MLB Power Rankings: Nats Get Swept, But Hold on to Top Rank
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| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | NOTE | PREVIOUS |
| 1 |  |
89-57 | Even though they fell to the Braves in three straight games, Washington keeps the number 1 position thanks to the best record in the league and the best pitching. With the Braves far ahead in the Wild Card, looking ahead to the postseason is now the way to go. | 1 |
| 2 |  |
87-59 | There’s not much more to say about this team other than they’re nearly ready to hit cruise control heading into the final games of the season. Unfortunately for them, the A’s aren’t in the habit of losing. | 2 |
| 3 |  |
88-59 | Cincinnati has the most comfortable division lead in baseball and will likely finish the job this week. Then their goal will be trying to catch the Nationals to claim home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. | 3 |
MLB Power Rankings: Even With Strasburg Shutdown, Nats Climb Back to Top
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| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | PREVIOUS | |
| 1 | |
86-54 | 2 | |
| 2 | |
83-57 | 3 | |
| 3 | |
84-57 | 1 |
MLB Power Rankings: Now Cincinnati Gets Its Turn at the #1 Spot
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| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | NOTE | PREVIOUS |
| 1 | |
82-53 | When you go without your best hitter for an extended period of time, usually teams just try to stay afloat until they return. The Reds, on the other hand, have excelled in Joey Votto’s absence, and they’ll only get better when he is in the middle of the order day in and day out. | 3 |
| 2 | |
81-52 | So Strasburg will officially have his season ended on September 12th. I understand the decision to cut down his innings, but the Nationals have a legitimate chance to dominate in October with him as the ace. Even without, they still can do well, but Strasburg is in a league all by himself. | 2 |
| 3 | |
79-54 | They didn’t hold on to the #1 spot for long, and although they still own the best record in the American League, their division lead is no longer safe. Believe it or not, they’re being chased down by the guys at #4…. | 1 |
MLB Power Rankings: Rangers Ride Strong Week to #1, Nats Slip Into Second
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| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | NOTE | PREVIOUS |
| 1 | |
75-52 | Even though the Rangers have the third best record in the league, they top the Power Rankings this week thanks to some losses by the Nats and the continued dominance of Texas offense. They rank first in both average and runs, have won seven of their last ten, and are among the best fielding teams in the Majors. | 4 |
| 2 | |
77-50 | Still the best record in the league? Check. Still the best pitching around? Check. But a three-game sweep by the rival Phillies. Unfortunately, check. Those are the teams Washington needs to beat to cement their spot on top of the division, and next week will be important to see if this is just a temporary road bump on the road to the postseason. | 1 |
| 3 | |
77-52 | By all means, the Reds could have been the team to see that #1 spot once again with the sweep of the Nationals. Instead, Cincinnati endured its own sweep against the Cardinals, and they soon could find themselves in a race with the guys from St. Louis. | 2 |
MLB Power Rankings: Nats Stay Put, Rays Keep Charging
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| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | NOTE | PREVIOUS |
| 1 | |
75-46 | The Nats are becoming the cream of the crop in the NL East, and even with the Braves charging hard in their division, they seem to be leading them with ease. Gio Gonzalez now has 16 wins, and the pitching staff we’ve raved about all year continues to get it done. | 1 |
| 2 | |
74-48 | After slipping a bit last week, the Reds climb back to #2 thanks to continued dominance of the National League Central. Johnny Cueto is the man in that rotation, and after a couple of shaky seasons, he has found his stride and made every fifth day a very-winnable game for Cincinnati. | 4 |
| 3 |  |
72-49 | Three uncharacteristically quick games against the Red Sox led to a series win against their rivals. The lineup is suffering a bit with the absence of Teixeira and A-Rod, but the hot streaks of Jeter and Swisher is holding them over until the big bats are healthy again. | 2 |
MLB Power Rankings: Natitude Reigns Supreme
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| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | NOTE | PREVIOUS |
| 1 | |
71-44 | The Nats have only lost once since the last Rankings, and their offense has improved over the past few weeks. Combined with the best pitching in the league, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Washington hold on to the top spot for more than just this one week. | 2 |
| 2 | |
67-47 | CC Sabathia is back on the disabled list, but the middle of August is better than the middle of October. Robbie Cano is hot again, and DJ continues to lead the league in hits at the age of 38. | 3 |
| 3 | |
67-46 | Even with a slight decrease in the pitching quality, the offense is still producing the most runs in the Majors. Mike Olt provided the jolt on Sunday, and the youth influx could be that final push the team needs to get through the final six weeks of the season. | 4 |
Tweet Blender
To be at a standstill on 1-70 when I have to eat n pee this bad is as cruel, unusual as anything that goes on in that prison I just passed.1 day ago
Oral and John are right. For Miggy to hit that ball where he did, crazy. He is, simply, better than everyone else. Lets leave it at that.2 days ago
They're walking Miggy with a 2-1 and runners on first and second AND Prince Fielder on deck. That is one thing. Fear.2 days ago
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