CttP’s MLB Power Rankings: Week 23

10. Detroit Tigers (70-59)

Last Week’s Record: 4-3

Last Week’s Rank: 10

Detroit stands two games behind the Royals in the AL Central, and are in need of a good stretch to get themselves back in the playoff hunt for good.

9. St. Louis Cardinals (70-59)

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Rank: 9

The Cardinals did well this week, and can take control of the NL Central this upcoming week with the Pirates and Cubs awaiting as the opponents to close out the month of August.

8. Milwaukee Brewers (72-58)

Last Week’s Record: 2-3

Last Week’s Rank: 4

Milwaukee has to hang on to their division lead, which is diminishing at the wrong time. A west coast swing can help out the Brew Crew, but may also serve as their Achilles’ heel.

7. Seattle Mariners (71-58)

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Rank: 7

Seattle stays hot, and hangs on to the second AL Wild Card spot for now, a spot that can make them very dangerous in a one game playoff.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (74-58)

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Rank: 8

The Dodgers haven’t been exactly great lately, but they’ve done enough to make the distance between them and the Giants in the NL West large enough for a comfortable margin for a while.

5. Kansas City Royals (72-57)

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Rank: 6

Kansas City continues to be on fire, and with the season winding down, the final stretch is even more important in seeking the postseason finally.

4. Baltimore Orioles (73-55)

Last Week’s Record: 3-3

Last Week’s Rank: 2

The Orioles easily handled the White Sox on the South Side, but ran into some North Side trouble, and were swept by the surging Cubs. This is a sign of concern for first place Baltimore, who can not afford to lose games against sub-.500 teams.

3. Washington Nationals (75-54)

Last Week’s Record: 6-1

Last Week’s Rank: 3

The Nats have become the clear-cut National League favorite, and after winning nine of ten, Washington looks virtually unstoppable from here on out.

2. Oakland Athletics (76-53)

Last Week’s Record: 3-2

Last Week’s Rank: 5

It’s baby steps in Oakland, where despite still losing seven of their last ten, have worked within a game of the first place Angels, aided by a series win this weekend.

1. Los Angeles Angels (77-52)

Last Week’s Record: 5-2

Last Week’s Rank: 1

The Angels have done enough to stay on top, and despite losing the series to the A’s, they maintain the division lead and the lead as the best team in baseball heading into the final week of August.