In or latest MLB Power Rankings, the New York Mets and New York Yankees both seem to want the other to take the majority of the top spots. While the Yankees struggled with a 3-4 week as they barely held onto their first place lead in the AL East, the Mets once again proved to be one of the worst teams in baseball with a 1-5 week.
After seeing R.A. Dickey take the top spot last week, the Yankees made sure that didn't happen this time around.
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees - The Yankees might be struggling to fend off the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East, but that isn't Jeter's fault. He hit .400 (12-for-30) over the past week and si hitting .324 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI for the season. -- Ed Valentine
2. R.A. Dickey, Mets - While most of the Mets have already checked out early, Dickey continues to grind his way towards a CY Young Award. On Wednesday he only gave up two runs while pitching into the seventh inning of the Mets only win of the week, 6-2 over the St. Louis Cardinals.
3. Russell Martin, Yankees - The catcher has had a miserable season at the plate, but with the Yankees lineup weakened by injuries he has found himself hitting in the middle of the lineup, anyway. Over the past week Martin responded, hitting .368 (7-for-19) with a pair of home runs and seven RBI. -- EV
4. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees - He isn't what he used to be, and maybe what he still could be if he had not missed significant time with a broken hand. A-Rod is back, though, and hitting well at a time when the Yankees need all the offense they can muster. He hit .304 (7-for-23) with two homers and six RBI last week. -- EV
5. Jonathon Niese, Mets - Along with Dickey, Niese continues to give the Mets a chance to win every time out. Friday the lefty surrendered just one run over six innings, but was betrayed by his anemic offense. There are few positives to take from another lost season, but Niese's progress is one of them.
6. Ichiro Suzuki, Yankees - Hit .368 (7-for-10) with three RBI and a stolen base last week. Ichiro has hit .299 since being acquired by the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners. -- EV
7. Josh Edgin, Mets - It looks like the Mets will have their top lefty ready to go for 2013. Aside from a small hiccup in the middle of August, Edgin has been nearly perfect during his rookie campaign, including a hitless 2.2 innings last week.
8. Cody Eppley, Yankees - The fact that Eppley (four appearanches, five innings, one run, 1.40 ERA) for the past week is the only Yankees pitcher on this list is pretty telling when it comes to the state of the Yankees pitching staff. It's hurting right now, and the Yankees will take quality work just about anywhere they can find it. Eppley has been giving it to them. -- EV
9. Daniel Murphy, Mets - Sure, he doesn't have power, plate discipline or a position, but Murphy was one of the few Mets that managed to hit the ball last week. Murphy went 10-25, including just his fifth home run of the season and first in nearly a month.
10. Ike Davis, Mets - Davis' three-run homer in support of Dickey Wednesday was one of the main reasons the knuckleballer was able to pick up his 18th win.