SEAN WELSH’S EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS
1. Rays (79-49) Promoting lefty prospect David Price would make staff even better
2. Cubs (79-50) Ryan Dempster (15-5) obviously trying to market bobble-glove night
3. Angels (77-50) Lost four-straight just once. Bodes well for playoffs, no?
4. Red Sox (74-55) Forget the Rays. Need to hold off the Yankees.
5. Twins (74-54) Through Saturday, 14-6 in August. Can they stay hot?
6. Phillies (70-59) Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer are scary 1-2 lefty punch for playoffs
7. White Sox (73-55) Key trades netted Gavin Floyd (13 wins), Carlos Quentin (35 HR)
8. Mets (72-58) SS Jose Reyes (.300, 91 runs) is MLB’s best sparkplug
9. Diamondbacks (68-61) Starting to put .500 mark, Dodgers in rearview
10. Dodgers (65-64) Added two Hall of Famers (Manny Ramirez, Greg Maddux) in two weeks
11. Brewers (75-55) C.C. Sabathia, Prince Fielder next trick: offensive line for Packers
12. Cardinals (72-59) Albert Pujols (.353, 27 HR) still has great bat, funny last name
13. Yankees (69-60) They’re really leaning on Carl Pavano? Yikes.
14. Marlins (66-64) Ricky Nolasco (12 wins, 3.67 ERA) showing it’s OK to go by “Ricky”
15. Rockies (69-71) Very disappointing season, but still hovering around .500
16. Blue Jays (67-62) In hindsight, GM J.P. Ricciardi could use a guy like Adam Dunn
17. Astros (65-64) 14 out in NL Central. Would be three back in NL West.
18. Tigers (64-65) Demotion “lowest point in career” for Nate Robertson, relief for Tigers fans
19. Rangers (63-66) Leading AL in runs and slugging. Obviously doesn’t mean much.
20. Orioles (61-67) Twenty more wins would be first winning season since ’97.
21. Indians (60-67) Grady Sizemore (29 HR) surging while teammates (See: Hafner, Travis) struggle
22. Athletics (58-70) Best offensive threat: Jack Cust. ‘Nuff said.
23. Reds (57-72) 1B Joey Votto (.285, 15 HRs), OF Jay Bruce (14 HRs) need help
24. Royals (55-72) Recently added pitcher Kip Wells. Still not sure why.
25. Braves (57-73) Signed Rodrigo Lopez Friday. Officially gave up Friday.
26. Pirates (57-72) By adding Andy to Adam, club aims for LaRoche world dominance
27. Giants (57-72) Filming a documentary: 24 scrubs and Tim Lincecum
28. Padres (48-81) Five-game losing streaks not exactly helping San Diego’s cause
29. Mariners (47-81) Need to step up. Starting to lose grip on first overall pick.
30. Nationals (46-84) Washington’s team could use Joe Biden. Even John McCain.
KEY SERIES
Red Sox at Yankees (Tuesday-Thursday)
Forget that this matchup has serious implications on the American League East and Wild Card races. It also represents the Red Sox final trip to legendary Yankee Stadium. It’s not, however, the final meeting between the clubs. The Yankees invade Fenway Park for a three-game series to end the regular season next month. As for this week, Boston’s probables include Josh Beckett, Paul Byrd, and Jon Lester, while the Yankees defend the home turf with Andy Pettitte, Sidney Ponson, and Mike Mussina.
