NL East Power Rankings

Last week I established a rule for the NL East Power Rankings.

"Lose two of three to Baltimore and you automatically drop one spot in the rankings."

Now what kind of credibility would I have if I did not follow that rule once again this week? But what about if a team loses three games, getting swept in the process, to the Orioles? Well folks, that creates mass hysteria for a week!

Both the New York Mets and Phillies had their struggles against Baltimore this past week, although the Phillies had a bumpier road on the struggle bus over the weekend. Would you believe that the two best teams in the division over the past week have been the Marlins and Nationals?

Previous Power Rankings

1. (35-36; 1) The Marlins are being awarded a temporary stay at the top of the power rankings for a week. Why the Marlins? In their last 10games they are the only NL East team with a winning record. Florida has also moved their way back into sole possession of third place and, don't look now, they currently sit just three games out of first place.
   
   
2. (20-47; 5) Congratulations to the Nationals for picking up their 20th win of the season. Washington had a nice trip to New York to play the Yankees, shutting down the Bronx Bombers for two games after dropping the series opener. From there the Nationals took two of three from Toronto. Next up for the Nats? The Boston Red Sox come to town, and a weekend series against regional rival Baltimore.
   
   
   
3. (34-33; 2) The New York Mets continue to fail to take advantage of the misfortune of the Phillies. Still two games out of first place now the Mets get a reprieve from inter league play with a four game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals, starting tonight. Following that is a home series against the Yankees over the weekend.
   
   
4. (32-36; 3) The Braves continue to struggle along and have now fallen into fourth place in the NL East division. Atlanta needs to turn things around as they are now 4.5 games out of first place. This week could be a tough one for the Braves though. After a make up game with the Cubs tonight, the Braves play host to the Yankees and Red Sox. The Phillies, who were undefeated in Atlanta in 2008, come to town next week. Can the Braves put themselves in position to take over the division lead next week?
   
   
5. (36-31; 1) The Phillies have been flat out awful this past week. Sitting them in the basement of these rankings is well deserved after being swept at home by the Blue Jays and the Orioles. The bullpen has been atrocious, although they are missing two key pieces in Scott Eyre and Brad Lidge. Raul Ibanez is on the DL, and Ryan Howard is fighting a fever. Despite the recent problems, they are still in first place by two games. It pays to be in a weak division at this point.