MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs continue to lead the way

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August 19, 4:17 PM

by Tony DeMarco, MLB Examiner

 

 

With an eye on who is likeliest to advance deep into October, here is Examiner.com's Top 10  (updated through Sept. 8):

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: They have the game's best manager, a soon-to-be record-setting closer, and an upgraded offense since the arrival of Mark Teixeira. And they will have plenty of time to prepare the roster for the post-season, as they should clinch the AL West this week.

2. Chicago Cubs: The inevitable slump has hit, but at least the Brewers are in a bit of a slide at the same time. The offense continues to lead the NL in a handful of vital categories, but the big question is will Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden be post-season ready and effective?.

3. Boston Red Sox:  The defending world champs appear to be peaking at the right time. Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, MIke Lowell and Kevin Youkilis are back in the lineup, and nobody should be surprised if they pass the Rays and win the AL East. Dustin Pedroia is the leading AL MVP candidate.

4. Milwaukee Brewers: They are the NL wild card at this point, and likely to stay that way. But you have to like their chances with streaking CC Sabathia, MVP candidate Ryan Braun, Ben Sheets, Prince Fielder and a must-win-now attitude.

5. New York Mets: They have their holes and flaws -- most notably, a Billy Wagner-less bullpen. But Johan Santana is showing why an ace is so important at this point and beyond, and a rejuvenated Carlos Delgado is a dangerous slugger again. Give Jerry Manuel a lot of credit after taking over a 34-35 team from paranoid Willie Randolph. 

6. Tampa Bay Rays: They are precariously close to losing their AL East lead, but a playoff spot still is very secure for likely AL Manager of the Year Joe Maddon's team. They will need their excellent pitching to hold up, as the offense has sunk to near the league bottom in several important categories. It's nice to see Rocco Baldelli back, and Evan Longoria is off the DL, too. 

7. Chicago White Sox: Their overall pitching has been excellent all season despite the lack of an ace. There is plenty of home-run power and swagger, but the loss of AL MVP candidate Carlos Quentin is a tough one. Joe Crede also might not play again this season, so Ozzie Guillen will have to juggle his roster the rest of the way.  

8. Los Angeles Dodgers: What a turnaround! They lose eight in a row, and then win eight in a row including a sweep of the Diamondbacks to take over first place in the NL West. Led by Manny Ramirez, they are headed in the right direction, and don't play a team with a winning record the rest of the way. Rafael Furcal and Takashi Saito also could return within a week or so.

9. Philadelphia Phillies: They are a couple of games behind the Mets, and don't play them again in the regular season. But  you get the feeling the NL East race is going down to the wire. Brett Myers has been great since his return from the minors.

10. (tie) Arizona Diamondbacks: Things are unraveling in the desert, especially co-aces Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, who both have lost their last three starts. But there are three weeks left -- plenty of time to turn things back around, and playing the three sub-.500 teams in the NL West will give them a chance to put together a strong finish.

10. (tie) Minnesota Twins: The bullpen has given away a handful of leads lately, and that has lead to some crushing defeats. But the White Sox are missing their biggest bat, and the Twins have a home series against Ozzie Guillen's team later this month.   

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