MLB Power Rankings: Week 18
Posted August 07, 2012 05:59 AM EDTThe Reds just keep racking up the wins as they sit atop the rankings. Can Cincy keep it going?
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FOX SPORTS MLB POWER RANKINGS
| RK | Team | RECORD | CHANGE | HIGH/LOW | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Reds |
66-43 | - | 1/22 |
It doesn’t matter who the Reds play, they just continue to win. Not to mention 10 straight that cost Hall of Fame Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman his hair.
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| 2 |
Nationals |
66-43 | - | 1/18 |
When the Nationals shut down Stephen Strasburg after he reaches his innings limit, does that mean they have to shut down his bat too?
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| 3 |
Rangers |
63-45 | - | 1/5 |
The Ryan Dempster era in Texas didn’t start off so well as the right-hander lasted just 4.2 innings and allowed eight runs on nine hits against the Angels. The good news, the Rangers won.
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| 4 |
Yankees |
63-45 | - | 1/11 |
Losing two of three to Baltimore to start last week is not the way build separation in the East.
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| 5 |
Braves |
63-46 | 1 | 3/18 |
Ben Sheets and Paul Maholm have given the Braves bullpen a breather by going deep into games. A rested bullpen could help prevent a second-straight meltdown in the last month of the season.
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| 6 |
Pirates |
62-46 | 1 | 5/27 |
A.J. Burnett has been a workhorse at the front end of the rotation for the Buccos, and could be the missing piece that finally leads Pittsburgh to its first winning season since 1992.
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| 7 |
White Sox |
60-48 | 4 | 3/25 |
All A.J. Pierzynski did last week was hit home runs in five consecutive games. Not bad for a 36-year-old catcher who had never hit more than 18 home runs in a season until now.
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| 8 |
Tigers |
59-50 | - | 1/21 |
Miguel Cabrera’s walk-off blast on Sunday against the Indians capped off yet another impressive week for the Tigers of late.
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| 9 |
Athletics |
58-51 | 2 | 4/28 |
The A’s registered their ML-leading 13th walk-off win on the same night that pitching prospect Daniel Straily made his big-league debut.
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| 10 |
Cardinals |
60-49 | 4 | 2/19 |
Matt Holliday has inserted himself into the MVP conversation as the Redbirds continue their second-half surge.
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| 11 |
Dodgers |
59-51 | 1 | 1/19 |
The new-look Dodgers struggled against the D-backs, but bounced back against the Cubs. No excuses the rest of the way, as this team is built to win now.
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| 12 |
Orioles |
58-51 | 1 | 1/29 |
After winning four of six against the Yankees and the Rays on the road, the O’s are proving they belong in this race.
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| 13 |
Angels |
59-51 | 4 | 2/25 |
The Angels bullpen was terrible last week, finishing with a combined record of 1-4 and 9.70 ERA in 21.1 IP.
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| 14 |
Giants |
59-50 | 2 | 4/16 |
The Giants scored 29 runs in a 3-7 homestand, then went to Coors field and scored 35 runs in three games.
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| 15 |
Rays |
56-52 | - | 1/15 |
The Rays' bats were silenced the last two games of a weekend series against the Orioles, failing to score a run and hitting just .143.
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| 16 |
Diamondbacks |
55-54 | 1 | 4/22 |
The D-backs have been scoring in bunches of late. Since July 18, the Diamondbacks have scored the most runs in the majors.
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| 17 |
Red Sox |
55-55 | 1 | 10/26 |
Back spasms limited Josh Beckett to just 2.2 innings last week despite being slated to start twice. Question is will this team miss him?
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| 18 |
Blue Jays |
53-55 | 2 | 7/25 |
Toronto was roughed up on the West Coast last weekend, losing four of six to the M’s and A’s.
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| 19 |
Mets |
53-56 | 3 | 5/27 |
Good news for the Mets as Johan Santana is expected back with the big club this week, which could benefit Matt Harvey more than anyone.
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| 20 |
Mariners |
51-60 | - | 18/26 |
Felix Hernandez rewarded the M’s for keeping him in Seattle with a two-hit shutout against the Yankees on Saturday.
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| 21 |
Indians |
50-59 | 2 | 6/29 |
The Indians have gone from AL Central contender two weeks ago to now competing with the Royals and Twins for the cellar.
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| 22 |
Marlins |
49-60 | 1 | 6/26 |
Jose Reyes has the longest hitting streak by a reigning batting champion since Wade Boggs in 1987. So he has that going for him.
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| 23 |
Twins |
48-61 | 3 | 22/30 |
The Twins appear to be sold on Trevor Plouffe returning as an everyday third baseman after trading Danny Valencia to the Red Sox.
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| 24 |
Phillies |
49-60 | 3 | 5/27 |
Carlos Ruiz is headed to the disabled list and Ryan Howard is on pace to strike out in one of every two plate appearances.
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| 25 |
Brewers |
49-59 | 1 | 12/25 |
The Brewers tallied a total of four runs while getting swept in a three-game series in St. Louis. On the plus side, Shaun Marcum is close to a return.
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| 26 |
Padres |
47-64 | 3 | 19/30 |
Jason Marquis has been as reliable as any for the Padres starters this season, going at least five innings in each of his first 12 starts.
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| 27 |
Royals |
45-63 | 1 | 13/29 |
Greg Holland’s first week as the Royals closer was impressive as he posted a 0.00 ERA with one win and one save in three appearances.
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| 28 |
Cubs |
43-64 | 3 | 24/30 |
Extreme Makeover: Major League Baseball edition continues as the Cubs continue to raid their AAA team to build for the future.
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| 29 |
Rockies |
39-68 | - | 16/29 |
As if starting pitching wasn’t hard enough to overcome, the Rockies just shelved Todd Helton for the year. Forgettable year in Denver will not end.
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| 30 |
Astros |
36-74 | - | 22/30 |
Over/under on the average baseball fan being able to name five current players on the Astros roster?
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