May 2014, only 26 months earlier.He will finish his 12 MLB seasons with 319 career homers, the same number that his father Cecil Fielder had in 13 seasons but fewer games.Before surgery in 2014, Prince Fielder had MLBs longest active streak of 547 consecutive games played. He played in 809 of 810 po

Its now three straight weeks at No. 1 for the Chicago Cubs since regaining the top spot in our rankings. They might not be on a record winning pace anymore, but the Cubs have won 10 of their past 11 games and were the unanimous pick at No. 1. The Cubs have been No. 1 for 17 of 19 weeks, including the preseason.While the Cubs are strengthening their hold on the top spot, the Washington Nationals are doing the same at No. 2, where they were the unanimous pick this week.After the two NL teams, the next four spots are all AL teams, with the Toronto Blue Jays leading the way at No. 3, while the Texas Rangers (No. 5) and Baltimore Orioles (No. 6) inch their way up closer to the top.Another AL team making a big move this week is the Detroit Tigers, who jumped from No. 12 all the way up to No. 8. The Tigers are 10-2 in their past 12 games.This weeks voters are Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider, Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy, Christina Kahrl of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com, David Schoenfield of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Most of the team comments come courtesy of the SweetSpot Blog Network.Past rankings: Week 17 |?Week 16 |?Week 15 |?Week 14 |?Week 13 |?Week 12 |?Week 11 |?Week 10 | ?Week 9 |?Week 8 |?Week 7 |?Week 6 |?Week 5 |?Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason1. Chicago CubsRecord: 69-41 Week 17 ranking: No. 1The Cubs are 12-4 since the return of Dexter Fowler from the DL. In that stretch, Fowler is hitting .283 with two homers, eight RBIs and 15 runs scored.?--?Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers2. Washington NationalsRecord: 66-45 Week 17 ranking: No. 2Tanner Roark is tied with Jake Arrieta and Adam Conley for most scoreless starts in the majors with seven, but hes the only one to go at least seven innings in each of those outings. His ERA is down to 2.88. Remember when Matt Williams moved him to the bullpen??-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot3. Toronto Blue JaysRecord: 63-49 Week 17 ranking: No. 4After going 1-for-4 on Sunday, Devon Travis is batting .357 (10-for-28) while atop the batting order in August. In his first start since he was acquired from the Pirates at the trade deadline, Francisco Liriano delivered six solid innings and gave up two earned runs Friday. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit4. Cleveland IndiansRecord: 62-47 Week 17 ranking: No. 3If the highlight of your week is not being swept by the team with the worst record in the league, you might be having a bad week. Corey Klubers strong showing in Saturdays 5-2 win over the Yankees was one of the few highlights. In five starts prior to that, the Tribes rotation was 0-4 with a 15.58 ERA.?--?Susan Petrone, Its Pronounced Lajaway5. Texas RangersRecord: 65-47 Week 17 ranking: No. 6The trade deadline has paid dividends thus far for Texas. Deadline acquisitions Carlos Beltran (RBI single) and Jonathan Lucroy (two solo homers) were key in a 3-2 Texas victory on Saturday in Houston, and the win helped keep the Rangers in the drivers seat in the AL West. Lucroy followed that game with a 2-for-6 effort in Sundays 11-inning win. --?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away6. Baltimore OriolesRecord: 63-47 Week 17 ranking: No. 9After taking two of three from the White Sox in Chicago, the Orioles are clinging to a one-game division lead. They now head west for seven games against the As and Giants, hoping to return home still in first. --?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot7. San Francisco GiantsRecord: 63-48 Week 17 ranking: No. 5A tough second half has seen the Giants lead over the Dodgers in the NL West shrink to just one game. In the past two weeks, the rotation has struggled, and Eduardo Nunez got off to a slow start before a 4-for-5 effort Saturday. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona8. Detroit TigersRecord: 61-50 Week 17 ranking: No. 12Justin Upton?is quietly becoming the player the Tigers thought they were getting. His isolated slugging percentage (ISO) has gone up from a pre-All-Star Game mark of .146 to a post-break showing of .208, which is much more in line with his career .198 ISO. That gives him a .801 OPS since the All-Star break, which is much better than his .670 first-half showing.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers9. Boston Red SoxRecord: 60-50 Week 17 ranking: No. 10An up-and-down week for Boston was highlighted by a complete-game shutout of the Dodgers by knuckleballer Steven Wright?on Friday. With plenty of run support, Wright limited Los Angeles to three hits while striking out nine and lowering his ERA to 3.01. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona10. Los Angeles DodgersRecord: 62-49 Week 17 ranking: No. 7On their 40-man roster, the Dodgers currently have 14 players (12 of them pitchers) on the disabled list. Additionally, a new blister for the recently acquired Rich Hill will push the southpaws return date back and leave the team shuffling its rotation yet again. