MLB Power Rankings

Having seen the July 31st Trade Deadline come and go a number of teams have positioned themselves for a run at October. Of course that also means a number of teams appear to have accepted their fate - a season without playoff baseball.

We have a new #1 atop the rankings in the form of the Cincinnati Reds. They've been surging lately and hold the best record in the Majors.

The biggest fall belongs to the Detroit Tigers who appeared as they'd returned to form. They've since dropped back in the standings and subsequently these rankings. They fell seven spots from 5 to 12.

1. Cincinnati Reds (62-41) Last week: 4 - A 19-7 month of July has seen the Reds rocket to the top of the standings in the NL. As of the moment they appear to be the team to beat in the NL.

2. Washington Nationals (61-41) Last week: 3 - Stuck behind the Yankees and Rangers in the Rankings for a month the Nats have finally surged into 2nd as they have a better record than both AL foes.

3. New York Yankees (60-43) Last week: 1 - Since Ichiro joined the Bombers they've gone 3-5 and ichiro has only scored 3 runs. Not exactly what they were hoping for.

4. Texas Rangers (59-43) Last week: 2 - The Rangers were easily the most active at the deadline rumored to be involved in talks for Cliff Lee and Josh Beckett. They didn't get either but won the Dempster sweepstakes.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates (59-44) Last week: 6 - OF Travis Snider needed a fresh start after being up and down from the minors with Toronto. Now the Pirates OF is packed with young talent.


6. Atlanta Braves (59-44) Last week: 9 - Probably could have used more help than Reed Johnson and Paul Malholm. However this team has the look of a playoff team without any major additions.

7. Los Angeles Angels (57-47) Last week: 8 - Zack Greinke lost his first start as an Angel. However he pitched 7 strong innings allowing only 2 ERs. This team has a scary playoff rotation with Weaver and Wilson as well.

8. Oakland A's (56-47) Last week: 10 Who would have thought the A's would find themselves 3.5 out of the West as the calendar readies for August?

9. Los Angeles Dodgers (56-49) Last week: 12 - The additions of Hanley Ramirez, Brandon League and Shane Victorino reaffirm the Dodgers the team to beat in the West.

10. San Francisco Giants (56-47) Last week: 7 - Hunter Pence was a nice addition. Marco Scutaro should provide depth. However it wasn't a strong enough answer to what their rival Dodgers did.

11. Chicago White Sox (56-47) Last week: 11 - Francisco Liriano made his last start as a Twin against the White Sox (allowing 7 ER). Tonight he makes his first start as a White Sox against the Twins.

12. Detroit Tigers (54-50) Last week: 5 - Since sweeping the White Sox the Tigers are 2-6. Not good enough as they fall 7 spots.

13. St. Louis Cardinals (55-48) Last week: 13 - Made a minor trade at the deadline to acquire RP Edward Mujica. Means they need to be better the rest of the way.

14. Baltimore Orioles (55-49) Last week: 14 - It's almost August and the Orioles are still ahead of the Rays, Red Sox and Blue Jays in the East. Can they catch the Yanks though?

15. Arizona Diamondbacks (53-51) Last week: 19 - Don't look now but the NL West could suddenly be a three team race. The once forgotten DBacks are 3.5 out.

16. Tampa Bay Rays (54-50) Last week: 15 - Evan Longoria should be back soon (he's out on rehab). The Rays managed to stay afloat in the Wild Card race without him and have hope.

17. Boston Red Sox (53-51) Last week: 17 - Changes are coming in Boston. GM Cherington insisted Beckett wouldn't be traded (he wasn't) but rumors ran rampant that the Sox wanted him out.

18. Toronto Blue Jays (51-52) Last week: 16 - Injuries continue to derail this once promising season. J.P. Arencibia and Adam Lind are the latest casualties.

19. Cleveland Indians (50-53) Last week: 18 - Remember when Travis Hafner hit 42 HR in one season? That was 2006. In 6 seasons since he hasn't even hit double that (81).

20. New York Mets (50-54) Last week: 20 - Remember when the Mets were winning and all we heard about was R.A. Dickey? The two seem linked. Since the All-Star Break Dickey's ERA is 4.78.

21. Seattle Mariners (49-57) Last week: 24 - Since trading Ichiro the Mariners are on fire. They've won six straight and eight of ten.

22. Milwaukee Brewers (47-56) Last week: 22 - Trading Zack Greinke signals the end of the Brewers season. Could have been worse though considering the loss of Prince Fielder in the off-season.

23. Miami Marlins (47-56) Last week: 21 - A new park is supposed to improve attendance and traditionally that is true. The Marlins rank 18th in the Majors, however. So clearly it doesn't always work.

24. Philadelphia Phillies (46-57) Last week: 23 - The Phils are sending mixed signals. They dumped Pence and Victorino but resigned Hamels. Are they rebuilding or not?

25. Minnesota Twins (44-59) Last week: 27 - What a great addition Josh Willingham was. He's hit 27 HR and driven in 79 RBI for the hapless Twinkies.

26. Chicago Cubs (43-59) Last week: 25 - Ryan Dempster got dealt to the Rangers but Soriano and Garza remain ... for now.

27. San Diego Padres (44-61) Last week: 28 - The Padres re-signed their two best trading chips in Carlos Quentin and Huston Street. Odd.

28. Kansas City Royals (42-60) Last week: 26 - The Royals last ranked outside of the bottom five of MLB Attendance was 2003, also their last winning season.

29. Colorado Rockies (37-64) Last week: 29 - Their first 100 loss season ever looks likely.

30. Houston Astros (35-70) Last week: 30 - The Astros have made the playoffs only 9 times in 50 seasons. Not about to be 10 in 51.