Archive for May 17th, 2009

MLB Power Ratings (After 5/17/09)

May 17th, 2009 by Rodney James (Bankroll Sports Contributor) | Posted in MLB Baseball   Comments Off on MLB Power Ratings (After 5/17/09)

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*Baseball Records & Team Rankings are as of 5/18/2009
(Our Next Major League Baseball Power Ratings Update: 5/24/2009)

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (26-13) – The Dodgers remain the top team within the power rankings, despite just going 5-5 in their last ten games. The Dodgers have now been at the top of the rankings in both of the power rankings. Los Angeles had won three straight games before Saturday night’s defeat at the hands of the Florida Marlins. Los Angeles got a shot in the arm with their starting rotation when Eric Milton came back for the first two in two seasons and gave the Dodgers four innings. Leading the National League West by six games has made for a very dull time in Los Angeles. Manny Ramirez once again spicing up the locker room, apologizing to his teammates before Friday nights affair with three game series starting Monday and then welcome inter league play on Friday when the Angels come to town.

2. Toronto Blue Jays (26-14) –  Jose Bautista drove in the game winning rbi on Saturday to give Toronto their second straight win over the Chicago White Sox in a home series. The Blue Jays got the win from Robert Ray; his first ever MLB win. Toronto leads Boston by two full games in the American League East. Roy Halladay continues to shine, starting the season 7-1 with a 2.95 era and 49 strikeouts to just 7 walks on the season. The Blue Jays will start the new week with a three game series at Boston on Tuesday. Inter league play will begin Friday when Toronto heads to Atlanta.

3. Boston Red Sox (22-15) – The Boston Red Sox continue to keep pace with Toronto, just trailing the Blue Jays by two games in the American League East. Boston remains # 3 in the power rankings. The Red Sox used three homeruns in their latest win; a 5-3 decision at Seattle, to split the first two in the series. Jason Bay continues to shine in his first full season in Bean Town leading the team with 11 homeruns and 40 rbi’s. The Red Sox will finish their series with Seattle, and then head back home to host Toronto and the New York Mets in back to back series’.

4. Milwaukee Brewers (23-14) – The Milwaukee Brewers made a five team jump up from # 9 to # 4, winning eight of their last ten games. The Brewers took over first place for the first time all season Saturday afternoon, knocking off divisional foe St. Louis 1-0, in a well pitched game from starter Jeff Suppan. The Brewers hold a slim 1.5 game lead in the division, leading the Chicago Cubs. St. Louis is two games back, and the Cincinnati Reds are three games back. The Brewers Friday night game that was postponed due to rain will be played on Monday in St. Louis. Milwaukee will finish their series with the Cardinals, and then head to Houston and Minnesota, before coming back home on May 25th to once again square off with St. Louis.

5. Chicago Cubs (21-15) – The Chicago Cubs have seemingly found their groove after a very slow start. The Cubs have won five straight, and seven of their last ten coming into Sunday’s game. The Cubs make a five team jump and move from # 10, into the top 5, at # 5. Chicago lost a four run lead in Saturday’s game, only to come back and use an Alfonso Soriano rbi single in the bottom half of the ninth inning. The Cubs will complete their series with the Astros on Sunday, before heading to St. Louis to face divisional, and long time rival Cardinals for a three game set, before heading to San Diego for the weekend.

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6. Texas Rangers (23-14) – The hottest team in Major League Baseball right now is the Texas Rangers. The Rangers picked up their seventh straight win of the season with a 3-0 win over divisional foe Anaheim. The Rangers have made their way up six spots from # 12 to # 6. Despite the win, the Rangers got bad news when Center Fielder Josh Hamilton left the game after crashing into the wall. At this point, Texas in unsure how long he may miss, or if at all. The three game sweep for Texas put them up 4.5 games over Los Angeles, and six over Seattle. Michael Young is having a solid year leading the team in batting, with a .354 average, while Ian Kinsler has 11 homeruns, 31 rbi’s and 30 runs scored – all team leading. Texas will start a road trip on  Tuesday in Detroit, only to head back to the state of Texas for a date with the Astros in Houston, starting Friday.

7. New York Mets (21-15) – Lately the New York Mets have began to play like they were expected, and not like the poor beginning of the season. The Mets have remained at # 7, and continue to look impressive; winning eight of ten games. The Mets lead the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East by just one game. After falling in the final game of a three game series with the Atlanta Braves, the Mets have won the first three against the San Francisco Giants on the road at Pac Bell Park. The final game of the series is being played Sunday evening. Despite missing first base men Carlos Delgado with a hip injury, New York was able to put up 24 runs in three games on the West Coast. Carlos Beltran continue to have a MVP type season, leading the team in batting average (.379), homeruns (6), rbi’s (28) and runs scored (27). The Mets will continue to remain on the West Coast, on Monday when they play at West leading Los Angeles. Before going back home the Mets will play a weekend series at Boston, to kick off their inter league 2009 season.

