MLB Power Rankings

MLB's first week back after the All-Star Break and there is a new #1 in town, the New York Yankees. On the strength of a 4-1 start to the second half the Yankees have rose to the top of the chart replacing the Texas Rangers who held a two week reign.

The biggest gainers were the Tigers and Braves who moved up 5 and 4 spots respectively. The Tigers are finally starting to look like the team that many predicted they'd be before the season started. On an 8-2 stretch the Tigers have risen to 3 games above .500 and see themselves 3.5 back in the Central entering play today. The Braves, also on an 8-2 run, have climbed closer to the Nationals in the East sitting 3.5 games back.

The big losers of the week were the Orioles and Mets who dropped 5 and 6 spots respectively. Both teams are on 3-7 stretches and have fallen out of 2nd place in each of the leagues East divisions. After Cinderella first halves reality may finally be hitting these squads. The O's dropped all the way down to 18th after sitting 7th just two weeks ago. The Mets were also in the Top 10 last week (#9) have fallen out and into 15th.

On to the rest of the rankings.

1. New York Yankees (56-34) Last week: 2 - People worry about their aging stars but what about Granderson and Cano who are taking the torch, they're both 30+?

2. Texas Rangers (55-35) Last week: 1 - Josh Hamilton is having a tough time at the plate the last few months. In April and May combined he hit .368 with 21 HR. So far for June at July he's at .206 and 7.

3. Washington Nationals (52-36) Last week: 3 - The Nationals lead in the East has dropped to 3.5 over the Braves. It's their smallest lead in almost a month (June 22nd).

4. Chicago White Sox (50-40) Last week: 5 - The White Sox have been playing well lately but their bullpen could be their doom if they don't acquire some veterans. They have six relievers who have less than 50 career innings pitched.

5. Los Angeles Angels (50-41) Last week: 4 - The Angels need to play better on the road if they are going to catch the Rangers in the West. Currently they sit at 25-23 away from Angels Stadium.

6. Cincinnati Reds (51-39) Last week: 7 - The Reds got some awful news this week when 1B Joey Votto went down with a knee injury. Surgery will sideline him for at least 3-4 weeks. Bad timing for the first place Reds.

7. Atlanta Braves (49-40) Last week: 11 - SP Ben Sheets did not allow a run in his first start in nearly two years on Sunday. His addition, and continued performance, would be a welcome addition to this surging team.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (50-40) Last week: 6 - Are taking a long, hard look at Diamondbacks RF Justin Upton. He would be a great addition next to Andrew McCutchen, but is he worth the price?

9. San Francisco Giants (50-40) Last week: 8 - The Giants need to improve their hitting with runners in scoring position. Currently they're hitting .230, good for 28th in all of MLB.

10. Los Angeles Dodgers (48-44) Last week: 10 - Just like their division rivals the Dodgers problems continue to lie with the offense. The Dodgers are 29th in MLB this season with only 53 HR. Only the Giants are worse (52).

11. Detroit Tigers (47-44) Last week: 16 - The Tigers are starting to roll and are closing in on the White Sox. The Tigers have their best record since late April.

12. St. Louis Cardinals (47-44) Last week: 12 - The Cardinals need to do a better job of cashing in their runs. They are tied for the MLB lead in OBP (.340) but are hitting just .265 with runners in scoring position.

13. Tampa Bay Rays (47-44) Last week: 14 - There are so many teams floating in and out of contention this season it's tough to gauge what the Rays will do. Could SP James Shields be dealt either way?

14. Boston Red Sox (46-45) Last week: 15 - Appear to be seriously interested in Cubs SP Ryan Dempster and Twins SP Francisco Liriano. Are either really an upgrade to what the Sox already have?

15. New York Mets (46-44) Last week: 9 - The Mets hit better with runners in scoring position than they do with nobody on base. .245 with nobody on (24th) and .272 with runners in scoring position (6th). Now if only they could get more guys to 2nd.

16. Oakland A's (46-44) Last week: 19 - The Rangers and Angels better not focus too hard on eachother and forget about the A's who seem interested in making the West a 3 team race.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (45-46) Last week: 17 - The Jays have had a lot of injury trouble this season but now they've lost the one man they couldn't afford to be without - RF Jose Bautista who was DL'd with a wrist injury.

18. Baltimore Orioles (46-44) Last week: 13 - SP Jason Hammel is going to be out a month after knee surgery. Their best pitcher out for a month? Bye-bye birdie. The once promising season is fading.

19. Cleveland Indians (46-44) Last week: 18 - The Indians owned a 0.5 game lead in the Central on June 23rd. They haven't been back in that spot since and now sit behind the Tigers and the White Sox.

20. Miami Marlins (44-46) Last week: 20 - The Marlins acquired 1B Carlos Lee to improve their offense. Lee hit his first HR as a Marlin last night and is now hitting .290 with the team. He'll need to keep it up.

21. Milwaukee Brewers (43-47) Last week: 22 - The Brewers have fallen to 6.5 back in the Wild Card chase. With so many teams in it, will the Brew Crew decide to be sellers?

22. Arizona Diamondbacks (43-47) Last week: 21 - How much longer can the DBacks put up with CF Chris Young's .318 career on base percentage?

23. Philadelphia Phillies (41-51) Last week: 24 - Ace Roy Halladay has returned, the Phillies have won 4 straight. But is it all a little bit too late for the Phils?

24. Chicago Cubs (36-53) Last week: 27 - The Cubs probably should have called up 1B Anthony Rizzo sooner. Before Rizzo they were 25-48 (.342 win percentage). Since they are 11-5 (.688).

25. Seattle Mariners (39-53) Last week: 26 - GM Zduriencik said that RF Ichiro is still a franchise player and that he expects Ichiro to be back in Seattle in 2013. Should Ichiro ask for a trade and go looking for a ring?

26. Kansas City Royals (38-51) Last week: 23 - There's hope that they'll improve on last years 71 wins.

27. Minnesota Twins (38-52) Last week: 25 - Gave fans something to cheer about scoring a season high 19 runs on Monday.

28. San Diego Padres (37-55) Last week: 28 - Everth Cabrera stole home vs the Dodgers on Saturday. It was the first SD highlight I've seen this season.

29. Colorado Rockies (35-55) Last week: 30 - Carlos Gonzalez is leading the Rockies in virtually all offensive categories. Shame he can't pitch too.

30. Houston Astros (34-57) Last week: 29 - The Red Sox injury bug is now biting former players. SS Jed Lowrie is on the DL.