Weekly Power Rankings for 2010

[bridgestone]

As expected, all of the trades will have a big impact.  The Braves-Cardinals trade should have a big effect on this year with the Cards pushing harder and the Braves conceding a bit.

[Canada8999]

My vote will be for either Rob :OAK: or Daniel :TOR:.  FYI to all of you rookies, Ben :MIL: was voted as GM of the Year in 2009.

If you asked me a few weeks ago I'd vote :STL: without even needing to look at what Rob or Daniel had done - STL was in full on rebuilding mode during the offseason, and all of the sudden they've got the 2nd most points / 2nd best record in the league - they certainly got my attention.  They've slipped a little lately, but are still 2nd in points with a great roster.

Of course this is only if I can't vote for myself, given my Brewers are 8 games under 0.500 in MLB 

[Paul S.]

Thanks Ben and Dan.  I've just been trying to hang on through the injuries for the last few weeks until the regular lineup can get back in.  I still plan on seeing Ben for a rematch in the league championship game.

[bridgestone]

Interesting matchups this week...

My predictions
:MIL: over :ATL:
:PHI: over :BAL:
<-- this gives two game lead for Phillies
:CIN: over :NYY:
:BOS: over :NYM:
:TOR: over :TB:
<-- puts Blue Jays into driver's seat for AL East and tied Yankees and Red Sox
:TEX: over :STL:
:OAK: over :DET:
:LAD: over :CLE:
:SF: over :CHW:
<-- keeps AL Central standings the same, Reds need this type of outcome to put them within one of the NL Wildcard
:PIT: over :KC:
:HOU: over :COL:
:ARZ: over :WAS:
:LAA: over :FL:
:SD: over :SEA:
:CHC: over :MIN:

The Rays-Blue Jays, Yankees-Reds, and A's-Tigers series are the big ones here.

All of those matchups are holding true except for the following

:SEA: leads :SD:
:TB: leads :TOR:
:FL: leads :LAA:
:CLE: leads :LAD:

Those three matchups you pointed out are critical.  However, the Indians-Dodgers has a huge effect on the AL Central race.  If all goes well for them, they'll be tied with the Tigers at 10-6 next week.

[Needle Juice]

If you asked me a few weeks ago I'd vote :STL: without even needing to look at what Rob or Daniel had done - STL was in full on rebuilding mode during the offseason, and all of the sudden they've got the 2nd most points / 2nd best record in the league - they certainly got my attention.  They've slipped a little lately, but are still 2nd in points with a great roster.

Of course this is only if I can't vote for myself, given my Brewers are 8 games under 0.500 in MLB 

I have to say that Paul and Daniel have great teams and I am glad to be mentioned in that company.  It all depends on how we finish.

The only primary difference is that the A's have done it with a salary cap of $70 mil, 30 mil under those other guys. 

[clidwin]

That Indians game will be a close one all week.

[BHows]

My apologizes for the pathetic performance of the South Siders bats this week. With all due respect to the Giants, the ChiSox would have had a hard time vs. Little Sisters of the Poor. Unbelievable!

[joeshmoe]

All of those matchups are holding true except for the following

:SEA: leads :SD:
:TB: leads :TOR:
:FL: leads :LAA:
:CLE: leads :LAD:

Those three matchups you pointed out are critical.  However, the Indians-Dodgers has a huge effect on the AL Central race.  If all goes well for them, they'll be tied with the Tigers at 10-6 next week.

:SEA: leads :SD: ...comeback?  I had a pretty decent week for the Padres going into sunday night.  Venable back was a big help and Gerrardo Parra is playing nicely.

[Dan Wood]

My Reds crapped the bed, let the sell off begin

[Colby]

Grades: [Score, Batting, Pitching]

Week 17 Power Rankings
1) :MIL: - (15-1) [97.83%/A/A] - Brewers are looking forward to clinching the NL in a few weeks.
2) :STL: - (11-5) [91.06%/A/B-] - Morneau's concussion?  No problem.  Paul trades him! (2)
3) :OAK: - (12-4) [90.17%/B+/A] - A's facing injuries (2)
4) :LAD: - (12-4) [89.13%/A-/B+] - Quiet Dodgers maintain poise. (2)
5) :TOR: - (12-4) [88.66%/A/B] - Still hold the tiebreaker over Yankees (2)
6) :NYY: - (12-4) [88.53%/A-/B] - Many changes, good (Danks, Mauer) and bad (Helton) from new GM (-4)
7) :PHI: - (10-6) [88.17%/B/A-] - Kazmir on DL, Werth in Cincy but Phils should be fine with two week lead (-4)
:DET: - (10-6) [88.04%/B/A-] - One of the hottest teams in the majors
9) :CIN: - (9-7) [86.23%/A-/B-] - Despite all their activity, Reds falter in race for playoffs, sale begins to focus on 2011 run (3)
10) :ATL: - (8-8) [85.17%/B/B+] - Atlanta is pushing full steam for 2011. (-1)
11) :BOS: - (11-5) [84.70%/B/B] - Red Sox need to act now before the trade deadline passes (2)
12) :LAA: - (10-6) [84.43%/B/B] -  (-2)
13) :CLE: - (9-7) [83.27%/B/B-] - Indians have been rather quiet but are keeping with Tigers (-2)
14) :TEX: - (8-8) [80.36%/B/C] -  (1)
15) :CHW: - (9-7) [80.23%/B/C] - Floyd, a nice centerpiece is replaced by a cheap knuckleballer and a catcher (-1)
16) :SF: - (7-9) [77.54%/D/A-] - Lincecum returns to the bay for one of the best rotations in baseball (2)
17) :NYM: - (7-9) [74.77%/C/B-] -  (-1)
18) :CHC: - (7-9) [74.63%/B-/D] - Davis is just another injured starter, but O's relievers help out (-1)
19) :PIT: - (6-10) [73.83%/C/C] - C'mon, I have Butler and Zimmerman at the corners (3)
20) :TB: - (6-10) [73.73%/C/C] - Another re-evaluation of the Rays (3)
21) :COL: - (6-10) [71.99%/B/F] -  (-1)
22) :ARZ: - (7-9) [71.94%/D/B-] - D'Backs move down because of my new view on my Pirates, the Rockies, and Rays (-3)
23) :WAS: - (5-11) [71.90%/D/C+] -  (1)
24) :HOU: - (7-9) [69.94%/D/C+] - Oswalt's injury kills this staff (-3)
25) :SEA: - (4-12) [65.77%/D/C] -
26) :MIN: - (5-11) [64.34%/D/C] -
27) :KC: - (3-13) [63.60%/D/D] - Points were put up early in the season, but the opposition was too much for the Royals.  In 2011 Freddy trusts.
28) :FL: - (6-10) [61.73%/D/D] -
29) :SD: - (4-12) [57.43%/F/F] -
30) :BAL: - (2-14) [53.87%/F/F] - Chipper's liability is off the books