The New York Yankees followed up a dominant week in the 2012 SB Nation NY MLB Power Rankings with more of the same. Not only did they continue to take care of business both on the mound and with their arms, but they managed to go 6-0 showing they are one of the best teams in baseball.
While the Bombers are carrying a nine-game winning streak, the New York Mets were all or nothing this week as they still cannot find their groove thanks to a suspect bullpen and inconsistent offense. The Mets opened up the week with a sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays and followed it up with a head scratching sweep at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds.
It should come as no surprise that the Yankees dominated the rankings as much as they did their opponents this week.
1. Ivan Nova, Yankees - Nova improved his record to 9-2 over the past week, winning twice. In 14.2 total innings he surrendered just one earned run, earning victories over Atlanta and Washington. -- Ed Valentine
2. R.A. Dickey, Mets - It should have been clear for quite some time, but there's no denying it: Dickey is one of the bets pitchers in baseball. He continued his amazing season this week with a one-hit complete game against the Rays in which he only gave up one unearned run in the ninth inning. The victory brought his record to 10-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.20. The knuckleballer finds himself at the top of the list for candidates to start the All Star Game next month.
3. Cody Eppley, Yankees - The side-winding right-hander has been part of a Yankees relief corps that has been outstanding recently. Over the past week he pitched in four games and surrendered two hits and no runs in four innings. -- EV
4. Clay Rapada, Yankees - The side-winding lefty, the Yankees complement to Eppley, is on an excellent run. Over the past week Rapada pitched four times and allowed one walk and no hits in three innings. Rapada has not given up a hit over his last seven appearances. -- EV
5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mets - Much like the rest of the Mets offense, he struggled against the Reds, but did plenty of damage in Tampa Bay. the 24-year-old was 7-for-21 this week, including three long balls and four RBI. Between injuries and the minor-league bat of Andres Torres, Nieuwenhuis should feel confident about seeing his name in the lineup every night.
6. Freddy Garcia, Yankees - The veteran right-hander is the forgotten man on the Yankee pitching staff, having been banished to the bullpen as a mop-up man after an awful start to the season. Saturday Garcia got an opportunity to make a real contribution, being called on in extra innings against Washington. He responded with two scoreless innings for his first victory of the season. -- EV
7. Chris Young, Mets - With two solid starts this week, Young's improbable return to form has him locked into a spot in the Mets rotation. He picked up the victory Tuesday with 5.2 innings of two-run ball against the Rays and was the tough-luck loser Sunday when the Reds came to Citi field and he only surrendered two earned runs in seven innings of work.
8. Nick Swisher, Yankees - The right fielder his .438 in five games during the week, getting seven hits in 16 at bats. He had a home run and three RBI. -- EV
9. Ike Davis, Mets - Don't look now, but Davis is hitting a season best .194 with the help of a solid 9-for-20 this week and an eight-game hitting streak overall. Though manager Terry Collins still clearly has no confidence in his first baseman, pinch hitting for him on Sunday in the eighth inning with the left representing the tying run. Baby steps!
10. Frank Francisco, Mets - After some very rough outings early on, the closer has seemed to get his game together. He has given up just one earned run over his last 12.1 innings pitched, including none in his 2.2 this week including a two-out save against the Rays on Thursday.