Welcome to the final edition of the Cubicle GM MLB Power Rankings for 2009. While the MLB rankings may be coming to a close, be sure to check in next week for our playoff predictions column.
If you haven’t had your fill of Power Rankings, be sure to check out our NFL rankings.
The top seven teams remain in a group of their own, as none of them received a vote below No. 8. There were two slight changes from last week, as the Red Sox's losing streak dropped them behind the Angels, and the Cardinals and Rockies flip-flopped again.
The bottom 10 remained the same, as the No. 21 Cincinnati Reds are over three points behind the No. 20 Chicago White Sox, and again no team received a vote above No. 20. There was quite a bit of movement among these teams, however, as only No. 26 Cleveland stayed in the same spot.
The biggest mover was Houston, who dropped three spots to No. 24. They were followed closely by the Giants and White Sox, who each fell two spots. Moving the most in the positive direction were the Tigers, Cubs, and Padres, each gaining two spots in the ranks.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, the disagreements in the rankings between me, Gideon, and Mickey have almost worked themselves out. For the seventh straight week running, there were no double-digit discrepancies between any of the ranks, and there were only four gaps of six or more spots in the rankings, which, as usual, all involved our pal Gideon.
Detroit Tigers (8): Mickey 8, Gideon 16
Toronto Blue Jays (8): Gideon 13, Jacob 21
Tampa Bay Rays (7): Gideon 9, Jacob 16
Minnesota Twins (6): Mickey 9, Gideon 15
On the divisional front, the AL West regained its top spot with an average of 11.75, edging the AL East’s average of 12.33. This was due to switch of Angels and Red Sox, as well as the slight bump of the A’s. At the bottom, the NL Central held on to the cellar, but just barely, with its 18.78 average just edging the AL Central’s score of 18.67.
You can check out the backup data here.
So, without further ado, on to the rankings. As always, last week’s ranks are in parentheses.
1. New York Yankees (1)
The Yankees have clinched the best record in the league and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and they reached the 100-win plateau. Despite another solid outing from A.J. Burnett, one writer still sees him as a concern in the postseason.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (2)
The Dodgers have slipped lately, losing three of four to the Pirates and the first game in a series with the Padres. Despite that, they have clinched a postseason berth and are a win away from a second straight division crown. Bill Plaschke of the LA Times says it’s not time to panic, but there is cause for concern.
3. Los Angeles Angels (4)
The Angels clinched the AL West on Monday with a victory over the Rangers and will face the Red Sox in the playoffs again. Expect to see a steady diet of backups for the Angels during the last week of the season.
4. Boston Red Sox (3)
The Red Sox backed their way into the postseason last night, clinching the Wild Card despite losing their fifth straight game thanks to a Texas loss. The Sox did get some good news, as Josh Beckett plans to make his next start.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (5)
The Phillies are just one win away from another playoff berth after defeating the Astros on Tuesday night. Charlie Manuel’s bullpen situation is no closer to being resolved, as Ryan Madson picked up a six-out save despite Brad Lidge warming in the pen.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (7)
The Cards have clinched the NL Central but are backing into the playoffs, losing four of their last five games. One StlToday writer thinks the Cards could not be slumping at a worse time, but don’t forget 2006 so quickly.
7. Colorado Rockies (6)
The Rockies finally got a bit of breathing room in the Wild Card race after a win and a Braves loss on Tuesday night. The Rockies never make it easy for themselves, as they won this one in walkoff fashion.
8. Atlanta Braves (8)
After winning seven straight to pull within two games of the NL Wild Card, the Braves finally slipped Tuesday night with a loss to Florida. Even if the Braves fall short this year, they look primed to succeed in 2010.
9. Texas Rangers (9)
The Rangers' current three-game skid proved to be the final nail in their 2009 coffin. One bright spot in the second half has been OF Julio Borbon, who looks to figure prominently in Arlington in 2010.
10. Detroit Tigers (12)
After seeing their AL Central lead shrink to one game in the first half of Tuesday’s doubleheader, the Tigers put their ace on the hill and took game two. Despite the importance of the game, there were plenty of good seats available in Detroit.
11. Minnesota Twins (11)
12. San Francisco Giants (10)
13. Chicago Cubs (15)
14. Tampa Bay Rays (13)
15. Florida Marlins (14)
16. Seattle Mariners (16)
17. Toronto Blue Jays (17)
18. Oakland Athletics (19)
19. Milwaukee Brewers (20)
20. Chicago White Sox (18)
21. Cincinnati Reds (22)
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (23)
23. San Diego Padres (25)
24. Houston Astros (21)
25. New York Mets (24)
26. Cleveland Indians (26)
27. Kansas City Royals (28)
28. Baltimore Orioles (27)
29. Pittsburgh Pirates (30)
30. Washington Nationals (29)
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