Posted by Brian Joseph on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 6:26 am

On the “Things to Do” list here at BDD has been some sort of weekly POWER Ranking-ish feature. Since every other “Power” Ranking out there either focuses on a mix of team success and some writer’s opinion of how good they are coupled with an emphasis on the last seven days OR some formula based on team statistics with little care to actual performance in the wins and loss column, we figured it might make sense to do something different.

Enter “Adjusted STrength of Remaining Opponents” or ASTRO!

On the left are the Major League teams ranked 1-30 after their current performance is tweaked with a bonus or penalty for recent success and adjusted for ASTRO. (Low ASTRO equals easier remaining schedule, higher ASTRO equals tougher remaining schedule.) On the right is a graphic ranking the teams 1-30 in ASTRO for your viewing pleasure.

1. NEW YORK YANKEES (82-48, .490 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #1) If you asked Ozzie Guillen, he’d tell you the White Sox stink (leaving out the bleeps, of course!). If you asked me, I’d tell you the Yankees are just that good.

2. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (78-53, .461 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #4) The gap between L.A. and Colorado has widened again and the schedule gives them an easy road to the postseason.

3. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (75-53, .456 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #3) Ryan Howard had a blast (or 11) in August and Brad Lidge looked nasty against the Braves… not really what the rest of the league wants to see from the defending champs.

4. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (77-55, .497 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #5) They swept the Nats and now have the biggest division lead in baseball.

5. BOSTON RED SOX (76-54, .499 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #6) Boston has made a habit of beating up on the AL East this year — they’re 35-20 against baseball’s “toughest” division.

6. LOS ANGELES ANGELS (77-52, .511 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #2) They added Scott Kazmir who has strong splits against the Red Sox and Rangers. Coincidence?

7. TEXAS RANGERS (72-57, .486 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #8) The Rangers play 10 straight against teams with losing records. Even with 6 of those games on the road, it should serve as a prime opportunity for the Rangers to make up some ground on the Angels or Red Sox… or both!

8. COLORADO ROCKIES (72-59, .488 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #7) After a tough weekend in San Francisco, the Rox are treated to a day off and a return home to face the ailing Mets. Christmas in July? Try Christmas in September!

9. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (72-59, .489 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #12) Matt Cain hasn’t won since July 24th but the club has won 3 of his last 4 starts. After S.F. grabbed momentum away from the Rockies some are thinking this week’s Phillies-Giants series could be an NLDS preview.

10. DETROIT TIGERS (69-60, .464 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #9) The Tigers are tops in the tightest division in baseball. The AL Central gets a representative because they have to but records say they may just be keeping a better team out. However, who wants to face a rotation of Verlander, EJax, Washburn and Porcello in the postseason?

11. TAMPA BAY RAYS (70-59, .521 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #11) Joe Maddon says the loss of Kazmir may have dropped their postseason chances from 10% to 8%. Let’s drop it to 5% due to their tougher September/October schedule.

12. ATLANTA BRAVES (68-62, .485 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #10) Winning a tough series in Philly would have left the Braves in better shape. Now, they’re on life support.

13. FLORIDA MARLINS (68-62, .485 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #13) The Marlins are rumored to be interested in B-ad Penny… it might be too little, too late. Eh, it’s Penny! It’s just too little.

14. SEATTLE MARINERS (68-63, .527 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #14) King Felix is the only constant on a pitching staff that might not have two pitchers reach 21 starts or 140 innings this year. Already at 12 different starters, September might introduce a new name or two to the mix.

15. MINNESOTA TWINS (65-65, .477 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #16) Thanks to division “parity” and an advantageous schedule, the Twins could once again earn a regular season tie and lose in a one-game playoff!

16. CHICAGO CUBS (65-63, .489 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #15) The Cubs haven’t played an extra inning game since August 11th… Milton Bradley must be thrilled!

17. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (64-66, .539 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #19) The Brewers still have 9 games remaining against the Cardinals. Now, if only they could play them all at Miller Park and force the Cardinals to wear Pirates uniforms, then they’d be on to something.

18. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (64-67, .501 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #17) What Ozzie said.

19. HOUSTON ASTROS (62-68, .505 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #18) Michael Bourn has reached safely in 23 straight and is just 2 steals away from 50. With 3 in Chicago and 4 at home against the Phillies and mounting tension, could this be the Cecil Cooper Farewell Tour?

20. CLEVELAND INDIANS (58-72, .492 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #20) At least Indians fans will have plenty of former players to watch in the postseason.

21. NEW YORK METS (59-72, .475 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #21) The Mets have landed 22 players on the DL this year. Considering they are tied with the Rangers for the most players to land on the DL this year and how the Rangers have fared, you can’t blame Omar Minaya or Jerry Manuel, right?

22. CINCINNATI REDS (56-73, .480 ASTRO)

(Last Week -#25) They almost took a weekend series with the Dodgers but Clayton Kershaw and friends whiffed the struggling Reds lineup 20 times in 12 innings.

23. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (59-72, .535 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #24) The D-backs could play a key role in the NL West and Wild Card race… as spoiler!

24. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (58-70, .560 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #22) The only thing this season is missing is Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and a giant iceberg.

25. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (57-73, .522 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #23) They’re playing for 2020, no need to pay attention to this year.

26. SAN DIEGO PADRES (56-76, .512 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #27) The Padres won back-to-back series on the road and the Chula Vista, California team captured the Little League World Series. See! Baseball news in San Diego isn’t always bad. 

27. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (53-75, .493 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #26) What’s more startling? The fact the Pirates have lost 21 straight in Milwaukee or that the club has completely turned over their roster since the streak started.

28. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (54-77, .517 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #28) The Orioles don’t face a team with a losing record until September 21st… that’s probably not going to help them climb out of the cellar in the East.

29. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (50-80, .532 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #29) The Royals only need to finish the season 31-1 to avoid a losing record. Based on preseason projections for this team that should be a piece of cake.

30. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (46-85, .524 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #30)  Stephen Strasburg’s first pitch as a National was at 9:42 a.m. on Sunday morning to Gulf Coast Nationals pitching coach Mark Grater. Does it count as a pitch if it only goes 15 feet and there isn’t a batter involved?