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit11. St. Louis CardinalsRecord: 58-53 Week 17 ranking: No. 8After going 2-4 against the lowly Reds and Braves, the Cardinals fell to 12-11 since the All-Star break. More alarmingly, theyve been outscored 115-97. Their 4.50 ERA since the break ranks 26th in the majors.?-- ESPN.com12. Miami MarlinsRecord: 59-52 Week 17 ranking: No. 13Ichiros first 2,999 hits were amassed against 872 pitchers, with John Lackey (37-for-122) his most frequent victim. His 3,000th hit came off Chris Russin on Sunday. Since the All-Star break,?Christian Yelich?is batting .348 with four homers and 18 runs driven in. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit13. Houston AstrosRecord: 57-54 Week 17 ranking: No. 11Since getting to 2.5 games behind the Rangers on July 24, the Astros have gone 3-10, including dropping two of three to the Rangers over the weekend. Astros outfielders are 28th in the majors in wOBA (even George Springer is hitting just .213/.300/.371 since the All-Star break).?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot14. New York MetsRecord: 57-54 Week 17 ranking: No. 14The Mets got a much-needed win Sunday, but still went just 3-4 on the week and have fallen two games behind in the race for the final NL wild-card spot. Six of the players in the Opening Day lineup are currently on the DL (including pitcher Matt Harvey).?-- ESPN.com15. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord: 55-54 Week 17 ranking: No. 15Pittsburgh sold high on All-Star closer Mark Melancon when it flipped him to the Nationals at the trade deadline. Tony Watson appears primed to seize the opportunity, however, as he has allowed just two earned runs since June 7. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona16. Seattle MarinersRecord: 57-53 Week 17 ranking: No. 16The Ms retired Ken Griffey Jr.s No. 24 on Saturday, and the team slugged its way to another high-powered win over the Angels. Just 3.5 games behind in the wild-card race, Seattle isnt finished. Shrewd bullpen moves over the weekend highlighted the franchises willingness to keep fighting. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona17. Colorado RockiesRecord: 55-56 Week 17 ranking: No. 17Fans are jumping on, off, then back on the Rockies bandwagon so fast theyre in danger of pulling their Twitter finger muscle. Call it an introduction to a young and exciting but inconsistent roster thats still playing meaningful games in August at a time when many in Denver usually hop over to the Broncos.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers18. New York YankeesRecord: 56-55 Week 17 ranking: No. 18The Yankees began the week by bidding adieu to Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova at the trade deadline, and they ended it by saying goodbye to both Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Between, they went 4-3 against the Mets and Indians, and they are still hovering around the .500 mark. The Yankees are currently a team in transition, and the changes made this week will help ensure a bright future for the franchise. --?Stacey Gotsulias ((@StaceGots),?Its About the Money19. Chicago White SoxRecord: 53-58 Week 17 ranking: No. 19Chicago has won just a single series since the All-Star break after Sundays loss to the Orioles. The bullpen has been the weakest link, with the worst ERA in the American League the past two weeks. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona20. Kansas City RoyalsRecord: 53-58 Week 17 ranking: No. 20Alex Gordon, signed to that $72 million extension, continues to struggle, hitting just .199 with 18 RBIs in more than 300 PAs. Hes hitting .160 with runners in scoring position and .141 with men on base.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot21. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord: 52-61 Week 17 ranking: No. 23Hector Neris has been solid for the Phillies this year. He has struck out at least 10 batters each month while minimizing the damage, registering a WHIP of 1.02 and racking up 21 holds in the process. If Jeanmar Gomez ever gets traded or injured, Neris could be in line for some save opportunities.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers22. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 49-60 Week 17 ranking:?No. 24A new era was ushered in following the departures of Jonathan Lucroy, Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith, as Milwaukee called up its most highly touted prospect since Ryan Braun, shortstop Orlando Arcia.?-- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker23. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 49-62 Week 17 ranking: No. 21Mike Trout celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday by robbing Leonys Martin of a grand slam -- but also striking out four times against James Paxton. Still, his lead in WAR over Jose Altuve continues to grow, 7.3 to 6.4.