MLB Power Rankings - 8/12/09
"When are you going to do a baseball power rankings? You did football every week." -Brian, Los Angeles
Well put Brian. Here you go, in descending order as is the tradition here at RW.
30. Kansas City Royals (44-68)
None of you bought that start, right? I hope not. It's happened before. Just remember, they're the Kansas City Royals. This is the year 20xx (fill in the blank for the current year). They're not finishing over .500. Don't forget next year.
29. Washington Nationals (40-73)
Avoided last place by having what's commonly known as a "winning streak." They don't have those in Kansas City. Washington could actually be good if they had another team do their pitching.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (46-66)
It's a good thing Pittsburgh has the Steelers and Penguins because here's how an office meeting goes between the Pirates GM and the owner doing his best owner from Major League impression.
GM: Our hitters are really coming along.
Owner: Really, which ones?
GM: Well, I particularly think McLouth, Sanchez, and LaRoche (older one) make a nice little nucleus.
Owner: I agree. Now trade them. I took the under for our season win total.
Bad times til football season starts. At least the weather's not bad yet.
27. San Diego Padres (48-66)
How many games would they have won without Adrian Gonzalez? 7? They're bad and this economy is not helping them. Nice stadium though. My brother-in-law graduated from SDSU's sports business masters program and he had his graduation in Petco. Pictures were pretty awesome. I'll bet it's a nice place to watch the Padres lose.
26. Baltimore Orioles (47-66)
They have some great young hitters. Unfortunately they share Washington's aversion of pitching.
25. Oakland A's (50-63)
There's no excuse to be this bad in the AL West. I guess Beane ball is a little 5 years ago. Nick Swisher and Kevin Youkilis turned out fine. The A's did not. At least A's fans aren't getting tasered at games. Wait, they are? Oh well. It's Oakland.
24. Cincinnati Reds (49-63)
I was wrong. They're not very good. A healthy Volquez would have helped, but not enough to make them a potential wildcard team. They're still a whole lot of pitching away from contending.
23. Cleveland Indians (49-63)
I was wrong yet again. No excuses here. They're just not good. They're getting better, but they're still more Willy Mays Hayes than Willy Mays. Read it again. It'll make sense. Maybe.
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (52-62)
Without Brandon Webb's services this is not a very good team and they've proven that this year. They are thin in talent in every regard. That fact was masked by Webb and Haren getting 40% of their starts. Now they're just not any good.
21. New York Mets (52-61)
My World Series pick. They're more cursed than the Cubs. Reyes and Beltran killed my fantasy team. Delgado going down didn't help. Guys lose hamstrings on the bases and ankles on the dugout steps. They're cursed. I'm never picking them again.
20. Toronto Blue Jays (54-58)
It seems like a lot longer than two and a half months ago that the Blue Jays were leading the AL East. There is some talent on this squad but not enough to contend with the juggernauts in their division.
19. Minnesota Twins (55-58)
Imagine if they still had Johan Santana. It's a shame that they can never win because of their finances. They have a great lineup and a top of the line closer but starting pitching is a little shoddy.
18. Houston Astros (55-58)
Roy Oswalt is starting to come around and getting Lance Berkman back this week will be big, but the rest of the rotation is a work in progress after Wandy. They have a habit of getting hot this time of year but I don't see it happening.
17. Milwaukee Brewers (55-57)
There's a lot to like about the Brewers. They have a young nucleus and are talented enough to contend right now but the consistency isn't there yet. Now if Ben Sheets could ever get healthy.
16. Seattle Mariners (59-54)
The Mariners are having an impressive season. They have some veterans having career years out of nowhere and watching Ken Griffey Jr. in that uniform is a pleasure. Unfortunately for the M's the Angels finally found their form and will soon be out of reach if they're not already.
15. Chicago White Sox (58-56)
Carlos Quentin is back which makes their lineup formidable once again. Ozzie Guillen hinted at bean balls. Maybe that's the right recipe.
14. Chicago Cubs (58-53)
Just when you think they have it together they blow up and another guy gets injured. I really don't know what to make of the Cubs. They clearly have the right guys to make that final push. They're just not doing it.
13. San Francisco Giants (61-52)
If they win the wildcard then Tim Lincecum has to be the MVP. Bengie Molina bats clean up for this team. Seriously. Pablo Sandoval has been a beast. But the story here is Lincecum. He's a machine.
12. Texas Rangers (62-49)
Their run has to stop sometime doesn't it. We all know they can hit the ball, especially after watching Nelson Cruz at the Home Run Derby. But how is this pitching staff holding it together? The heat has to get to them at some point, right?
11. Detroit Tigers (59-53)
I'm glad I was wrong about the Tigers. They didn't have to dump anyone although I'm not sure where Magglio Ordonez went. They're still leading their stinky division and it would be a nice story if they pulled it out.
