MLB Power Poll

We're in the dog days of summer and the main focus in the world of sports is on baseball. After a huge turnover in the last edition of the MLB Power Poll, week three is much more stable. At the top, it's the same first five lineup. As we roll down the list though, we see some newcomers join the party. Injuries also play a major part this week. Let's see where the shakeups affect the latest Top 10.

Top 10

1.) Boston Red Sox [1] (43-28)- The heat hasn't cooled in Boston. Fresh off a Stanley Cup Championship for the Bruins, the Red Sox have given the "nation" more to cheer for. After taking 2 of 3 from the 4th ranked Brewers, the BoSox have now won five straight series dating all the way back to May. One dark mark is young flamethrower Clay Buchholtz landing on the DL with a back strain.
2.) Philadelphia Phillies [2] (45-28)- Smoothing sailing for the Phillies this month. It's almost become expected for the Phils to go streaking and sure enough Philadelphia has won eight of 10. What makes their consistent winning even more impressive is that they haven't even really started to hit. Philly's ranked 20th in the league in batting average (.247).



3.) New York Yankees [3] (41-29)- Offense is absolutely no problem for the pinstripes, especially when it comes to the power department. The Bombers lead the league with 105 bombs (21 more than the #2 Red Sox). The homers have been spread out across the board, but the two big boppers in the lineup have been Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. Texy and Grandy are tied for the league lead with 21 jacks.
4.) Milwaukee Brewers [4] (40-33)- Who would have ever thought Prince Field would be a triple crown candidate. Everyone knows about his power (1st in NL homers and RBI), but check out the average (.301). The Brewers did get a scare when ace Shaun Marcum left his last start in the 1st inning against Boston, but luckily for Milwaukee, he could make his next start.
5.) Atlanta Braves [5] (40-33)- The Braves may not be the most exciting team in the bigs, but they just keep chugging along. Wins are wins. The crazy part is, Atlanta's been doing it without prized OF Jason Heyward, who just returned from a three week stint on the disabled list. Bad news, top pitcher Tommy Hanson took his place on the DL.
6.) Cleveland Indians [NR] (39-31)- The demise of the Indians was totally overblown. I'll admit to thinking that Cleveland's day atop the division were done. Low and behold, the tribe is back in first in the AL Central following a three game win streak. Things are looking up too with Travis Hafner back in the lineup after an almost two month absence.
7.) Tampa Bay Rays [NR] (39-33)- It will be extremely tough for the Rays to make the playoffs with the Yankees and Red Sox clogging up the top of the division. Still, you've gotta give props to Tampa for continuing to stick around. If they could get anything out of star 3B Evan Longoria, they might just be a serious threat to the two top dogs.
8.) Detroit Tigers [10] (39-33)- The Tigers are a puzzling team. One day, they're blowing out their opponents and the next they're the ones taking the beating. Typically, when they're handing out the punishment, Justin Verlander's on the mound. At this point, he's keeping this inconsistent team afloat. Now they just need Max Scherzer to get on Verlander's level.
9.) St. Louis Cardinals [6] (40-33)- Chances are pretty good that the Cards will fall off this poll next week after the terrible news that Albert Pujols will miss 4-6 weeks with a fractured arm. A 3-7 stretch has dropped them behind the Brewers and will likely see them fall behind the Reds as well.
10.) Cincinnati Reds [NR] (38-35)- Speaking of those Redlegs, look out NL Central! The Reds have scored an NL best 349 runs this year. The not-so-surprising team leader is once again Joey Votto who sports a stellar .327 average and a team best .955 OPS. Cincy is praying that star pitcher Johnny Cueto is ok after he was scratched from tonight's start with a stiff neck.

Dropped Out: Texas Rangers [7], San Francisco Giants [8], Arizona Diamondbacks [9]

Bottom Five

26.) Kansas City Royals [27] (31-41)- For the first time this season, the Royals have fallen into the basement of the AL Central. The once woeful Twins have leapfrogged over KC.
27.) Florida Marlins [NR] (32-40)- No team is colder than the Marlins. Florida's manager Edwin Jackson just resigned after a 1-18 stretch. The Fish will now rely on 80-year-old Jack McKeon as an interim boss.
28.) Chicago Cubs [29] (29-42)- The Cubs schedule has been unbearable with their last 11 contests coming against three of the top four teams in the power poll.
29.) San Diego Padres [26] (30-43)- They're playing close games, they just aren't winning them. In their past nine, they've been within two runs but only have a 1-8 record to show for it.
30.) Houston Astros [30] (27-46)- The bottom of the barrel for two weeks running. Counting the days until manager Brad Mills gets the axe.

by Andrew Adamson