Hey, what happens on Thursday’s? Oh that’s right, we put out new MLB Power Rankings. How exciting! These rankings could look very different next week after the trading deadline as teams (Yankees, White Sox, Angels, etc.) make moves and declare themselves buyers or sellers. Alright, here they are:
This week’s biggest rise: Angels and Mariners, 4 spots to 7 and 17 respectively.
This week’s biggest drop: Phillies, 7 spots to 25
| Ranking | Last Rank | Team | Record | Comment |
| 1 | 1 (NC) | Tigers | 68-33 | Might want to rest their young starting pitchers but might not be able to with the way the Twins are playing |
| 2 | 2 (NC) | Red Sox | 61-39 | Mentioned in rumors for a SS and an OF, will Theo make a deadline splash? |
| 3 | 6 (+3) | Twins | 59-41 | Now tied for the Wild Card lead, the team no one in the AL wants to see in the playoffs given Santana and Liriano. |
| 4 | 4 (NC) | Mets | 60-41 | John Maine is pitching like he deserves a spot in the rotation |
| 5 | 3 (-3) | Yankees | 58-40 | Anyone who thought ARod trade rumors were true is an idiot |
| 6 | 5 (-1) | Cardinals | 58-42 | Quietly having another pretty good year. Cards fans want to see a big trade though before the deadline. |
| 7 | 11 (+4) | Angels | 52-49 | Still need another bat but will GM Stoneman ever part with prospects? |
| 8 | 7 (-1) | White Sox | 59-41 | 2-8 in their last 10 and they are now tied for the Wild Card lead. As of yet that rumored Soriano deal had fallen through, he could be the kick in the ass they need. |
| 9 | 8 (-1) | Blue Jays | 56-44 | The Devil Ray’s Julio Lugo makes a lot of sense here |
| 10 | 12 (+2) | Padres | 54-47 | Slowly taking control of the NL West and Peavy pitching better can only help |
| 11 | 13 (+2) | Reds | 53-48 | Still holding on to the Wild Card lead |
| 12 | 10 (-2) | Braves | 48-52 | Wickman solves a problem but it might be too little too late |
| 13 | 9 (-4) | A’s | 52-49 | Still chugging along but about to be passed by the Angels in the standings |
| 14 | 17 (+3) | Diamondbacks | 51-49 | Gonzo wants out but no one wants his big contract. Awkward |
| 15 | 14 (-1) | Rangers | 51-50 | Need another starting pitcher but the offense hasn’t been as powerful this year either. |
| 16 | 14 (-2) | Giants | 51-50 | The Giants last week started an all forty and over outfield with Alu, Bonds and Finley. The future is now I guess |
| 17 | 21 (+4) | Mariners | 48-52 | Still haven’t decided if they are buyers or sellers |
| 18 | 20 (+2) | Brewers | 48-54 | Very close to considering themselves sellers which means Carlos Lee could be had |
| 19 | 19 (NC) | Astros | 48-53 | Clemens didn’t come back for this did he? |
| 20 | 23 (+3) | Orioles | 45-56 | Tejada isn’t going anywhere but LaTroy Hawkins and Jeff Conine could be gone |
| 21 | 22 (+2) | Rockies | 47-53 | |
| 22 | 16 (-6) | Dodgers | 47-55 | Going 1-12 since the All-Star break has dropped them out of the NL West race |
| 23 | 24 (+1) | Marlins | 46-53 | |
| 24 | 26 (+2) | Nationals | 45-56 | Will he stay or will he go? Soriano is the only thing that matters right now. |
| 25 | 18 (-7) | Phillies | 45-53 | If Abreu and Burrell aren’t traded, that will make things kinda awkward won’t it? |
| 26 | 25 (-1) | Indians | 44-56 | Already shipped Broussard and Wickman out, who’s next to go? |
| 27 | 27 (NC) | Cubs | 39-61 | Carlos Zambrano has hit 4 HRs this year, tops amongst pitchers. |
| 28 | 28 (NC) | Pirates | 37-66 | Some vaguely attractive pieces to trade but another lost year for Pirates fans. |
| 29 | 30 (+1) | Royals | 35-64 | New GM Moore isn’t standing around on the job, he’s making deals left and right. |
| 30 | 29 (-1) | Devil Rays | 42-60 | Rocco Baldelli is quietly back playing and playing pretty well. |
Harold, Harold, Harold
ESPN still isn’t talking but Harold Reynolds finally is. Turns out he was fired for sexual harassment, though Harold of course says it’s just a misunderstanding. His version of events is that he gave a female co-worker a hug. Apparently she didn’t see it that way because she cited him for harassment and Harold got the boot. Reynolds, besides saying this is a misunderstanding, is laying low in the hopes that ESPN will reverse its decision and give him his job back. As this New York Post article details, ESPN on-air talent have been getting in trouble for a while now but rarely have they lost their jobs. Makes one wonder if this is a repeat offense for Reynolds.
Yesterday’s Baseball
Mark Prior got pulled in the 6th inning despite having not given up a hit to the Mets. I know he had reached his pitch count limit but I mean come on now. Of course the Cubs ended up losing. Thats karma for you.
Chase Utley now has a 26 game hitting streak, longest in the majors this season. And he keeps hitting home runs to extend it, which is nice.
Yankees now have a half game lead over the White Sox and the Twins for the Wild Card.
Odds and Ends
Phil Helmuth won his 10th WSOP bracelet, tying him with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan for the most all-time. Take that Jeff Madison!
Jerry Porter is requesting a trade from the Raiders. He now joins Ashley Lelie as some what above average WR’s looking to change teams. Why not do a straight up swap? Solve everyone’s problems.
The USOC has got it down to three US cities for our 2016 Summer Olympics bid: San Fran, LA and Chicago. My mone’y’s on San Fran.
SI’s Peter King is doing a training camp blog. It’s not really a blog, just little daily updates. Only slightly interesting.
[tags]Sports, Baseball, Football, Harold Reynolds, NFL, MLB[/tags]
5 bucks you didnt write the power rankings