New Power Rankings/Nouveaux Rangs De Puissance

Revisiting last week's Power Rankings, where the Expos dropped - yes, dropped - from 26 to 27, despite a 5-2 record in the previous week (including one loss by only one run)...

Now here's another chance for ESPN to redeem itself. In the past week the Expos have gone 4-3. One loss was a blow-out to Barry Bonds' Giants - and yes, Barry spanked them. One loss was a close game which they lost 5-4, despite the Giants having Cy Young Award-favorite Schmidt on the mound. The other loss was a 5-2 complete game loss for Livan Hernanadez.

But they also tore it up: beating San Fran 6-2 behind 3-1/3 innings of no-run ball from the bullpen (3 Holds registered in the game); a 4-3 win vs. Colorado where 5 pitchers combined to pitch an 8-hitter (including 2 innings of no-hit, 4-K ball from Ayala); an 8-2 drubbing of Colorado with Patsy picking up the win, and last night's nail-biter.

Meanwhile...

30 - Arizona has gone 3-3
29 - Kansas City has gone 2-4 (though stayed close with Texas)
28 - Seattle has gone 2-4 (losing twice to the hapless Tigers and once to the D'Rays)
27 - Montreal has gone 4-3
26 - Toronto has gone 4-2 (with an impressive sweep of the once-surging Orioles)
25 - Tampa Bay has gone 3-4 (barely winning the last game in the Oakland series)
24 - Colorado has gone 2-4 (losing 2 of 3 to the Expos!)
23 - Milwaukee has gone 1-6 (lost 2 of 3 to Chicago, swept by the Phils)

Now let's look at overall record...

30 - Arizona: 39-87
29 - Kansas City: 44-78
28 - Seattle: 46-77
27 - Montreal: 53-71
26 - Toronto: 53-72
25 - Tampa Bay: 57-68
24 - Colorado: 55-69
23 - Milwaukee: 55-68

And rank them as if they were a league...

25 - Tampa Bay: 57-68
23 - Milwaukee: 55-68
24 - Colorado: 55-69
27 - Montreal: 53-71
26 - Toronto: 53-72
28 - Seattle: 46-77
29 - Kansas City: 44-78
30 - Arizona: 39-87

So, I see that the Power Rankings are keyed into standings and runs/wins, as they should be. But for the second week in a row the Expos have had a great record compared to those around them. Last week was a travesty, having them moved down a spot from the week before. This week, let's turn it around.

Later.