Posted by Brian Joseph on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 6:39 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 (100-56, .524 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #1) The Yankees clinched the AL East in a sweep of Boston and haven’t lost a series to a playoff team since July 10-12 when they were swept by the Angels.

2. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (93-63, .509 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #2) A win or a Rockies loss away from clinching the division, the Dodgers also have a firm hold on home field advantage in the National League.

3. BOSTON RED SOX (91-64, .383 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #3) Bragging rights go to the Evil Empire if they should meet in the ALCS after this weekend’s series.

4. LOS ANGELES ANGELS (91-64, .509 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #5) With Vlad, Chone, John Lackey and Bobby Abreu all headed for free agency, is this the Angels last good chance at a title for a while?

5. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (90-65, .445 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #4) Closer issues, questions about who the fourth starter is and a lineup running on fumes, clinching sooner rather than later would be a good thing for the Phils.

6. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (90-66, .487 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #6) The division title belongs to St. Louis but this club has feasted on NL Central competition all year. A group only represented by the Cards in the playoffs.

7. COLORADO ROCKIES (88-68, .554 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #7) With three against the Brewers, three in Los Angeles and the red hot Braves on their tale, this year’s Rockies might know how their competition felt two years ago.

8. ATLANTA BRAVES (85-70, .392 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #8) The Braves have seven games remaining, all at home. The struggling Marlins and terrible Nationals stand in the way of an improbable postseason return.

9. TEXAS RANGERS (85-70, .587 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #11) It looks like any hope for a miracle is lost but the future is bright for the Rangers.

10. DETROIT TIGERS (83-72, .450 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #10) The Motown showdown between Detroit and the Twins could turn the AL Central race on its ear… or clinch it for the Tigers.

11. CHICAGO CUBS (81-74, .330 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #15) The Cubs won 6 out of 8 and the hot streak coincides with the departure of Milton Bradley… talk about validation!

12. MINNESOTA TWINS (81-74, .548 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #13) Winning the 4-game series in Detroit would put the Twins in a position to clinch in their final series in the history of the Metrodome with a little help from their friends in Chicago, of course!

13. FLORIDA MARLINS (83-73, .547 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #12) They can’t catch the Phillies but could play spoiler if Philadelphia fails to beat the Astros again.

14. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (83-73, .470 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #9) 8-12 in their last 20, the Giants didn’t do themselves any favors down the stretch.

15. TAMPA BAY RAYS (79-76, .425 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #16) The Rays rebounded from a rough stretch. They didn’t get back in the playoff race but preserved a winning season.

16. SEATTLE MARINERS (80-76, .478 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #14) King Felix gets one more shot to pad his resume in attempt to beat out CC Sabathia for 2nd place in Cy Young voting.

17. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (77-79, .603 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #17) With 6 on the road against playoff contenders, Milwaukee won’t have an easy time of reaching .500 this year.

18. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (75-81, .575 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #18) With a young pitching nucleus set for years to come, now this club can concentrate on building their offense. Wait! Wasn’t that what they did in 2009?

19. CINCINNATI REDS (74-82, .410 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #19) After beating the Astros, the Reds need a solid finish to finish 4th in the NL Central. It’s at least an improvement, right?

20. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (75-81, .542 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #20) Adding Peavy and Rios might help next year but it surely didn’t help the White Sox get anywhere this year.

21. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (72-84, .582 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #23) The Jays should have been a winning team according to their Pythagorean W-L record. Guess that’s why they play the games.

22. SAN DIEGO PADRES (72-85, .492 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #21) The Padres are better than they were last year and Adrian Gonzalez is in position to lead the club in average, homers and RBI.

23. HOUSTON ASTROS (72-83, .533 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #22) The last time the Astros heated up was against the Phillies, this time they get to try and restart their battery in a spoiler role.

24. NEW YORK METS (67-89, .381 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #25) Look at the bright side, the Mets won’t be eliminated from contention on the last day of the season!

25. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (68-88, .611 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #24) Would it be wrong for teams to sit their outfielders on the fence when Mark Reynolds comes to the plate?

26. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (64-92, .641 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #26) Zack Greinke should be the Cy Young but stranger things have happened when there’s a candidate from New York to consider.

27. CLEVELAND INDIANS (64-91, .584 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #27) Hard to imagine this isn’t the end of the Eric Wedge era in Cleveland.

28. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (60-95, .523 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #28) Fewer teams have played as poorly as the Orioles in the 2nd half over the last two years and that can’t bode well for Dave Trembley’s uncertain future.

29. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (58-96, .549 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #29) The Pirates need to win 5 of 8 to avoid a 100-loss season. the schedule is not on their side.

30. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (52-103, .460 ASTRO)

(Last Week – #30) Already the 3rd worst record in franchise history, this could be the worst Nats/Expos team since their 1969 debut.