We Have a new leader atop the MLB Power Rankings, yes The New York Yankees. They do have competition for that top spot lets see how it looks as of August 10, 2009:
The New York Yankees are the hottest team in baseball having won 7 consecutive games. Coming off an impressive sweep of their rivals the Red Sox, they now possess the leagues best record. Led by the rejuvenation of there awesome bats and the pitching staff is starting to earn their money, they have overtaken the mighty Dodgers. Since the All Star break they also boast a record of 17-5.
- LOS ANGELES ANGELS 65-44 Lost 1
Angels have been on a great ride without 2 of their superstars. Vlad Guerrero and Tori Hunter have been injured since early July but that hasn’t stopped the Angels from doing damage. Last week they cranked 3 straight 10 run 15 hit games. After slow start to the season, they are rounding into to form as the post season approaches. Their pitching is coming along so this could be fun
- LOS ANGELES DODGERS 67-45 Lost 3
For the majority of the season they were undoubtedly the best team in baseball. But after losing 10 of their last 15 games, they have been going in the wrong direction. They have had a hard time finding consistent starting pitching all year and now they can’t get any run support. Getting on base isn’t the problem, driving the runs home is. They need to fix this soon if they want to get a chance at the pennant.
- ST.LOUIS CARDINALS 62-51 Won 3
With the addition to Matt Holiday this team has become even more dangerous. It should be illegal to have this much firepower on one team. Led by Triple Crown favorite Albert Pujoles, the sky is the limit. They also have a Cy Young candidate in Chris Carpenter to help anchor one of the best pitching staffs in the national league with 13 wins and an ERA of 2.26.
- SAN FRANSISCO GIANTS 61-50 Lost 1
This Giants team has the talent to be leading the National League West but they lack that one offensive bat to get them over the hump. Luckily there pitching has carried them over that hump. They are locked in a 3 headed race for the West crown with the
This is another team with an abundance of offensive weapons on the field daily> However, unlike the Cardinals, their pitching staff is quite suspect. 46 year old Jamie Moyer leads the team in wins so you know they struggle. They were swept over the weekend by the Marlins, looks like they need new addition Cliff Lee to pitch every other day. And don’t they have Pedro somewhere on that team?
You are probably reading this saying, “Why are the Sox this low”. Well the last week they have ummm, sucked. They have lost 6 straight games and were swept by a better Yankee team. In their defense, they were in all of the games this weekend. Once the staff gets back to normal I see them rising quickly.
No one expected them to be this close to making the playoffs. The
The one team in the American League East that no one is talking about is the D Rays. Last years World Series runner ups have quietly gained a head of steam to make a push for a repeat trip to the World Series. Led by star Evan Longoria, things are looking very good. The upcoming series vs. the Angels will be a true test.
The Tigers hold a 3 game lead in the Central division but they need a lot more. They can achieve this with their new pitching staff that hoists Verlander, Jackson Washburn and Galarraga. Offense has dipped of late but shouldn’t be an issue.
The Cubs have a lot of stuff going good for them but the bullpen isn’t one of them. They have shown they have what it takes to put themselves in position to win but the pen has blown save after save. Not good at this time of year.
They needed a fire lit under them that didn’t require the manager cursing them in the media and they got it via the trade for Peavy. He isn’t activated but they have indeed played better. With him coming back soon, the race in the AL Central figures to tighten up.
After dominating the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend I was tempted to put them much higher. The thing is they have moments where they play like champs then turn around and play like chumps. The staff pitched EXCELLENT in LA though.
Nick Johnson may or may not be the key to put them over the top. It all depends on his health. They recently swept the slumping Phillies yet were demolished by the horrific Nationals. Something is wrong here.
The Mariners have given up on any chance to compete for the post season by trading their ace J. Washburn. They were staying within arms reach for so long then waved the white flag. Bright spot on the team is closer David Aardsma. He didn’t have a save in 130 innings prior to this season, now he has 36 saves with a 1.58 era.
After not making any big moves at the trade deadline the Brewers thought they can make a run with what they got, WRONG! They need pitching real bad. I thought the Fielder vs. the Dodgers incident would spark them but again I was wrong
This team needs offensive help in a major way. They picked up Orlando Cabrera from the A’s but its not enough. They had a bad week against the Tigers and Indians; maybe they can pull it together.
Astros went from a team with potential to team that has fizzled out. Having lost 6 of their last 10 games they are making it hard to come back from a 6 game deficit in the NL central. Especially with the lack of pitching depth they currently have.
The good thing for the Jays is that Halladay is still there, the bad thing is Halladay is still on the team. Looks like they are pushing towards next season with the team they have. Or they could be waiting to make a huge trade this summer likely involving Halladay and a contender.
What can I say positive about the Mets? They don’t have the worst record in the National league yet they play like they do. They have a ton of talent but can’t do anything with it. Injuries have decimated there team this year. You know your in trouble when
Not too long ago this team was contending for the crown in the National League West. Recently they have been trying to stay healthy and get young guys prepared for the future. Mark Reynolds is having a fantastic year. And that’s where it stops for the D-Backs
This is another that is desperately looking toward next year. They signed a slew of veteran players they thought could get them over the hump but none of them panned out. One of the vets, Jason Giambi, was released by the team over the weekend. Signaling the end is near for the club.
The future is so bright for the young Orioles. The disheartening thing is that they are stuck in the present and its not getting better right now. If they keep the talent together they can be dangerous in the coming years.
The Padres are in dire need of youthful explosion of “good” talent to come to this team. They almost pulled it off at the deadline but reneged on a deal. Look for this awful team to get younger in the off season.
- CINCINATTI REDS 48-62 Won 1
- CLEELAND INDIANS 48-63 Won 1
Another team that literally has turned itself a major league farm system. They shipped Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez off for a bus load of young prospects. When will they be ready to produce?
One of the worst teams in baseball has one of the best young rising starts in Zack Greinke. When he gets more polished then the
As the season went on, the Pirates found a way to make their major league club into a major league farm system. They have gotten rid of all there key players just to get younger and younger. You see there record right, need I say more?
See above comment and insert Nationals.
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