(Games through August 6)
1. Detroit Tigers (75-36, Last Week: No. 1)
Detroit’s on pace to win 110 games, but – and I know this has been said before – we’ll find out a little more about them over their next ten games against the Twins, White Sox, and Red Sox.
2. New York Mets (66-44, LW: No. 3)
After suffering a big blow to their bullpen when Duaner Sanchez separated his pitching shoulder in a taxi accident last weekend, the Mets made sure their two young stars wouldn’t be going anywhere for a long time. They signed Jose Reyes to a four-year deal and locked up David Wright for six years.
3. New York Yankees (66-42, LW: No. 4)
For a team whose playoff hopes were questionable just a few weeks ago, the Yankees have played .700 baseball since losing a series to the Nationals in mid-June. New York has gone 28-12 in that 40-game span to open up a two game lead in the AL East.
4. Boston Red Sox (66-45, LW: No. 2)
Thanks to the Yankees’ success, the Red Sox are now the team keeping their eye on the AL Wild Card race. The loss of catcher – and captain – Jason Varitek to cartilage damage in his left knee certainly won’t help their cause.
5. Chicago White Sox (65-44, LW: No. 5)
Jim Thome’s average climbed to .301 this weekend against Toronto. The last time the leading candidate for the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award was hitting over .300 was a three-game span in mid-July. He’s also racked up 33 home runs and 84 RBI, both team highs.
6. Minnesota Twins (65-45, LW: No. 6)
In another year, probably one without David Ortiz winning games seemingly every night, Justin Morneau would have a legitimate shot at being the league’s MVP. The 25-year-old is batting .321 with 29 homers and 98 RBI and has the Twins trailing the Wild Card-leading White Sox by just a half game.
7. St. Louis Cardinals (60-50, LW: No. 7)
After losing eight straight games, the Cardinals appeared to right the ship a little bit over the weekend, taking two of three from the Brewers. The schedule now takes them to Cincinnati for four games with the Reds, who are now just 3.5 games back in the NL Central.
8. Oakland Athletics (60-51, LW: No. 9)
Oakland won two of three hard-fought games against the Angels last week to open up a three game lead in the AL West. Pitching was the theme of the series, as the teams combined to score just 14 runs.
9. San Diego Padres (58-53, LW: No. 10)
All eyes will be on Mike Piazza this week as the future Hall-of-Famer makes his return to Shea Stadium, where he spent over seven years. Piazza, who hit 220 home runs as a Met, is experiencing a resurgence out West, batting .297 with 16 homers in 276 at-bats for the Padres.
10. Los Angeles Angels (57-54, LW: No. 12)
With Jered Weaver thrust into the spotlight, many fans may not realize the season Ervin Santana is having for the Angels. The right-hander is 12-5 with a 4.09 ERA and won’t turn 24 until December 12.
11. Cincinnati Reds (57-54, LW: No. 11)
Ryan Freel’s received more consistent playing time since Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez were traded to the Washington Nationals. He’s 16-54 with 11 walks since the deal.
12. Toronto Blue Jays (58-53, LW: No. 8)
The Blue Jays, now 9.5 games back in their division and eight back in the Wild Card, have to be considered “done.” They showed nothing against the Yankees last week, losing by scores of 5-1, 7-2, and 8-1.
13. Los Angeles Dodgers (56-55, LW: No. 14)
This team is a chore to figure out. After losing 13 of 14, the Dodgers have won nine in a row. Greg Maddux was fantastic in his first start for Los Angeles, tossing six no-hit innings before a rain delay forced his removal.
14. Texas Rangers (56-56, LW: No. 13)
Just a week after acquiring Kip Wells from the Pirates for minor league pitcher Jesse Chavez, the right-hander will miss his next start after having his sore shoulder examined. Wells began the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on March 6 to clear a blockage in the auxiliary artery in his upper chest.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (56-55, LW: No. 16)
Arizona doesn’t expect to place Brandon Webb on the disabled list after an MRI showed no structural damage to his elbow, but the ace will miss his start Saturday. The Diamondbacks will need Webb to stay healthy down the stretch to snag a playoff berth. Meanwhile, the trade for legendary big game pitcher Livan Hernandez bolsters their playoff hopes.
16. Houston Astros (53-58, LW: No. 19)
Despite their struggles, the Astros – much like the majority of the National League – remain in the hunt for the Wild Card. If they can put some runs on the board and the combination of Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens keep pitching well, there’s no reason to think this team can’t make another late season run.