10. Atlanta Braves (59-54)
I put something on them to win the NL East a few weeks back. I still think they can do it. They have great young pitching and enough veterans to make the youngsters believe. Getting Nate McLouth was big as well. I like the Braves down the stretch.
9. Florida Marlins (60-53)
The surprise team that I was right about. Nolasco's early implosion scared me, but I like this team to get things going and contend for the NL East title.
8. Boston Red Sox (64-48)
They're on the downslope of their season. I think the 2-0 loss in 15 innings was the beginning of the end. The Big Papi scandal started things off and I don't see this as a team that will get it going again. Too many injuries. Too much controversy.
7. Colorado Rockies (62-51)
A Jim Tracy-led bunch is trying to chase down the Dodgers. Pretty fitting. The Rockies are at it again and they're doing it with some guys you've never heard of. You'll know their names in another few weeks. I promise.
6. Tampa Bay Rays (61-52)
I didn't lose sight of them for a second. I think they Yankees are too far away to catch but I think the Rays are your wildcard team and I would not be surprised at all to see them in the World Series again. The pitching's coming along and the speed in their lineup is frightening to any team they face. Watch out.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (62-48)
It's officially time for Phillies fans to worry. I guess meltdowns are an NL East tradition. Hamels still has something wrong with him and while Rollins is pulling it together, I'm not sure Pedro is what the doctor ordered for the rotation. The NL East will come down to the wire.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (63-52)
Mark DeRosa was a nice addition but Matt Holliday was huge. Albert Pujols has legitimate protection now. The lineup is a wrecking crew. If Ryan Franklin can hold up on the back end I think the Cardinals could put this thing away in the NL Central.
3. Anaheim Angels (67-44)
The Angels are making an impressive go of it, especially considering how the season started out. They're still suffering from ailments but the bullpen has found its way again. I would not want to play this team in the playoffs.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (69-45)
Billingsley needs to get healthy. It's as simple as that. I don't want to see Stults or Weaver starting anymore. The lineup woke up finally and when things are going well, there isn't a hole in the Dodgers lineup. A healthy Billingsley makes for a dominant Dodgers team.
1. New York Yankees (70-43)
They've got the AL East. Their pitching that they acquired plus the emergence of Joba in the second half adds the missing link. They play in a beautiful sandbox that lets their powerful hitters go yard at will. Base hits are homers in right field. The problem is, when your team salary is the GDP of a small country, you're expected to win the World Series, not a division title. We'll see how that goes in a couple months.
Well put Brian. Here you go, in descending order as is the tradition here at RW.
30. Kansas City Royals (44-68)
None of you bought that start, right? I hope not. It's happened before. Just remember, they're the Kansas City Royals. This is the year 20xx (fill in the blank for the current year). They're not finishing over .500. Don't forget next year.
29. Washington Nationals (40-73)
Avoided last place by having what's commonly known as a "winning streak." They don't have those in Kansas City. Washington could actually be good if they had another team do their pitching.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (46-66)
It's a good thing Pittsburgh has the Steelers and Penguins because here's how an office meeting goes between the Pirates GM and the owner doing his best owner from Major League impression.
GM: Our hitters are really coming along.
Owner: Really, which ones?
GM: Well, I particularly think McLouth, Sanchez, and LaRoche (older one) make a nice little nucleus.
Owner: I agree. Now trade them. I took the under for our season win total.
Bad times til football season starts. At least the weather's not bad yet.
27. San Diego Padres (48-66)
How many games would they have won without Adrian Gonzalez? 7? They're bad and this economy is not helping them. Nice stadium though. My brother-in-law graduated from SDSU's sports business masters program and he had his graduation in Petco. Pictures were pretty awesome. I'll bet it's a nice place to watch the Padres lose.
26. Baltimore Orioles (47-66)
They have some great young hitters. Unfortunately they share Washington's aversion of pitching.
25. Oakland A's (50-63)
There's no excuse to be this bad in the AL West. I guess Beane ball is a little 5 years ago. Nick Swisher and Kevin Youkilis turned out fine. The A's did not. At least A's fans aren't getting tasered at games. Wait, they are? Oh well. It's Oakland.
24. Cincinnati Reds (49-63)
I was wrong. They're not very good. A healthy Volquez would have helped, but not enough to make them a potential wildcard team. They're still a whole lot of pitching away from contending.
23. Cleveland Indians (49-63)
I was wrong yet again. No excuses here. They're just not good. They're getting better, but they're still more Willy Mays Hayes than Willy Mays. Read it again. It'll make sense. Maybe.
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (52-62)
Without Brandon Webb's services this is not a very good team and they've proven that this year. They are thin in talent in every regard. That fact was masked by Webb and Haren getting 40% of their starts. Now they're just not any good.
