2013 MLB Power Rankings Week 23

Well, a lot has happened over the last two weeks. Sorry for not having an update last week. I was distracted by my Philadelphia Eagles opening the season with a whupping of the Washington Redskins. But for now it's back to baseball. After all, that is what you came here for right? The season is winding down with roughly two weeks left to play. Some teams are all but clinched and others are still hanging on by life support. Now is the time of year you want to be playing your best ball because as we have seen in years past, once a team enters the playoffs it is really just one big crapshoot from there. So let's take a look at who is dangerous coming down the stretch.

Note ~ As always stats and records are through Sunday's games.

Double Note ~ The "Last Week's Ranking" feature will be used, it will just mean two weeks ago.

1. Boston Red Sox (92-59) ~ Boston has welcomed back ace Clay Buchholz to the top of the rotation. If he stays healthy he will be an important weapon in October. (LWR 3)

2. Oakland A's (88-61) ~ The weekend sweep of the second place Texas Rangers all but ices the division crown. If I were an American League club I would hope to not face Oakland in the first round. (LWR 10)

3. Atlanta Braves (89-60) ~ A lot of people might think the Braves are fading down the stretch. The offense has tapered off but the starting pitchers have been getting a rest. Freddy Garcia and David Hale made starts this past week. They won't be anywhere near the playoff roster. (LWR 1)

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (86-63) ~ Early on people were calling for manager Don Mattingly's head. Now the Dodgers hold the largest division lead (10.5 games) in baseball. My how things have changed. (LWR 2)

5. Detroit Tigers (86-63) ~ Max Scherzer hasn't won a game since August 24th. Don't worry though, he should still have two or three shots at that elusive win number 20. (LWR 4)

6. Pittsburgh Pirates (87-62) ~ It happened last week but I didn't get a chance to write about it. The Pirates clinched their first winning season since 1992. Raise the Jolly Roger indeed. (LWR 5)

7. St. Louis Cardinals (87-62) ~ St. Louis has stayed neck and neck with the Pirates and I think they will ultimately overtake them. I have to say I am rooting for the Buccos though. (LWR 6)

8. Cincinnati Reds (84-66) ~ I can't seem to break up the National League Central triumvirate in my rankings. The Reds should be able to claim the final playoff spot in the NL. (LWR 7)

9. Cleveland Indians (81-68) ~ This isn't Ricky Vaughn and Pedro Cerrano but these Indians are a frisky bunch that just mgiht sneak into the postseason. Two weeks ago I wouldn't have believed it but now I kind of do. (LWR 13)

10. Tampa Bay Rays (81-67) ~ This is the part of the movie about five minutes after the Titanic has hit the iceberg. The damage is assessed and it is determined that the ship is going down. (LWR 8)

11. Washington Nationals (79-70) ~ They are playing their best baseball right now and still have a shot at catching the Reds and breaking up the triumvirate. I don't think they will, but they have a chance. (LWR 14)

12. Texas Rangers (81-67) ~ This is the part of the movie where Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are on the railing as the Titanic is sinking into the ocean. With just two wins in September the Rangers are in serious trouble of missing the postseason. (LWR 9)

13. New York Yankees (79-71) ~ I find it humorous that Alex Rodriguez is a large part in helping the Yankees in their playoff push. I truly do. (LWR 12)

14. Baltimore Orioles (79-70) ~ Chris Davis has joined a list with Babe Ruth and Albert Belle as the only players to hit 50 home runs and 40 doubles in a season. That's it. That's the whole list. (LWR 11)

15. Kansas City Royals (78-71) ~ It looks very much like the playoff push will come up just short but this might give the fans in KC something to look forward to for next year. (LWR 16)

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (75-73) ~ Because the Diamondbacks are a bad team he won't get much, if any, MVP love (fairly or unfairly) but Paul Goldschmidt is one of the premier first baseben in all of baseball. Seriously. Go look at his numbers if you don't believe me. I'll wait. (LWR 15)

17. Los Angeles Angels (72-77) ~ They have been playing well of late winning 10 of their 15 games in September but the expectations in LA were much bigger than maybe finishing at .500 (LWR 19)

18. Toronto Blue Jays (68-81) ~ The other half of the biggest disappiontments of the season. It looks like the Jays will see their win total decrease for the fourth straight season. (LWR 18)

19. Philadelphia Phillies (69-80) ~ Philly is on their way to their first losing season since 2002 when they went 80-81. Not a bad run over the last decade. (LWR 22)

20. Colorado Rockies (68-82) ~ Todd Helton has announced that he will retire after the season ending his 17-year MLB career played entirely in Colorado. One of my favorite players that's for sure. He will be missed. (LWR 17)

21. New York Mets (67-82) ~ Matt Harvey needs to stop delaying the inevitable and have Tommy Jiohn surgery. The longer he waits the more it looks like 2014 will be a lost season. (LWR 20)

22. San Diego Padres (68-80) ~ This goes against how I write these but Andrew Cashner is currencly flirting with a no-hitter. Just don't say anything. It's our secret. (LWR 23)

23. San Francisco Giants (69-81) ~ Hunter Pence has a chance to set career highs in doubles and home runs after already setting a career high in stolen bases. Not bad for a contract year. (LWR 24)

24. Seattle Mariners (66-83) ~ Felix Hernandez isn't ready to come back from an oblique injury and at this point he may as well just shut it down for the season. What's the use in coming back for one or two meaningless starts at the end of the year? (LWR 21)

25. Milwaukee Brewers (65-83) ~ Remember Corey Hart? No, not the sunglasses at night guy. The one who plays for Milwaukee. Injured for the whole year Hart, who has slugged 87 homers the last three seasons, is set to be a free agent. (LWR 26)

26. Minnesota Twins (64-84) ~ Joe Mauer's concussion woes have to be a huge concern for the Twins. A shift to first base might come as soon as 2014. (LWR 25)

27. Chicago Cubs (63-86) ~ Starlin Castro is leading the team with a .240 batting average. I almost don't know what to say. Nope. I've got nothing. (LWR 27)

28. Chicago White Sox (58-91) ~ Chris Sale probably won't get any Cy Young love but his numbers stack right up with the presumed favorite Max Scherzer. (LWR 28)

29. Miami Marlins (55-94) ~ Jose Fernandez finishes up his rookie campaing with a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 12 wins on a putrid team. If that isn't good enough for Rookie of the Year honors I don't know what is. (LWR 29)

30. Houston Astros (51-98) ~ This is the week Houston clinches a third straight 100-loss season. Things can only go up from here. (LWR 30)