MLB Power Rankings 14 September 2005

Here are the power rankings for a week that saw one playoff race continue to heat up (AL Wild Card) and another continue to bore (NL West). Comments and questions are always welcome.

Rank(Pv)	Team	Record	Comments
1(1)		93-53	Reggie Sanders was activated last week, perhaps adding some power to a lineup that has been lacking in that department outside of Pujols and Edmonds.
2(2)		88-55	A series against the Royals is just what Chicago needs to get back into a groove after being swept by the Angels.
3(3)		84-60	The Red Sox are in the midst of a solid month without a day off (August 22-September 22). They’re 13-9 over this stretch so far.
4(6)		83-62	The Indians are closing on Chicago, though it would still be pretty remarkable if they caught up. If Coco Crisp hits like he did last week (.571 with 3 HRs), their chances are that much better.
5(4)		83-62	The Braves are guaranteed their 15th consecutive winning season after recording win number 83.
6(5)		81-62	Mike Mussina likely won’t return this season for the Yankees (though he might be ready for the playoffs), but he deserves a lot of credit for toughing it out through the middle of the season when the pitching staff was absolutely riddled with injuries.
7(7)		81-63	With another win Bartolo Colon can become the first Angels pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1974 to record 20 victories.
8(9)		80-64	Oakland always has the best rookie hazing, forcing each rookie to dress up in a ridiculous outfit. The highlight of this year was Nick Swisher as a plug and Joe Blanton as a socket (I posted the pictures over in the forums if you’d like to see for yourself).
9(10)		78-67	The Marlins signed Paul Quantrill off waivers, and he could turn out to be a decent acquisition. In August, Quantrill seemed to calm down and allowed just two earned runs in 14.0 innings pitched. He did give up two runs to the Phillies in his most recent appearance though.
10(13)		77-68	Apparently, Ed Wade wants to trade Ryan Howard instead of Jim Thome this off-season. Why they would do that I have no idea.
11(11)		75-69	Kyle Lohse hurt his hand bashing in a door with a bat after leaving last Tuesday’s game, but said he didn’t expect to miss a start because of the injury. Instead, he’ll miss a start because he’s terrible (and Ron Gardenhire wants Francisco Liriano to get a start or two in this season).
12(8)		76-68	Houston has lost three games in a row, but remain just 1.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race. They need Morgan Ensberg to return soon though.
13(12)		74-71	The Nationals are going with a four man rotation out of necessity. Think Frank Robinson misses Tomo Ohka much?
14(18)		72-72	Last Wednesday, Milwaukee scored in the first seven innings of a game against the Reds, only the fourth time since 1900 that this feat has been accomplished.
15(17)		72-72	Toronto holds a winning record against each team in the AL East except the Yankees.
16(19)		72-73	Jeromy Burnitz needs four more home runs to reach 300 on his career.
17(16)		71-73	Jake Peavy is apparently ready to pitch again, which is really great news for a Padres team that, despite their struggles, leads the NL West by a good margin.
18(14)		70-75	Mark Teixeria needs one more homer to join Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez as the only players in Ranger’s history to hit 40 on the season.
19(21)		69-75	Baltimore is playing much better under interim manager Sam Perlozzo (17-19) than they were after the All-Star break under Lee Mazilli (4-16).
20(15)		71-73	Jae Seo recorded his first career complete game against the Cardinals Friday, but ended up losing anyways.
21(22)		67-77	Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the finalists for the NL’s Hank Aaron award, which is given to the top hitter in each league. He won’t win, but it’s nice to see Griffey among the league’s elite once again.
22(20)		66-78	Barry Bonds finally returned Monday, recording a double in his first at bat. In his second game, he picked up a hit and two walks while the team won by a single run again.
23(24)		66-78	Jeff Kent continues to be one of the better RBI producers in the league, though he might have a few more if his teammates could get on base more often. Kent is hitting .382 with runners in scoring position this year.
24(25)		65-80	Craig Counsell hit his first home run in 193 at bats against the Rockies last week.
25(23)		65-78	Utility man Brandon Inge tied his career high with his 13th home run of the year, but he’s only hitting .186 so far in September.
26(26)		63-81	Mike Morse was suspended for 10 days under the MLB’s drug policy, even though he was already penalized for his positive test while in the minor leagues. Morse at least admits that he did take steroids, unlike other players that tested positive.
27(27)		60-85	Jorge Cantu is only five RBI short of Aubrey Huff’s club record 107 RBI, set in 2003.
28(28)		58-86	Jeff Francis has given up 111 runs this year, second in the NL only to Eric “Moonshot” Milton of Cincinnati.
29(29)		57-87	Zach Duke has been sidelined with a sprained ankle since August 23rd, but he could pitch again as soon as this weekend.
30(30)		46-96	The Royals have lost 101 straight games when trailing after eight innings.