MLB Power Rankings: Week 9

In this week’s power rankings, the Toronto Blue Jays soared into the top ten while the Boston Red Sox plummeted like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s soon-to-be failed marriage.

But enough with the metaphors. Let’s check out my week 9 power rankings. Disagree? Bring it.

1. San Francisco Giants (32-18) (Up 2)

The Giants return to the top spot as their starting pitching continues to impress, even with Matt Cain unable to stay healthy.

2. Atlanta Braves (28-21) (Up 3)

The Braves sit at No. 2, but if their offense doesn’t get going, they won’t go far in October…if they make it that far.

3. Oakland Athletics (30-20) (Down 2)

The A’s are still the best team in baseball, but a four-game losing streak does them no good in my rankings.

4. Detroit Tigers (28-18) (Down 2)

How good is that Prince Fielder trade looking now?

5. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (28-21) (Up 4)

The Angels keep on winning and Josh Hamilton should make his return sometime this week.

6. Milwaukee Brewers (30-21) (Down 2)

The Brewers have been playing around .500 ball since their hot start in April. Injuries haven’t helped.

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (27-24) (Down 1)

Still waiting for this team to turn on the motor. Maybe Josh Beckett‘s no-no will get ’em going.

8. Toronto Blue Jays (29-22) (Up 11)

Baseball’s hottest team, the Blue Jays now lead the AL East.

9. St. Louis Cardinals (28-22) (Up 3)

The Cardinals have battled back and only trail the Brewers by 1.5 games.

10. New York Yankees (26-23) (Down 2)

The Yanks are three games over .500 despite a -6 run differential.

11. Baltimore Orioles (25-23) (Down 1)

For the sake of my fantasy team, Manny Machado needs to start producing.

12. Washington Nationals (25-25) (Down 1)

The Nationals’ offense was nowhere to be found this week.

13. Colorado Rockies (27-23) (Down 6)

If only they had some pitching to go along with that dynamic fire power offense. Troy Tulowitzki has my MVP vote.

14. Texas Rangers (25-25) (Down 1)

It was a terrible week for the Rangers and it had nothing to do with their win/loss record. Prince Fielder is out for the season and Jurickson Profar still has at least two more months before he can make his return.

15. Miami Marlins (26-25) (Down 1)

Look up Giancarlo Stanton‘s numbers. He’s turned into much more than just a power hitter.

16. Cincinnati Reds (22-25) (Up 1)

I don’t think it’ll be long before the Reds catch up to the Brewers and Cardinals in the NL Central.

17. Kansas City Royals (24-25) (Down 2)

If the Royals fail to make the playoffs, Ned Yost will be out as manager. Guaranteed.

18. Chicago White Sox (25-27) (No change)

Chris Sale showed no signs of rust in his first start back from the disabled list.

19. Seattle Mariners (24-25) (Up 1)

Only one player on the Mariners has a batting average over .300. That’s how their season is going so far.

20. Pittsburgh Pirates (22-27) (Up 6)

Francisco Liriano still can’t buy a win, but the Pirates continue to climb due their hot streak of late.

21. Boston Red Sox (20-29) (Down 5)

The Sox have lost 10 in a row. I wonder how Ben Affleck is feeling about that.

22. Tampa Bay Rays (23-28) (Up 1)

Evan Longoria has been a bore this season. He has only eight extra base hits on the year.

23. New York Mets (22-27) (Down 2)

Curtis Granderson isn’t living up to his four-year contract that he signed this winter. Is anyone surprised?

24. Cleveland Indians (24-27) (Up 3)

I still believe in this team. Terry Francona is magical.

25. Minnesota Twins (23-24) (Down 3)

The Twins are only 5.5 games back in the AL Central. They should be ecstatic.

26. Philadelphia Phillies (21-26) (Down 2)

The Phillies were shutout on Friday by Clayton Kershaw and no-hit by Josh Beckett on Sunday. What a fun week for the offense.

27. San Diego Padres (23-28) (Down 2)

They are 9.5 games back and aren’t even last in their division.

28. Houston Astros (19-32) (No change)

I can honestly name only one player on the Astros roster.

29. Chicago Cubs (18-30) (Up 1)

The Cubs signed Manny Ramirez to be a player manager in Triple-A. You can’t make this stuff up.

30. Arizona Diamondbacks (20-32) (Down 1)

If a team is 12 games under .500 at home, you know they’re a bad team.