The MLB Power Rankings here at SB Nation New York continue to be led by the New York Yankees, but the New York Mets are holding their own in the top half thanks to three solid starting pitchers. As the final weeks of the season wrap up, the Yankees are not only in the middle of a playoff fight, but also in the process of locking down the top spots in our year end rankings.
Did we miss anyone from the Bombers or Amazins?
1. Ichiro Suzuki, Yankees - The Yankees thought the pennant race and the bright lights of New York City would energize the 38-year-old when they acquired him from the Seattle Mariners. Well, they have been right. Over the past week Ichiro hit .700 with 14 hits in 20 at-bats, two home runs, five RBI and three stolen bases. Ichiro has hit .424 in September and .331 overall in 57 games since the Yankees traded for him. -- Ed Valentine.
2. R.A. Dickey, Mets - The magical season of Dickey continued this week as the knuckleballer tossed 15 innings, surrendering just four earned runs and striking out 12. Unfortunately due to pitching for a team with a minor league lineup, Dickey was only able to pick up one victory, giving him 19 for the season. With a strong finish -- and rare help from his teammates -- he could take home the CY Young Award.
3. Andy Pettitte, Yankees - The veteran lefty returned from a broken ankle on Wednesday and pitched five shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jays to earn a victory. -- EV
[Related: MLB Standings: Yankees lead AL East -- barely]
4. Matt Harvey, Mets - Next to Dickey, the brightest spot for the Mets this season has been Harvey, who finished his rookie campaign with a brilliant outing Wednesday against the Phillies. The righty gave up just one hit (the first batter he faced) and struck out seven over seven innings of work. Unfortunately the bullpen blew his chance to finish with a victory.
5. Raul Ibanez, Yankees - In a thrilling 14-inning victory on Saturday, Ibanez hit a game-tying two-run home run in the 13th inning as the Yankees rallied from four runs down. Ibanez had only seven at-bats last week, but made the most of them. He had three hits (.429 average), two homers and three RBI.
6. Jonathon Niese, Mets - For all the problems the Mets have this season and are taking with them moving forward, they have a solid rotation to build around. Niese helped the Mets sweep the Marlins this weekend, pitching into the seventh inning for his 12th win.
7. Nick Swisher, Yankees - Swisher went 7-for-21 (.333) with a home run and five RBI over the past week. He hit a grand slam Thursday, the key blow in a 10-7 victory over Toronto. -- EV
8. C.C. Sabathia, Yankees - This is the time of year when the Yankees need their ace, who has been on the disable list twice this season, to pitch like an ace. In his last outing, he did. Sabathia pitched eight shutout innings Saturday, allowing only three hits and striking out 11. He did not get a win, though, as Rafael Soriano could not hold the 1-0 lead. The Yankees won in 14 innings. -- EV
9. Bobby Parnell, Mets - The hard-throwing right might not have a specific role he fits in, but he had a decent week. Parnell tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and striking out three.
10. Scott Hairston, Mets - In a season full of regrets for the Mets, not trading Scott Hairston at the deadline could end up near the top of the list. He hit two long balls this week (18 and 19) and no doubt could have helped a contending team down the stretch instead of the bottom-feeding Mets. Now they will have to watch him leave in free agency without getting anything in return.