Tigers' Triple Play
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Going into the new week of baseball, the Detroit Tigers are still the "Fanatic's" pick at the top of the Power Poll. As has been the case for most of the season, the club has had solid play against solid opponents and is defending their American League crown nicely thus far. As for the usual Mets and Yankees updates, things remain barely above neutral in Flushing, while the Bronx Bombers are coming up fast in the Red Sox rear view mirror. I am not pleased.
The "Fanatic" Power Poll (Records as of the completion of games played on 7/22)
1. Detroit Tigers (58-38, LW 1): The Tigers are still thriving, even with the bullseye on their back from last season. This team is playoff-tested and if they keep form down the stretch, will be looking at another postseason berth.
2. Boston Red Sox (59-39, LW 2): I hope this team is wary of the amount of ground the Yankees have been picking up, because if not, we're in for quite an August and September in the A.L. East.
3. Cleveland Indians (58-40, LW 4): Though this team has not seen the playoffs in years, don't treat them like a spring chicken. The Indians know what they're doing and, barring collapse, can win at least the A.L. wildcard spot.
4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (57-40, LW 3): I think i mentioned this last week, but things have not been right for the Angels since that Yankees series. Lucky for them, the Mariners have been slacking as of late, and this ship can be righted rather quickly.
5. New York Mets (55-43, LW 7): The Mets rebounded from a disappointing series versus San Diego to take 3 out of 4 from the Dodgers. Considering all their injury troubles, it's quite an accomplishment.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (55-43, LW 8): I'd have to say that I was skeptical when I heard Sheets was going on the DL, but so far, no harm, no foul. The Brewers continue playing sound baseball.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (55-44, LW 5): The Dodgers had a chance to help out both themselves and the Padres by taking care of the Mets this weekend. Sadly for them, they failed to do so and head into the new week a half-game behind New York and Milwaukee atop the N.L.
8. Seattle Mariners (54-41, LW 6): The M's looked miserable against Toronto this weekend. We'll give it some more time to see if the trend continues, but in the extremely competitive American League, there's no time for cold streaks.
9. San Diego Padres (53-44, LW 9): San Diego didn't translate the big series victory over the Mets into a successful week, and they paid for it in the standings. It may only be July, but in the N.L., every game will count.
10. New York Yankees (51-46, LW 14): This might just be a pick to appease Yankee fans, in all honesty. The team is playing well lately, but it's not like they've really faced anyone since the break. Playing in Tampa Bay is like playing in New York with better weather.
11. Chicago Cubs (51-46, LW 12)
12. Atlanta Braves (52-47, LW 10)
13. Minnesota Twins (51-47, LW 11)
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (52-48, LW 13)
15. Philadelphia Phillies (50-48, LW 15)
16. Colorado Rockies (49-49, LW 16)
17. Florida Marlins (48-51, LW 18)
18. Toronto Blue Jays (48-50, LW 17)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (45-50, LW 19)
20. Baltimore Orioles (44-53, LW 21)
21. Oakland Athletics (46-52, LW 20)
22. Kansas City Royals (43-54, LW 25)
23. Washington Nationals (42-56, LW 29)
24. Chicago White Sox (43-54, LW 23)
25. Texas Rangers (42-56, LW 24)
26. Houston Astros (42-56, LW 26)
27. San Francisco Giants (41-55, LW 28)
28. Cincinnati Reds (41-58, LW 27)
29. Pittsburgh Pirates (41-56, LW 22)
30. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (38-60, LW 30)