17. Colorado Rockies (54-56, LW: No. 20)
Byung-Hyun Kim lowered his ERA nearly a full run over his last two starts, one facing San Diego and the other against Milwaukee. Kim won both games and allowed just 1 earned run in 15 2/3 innings.
18. Philadelphia Phillies (53-57, LW: No. 22)
The Phillies have caught fire since the Bobby Abreu trade and look poised to make a Wild Card run of their own. Also, Philadelphia’s young left-hander, Cole Hamels, may have turned the corner. After striking out 12 batters in an otherwise unsuccessful start two weeks ago, Hamels is 2-0 and allowed 4 runs over 14 1/3 innings, while striking out 19.
19. San Francisco Giants (53-58, LW: No. 15)
Armando Benitez may find himself traded before the waiver deadline passes due to his poor performance of late. Benitez blew three consecutive saves in late July.
20. Seattle Mariners (53-57, LW: No. 17)
Seattle picked a poor time to get swept by the division-leading Athletics – their 12th consecutive defeat at Oakland’s hands – more than likely ending any hopes of winning the AL West.
21. Milwaukee Brewers (52-59, LW: No. 18)
Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Ben Sheets? It’s time to start wondering if Sheets will ever stay healthy long enough to regain his top form. Sheets made just 22 starts last year, already been on the DL twice this season, and was pulled from his latest start after just one inning with tightness in a pectoral muscle.
22. Florida Marlins (51-60, LW: No. 23)
Marlins’ starter Ricky Nolasco seems to have solved every team in baseball except for the New York Mets. The right-hander is 9-4 with a 2.76 ERA against everyone else, but 0-3 with a 26.11 ERA against the Mets. He lasted just two innings and gave up four earned runs against his nemesis Wednesday.
23. Atlanta Braves (51-59, LW: No. 21)
There were rumors of Andruw Jones possibly heading to Boston before last Monday’s trade deadline. The deal never came to fruition but should we take it as a sign that Atlanta will hope to trade him next year before he becomes a free agent after the 2007 season?
24. Baltimore Orioles (50-62, LW: No. 24)
It was a rough week for the Bensons. First, Anna busted out of the 2006 World Series of Poker. Then Kris landed on the DL with tendonitis of his right elbow. Is anyone else imagining what the couple will do with all that free time?
25. Washington Nationals (49-62, LW: No. 26)
The non-waiver trade deadline came and went with Alfonso Soriano, surprisingly, remaining a National. Whether or not the club will show him the money this winter remains to be seen.
26. Cleveland Indians (47-63, LW: No. 25)
Cleveland’s experiencing the peaks and valleys of going to battle with young players. Shin-Soo Choo has been spectacular at the plate (.333/.448/.667) over his 24 at-bats and in the outfield, but Fausto Carmona blew three saves in six days.
27. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (47-65, LW: No. 27)
One of Tampa Bay’s uber-prospects has found his way back to the majors. In six games for the Devil Rays, B.J Upton is batting .273 with three runs scored and has made two errors at third base.
28. Chicago Cubs (47-64, LW: No. 28)
Mark Prior recorded his first win of the season Saturday and, three starts ago, he tossed 5 2/3 no-hit innings against the Mets. Sandwiched between those performances, however, he allowed six runs and three homers against Arizona, so the jury remains out.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates (42-70, LW: No. 29)
It often takes some time for young teams to do a number of things, including learning how to win close games and those away from home. The Pirates are no different. Pittsburgh’s a .500 team at PNC Park, but have a Major League-worst 14-42 road record. They’ve also lost more one-run games (27) than any team in baseball.
30. Kansas City Royals (38-73, LW: No. 30)
It’s been a bright week for Kansas City – well, as bright as it can get for the Royals, anyway. The club signed the No. 1 overall pick, Luke Hochevar, to a four-year Major League contract worth a reported $5.3 million. Meanwhile, Mark Teahen, now batting third, has maintained his hot-hitting ways and currently owns a .275 average with 13 homers and 50 RBI.
Robert recently graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in journalism, along with an emphasis in sports journalism from the university's Center for Sports Journalism. Dear Old State also provided him with friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Currently home in New Jersey, Robert's working on taking life's next step, so if you have any tips, feel free to contact him.
He can be reached at robert.ziegler@atomicsportsmedia.com.
