all major offensive categories this season.
29. Baltimore Orioles – 47-77 (-140 points) – Last Week: #29
Over the last 30 days, CF Adam Jones is batting .351, while posting 6 HR and 21 RBI’s.
30. Houston Astros – 42-85 (-150 points) – Last Week: #30
Rookie J.D. Martinez has been one of the bright spots, batting .280, with 5 HR and 20 RBI’s during the month of August.
* All stats per MLB.com
Note: RED = Falling 3+ spots from last week, GREEN = Rising 3+ spots from last week
The Wife Hates Sports MLB Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record. It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system. The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and pitching staff, too.
