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Here comes Cleveland

Indians surge past Twins, draw closer to White Sox

Posted: Wednesday August 24, 2005 5:29PM; Updated: Thursday August 25, 2005 3:23AM
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MLB Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 1
St. Louis Cardinals
Albert Pujols is still looking for his first MVP award, but there may be even bigger things in his future. Pujols recently became only the fourth player to score 600 or more runs in his first five seasons. The other three: Earle Combs (614), Paul Waner (605) and Joe DiMaggio (613). All are in the Hall of Fame.
2 2
Chicago White Sox
Is it a coincidence that the bulk of their seven-game losing streak came after American League stolen base leader Scott Podsednik went on the DL with a strained groin? They hit just .223 and averaged 2.9 runs during the skid before breaking out Sunday with four homers against Randy Johnson and the Yankees.
3 3
Boston Red Sox
Terry Francona's club has a chance to open up some daylight in the AL East over the next two weeks, playing 13 straight games against teams with losing records (Royals, Tigers, Devil Rays and Orioles). And the last 10 of those come at Fenway Park, where the Red Sox have won 13 in a row and are a major league-best 38-18.
4 4
Los Angeles Angels
They're hanging tough atop the AL West, but issues remain. With Garret Anderson hampered by a bad back, other teams are pitching around Vladimir Guerrero. And the bullpen is looking a little frayed. After going 15-11 with 31 saves in 39 chances in the first 100 games, Angels relievers are 4-8 with five saves in 14 chances since July 26. L.A. is 13-12 during that stretch.
5 7
New York Yankees
They've got way more problems than any team with a $205 million payroll should, but attendance isn't one of them. The Yankees have sold out 33 of 63 home dates -- including 22 of their past 24 -- and are on pace to draw a team-record 4.03 million fans. The 1991-93 Blue Jays and the 1993 Rockies are the only other teams ever to hit 4 million.
6 8
Cleveland Indians
The Juan Gonzalez era in Cleveland is over -- again. The one-time slugger recently asked the Indians to clean out his locker and send the contents to him in Puerto Rico. The 35-year-old Gonzalez, who hasn't played a full season since 2001, signed a one-year, $600,000 deal with the Tribe this year -- only to tear his hamstring in his first and only at-bat.
7 5
Atlanta Braves
Happy birthday, Julio Franco. The venerable first baseman turned 47 on Tuesday -- that's 26 years older than rookie teammate Jeff Francoeur. Franco is already the oldest player in major league history to hit a grand slam and the oldest to steal a base. One more homer -- he has nine this season, along with a .298 average and 40 RBIs -- and he'll be the oldest player to go deep, too.
8 10
Minnesota Twins
When it comes to the second half, Johan Santana is the Oakland A's of pitchers. After going 13-0 with a 1.21 earned-run average after the All-Star break in 2004, Santana is 6-1 with a 1.57 ERA this year. Throw in 2003, and the 26-year-old lefty is 27-2 with a 1.96 ERA in his past 37 second-half starts.
9 12
Philadelphia Phillies
The schedule gets a lot tougher next week, but you have to like how they've used their pitching -- especially the bullpen -- to get back into the NL wild-card race. Since the All-Star break, relievers Billy Wagner, Ugueth Urbina, Ryan Madson and Aaron Fultz are a combined 8-2 with 10 saves and a 1.89 ERA.
10 6
Oakland Athletics
Jason Kendall has to be a source of concern. The 31-year-old catcher has had trouble with basestealers all season, throwing out just 16 of 99 (16.2 percent). Now the wear and tear of leading the majors in innings caught (984) may be affecting his hitting. Kendall is batting .190 in August. And he still hasn't hit a homer since July 27 ... of last season.
11 16
Florida Marlins
Not to dismiss Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt, but the Marlins' top starting three are every bit as good right now. Florida leads both leagues with 13 complete games and 15 shutouts, including Dontrelle Willis with six and five, respectively. Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett are 11-2 with a combined 2.76 ERA since the All-Star break.
12 11
Houston Astros
Outfielder Willy Taveras, who deserves more than a little NL Rookie of the Year consideration, is batting .301 with 31 stolen bases and a major league-leading 62 infield hits. Yes, 62. The right-handed hitter has been clocked from home to first in 3.8 seconds. The kicker? The Astros are considering turning him into a switch-hitter.
13 14
New York Mets
A word of advice for National League pitchers: Don't walk anyone -- not even Cliff Floyd -- to get to David Wright. The Mets' 22-year-old third baseman is 6-for-7 with 15 RBIs this season after the batter in front of him has drawn an intentional base on balls.
14 9
Washington Nationals
How much is a glove worth? When an upset Livan Hernandez tossed his into the stands at RFK Stadium earlier this month, the fan who caught and ran off with the mitt offered to return it -- for playoff tickets this year, season tickets in 2006 and $18,000. Amazingly, Hernandez turned him down.
15 20
Detroit Tigers
Pudge Rodriguez has thrown out 54.5 percent of potential basestealers (30-for-55) this season, but the good news for the 33-year-old catcher ends there. After coming to camp at a dramatically lighter weight than last year, he's battled injuries all season, his offensive numbers are down and he's had attitude issues, irritating teammates by leaving the club during his recent four-game suspension. Oh, and he's going through a divorce.

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