With a little over fifty games left in the MLB regular season, the Washington Nationals continue to hold a lead in the National League East division, and this week, sit on top of KP’s latest edition of MLB Power Rankings.
The Nationals have a hefty balance of young stars on both offense and within its pitching staff, but it’s the group of arms that have been the most impressive. Washington’s pitching staff continues to own Major League Baseball’s top ERA (3.28 through 108 games). The Nats also have the best WHIP (1.21), opponent batting average (.234) and fifth most K’s (889). But in the end, it’s not a question of whether Washington’s staff will maintain this impressive stretch, but what will happen if and when Stephen Strasburg gets shut down due to an innings limit.
Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Reds, owners of the best record in Major League Baseball, claim the second position, followed by the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.
Here’s where each team sits in the MLB Power Rankings, all calculated with a secret point system that covers a number of different team related categories and statistics.
One of the biggest questions facing the Washington Nationals is Stephen Strasburg, and when he may be shut down
KP’s MLB Power Rankings: August 6, 2012
*Stats, records and information as of Sunday August 5, 2012
1. Washington Nationals (148 points) – Last Week: #1
2. Cincinnati Reds (142 points) – Last Week: #2
3. New York Yankees (138 points) – Last Week: #4
Dusty Baker has the Cincinnati Reds flying high
5. St. Louis Cardinals (124 points) – Last Week: #5
6. Atlanta Braves (119 points) – Last Week: #6
7. Chicago White Sox (104 points) – Last Week: #7
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (80 points) – Last Week: #9
9. San Francisco Giants (77 points) – Last Week: #12
10. Los Angeles Angels (75 points) – Last Week: #8
11. Detroit Tigers (68 points) – Last Week: #13
12. Los Angeles Dodgers (63 points) – Last Week: #11
13. Arizona Diamondbacks (62 points) – Last Week: #14
14. Oakland Athletics (60 points) – Last Week: #10
15. Boston Red Sox (50 points) – Last Week: #15
16. Tampa Bay Rays – 45-41 (46 points) – Last Week: #16
17. New York Mets (19 points) – Last Week: #18
18. Seattle Mariners (15 points) – Last Week: #19
19. Baltimore Orioles (11 points) – Last Week: #20
20. Toronto Blue Jays (7 points) – Last Week: #17
21. Philadelphia Phillies (-3 points) – Last Week: #21
22. Milwaukee Brewers (-27 points) – Last Week: #23
23. Kansas City Royals (-34 points) – Last Week: #25
24. Minnesota Twins (-35 points) – Last Week: #27
25. San Diego Padres (-54 points) – Last Week: #24
26. Cleveland Indians (-64 points) – Last Week: #22
27. Miami Marlins (-67 points) – Last Week: #26
28. Chicago Cubs (-88 points) – Last Week: #28
29. Colorado Rockies (-104 points) – Last Week: #29
30. Houston Astros (-172 points) – Last Week: #30
* 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.
