Are the New York Yankees in serious jeopardy of losing the AL East division to the Tampa Bay Rays?
Official Major League Baseball – Close-up Shot (Photo credit: Jason Michael)
Well, according to MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds it is inevitable.
So let’s say this New York nightmare does come true, according to ESPN New York’s Wallace Matthews this team will still be remembered….
If they (the Yankees) succeed in blowing the rest of the 10-game lead they had accumulated over the American League East a month ago, they will have accomplished the biggest collapse in the history of this storied franchise.
Now the Rays deserve lots of credit as they have cut the lead to 2.5 games and have played like the best team in AL. And no doubt the Rays will take over soon if the Yankees do not get it together ASAP.
Otherwise, the Nationals take the top spot this week as Washington has the best record (77-47) in MLB because that is what is fair.
But if I had to choose the scariest NL team it would no doubt be the Cincinnati Reds. As this Red Machine is not one I would want to mess with. Reds are posting second best record in baseball at 76-50 and lead the NL Central with the reigning champs 7-games behind them.
Ok…enough banter, as here are my MLB Weekly Power Rankings on August 24, 2012.
Please note that from here on out comments will be given to the top 15-teams only.
Please…..ENJOY!!!
RANK | TEAM | COMMENTS | LAST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Nationals | Best record in baseball when it counts. | 2 |
| 2 | Cincinnati Reds | Here comes a BIG red machine as the Reds are rolling. | 3 |
| 3 | Tampa Bay Rays | Harold Reynolds declaring the Rays as AL East champs as this team is rolling. | 10 |
| 4 | New York Yankees | Slip, sliding away as Yanks are 4-6 on the road this month. Currently on 3 game losing streak. Need Pettitte/A-rod back. | 1 |
| 5 | Texas Rangers | 16-games vs. AL West teams who play .500 baseball against. | 5 |
| 6 | Chicago White Sox | Swept the injury riddled Yankees barely but good team. | 9 |
| 7 | Atlanta Braves | NL East is slipping away but atop of the Wild Card spots unless Braves falter in September. | 4 |
| 8 | Baltimore Orioles | Birds are not flying south anytime soon but O's score more runs(518) then they allow( 572). | 11 |
| 9 | San Francisco Giants | Melky is suspended for PEDs but Giants sweep Dodgers to gain 2.5 game lead in NL West. | 13 |
| 10 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tied for NL WC with Braves as champs are determined. | 8 |
| 11 | Oakland A's | The A's were 58-70 this time last year. Colon suspended for PEDs. | 14 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1.5 games back in the NL Wild Card which is crazy with this teams talent. | 6 |
| 13 | Detroit Tigers | Tigers have a +28 run differential which is absurdly low considering Cabrera-Prince combo is best in bigs. | 12 |
| 14 | Los Angeles Angels | Halos are 8.5 games back in AL West and it is looking like Wild Card or bust. | 7 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 3-7 in last 10 so NL Central looks out of reach but Wild Card is certainly not as just 1 game back. | 15 |
16. Seattle Mariners
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
18. Philadelphia Phillies
20. Boston Red Sox
21. Toronto Blue Jays
22. Milwaukee Brewers
23. Miami Marlins
24. San Diego Padres
25. Colorado Rockies
26. New York Mets
27. Minnesota Twins
28. Cleveland Indians
29. Chicago Cubs
30. Houston Astros
Related articles
I am really hoping Kate would not go this gloomy doomsaying way during this exciting pennant race…but it seems her yankeephobia is now at high gear. She is intent to spoil it for us.
She cannot wait till the Yanks do collapse…and she continues to claim she is a Yankee fan.
Her presence in Yanks section of YB is as annoyingly incongruous as a loud Red Sox fan in NYC sports bars or Yankee Stadium.
Folks, let's find comfort in the reality that Klueless Kate is, well…clueless. Forgive her, she does not know what she writes. All she does is repeat comments from another yankeephobic writer and post it here…to annoy true yankee fans. I am hoping by now, most of us are already on in her : Kate is a disgruntled Red Sox fan camouflaged in pinstripes.
Other than Jeter and Swish ( who will be elsewhere next year) who has stepped up? Certainly not the middle of our lineup. Right now it's pathetic but does the cream rise to the top? We have the most Sept pennant race experience. But please someone carry this team. I'm almost missing A-rod.
If I were a Red Sox fan I think I'd be looking for that Ledge right now. WOW.
Rays play Texas (6) and CWS (4) – Advantage Yanks
We play Rays 6 more times – Need to win at the Trop. Looks like we will miss Price both times
Orioles – 6 game West road trip mid Sept – Advantage us
Bottom line – If we don't split or beat the O's or Rays down the stretch WE don't deserve Squat!!!!!
Harold Reynolds the Master Prognosticator. Right up there with Skip Bayless on Jeter. More gloom and Doom.
" Birds are not flying south anytime soon but O's score more runs(518) then they allow( 572)"
It's allow more runs(572) than they score (518 )or score less runs (518) than they allow (572).
Just another stat you got mixed up on!!!!