The Major League Baseball season has just a few weeks remaining in its regular season, with a few key pennant races becoming quite exciting down the stretch. In KP’s recent edition of MLB Power Rankings, the Top 10 remains mostly unchanged.
The only shift was the struggling Red Sox falling out of the top three for the first time in months, being replaced by the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.
Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Phillies maintain a strong lead over the New York Yankees, and the Detroit Tigers continue to fend off the Milwaukee Brewers for fifth place.
NOTE: This post was delayed due to KP falling ill – All stats and records as of Wednesday evening, but point totals still as of Monday morning
Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies are continuing their dominant ways in September
KP’s MLB Power Rankings: September 19, 2011
NOTE: Point totals as of Monday morning (and do NOT include games on 9/19/11)
1. Philadelphia Phillies – 94-49 (236 points) – Last Week: #1
Cliff Lee’s 34 strikeouts in September are the second most in baseball for the month. In four September starts, Lee is 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA.
2. New York Yankees – 88-57 (215 points) – Last Week: #2
The Yankees clinched a postseason berth with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over the Rays on Wednesday afternoon.
3. Texas Rangers – 85-61 (175 points) – Last Week: #4
Hamilton and the Rangers have been swinging hot bats
As a team, the Rangers are batting .321 in September, which is the best in baseball. Also this month, Texas leads MLB in HR, slugging percentage and OPS.
4. Boston Red Sox – 83-64 (155 points) – Last Week: #3
Boston’s 118 runs in the month of September are 2nd most in baseball, but the team’s 5.98 ERA is the worst in baseball.
5. Detroit Tigers – 84-62 (139 points) – Last Week: #5
The Tigers are 14-4 in the month of September so far, best in baseball to this point.
6. Milwaukee Brewers – 86-62 (131 points) – Last Week: #6
Yovani Gallardo has struggled a bit in September, posting a 5.32 ERA in four starts. He’s also allowed 9 HR’s, more than any other pitcher in September.
7. Tampa Bay Rays – 81-64 (118 points) – Last Week: #7
Despite pressuring the Red Sox in the Wild Card race, the Rays are batting just .225 in September, which is the worst average in baseball.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks – 85-62 (110 points) – Last Week: #8
Arizona ace Ian Kennedy is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four September starts.
9. St. Louis Cardinals – 79-67 (110 points) – Last Week: #9
The Cardinals are 13-5 in September to this point, best record in the National League.
10. Atlanta Braves – 84-63 (101 points) – Last Week: #10
In three September starts, Derek Lowe is 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA.
11. Los Angeles Angels – 80-66 (84 points) – Last Week: #11
Ervin Santana has walked more batters (16) than any other pitcher in September.
12. San Francisco Giants – 72-73 (68 points) – Last Week: #14
The bats have woken up some. Most notable is Pablo Sandoval, who has 6 HR and 16 RBI’s so far in the month of September.
13. Los Angeles Dodgers – 73-72 (55 points) – Last Week: #12
In four September starts, Clayton Kershaw is 4-0 with a 0.99 ERA.
14. Toronto Blue Jays – 76-70 (24 points) – Last Week: #16
In seven September appearances, Shawn Camp is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA.
15. New York Mets – 71-75 (15 points) – Last Week: #17
Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey has been great in September, going 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA.
16. Cincinnati Reds – 74-73 (14 points) – Last Week: #15
In September, the Reds are batting just .247 as a team, but the team’s 27 HR are tied for the most in the National League this month.
17. Chicago White Sox – 71-75 (-1 point) – Last Week: #13
Brent Morel has played well in September, posting 6 HR and 14 RBI’s to date.
18. Cleveland Indians – 69-77 (-7 points) – Last Week: #19
Shelley Duncan has played well in September, posting 6 HR and 14 RBI’s to date.
19. Washington Nationals – 72-72 (-14 points) – Last Week: #23
Strasburg has had a solid return in DC
In his three starts since returning, Stephen Strasburg is 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA over 14 IP.
20. Colorado Rockies – 66-79 (-25 points) – Last Week: #18
The Colorado defense has converted 152 double plays this season, most in the National League.
21. Florida Marlins – 63-84 (-29 points) – Last Week: #20
In three September starts, Javier Vazquez is 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA.
22. Kansas City Royals – 66-80 (-40 points) – Last Week: #25
Kansas City’s .313 average in the month of September is the second best in baseball to date.
23. Oakland Athletics – 67-77 (-42 points) – Last Week: #22
The A’s have committed 121 errors on the season, most in the American League.
24. San Diego Padres – 66-80 (-42 points) – Last Week: #21
Aaron Harang has a 3.24 ERA in four September starts, but just a 1-3 record to show for it.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates – 62-86 (-71 points) – Last Week: #24
Pittsburgh’s 4.88 ERA in the month of September is the worst in the National League, but good for 25th in Major League Baseball.
26. Chicago Cubs – 64-82 (-75 points) – Last Week: #26
The Cubs have committed 128 errors on the season, the most in Major League Baseball.
27. Seattle Mariners – 61-85 (-103 points) – Last Week: #27
Seattle’s .226 average in the month of September is the second worst in baseball.
28. Baltimore Orioles – 58-87 (-122 points) – Last Week: #28
The Orioles have 23 steals so far in September, which is the most in baseball for the month.
29. Minnesota Twins – 59-87 (-163 points) – Last Week: #29
Minnesota’s 97 HR’s on the season is the fewest in the American League.
30. Houston Astros – 49-97 (-164 points) – Last Week: #30
In three September starts, Brett Myers is 3-0 with a 1.16 ERA.
* 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.
What’s up Aero?
Half-game lead now for Boston! Wow… and the Braves only have a one game edge in the NL Wild Card. Heck of a finish to the season… think the playoffs will be solid, too.
The Rays are within 2 games of the Sox thanks to last nights slugfest with the Yankees. If they can take 2 out of 3 in the final 2 series I think they can at least force a playoff game. Wouldn’t that be great. Cheers brother!