Posted by Brian Joseph on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:49 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 (97-56, .514 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #1) The first team to clinch, the Yankees are lined up to face the AL Central winner as long as the Red Sox can hold off the Rangers in the Wild Card race.

2. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (91-61, .492 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #3) 2-1/2 ahead of the Phillies for home field advantage througout the NL playoffs and 5 ahead of the Rockies in the West, the Dodgers look to be in great shape to return to the postseason.

3. BOSTON RED SOX (90-61, .470 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #4) Even if the Rangers run off 11 straight, the Red Sox could finish 5-6 and clinch another trip to the postseason… and another match-up with the Angels who they’ve dominated in October.

4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (88-63, .463 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #5) Brad Lidge blew save #11 on Wednesday but this club is still on pace to post a better record than ‘08 when he was perfect. If it weren’t for Lidge’s dismal failure, would the Phillies be flirting with a 100-win season?

5. LOS ANGELES ANGELS (90-62, .487 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #2) The toughest part of their tough September/October schedule is over and they have the Rangers in the same situation the Red Sox have Texas in. Looks like their destined to battle their Red Sox postseason demon again.

6. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (89-64, .532 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #6) They need one win or a Cubs loss to clinch. It’s basically all over but the champagne popping.

7. COLORADO ROCKIES (86-66, .545 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #7) With a 4 game lead, the Rockies are in good shape but three teams are within striking distance. If the Giants, Braves or Marlins get hot over the last two weeks and the Rockies fail to shut the door, this could get interesting.

8. ATLANTA BRAVES (82-70, .396 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #12) 7 of their remaining 10 games are with the Nationals. Does that make the Braves the team to watch in the NL Wild Card race?

9. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (82-70, .459 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #11) 7 of their remaining 10 games are at home where the Gians have a .649 winning percentage. Does that make San Francisco the team to watch in the NL Wild Card race?

10. DETROIT TIGERS (81-70, .465 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #9) After a weekend series in Chicago, the Tigers have 4 at home against the Twins. Unless they can gain some breathing room over Minnesota before then, the Tigers will be vulnerable in the AL Central race.

11. TEXAS RANGERS (83-68, .532 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #8) Texas picked a bad time to stumble.

12. FLORIDA MARLINS (82-71, .485 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #10) The Marlins lost the first of 3 to the Phillies but won the next 2 including a walk-off come from behind win on Wednesday to avoid the figurative death blow.

13. MINNESOTA TWINS (79-73, .508 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #17) Winners of 9 of their last 10, the Twins are looking to close the Metrodome in style.

14. SEATTLE MARINERS (79-73, .488 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #14) Earning a playoff spot isn’t on the radar but a winning record is.

15. CHICAGO CUBS (78-73, .446 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #13) Milton Bradley is sorry and so were the ‘09 Cubs.

16. TAMPA BAY RAYS (78-74, .480 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #18) Officially eliminated, the Rays are likely to post a winning record for the second year in a row but they won’t be defending their American League crown.

17. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (75-77, .602 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #19) The Brew Crew has a shot at a winning record but their schedule — 4 with Phillies, 3 at Colorado and 3 at St. Louis — isn’t being kind.

18. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (72-80, .578 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #22) Since dealing Matt Holliday, the Athletics are 32-24. That’s good for the 4th best record in the American League but not as good as the Cardinals who are 36-17 since adding Holliday.

19. CINCINNATI REDS (71-81, .463 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #23) Dusty Baker calls this time of year when you’re out of the pennant race a salary drive. Winners of 8 of their last 11, this club may have earned themselves a couple of bucks.

20. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (73-80, .499 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #15) Their most well-known fan is famous for saying “Yes we can!” With another loss, the standings will say “No we can’t!”

21. SAN DIEGO PADRES (70-83, .489 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #20) Out of the postseason again, the Padres are in pretty good position to avoid the NL West cellar at least.

22. HOUSTON ASTROS (71-81, .510 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #16) Most projection systems and predictors expected this Astros team. Cecil Cooper was canned which suggests ownership did not.

23. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (69-83, .536 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #21) Since May 18th, the Jays are 41-69 — only better than the Pirates and Nats.

24. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (66-87, .549 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #26) Unlike their divisional counterpart, canning the manager did not spark an impressive turnaround.

25. NEW YORK METS (65-88, .441 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #24) The Mets are 6-16 in September… Just sayin’!

26. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (63-89, .568 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #28) With a 1-1/2 game lead over the Indians, the Royals might avoid the bottom of the AL Central for a second straight season.

27. CLEVELAND INDIANS (61-90, .499 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #25) Losers of 14 of their last 15 and 19 of their last 22, the Indians might find it difficult to get the 2 wins they need to avoid 100 losses.

28. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (60-92, .492 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #27) Since the All-Star break, the Orioles are 20-44. Is that enough to cost Dave Trembley his job? The Red Sox sure hope not, Baltimore is just 13-36 against Boston during his tenure.

29. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (56-94, .550 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #29) The Pirates are 19-55 on the road. There’s no place like home! There’s no place like home!

30. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (52-99, .493 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #30) Back-to-back 100-loss seasons seem inevitable.