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot24. San Diego PadresRecord: 48-63 Week 17 ranking: No. 25Derek Norris awful year with the bat continues, as he is hitting .103 (6-for-58) with 24 strikeouts since the All-Star break. Now that the Padres have finished a homestand against the Phillies, Reds and Brewers, the softer part of their schedule continues with a road trip to face the Pirates, Mets and Rays. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit25. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 45-65 Week 17 ranking: No. 27Tampa Bay did well in several last-second deals at the trade deadline. As usual, they got some production for today, but also plenty of upside for down the road. Its not easy to play for both the present and future, but the Rays walk the rope as well as anyone. --?Jason Collette (@jasoncollette), The Process Report26. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 48-63 Week 17 ranking: No. 22Sonny Gray was put on the disabled list with a strained forearm, as his miserable season continues (5.74 ERA).?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot27. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 45-66 Week 17 ranking: No. 29The Twins have emerged in recent months as one of the best offensive teams in the game, and that has helped them to a 20-13 record since July 1. However, they still have the American Leagues worst record, which says plenty about their brutal first half. -- Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN), Twins Daily28. Cincinnati RedsRecord:?45-65 Week 17 ranking: No. 29The Reds finally dropped a series after winning six in a row following the All-Star break. The big surprise of the second half has been the unexpected resurgence of Brandon Phillips, who has hit .336/.360/.464 since July 1. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation29. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 45-66 Week 17 ranking: No. 26Outfielder David Peralta had a breakout campaign for Arizona in 2015 but has been mostly broken in 2016, as his third DL stint of the year (wrist) began over the weekend. Zack Greinke returns to the mound for the struggling D-backs on Tuesday. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona30. Atlanta BravesRecord: 41-70 Week 17 ranking:?No. 30Atlanta is 4-2 since the Matt Kemp era began, despite the sluggers hitting .181 in his first six games. The Braves showed everyone that a mere trade deadline wont stop them from trading when they shipped lefty reliever Hunter Cervenka to the Marlins for two prospects. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop CountySoccer Jerseys From China . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Jerseys Wholesale . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. http://www.jerseyssoccercheap.com/ .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Jerseys Soccer China .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach.Texas Rangers slugger Prince Fielder will have to quit playing baseball after his second neck surgery.A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that Fielder isnt formally retiring, but that doctors wont give the six-time All-Star medical clearance to play again. That person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because there was no official announcement from the Rangers or Fielder about his future.The Rangers said only that Fielder would hold media availability Wednesday when the team returns home after an eight-game trip. Texas won at Colorado 7-5 on Tuesday.Fielder, who is signed through 2020, had a cervical fusion on July 29 to repair a herniation between two disks in his neck. That was done just above the area where the 32-year-old Fielder had the same procedure in May 2014, only 26 months earlier.He will finish his 12 MLB seasons with 319 career homers, the same number that his father Cecil Fielder had in 13 seasons but fewer games.Before surgery in 2014, Prince Fielder had MLBs longest active streak of 547 consecutive games played. He played in 809 of 810 possible games from 2009-13 with Milwaukee and Detroit, after playing at least 157 games each of the three seasons before that.The Rangers acquirred Fielder from Detroit in November 2013 for second baseman Ian Kinsler.dddddddddddd.Fielder hit .247 with three homers and 16 RBI over 42 games in 2014 before the first surgery. He came back to play 158 games in 2015, when he hit .305 with 23 homers and 98 RBI but slowed late in the season. The stout first baseman and designated hitter will finish this season at a career-low .212 with eight homers and 44 RBI in 89 games.Fielder was only two years into a $124 million, nine-year contract when he got to Texas. His annual salary is $24 million each of the next four seasons, of which $6 million is due from the Tigers as part of the 2013 trade and the remaining $18 million from the Rangers, though half of their liability is expected to be covered by insurance.Over 1,611 major league games with the Brewers (2005-11), Tigers (2012-13) and Rangers (2014-16), Fielder hit .283 with 1,028 RBI. The only other father-son duo with more than 300 homers each is Bobby and Barry Bonds. Cecil Fielder got his 319 homers in 1,470 games over 13 seasons with five teams.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ' ' '