MLB Blogger Rankings -- Week 21
This week the top six teams, Yankees, Rays, Braves, Twins, Padres, Red Sox haven’t moved. Could this be a clear sign of what ball-clubs looks to be heading to the playoffs?
One team looking to play in October is the Cincinnati Reds, who jumped into the top ten taking ninth place. The Reds continue to push away in the NL Central, while the Reds division rivals the St. Louis Cardinals step back landing at #11.
The most improved team was the Houston Astros who jumped five spots from #28 to #23. The L.A. Dodgers and Florida Marlins both landed at #15 and #16 respectively. As the saying goes, better late than never.
| RANK | TEAM | PREV | REC | COMMENTS |
| 1 |
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1 | (82-50) | Marcus Thames has been strong the last few games - 5 Home Runs and 8 RBIs |
| 2 |
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2 | (81-51) | Rays have won 11 of the last 15. The AL East race is heating-up |
| 3 |
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3 | (77-55) | Can the Braves win enough games the next 3 weeks to make their late Sept. series with Philly meaningless? |
| 4 |
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4 | (76-56) | Thome's big bat has been a pleasant addition, but the plot thickens with the White Sox grabbing Man-Ram. |
| 5 |
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5 | (76-55) | The Padres were swept by the Phillies. Can they beat playoff caliber teams? |
| 6 |
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6 | (74-58) | Boston needed to sweep the Rays this weekend and walked away with just 1 win. Manny will be returning to Fenway this week - but in a White Sox jersey this time |
| 7 |
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8 | (74-58) | Rangers looking forward to Ian Kinsler's return; Josh Hamilton is making a statement for his second MVP Award. |
| 8 |
|
7 | (74-58) | A sweep of the best in the West? The Phils are back in championship form. |
| 9 |
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12 | (77-55) | The Reds aren't playing outstanding (6-4 in their last 10), but fortunately the Cardinals flat out stink, so they remain 4 games up in the NL Central. |
| 10 |
|
10 | (69-63) | The Jays managed to do well against the Rays, Yankees and Sox this month but still remain too far back in the division race to do much |
| 11 |
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9 | (69-61) | The Cardinals lost 2-of-3 to the Pirates....and then dropped 3-of-4 to the Nationals. That's not how you take back first place from the Reds. |
| 12 |
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11 | (72-60) | Manny will have to really step up if he is too help push the White Sox into the post season. |
| 13 |
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13 | (73-60) | Unable to capitalize on the Phillies sweep of the Padres |
| 14 |
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15 | (69-62) | The Rockies are talented, but at 4.5 games out of the wildcard and 8 games behind the Padres in the West, they are unlikely to make the playoffs. |
| 15 |
|
18 | (68-65) | The Dodgers decision to let Manny go is an admission of the obvious: they are out of the race. |
| 16 |
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14 | (66-65) | It's not too early for the Marlins to start selling tickets for 2012. |
| 17 |
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16 | (65-66) | Dallas Braden pitching like an ace since the All-Star break, see if that holds against the Yankees this week. |
| 18 |
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17 | (65-67) | Tigers are building on winning 7 out of their last 10, but they are 10 out of first |
| 19 |
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19 | (65-67) | This team hasn't really been able to score runs all season. Can't win if you can't score. |
| 20 |
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21 | (62-70) | The Brewers may have swept the Pirates again but 11 of their last 31 are against the Reds and Cards. For being a non-contender, they could have a huge impact on the NL Central Race |
| 21 |
|
20 | (64-69) | Dan Haren is struggling pitching in AL and traded Fuentes to Twins.....doesn't look good for a last minute run at the division. |
| 22 |
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22 | (57-76) | Is it too early to start selling tickets for 2012? |
| 23 |
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28 | (61-71) | The Astros are 7-3 heading into Monday and have a chance to derail the sinking Cardinals even more with a 3-game series in Houston before the Cardinals head home to take on the NL Central-leading Reds. |
| 24 |
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24 | (56-77) | The Cubs are 4-2 since Lou Piniella stepped away, but are 3-9 against the Pirates this season. Who the hell knows. |
| 25 |
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23 | (53-79) | Indians have been slipping, but the team has big potential in 2011 |
| 26 |
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26 | (56-76) | Royals can't seem to put anything together on a consistent basis; something they need to address in the off-season |
| 27 |
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25 | (54-79) | The Diamondbacks are the only NL West team with a negative run differential. |
| 28 |
|
27 | (49-83) | August marked the first winning month for this Orioles team. Thank you Buck Showalter. |
| 29 |
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29 | (52-80) | Maybe September's expanded roaster could bring some new hope to a hopeless Mariner ball-club. King Felix is still the King on the mound. |
| 30 |
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30 | (44-88) | The Pirates were 1-5 against the Cardinals this season, but took 2-of-3 from them when they needed to pick up substantial ground on the Reds. |