8. Detroit Tigers (20-16) – The Tigers have won three straight games and six of their last ten to move into first place in the American League Central. Detroit picked up a three game sweep of Oakland over the weekend scoring 34 runs and only allowed 9. Miguel Cabrera continues to flirt with a .400 batting average, coming into Sunday’s game with a .389 average. Cabrera also leads Detroit in RBI’s with 30. The Tigers will take Monday off before hosting the Texas Rangers, the hottest team in all of baseball for a three game set. On Friday the Colorado Rockies come to town for a weekend inter league series.

9. New York Yankees (20-17) – The Yankees were able to make a seven team jump from # 16 to # 9 this week. New York picked up three straight thrilling wins over Minnesota at the new stadium, including the walk-off homerun by Alex Rodiguez on Saturday. A-Rod also homered on Sunday in the come from behind win. The Yankees have kept pace with both Toronto and Boston, trailing by 4.5 and 2.5 respectively. Overall, the Yankees have won five straight, after taking the final two in a road series at Toronto. Johnny Damon continues to be the New York spark plug in the offense, leading the team in batting average (.312), homeruns (9), runs batted in (26), and runs (28). The Yankees will conclude their four game series Monday with Minnesota and then welcome Baltimore and Philadelphia in for three game series’.

10. Philadelphia Phillies (20-16) – Albeit against the lowly Washington Nationals, the Phillies were able to pull of a four game sweep over the weekend. The four wins moved Philadelphia to four games over .500 and just one full game behind front running New York. The Phillies also were able to jump into the top 10, at # 10, up three spots from last week, coming in at # 13. The Phillies continue to get great numbers from off season pick-up Raul Ibanez. Ibanez leads in batting average (.368), homeruns (13), runs batted in (35) and runs scored (33). For the defending champions, if Ibanez can continue to mash, and Utley, Howard and Rollins hit close to their potential Philadelphia will like their chances come this off-season. The Phillies will take to the road starting on Tuesday when they visit the Cincinnati Reds. After leaving Cincinnati the Phillies will head to the new Yankee Stadium for a three game set.

11. St. Louis Cardinals (21-16) – The Cardinals made a seven team free fall from last week. The Cardinals, who started as Baseball’s best team have fallen to near mediocrity. With injuries to Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus, and Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals have been forced to rely on rookies. St. Louis has lost the first two, and the divisional lead to the Milwaukee Brewers, at home. The third game will be played on Monday evening. The Cardinals, will then host the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals to conclude the week.

12. Cincinnati Reds (20-17) – The Reds fall one spot from # 11 to # 12. The Reds were victims of a three game sweep on the road at the hands of the San Diego Padres. The sweep dropped Cincinnati down to 20-17 on the season, fourth place in the NL Central. Cincinnati trails front running Milwaukee by three games. The Reds will have a shot at making up ground this week as they host both the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians for three game series’.

13. Kansas City Royals (20-18) – Aided by Zack Greinke’s incredible start to the 2009 season the Kansas City Royals have been quite the surprise 1/4th through the season. Kansas City did fall from # 5  to # 13 this week, but continue to stay in the hunt in the American League Central. Kansas City trails Detroit by just a game and ½. Greinke’s start has been so incredible (7-1, 0.60 era) that he has people already talking about Cy Young. The season has a lot of baseball left, but Greinke has been impressive, to say the least. The Royals will host divisional opponent Cleveland for three starting on Tuesday, followed by an inter league series against state rival St. Louis on Friday. Closer Joakim Soria continues to miss action with a strained right rotator cuff.

14. Los Angeles Angels (18-18) – With a chance to take over the American League West Division, the Angels did just the opposite, and lost three games in a row to fall to 4.5 games back. The Angeles, despite the three losses remain # 14 in the power rankings. Sunday’s finale was led by Scott Feldman of Texas, who tossed a three hit shutout in the win. The Angels lead for second place lowered to just 1.5 over Seattle. The Angels will look to get back on the winning way with a four game set at Seattle, followed by three against rivals – Dodgers.

