The Owl’s Power Rankings for August

Around 50 games to go and the Owl will take a look of where the teams rank after looking at the current standings. The NL East has been a 3 team race and don’t count out the Phillies. Late season surges have happened by them before.

The NL Central is really a 3 team race with the Reds, Cards and Pirates taking turns with the lead. So far the Marlins or Expos figure to be the Wild Card but that isn’t a lock.

The Dodgers are headed for another West Title.

In the AL only the Central has a race. The Twins are chasing the surprising White Sox and both teams figure to make the playoffs joining the Yankees and Rangers who can start printing playoff tickets at any time. OK here are the latest (very late) rankings:

1. New York Yankees: The Yanks have been the Class of the AL with a very good Offense and the Best Pitching in AL and maybe the league. P Francisco Barrios and RF Reggie Jackson have been phenomenal.

2. Montreal Expos: The Expos Pitching has been great. The starters might be getting tired as they are veterans but the Pen led by P Takashi Saito have kept this team in the playoff hunt. Hitting is balanced but will it let down in a big game like in last years playoffs?

3. Texas Rangers: Great Hitting as been a trademark and this year it isn’t any different. Hank Aaron leads the way but he has a lot of help. Pitching is the key and it’s good. The return of P Jake Peavy makes this team more dangerous

4. Los Angeles Dodgers: Add slugging rookie 3B Tim Ferrick to a group of veterans and the Dodgers continue to be a force as they lead the NL in runs scored. The Pitching is solid

5. Chicago White Sox: Getting P Tony Livingston in a trade was huge as he gives this team an Ace. Team playing well for new Coach Mike

6. Minnesota Twins: Twins have been streaky this year. The starting pitchers have been very good led by P David Cone but an inconsistent bull pen has been a problem. 1B Luke Easter is having a career year.

7. Florida Marlins: Team on pace for another 100 win season. P Andy Van Hekken is dominating the NL Hitters. Ruth, Hrbek, Simmons continue to pound the ball.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Defending Champs are in a battle for the NL Central Title and a playoff spot. Pitching is still the strength. The hitting can be better and it might have to be to make the post season.

9. St. Louis Cardinals: Cardinals probably are the top pitching and fielding team in the Majors. When the team get hitting they excel. This year they have had the hitting.

10. Cincinnati Reds: The pitching is good led by P Jim Perry. The Hitting is strong but one has to wonder how the 1B Kluszewski and 1B Derek Lee platoon setup will work out.

11. Philadelphia Phillies: The Phils started strong but recent pitching woes have this team scrambling to make the playoffs. Rookie 1B Kite Melton has had a productive year and if he gets more consistent he’ll be a force for a long time.

12. Anaheim Angels: KL has gotten a lot out of his talent this year. Not only the youngster but veterans like P Milt Pappas and Rich Carlen. The Hitting is still a concern but the Angels are headed in the right direction

13. Detroit Tigers: Team is in transition and playing hard but it still lacks talent to compete for a playoff spot. Is this Veteran OF Kirk Gibson’s “swan song.”

14. San Diego Padres: Padres are in flux but they needed to be after the last few season. They should be better then their record but the Bullpen hasn’t been that effective. Team is on the way up

15. Seattle Mariners: Mariners have outscored their opponents by 48 runs but they are still under .500. Tough luck and inconsistent pitching are the likely culprits as P Myles Truscher Jr. has been they only starting pitcher performing well.

16. Toronto Blue Jays: Jays have been competitive all season as some of the young pitchers are developing. P Tim Belcher is having a break out season. Hitter will be the key for improvement.

17. Chicago Cubs: Team has made some strides but this team hasn’t played well recently. The youngsters are getting playing time and that can’t help but help the teams’ future.

18. Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox are having a power outage. Team still has found a way to score but the lack of power has put pressure on the pitching staff.

19. Oakland Athletics: Rob’s wheeling and dealing and it will be a matter of time before he gets the roster the way he wants. Team is a few seasons away.

20. San Francisco Giants: Team has a strong hitting team but when you don’t win with that it’s the pitching that is the problem. The Starting rotation needs good 4th and 5th starters. P Jonathan Papelbon has had a terrible sophomore season.

21. Cleveland Indians: The Indians had major Free Agent loses in the Free Agent Market prior to the season and it shows. Team is in transition but not that far from competing if they get a few pitchers.

22. Colorado Rockies: P Dick Elsworth has been great and Veteran P Nolan Ryan continues with his great career but other then those two the pitching has been hammered. The Hitting has been good but it can’t save the pitching staff.

23. Houston Astros: Sam has done a great job for many season competing but this year is one of the few down seasons he’s had. The Hitting has been weak but the pitching hasn’t been that bad.

24. Brewers: Coach Cameron took over the Brewers that were in rebuilding mode. They still are but if there is a Coach that can turn them around he’s the man.

25. New York Mets: The Mets are a young team in a tough Division. There are some good starters to build on but the bullpen needs an overhaul. The hitting has improved a bit from last year.

26. Baltimore Orioles: The O’s are in full fledge rebuilding mode and it takes time. The hitters are progressing better then the pitchers at this time.

27. Kansas City Royals: P Roger Clemens should sue for non support. But he is the Ace to build around. I hope the fans are patient because it will take time as Coach Travis has done it before.

28. Atlanta Braves: The Braves needed nuking and Coach Casey started that. He has a lot of work to do but a few high draft picks is a good start.