MLB Power Rankings - Phillies, Yankees making waves
By SportsPic
As football betting fans yawn and stretch after a long hibernation, the baseball world is hot as can be with the pennant races beginning. For the first time in a while, we see major movement at the top, as the Phillies and Yankees are forcing their way up there.
1. (1) Los Angeles Dodgers (60-34)
Thanks largely to Matt Kemp’s stellar all-around play, they just keep getting it done, but everything isn’t totally peachy in L.A. Chad Billingsley is struggling mightily in July and will need to find himself before the playoffs if L.A. wants to go deep.
2. (3) Philadelphia Phillies (53-48)
Man, can this team hit. It’s not a matter of if they’ll deliver a pile of homers on any given night but simply whose turn it is to blast a moon shot. They’re a pitcher away from overtaking L.A. as the top NL contender.
3. (6) New York Yankees (56-37)
They’re in playoff mode already, winning games with pitching, improved defense and clutch play. How about that Hideki Matsui walk off shot?
4. (4) Los Angeles Angels (54-38)
Is there some sort of utility man fairy dust in the Angels’ clubhouse? This time, it’s Eric Aybar’s turn to mash out of nowhere. This team just knows how to win year in, year out.
5. (1) Boston Red Sox (55-38)
They should be fine in the long run but, with Tampa Bay now a juggernaut in the AL East again, Boston can’t stop for breath during its slump. Roy Halladay sure would inject life into Beantown.
6. (10) Tampa Bay Rays (52-42)
If you’re surprised by their climb, maybe you should try NCAA football betting, because baseball isn’t for you. They’re baseball’s best combination of youth and talent and it seems nothing can hold them back right now.
7. (9) Texas Rangers (51-41)
The bats are warming up and Josh Hamilton’s return gives them a nice boost. Will they try to buy a pitcher at the trade deadline?
8. (5) San Francisco Giants (50-43)
They’ve stumbled a bit but their pitching is so good that they likely won’t slide much further in the Wildcard race.
9. (12) Colorado Rockies (51-43)
Their dogfight with San Fran is becoming a fun little story line. Who could’ve imagined the NL West to have three contenders in their MLB predictions?
10. (11) Houston Astros (48-46)
Relax, Cards fans. The Astros aren’t a long-term threat but they just beat you guys up and they’re playing great baseball at the moment. How about that Wandy Rodriguez?
11. (7) St. Louis Cardinals (51-45)
Their division lead keep shrinking. I’m betting management realizes that it needs to go get help for Pujols and Carpenter at the trade deadline.
12. (8) Detroit Tigers (49-42)
The sweep by New York exposed the Tigers, but not in the manner we expected. The pitching held up and the offense is what really needs help.
13. (23) Atlanta Braves (48-46)
Few teams are hotter to start the second half. The bats are on fire and so is undefeated rookie hurler Tommy Hanson.
14. (18) Minnesota Twins (48-46)
Tough to imagine where they’d be without Joe Nathan, who’s saved 26 games for the low-scoring Twinkies and helped keep them afloat in the AL Central.
15. (13) Florida Marlins (48-47)
Come to think of it, the Marlins are right where they’re supposed to be at this time of the year: competitive without being truly threatening to the contenders.
16. (14) Seattle Mariners (49-44)
17. (16) Chicago White Sox (48-45)
18. (15) Milwaukee Brewers (48-46)
19. (19) Chicago Cubs (47-45)
20. (21) Toronto Blue Jays (46-48)
21. (20) New York Mets (44-49)
22. (22) Baltimore Orioles (41-52)
24. (24) Arizona Diamondbacks (40-54)
25. (25) Oakland Athletics (39-53)
26. (26) Cleveland Indians (37-57)
27. (28) Pittsburgh Pirates (41-52)
28. (29) San Diego Padres (37-57)
29. (27) Kansas City Royals (37-56)
30. (30) Washington Nationals (27-66)