15. Minnesota Twins (18-20) – The new Yankee Stadium has not been kind to the Minnesota Twins. After watching Alex Rodriguez end the game on Saturday night, the Twins lost a 2-0 late lead, and then the game 3-2 on Sunday. The Twins are now 18-20 on the season, and will look to salvage one game out of the four game series on Monday. After leaving New York the Twins will make a stop in Chicago on Tuesday, before heading back home to begin inter league play with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

16. Atlanta Braves (18-18) – The Braves picked up five spots in a week with their 7-3 record in last ten games. Last week Atlanta came in at # 21, this week they have crawled up to # 16. The Braves are in third place in the National League East, trailing both the Mets and Phillies. Atlanta is 12-8 at home, while winning just 6 of 16 games at home. The Braves were postponed on Sunday, finishing the series with Arizona split 1-1. Colorado and Toronto will be the next two visitors to the South to take on the Braves. 

17. San Francisco Giants (18-18) – Despite losers of four straight games, the Giants are right at the .500 mark. San Francisco lost the final game of the series to Washington, and then was swept by the New York Mets. With their recent losing streak, the Giants have fallen from # 15 to # 17. In the three game series the Giants were outscored 24-16. As the offense has struggled for the most part this season, Pablo Sandoval has been a bright spot, leading the team in batting with a .309 average. Catcher Bengie Molina leads the team in power numbers with 8 homeruns and 29 rbi’s. The Giants will start a road trip on Tuesday heading to divisional foe San Diego, before making the trip to the great Northwest to start an inter league series with the Mariners on Friday.

18.  Florida Marlins (18-20) – The Marlins after their red hot start have really struggled in May. Florida made the biggest down fall, losing ten spots and dropping out of the top ten at # 8, to # 18. The Marlins are getting solid contribution once again from shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who leads the team in batting with a .354 mark. Jorge Cantu leads Florida in the power numbers with eight homeruns and 33 rbi’s. The Marlins have fallen to fourth place in the National League East, trailing the front running Mets by 3.5 games. The Marlins and Diamondbacks will meet, starting Monday in Miami for a four game set, and then state rival Tampa Bay will come to town on Friday for a three game weekend series.

19. Tampa Bay Rays (19-20) – The Rays fell in the first game of a three game series to the Cleveland Indians, but were able to bounce back and win the next three to push their record to just one game under .500; at 19-20. Despite the string of wins, Tampa Bay actually fell two places from # 17 to # 19. Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are having MVP type seasons, with Pena leading the American League with 13 homeruns, and Longoria leading all of baseball with 46 rbi’s. The problem for Tampa Bay has been the supporting cast, as well as a starting staff that has Matt Garza leading in wins; with four. Tampa Bay will look to continue their winning streak on Monday when the Athletics come in for a four game series. On Friday the Rays will travel to Miami to take on the Marlins.

20. Houston Astros (17-19) – Ivan Rodriguez hit his 300th homerun to snap the Astros losing streak on Sunday. The win for Houston was their 17th of the season to 19 losses. Houston has seen a struggle offensively, as Lance Berkman at times has fallen below .200, but has eight homeruns on the season. Carlos Lee leads the team in runs batted in with 29, while speedster Michael Bourn leads in runs scored (23) and stolen bases (13). The Astros are in fifth place in the National League Central, just ahead of Pittsburgh. The Astros will host red hot Milwaukee starting on Tuesday in a three game series. Once the Brewers leave town the Astros will welcome state rivals – the Texas Rangers to town.

21. Seattle Mariners (17-20) – The Marines fall three spots from # 18 to # 21, losers of eight of their last ten games. The Mariners sit in third place in the American League West, only ahead of Oakland. Despite their poor play, the Mariners only trail Texas by 5.5 games. Ichiro Suzuki leads the Mariners in batting average, with a .315 average, followed up with his four homeruns. The Mariners have gotten solid pitching from starters Felix Hernandez and Eric Bedard. Hernandez is 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA, with 53 strikeouts and 15 walks, while Bedard is 2-1 with a 2.53.The Mariners will continue their long home stand on Monday when the Los Angeles Angels come in for a four game set, followed by San Francisco coming to town. 

22. Chicago White Sox (15-21) – The Chicago White Sox cannot find a way to win north of the border. The Toronto Blue Jays picked up a big win on Friday, and then came from behind to pick up Saturday’s game against Chicago. The White Sox have fallen to five games under .500, with their 15-21 mark. With their current three game losing streak, the White Sox have dropped three spots from # 19 to # 22. Within the American League Central Division, the White Sox are just four games back, trailing Detroit; with Kansas City and Minnesota in between. Outfielder Carlos Quentin was recently scratched from the lineup with a sore left heel. Quentin leads the team in homeruns with eight on the season. The White Sox will play one more game at Toronto on Monday, before hosting Minnesota, followed by Pittsburgh.

