It is time once again for our weekly MLB Power Rankings here at SB Nation New York, where we rank the top performers of the past week between the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Admittedly, these rankings will be skewed by the fact that the Yankees are in a pennant race and the Mets are playing out the string of another miserable season.
So, here we go.
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees -- The Yankee Captain is playing on one leg, forcing him to be the team's designated hitter. Yet, he is still hitting and still delivering in the clutch for a team that needs everything Jeter has to give. He hit .296 over the past week with five RBI. Oh, and he moved into 10th place on the all-time hits list, passing some guy named Willie Mays.
2. Rafael Soriano, Yankees -- Mariano who? Soriano just keeps locking down games in the ninth inning for the Yankees. He saved four games in four opportunities last week, allowing one run in 4.1 innings. He now has 40 saves this season, and the Yankees will need more before the season is over.
3. Joba Chamberlain, Yankees -- Chamberlain has gone from an afterthought, a guy struggling mightily after returning from injuries who was nearly sent to the minor leagues, to a critical part of the Yankees' bullpen. He pitched four times over the past week, allowing just an unearned run in three innings of work during late-inning, pressure situations.
4. Phil Hughes, Yankees -- One thing the Yankees have been dying for as they try desperately to fight off the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays is a shut down game from a starting pitcher. Hughes gave them one they had to have last week, going 7.1 shutout innings in a 2-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The season hasn't always been pretty for Hughes, but he does have 15 victories (15-12 overall).
5. Ivan Nova, Yankees -- Returned from the disabled list to give the Yankees' starting rotation another boost. He pitched six effective innings Saturday (four hits, two earned runs) in a critical 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay. Welcome back, Ivan!
6. Jonathon Niese, Mets - The lefty provided what has become the weekly Mets victory. In giving up just two runs over six innings of work, Niese has gone a month without getting roughed up. If he pitched for a team with more than two major league hitters, he would have more than just 11 victories. -- Ryan Jones
7. R.A. Dickey, Mets - He wasn't able to pick up the victory Tuesday, but it should come as no surprise that he pitched well enough to win. Dickey tossed seven innings of three run ball and you could see the pain on his face knowing his offense wouldn't be able to score more than that to get him win No. 19. -- Ryan Jones
8. Josh Edgin, Mets - There aren't many Mets the front office should be excited about bringing back next season, but Edgin is one of them. The reliever continued his scoreless innings streak this week with 1.1 more spotless frames. Edgin hasn't surrendered an earned run since August 14. -- Ryan Jones
9. Eduardo Nunez, Yankees -- The Yankees banished the defensively-challenged Nunez to the minors earlier this season. With rosters expanded in September he is back. And with Jeter unable to move well enough to play defense with his injured ankle Nunez has been in the Yankees' lineup at shortstop the past four games. He went 4-for-13 (.308) with a home run and three stolen bases, flashing the offense and athleticism that the Yankees have always loved about him.
10. Lucas Duda, Mets - The Mets haven't been able to muster much offense this week (or really the entire second half), so Duda's three straight games of two hits, can be considered an explosion. His long ball Friday night against the Brewers helped lock down the only win of the week. -- Ryan Jones