21. New York Mets (52-61)
My World Series pick. They're more cursed than the Cubs. Reyes and Beltran killed my fantasy team. Delgado going down didn't help. Guys lose hamstrings on the bases and ankles on the dugout steps. They're cursed. I'm never picking them again.
20. Toronto Blue Jays (54-58)
It seems like a lot longer than two and a half months ago that the Blue Jays were leading the AL East. There is some talent on this squad but not enough to contend with the juggernauts in their division.
19. Minnesota Twins (55-58)
Imagine if they still had Johan Santana. It's a shame that they can never win because of their finances. They have a great lineup and a top of the line closer but starting pitching is a little shoddy.
18. Houston Astros (55-58)
Roy Oswalt is starting to come around and getting Lance Berkman back this week will be big, but the rest of the rotation is a work in progress after Wandy. They have a habit of getting hot this time of year but I don't see it happening.
17. Milwaukee Brewers (55-57)
There's a lot to like about the Brewers. They have a young nucleus and are talented enough to contend right now but the consistency isn't there yet. Now if Ben Sheets could ever get healthy.
16. Seattle Mariners (59-54)
The Mariners are having an impressive season. They have some veterans having career years out of nowhere and watching Ken Griffey Jr. in that uniform is a pleasure. Unfortunately for the M's the Angels finally found their form and will soon be out of reach if they're not already.
15. Chicago White Sox (58-56)
Carlos Quentin is back which makes their lineup formidable once again. Ozzie Guillen hinted at bean balls. Maybe that's the right recipe.
14. Chicago Cubs (58-53)
Just when you think they have it together they blow up and another guy gets injured. I really don't know what to make of the Cubs. They clearly have the right guys to make that final push. They're just not doing it.
13. San Francisco Giants (61-52)
If they win the wildcard then Tim Lincecum has to be the MVP. Bengie Molina bats clean up for this team. Seriously. Pablo Sandoval has been a beast. But the story here is Lincecum. He's a machine.
12. Texas Rangers (62-49)
Their run has to stop sometime doesn't it. We all know they can hit the ball, especially after watching Nelson Cruz at the Home Run Derby. But how is this pitching staff holding it together? The heat has to get to them at some point, right?
11. Detroit Tigers (59-53)
I'm glad I was wrong about the Tigers. They didn't have to dump anyone although I'm not sure where Magglio Ordonez went. They're still leading their stinky division and it would be a nice story if they pulled it out.
10. Atlanta Braves (59-54)
I put something on them to win the NL East a few weeks back. I still think they can do it. They have great young pitching and enough veterans to make the youngsters believe. Getting Nate McLouth was big as well. I like the Braves down the stretch.
9. Florida Marlins (60-53)
The surprise team that I was right about. Nolasco's early implosion scared me, but I like this team to get things going and contend for the NL East title.
8. Boston Red Sox (64-48)
They're on the downslope of their season. I think the 2-0 loss in 15 innings was the beginning of the end. The Big Papi scandal started things off and I don't see this as a team that will get it going again. Too many injuries. Too much controversy.
7. Colorado Rockies (62-51)
A Jim Tracy-led bunch is trying to chase down the Dodgers. Pretty fitting. The Rockies are at it again and they're doing it with some guys you've never heard of. You'll know their names in another few weeks. I promise.
6. Tampa Bay Rays (61-52)
I didn't lose sight of them for a second. I think they Yankees are too far away to catch but I think the Rays are your wildcard team and I would not be surprised at all to see them in the World Series again. The pitching's coming along and the speed in their lineup is frightening to any team they face. Watch out.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (62-48)
It's officially time for Phillies fans to worry. I guess meltdowns are an NL East tradition. Hamels still has something wrong with him and while Rollins is pulling it together, I'm not sure Pedro is what the doctor ordered for the rotation. The NL East will come down to the wire.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (63-52)
Mark DeRosa was a nice addition but Matt Holliday was huge. Albert Pujols has legitimate protection now. The lineup is a wrecking crew. If Ryan Franklin can hold up on the back end I think the Cardinals could put this thing away in the NL Central.
3. Anaheim Angels (67-44)
The Angels are making an impressive go of it, especially considering how the season started out. They're still suffering from ailments but the bullpen has found its way again. I would not want to play this team in the playoffs.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (69-45)
Billingsley needs to get healthy. It's as simple as that. I don't want to see Stults or Weaver starting anymore. The lineup woke up finally and when things are going well, there isn't a hole in the Dodgers lineup. A healthy Billingsley makes for a dominant Dodgers team.
1. New York Yankees (70-43)
They've got the AL East. Their pitching that they acquired plus the emergence of Joba in the second half adds the missing link. They play in a beautiful sandbox that lets their powerful hitters go yard at will. Base hits are homers in right field. The problem is, when your team salary is the GDP of a small country, you're expected to win the World Series, not a division title. We'll see how that goes in a couple months.
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