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2013 MLB Power Ranks Week 24
MLB Power Ranks Week 24
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick, tock. That is time running out on this year's baseball season. While there may only be a week left, there are still five playoff spots up for grabs. In the National League it looks like it will be the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds battling for home field advantage in the Wild Card round. The other three spots in the league are already secured though the overall number one seed and therefore home field advantage throughout the playoffs has yet to be decided. Something else that isn't yet decided? The American League Wild Card winners. There are still four or five teams battling for those two spots. It may be the last week before the playoffs start but there is still a lot to play for. It's why I love this game.
*Note ~ As always all stats and records are through Sunday's games.
1. Boston Red Sox (95-62) ~ The only team left in baseball that could win 100 games this year. While I don't think they will quite get there the Sox will look to wrap up homefield advantage this week. (Last Week's Ranking 1)
2. Oakland A's (93-63) ~ Back-to-back AL West division crowns. The A's are rolling at the right time and are going to be a tough out for whatever team draws them in the first round. (LWR 2)
3. Atlanta Braves (92-63) ~ For the first time since 2005 the Atlanta Braves are the National League East Champions. I don't care if this is a homer comment, it feels good to be able to say that officially. (:WR 3)
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (90-66) ~ The Dodgers were the first team to clinch this week and celebrated in Arizona by jumping in the pool. Some of the Daimondbacks and even senator John McCain were not impressed. Danny Espinosa could not be reached for comment. (LWR 4)
5. Detroit Tigers (91-65) ~ Max Scherzer finally won his 20th game of the season in his fifth attempt. Wins aren't everything but I think the Cy Young is still his to lose. Some voters are still enamored with the W. (LWR 5)
6. St. Louis Cardinals (91-65) ~ A two game lead in the division and knowing that the Pirates and Reds still have a three game set against each other should be enough to lock up the division for the Cards. (LWR 7)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (89-67) ~ Three games in Chicago against the Cubs before the season--ending and potential home field advantage giving series in Cincinnati. Drama? Oh yeah. (LWR 6)
8. Cincinnati Reds (89-67) ~ Three games hosting the New York Mets before the Pirates come to town. Advantage Cincinnati? (LWR 8)
9. Tampa Bay Rays (86-69) ~ They may have played the equivelent of four games but have three wins to show for it. They don't get another one for the 18-inning affair against Baltimore. Tampa is playing well and if it continues they should be lined up for one of the Wild Card spots. (LWR 10)
10. Cleveland Indians (86-70) ~ I kept writing them off and writing them off and here they sit. One week remaining in the season and the Indians are holding on to a playoff berth. Terry Francona will get some Manager of the Year votes coming his way whether they hold on to the spot or not. (LWR 9)
11. Washington Nationals (84-72) ~ A late season surge has the Nats only five games back of a playoff spot. I think they need the season to last another week or so to close that gap. (LWR 11)
12. Texas Rangers (84-71) ~ At the beginning of the month the Rangers looked like a lock for the playoffs. So far they have gone 5-15 in September. One more week until the collapse is complete. (LWR 12)
13. Kansas City Royals (82-73) ~ How cool is it to win the last home game of the season with a walkoff grand slam in extra innings that also gave the team their second winning season since 1994. (LWR 15)
14. New York Yankees (82-74) ~ Exit Sandman. Mariano Rivera has thrown his last pitch in the Bronx. It almost doesn't seem real. I can't imagine a world where he doesn't reside in that Yankee bullpen. Farewell Mariano. (LWR 13)
15. Baltimore Orioles (81-74) ~ Losers of four straight the O's have picked a bad time to go cold. It looks like this season won't have that magical October run in Baltimore. (LWR 14)
16. Arizona Diamondbacks (79-76) ~ Someone needs to come up with a clever name for the Dodgers celebrating in the D'Backs pool. Don't even tell me "Poolgate" because that isn't clever. But seriously, someone think of something. I'm drawing a blank. (LWR 16)
17. Los Angeles Angels (76-79) ~ CJ Wilson took his first loss since July 5th last night. I had no idea he was on such a stretch. East Coast bias I guess? ( LWR 17)
18. Toronto Blue Jays (71-84) ~ Anthony Gose hit Colby Rasmus in the face during a throw around between innings and Rasmus had to be removed from the game. That kind of sums up the Jays season. (LWR 18)
19. Philadelphia Phillies (71-84) ~ Ryne Sandberg will be the manager for Opening Day 2014. Before that comes the Phils can try to play spoiler in Atlanta and deny the Braves homefield for the playoffs. (LWR 19)
20. New York Mets (71-84) ~ Rumor has it that LaTroy Hawkins wants to come back and pitch next year. He has been a bright spot for the Amazins since Bobby Parnell was shut down by converting 12 saves. (LWR 21)
21. Colorado Rockies (71-86) ~ Speaking of managers who should be coming back next year we have Walt Weiss who should be there for Opening Day after completing his first year as a manager on a one-year contract. (LWR 20)
22. San Diego Padres (72-83) ~ Ah, the San Diego Padres. The team that, for whatever reason, I never have anything to say about. Apologies San Diego. Tell me things I need to know about your team. (LWR 22)
23. San Francisco Giants (72-84) ~ The Giants are just playing out the season but, like the Phillies, have a chance to keep home field away from the hated Dodgers in the playoffs. So there's that. (LWR 23)
24. Milwaukee Brewers (69-86) ~ A season to forget in Milwaukee for sure, but hey, at least they aren't the Chicago Cubs! (LWR 25)
25. Seattle Mariners (68-88) ~ Felix Hernanderz came back from an oblique strain and pitched four innings while striking out 10. That just doesn't seem fair. (LWR 24)
26. Minnesota Twins (65-90) ~ For how much the Twins pitching staff has struggled in recent years it has to be killing them to see Franciso Liriano act like the ace of the Pittsburgh staff. Doesn't it? (LWR 26)
27. Chicago Cubs (65-91) ~ Kevin Gregg has saved 32 games for the Cubs this year with a 3.45 ERA. Gregg has voiced his displeasure in the fact that the Cubs will be auditioning Pedro Strop for the closer's gig this week while looking towards next season. (LWR 27)
28. Chicago White Sox (61-94) ~ The club is on pace for its worst season since 1970. I was negative 13 years old then. I remember it well. (LWR 28)
29. Miami Marlins (57-99) ~ One more loss until the fish join the Astros in the 100-loss categoy.. Hooray! (LWR 29)
30. Houston Astros (51-105) ~ Chris Carter has 29 home runs which is the most by an Astro since Lance Berkman hit 28 in 2008. (LWR 30)