Photo courtesy AP.
We’ve reached those proverbial dog days of August and we’re starting to find out not whether teams are just simply talented, but how deep they are. We’re just 21 days away from rosters being expanded, but for some teams, those three weeks seem like a lifetime away.
The Tigers and Blue Jays went 19 innings yesterday, this a day after Boston and the Angels did the exact same thing. More baseball than a standard doubleheader without the luxury of a second starting pitcher, counting as a separate one of your 162 games, and without the added 26th player for a day normally slotted for so much baseball? That’ll wear on any team no matter what month it is.
But there are other teams — real contenders, too — that are having their limits pushed. The Nationals placed reserve outfielder Nate McLouth on the DL and called up Steven Souza, Jr. He starts one game, collides with the outfield wall, and the Nationals have to call up Michael Taylor to replace him. At this rate, they’ll be down to Rookie League outfielders before the season is over.
And that’s not all. The Dodgers saw Hanley Ramirez hit the DL with an oblique strain and the Yankees’ –still battling for a playoff berth — Brian McCann became the latest resident of the newly-formed 7-day concussion Disabled List.
Like I said, it’s no longer just about skill, but also about depth. With that in mind, it’s time to see how everyone stacks up:
MLB POWER RANKINGS – AUGUST 10TH
1. Oakland Athletics | 72-45 (40-21 Home, 32-24 Road) [Change From Last Ranking: ± 0]
I don’t want to say the A’s have made a home up here, but they just remodeled the bathroom.
2. Baltimore Orioles | 67-50 (32-26 Home, 35-24 Road) [+ 2]
This high? Really? Unlike the Angels, they don’t get to enjoy playing Texas or Houston 36 times this year.
3. Los Angeles Angels | 68-49 (39-23 Home, 29-26 Road) [- 1]
It feels — just a little bit — like L.A. has made peace with the notion of Oakland winning the division.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers | 67-52 (30-27 Home, 37-25 Road) [+ 3]
This might be too high with the recent Ramirez injury. Only time will tell.
5. Milwaukee Brewers | 65-53 (34-28 Home, 31-25 Road) [+ 1]
The Cards, Bucs, and Reds are still knocking, but Milwaukee still isn’t letting anyone in. Props to them.
6. Detroit Tigers | 63-52 (30-27 Home, 33-25 Road) [- 3]
Obviously, Detroit took offense to me saying they had the division locked up. Message received, guys.
7. Washington Nationals | 63-53 (34-24 Home, 29-29 Road) [- 2]
It’s almost uncanny just how much the Braves seem to have their number.
8. St. Louis Cardinals | 62-54 (33-25 Home, 29-29 Road) [+ 1]
Still within spitting range of Milwaukee, still not doing a thing with it.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates | 62-55 (37-24 Home, 25-31 Road) [+ 3]
I kept saying it was too little too late from the Bucs, but here they are, defending a playoff spot.
10. Kansas City Royals | 63-53 (30-27 Home, 33-26 Road) [+ 6]
This little hot streak is all well and nice, but we’ve been here before. Let’s see how all of August goes.
11. San Francisco Giants | 62-56 (29-30 Home, 33-26 Road) [- 3]
They’ve lost four straight and are 4.5 back of the Dodgers. Isn’t that something?
12. Toronto blue Jays | 63-56 (33-26 Home, 30-30 Road) [- 1]
Baltimore is starting to pull away with the division, and they don’t have a wild card spot secured.
13. Seattle Mariners | 62-55 (31-32 Home, 31-23 Road) [+ 1]
They’ve shown more fight than expected, but I still don’t see them regaining a hold of a wild card spot.
14. New York Yankees | 61-56 (29-29 Home, 32-27 Road) [- 1]
That twilight over Jeter’s career is starting to cast itself over the Yankees’ season as well.
15. Atlanta Braves | 60-57 (33-25 Home, 27-32 Road) [- 5]
They absolutely imploded before this past weekend. And it may have cost them the season.
16. Cincinnati Reds | 60-58 (32-27 Home, 28-31 Road) [- 1]
Only five games behind the Brewers, and yet, it feels so, so much farther.
17. Cleveland Indians | 59-59 (34-22 Home, 25-37 Road) [± 0]
Perpetually the worst of the better teams.
18. Miami Marlins | 57-60 (31-28 Home, 26-32 Road) [± 0]
It was cute how the Miami media speculated they might be buyers at the deadline.
19. Tampa Bay Rays | 57-60 (27-32 Home, 30-28 Road) [± 0]
Just when we thought they might — MIGHT — become relevant, they ship David Price away.
20. New York Mets | 56-62 (28-27 Home, 28-35 Road) [± 0]
They’re still better than the Phillies, so, hey, there’s that, I guess.
21. San Diego Padres | 54-62 (31-27 Home, 23-35 Road) [+ 2]
If you don’t like my thoughts of this team, wait a minute. It will probably change.
22. Chicago White Sox | 56-63 (29-28 Home, 27-35 Road) [- 1]
The hot bat of Dayan Viciedo alone can’t save this team. Especially when they’re waiving ex-closers.
23. Philadelphia Phillies | 53-65 (26-35 Home, 27-30 Road) [+ 3]
I’ll give them a modest bump up now and then skewer them again when they hit another rough patch.
24. Boston Red Sox | 52-65 (27-31 Home, 25-34 Road) [- 2]
Were they buyers or sellers with that Lester-Cespedes trade? Sellers, I guess.
25. Minnesota Twins | 52-64 (25-30 Home, 27-34 Road) [- 1]
At least maybe we’ll start to get to see some of their bright prospects in the coming weeks?
26. Arizona Diamondbacks | 51-67 (25-39 Home, 26-28 Road) [- 1]
I was kind of hoping to see them get their home record back to .500 this year, but they won’t.
27. Chicago Cubs | 50-66 (26-29 Home, 24-37 Road) [+ 2]
I’m not sure what that front office is up to, but it’s got them playing better. At least temporarily.
28. Houston Astros | 49-69 (28-34 Home, 21-35 Road) [- 1]
I really hope they keep Bo Porter on after this season. It’s actually been somewhat of a success.
29. Colorado Rockies | 46-71 (28-30 Home, 18-41) [- 1]
You know my rule: another two weeks like this and they’ll be dead last on this chart next time.
30. Texas Rangers | 46-71 (21-33 Home, 25-38 Road) [± 0]
Ron Washington’s tenure in Texas is probably in serious jeopardy, and that’s a shame.
