CttP Power Rankings: Playoff Edition
By Editorial Staff
Strap on your seatbelts ladies and gents. Come Friday baseball is gonna get real ill. And before all the playoff teams are set, match-ups are laid out, and rotations aligned, I’d like to lay out a nice simple top eight for the teams that appear to be in. I will include one bonus team in the list, as there is one scenario where I’m anticipating a team to fall out of their current wild card spot.
Bonus Team – #9 – St. Louis Cardinals
This team is playing out of their minds right now. The hottest team in baseball dating back to the end of August is clicking on all cylinders. The only question is, do they have enough time to catch up? After their win Saturday night against the Cubs, they are two back of Atlanta with four to play, and their last three are in Houston. Meanwhile Atlanta finishes up with the Phillies. The starting pitching is hot, Berkman and Pujols are on fire, and for the most part, the bullpen has been strong. Oh, and did I mention Matt Holliday is back? If they do the unthinkable and sneak into the wild card – and I think they will – call it a hunch, I’d probably boost St. Louis up to 5th or 6th on this list.
#8 – Atlanta Braves
Like a prizefighter barely standing in the 12th round, Fredi Gonzalez and the Braves are crawling to the finish line. The team is 9-13 in Septhember, and if the Cardinals get any closer, the panic button will be red hot. The Braves rotation is swiss cheese like from injuries, the bullpen might be gased, and the offense has been bad. In September, the Braves offense is 12th in NL batting average and 13th in runs scored. There just doesn’t seem to be that one guy in the lineup igniting the rest of his teammates. Although I’ve noticed, Freddie Freeman is making a conscious effort.
#7 – Boston Red Sox
See #8 but add offense and way less September success. Boston’s spot on this list changes significantly if they can get a healthy Clay Buchholz back in the fold. And anyone thinking that the Rays will be much more dangerous in the postseason than Boston needs to re-assess the situation. Boston will be able to piece together a starting rotation that can keep Ortiz, Youks, and their three MVP candidates in games. And there is still time for Carl Crawford to join the party.
#6 – Arizona Diamondbacks
If I’m the Phillies or anyone else in the NL I don’t want anything to this team. Ian Kennedy, Josh Collmenter and company can pitch, and if they take a lead into the eighth they’re real tough to beat. Chris Young is awesome and who in the world doesn’t love Justin Upton. This team might have the talent needed to go deep into the postseason, the question is do they have the stones? With Kirk Gibson at the helm, anything is possible.
#5 – Detroit Tigers
-Cough- Ehechem. This is where I’d like you all to notice I’m not a homer. Detroit is just another case of a team that can go all the way or be an easy exit in the first round. As far as I’m concerned, Max Scherzer, the Tiger’s #3 guy is the biggest key for the playoffs. The team has cooled off quite a bit since they clinched the Central – it will be interesting to see how hard they push the Rangers for home-field advantage in the first round.
#4 – Milwaukee Brewers
I’m starting to think the Brewers and the Tigers have remarkably similar ball clubs. The only difference being offensive production comes from different spots on the field. The more I get to watch Ryan Braun, the more I love the guy. In a tight series, he’s the kind of player who may be able to win a big game on his own. I’m also going to be pulling for Yovani Gallardo. This guy doesn’t quite get the attention he deserves, but if he pitches well in the postseason, the issue should clear up.
#3 – New York Yankees
So it appears Freddy Garcia has a little bit left in the tank. That could help the Yankees immensely this time around the postseason. However, I don’t think starting pitching will be the make or break thing for the Yankees. It’s going to be if guys like Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson can get big hits. I just don’t trust these guys sometimes, despite the fact they are some of the greatest hitters in baseball.
Random hunch sure to go wrong: Mo will blow at least one big save this postseason.
#2 – Texas Rangers
The Rangers have quietly been a wrecking ball the last three weeks, as they have been blowing away the competition of late. The Rangers have the most balanced team in baseball, and as I noted in an article last week, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando are their big keys. It will be interesting to see if the Rangers can get back to the big dance without the services of Cliff Lee.
#1 – Philadelphia Phillies
The fact that it doesn’t stop after Halladay and Lee is ridiculous. They have a lineup entrenched with guys garnering postseason experience, and Hunter Pence turned out to be a perfect fit. Now if you give me the field or Philly, I’m taking the field, but this team right now has the most dangerous artillery.