23. Baltimore Orioles (16-22) – Rich Hill came off the disabled list on Saturday and picked up a huge win in his first start in 2009. The Orioles have won two of three in the weekend series at Kansas City, and will look for the third on Sunday afternoon. With the recent string of wins, Baltimore has moved up two positions from # 25 to # 23. The Orioles Adam Jones is hitting .370 with 8 homeruns and 35 runs scored. The Orioles continue to sit in fifth place in the American League East, eight games behind the leader – Toronto. The Orioles will take Monday off, before heading to the new Yankee Stadium for a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday series, and then travel across the state to take on the Washington Nationals over the weekend.

24. Cleveland Indians (14-25) – The Indians have gotten off to a very slow start, but with the American League Central remaining right around .500, Cleveland has remained in the race, for now. The Indians at 14-24, are just 6.5 games back of first place, with Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit and Kansas City ahead of them. The Indians were able to make a five team jump from # 29 to # 24. The Indians continue to get red hot offense from catcher/first base men Victor Martinez, who leads the team, and the American League with a .409 batting average. The Indians, after finishing the four game series with Tampa Bay will start a road series at Kansas City on Tuesday, and then start a road series at Cincinnati on Friday.

25. Pittsburgh Pirates (16-21) – The Pirates slide up one spot from # 26 to # 25 after knocking off St. Louis in two of three games. The Pirates are 16-21 on the season, and in fifth place in the National League Central Division. Nate McLouth’s two run homerun aided a Saturday evening win over the Colorado Rockies. McLouth leads the team with six homeruns, and also 24 rbi’s. Rookie right-hander Ross Ohlendorf leads the starting staff in wins, with 4, starting the season 4-3 with a 3.77 era. The Pirates will play a four game series at Washington, starting on Monday, followed by inter league play on Friday at Chicago, against the White Sox.

26. San Diego Padres (15-22) –  The Padres come in as “the best” of the trio of NL West teams, and slide down three spots from # 23 to # 26. San Diego comes in 15-22, winners of two straight games over Cincinnati, after taking a three game sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. Saturday night’s win over the Reds came in 16 innings, as Nick Hundley hit a homerun in his second at bat of the season. Adrian Gonzalez has been the Padres bright spot to start the season, leading San Diego in batting, homeruns, RBI’s and runs. Gonzalez’ 15 homeruns leads the National League, ahead of both Albert Pujols and Raul Ibanez, with 13. The Padres will host the Giants Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, before hosting the Chicago Cubs for a weekend set.

27. Colorado Rockies (14-22) – The Rockies, in the middle of a trio of National League West teams have fallen 9.5 games behind the Dodgers through a month and half of the season. Colorado moves up one spot from # 28 to # 27 with their 14-22 mark. Colorado fell on Saturday to Pittsburgh, as the Pirates got a home run Nate McLouth, as both the Pirates and Rockies survived a nearly two hour rain delay. The Rockies took Friday night’s game behind a Brad Hawpe two run homerun in a 3-1 win. The Rockies will start a four game series in Atlanta on Monday, and then visit Detroit on Friday, before coming back home May 25th to take on the front running Dodgers.

28. Oakland Athletics (13-21) – The Athletics have fallen to 7.5 games back of the front running Texas Rangers, in the American League West. Oakland is 13-20 overall, and dropped one spot from their post at # 27 to # 28 this week. Oakland picked up two wins over Kansas City, before heading to Detroit, where they dropped the first two games of the season. The Athletics are missing Nomar Garciaparra, Mark Ellis and Eric Chavez from their every day lineup. Recently Matt Holliday felt a twitch in his right side, making way for Aaron Cunningham to be called up. Oakland starts a four game series on Monday at Tampa Bay, and then comes back home for a three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

29. Arizona Diamondbacks (14-23) – The Diamondbacks under their new manager have not been able to find the winning groove. Arizona fell five spots from # 24 to # 29, as they have went 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Diamondbacks are just 9-15 at home this season, and 7-12 against West Divisional foes. The Diamondbacks picked up a win on Saturday at Atlanta as youngster Max Scherzer picked up his first win of the season, snapping a four game losing streak for the club. The Diamondbacks have dropped to fifth place in the National League West, trailing first place Los Angeles by 10.5 games. Arizona will continue on the road trip Monday, for a four game series at Florida, followed by a weekend trip to Oakland, before coming back home on May 25th against San Diego.

30. Washington Nationals (11-25) – The Nationals have lost three straight games and six of their last ten, and remain at the bottom of the MLB Power Rankings. Washington is 11-24 overall, trailing the New York Mets by 9.5 games. Washington is just 5-10 at home this season, winning six of 20 on the road. The Nationals three straight losses came to Philadelphia, after winning the final game of a three game series at San Francisco. After Philadelphia leaves town on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates will come to the nation’s capital to take on the Nationals. Washington’s inter league season begins on Friday when the Baltimore Orioles come to town.