NL East Power Rankings: Week of Aug. 3

After making what is regarded as the most significant trade last week—in getting Cliff Lee—the Phillies may have solidified their spot at the top of the NL East for the remainder of the 2009 season. But the addition of Lee will not cure the offense, although Lee did record a pair of base hits in his Phillies debut.

In the second position there is another switch since the previous rankings were unveiled.

The Florida Marlins took two games out of three from Atlanta last week and also took it to the top team in the National League. If anybody thinks that the NL East race is over, think again.

Previous Power Rankings

1. (59-44; 1) While the Phillies have struggled offensively this past week the Phillies remain the top team in the division. Now featuring Cliff Lee in the starting rotation the Phillies have widely become recognized as a team to beat not only in the division but in the National League.
   
   The offense will have to get back on track this week though to help live up to those lofty expectations.
   
   
2. (55-50; 3) The Marlins are doing what they do best; sticking around. Many felt that the Marlins would hang in the race for the division for a while and today they sit just five games behind the Phillies. After taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers (in LA) and two of three from Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs (both at home) the Marlins are sending a message up to Philadelphia. These Marlins will not simply fade away.
   
   
3. (53-52; 2) If the Braves are going to remain a contender for a playoff spot this week will be crucial. After dropping consecutive series to the Marlins and Dodgers, Atlanta heads on the road for a west coast swing in San Diego and Los Angeles. The Braves are currently five games out of the NL Wild Card lead.
   
   
   
4. (50-54; 4) The New York Mets stood still at the trade deadline, which comes as no surprise really. When healthy the Mets do have a roster of players that is good enough to compete for a playoff spot so the notion that the Mets would trade away guys like David Wright and Johan Santana last week was silly. The Mets may still work their way back into the wild card conversation before the season is over, but at this point it appears that all eyes are on 2010 for the Mets. The Mets do have the best home record within the NL East so they have that going for them.
   
   
5. (33-72; 5) The Nationals are 5-5 in their previous 10 games, but they did lose two of three games so far to the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that nobody recognizes now after the trade deadline. They also let rookie Pirate Andrew McCutchen power his way to three home runs on Saturday.
   
   Hang in there D.C. Sports fans, the Capitals are not that far away from returning to the ice.