MLB Power Rankings: It’s the Los Angeles Dodgers, Then Everyone Else

» Posted by on May 28, 2012 | 0 comments

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RANK TEAM RECORD NOTE PREVIOUS
1  32-15 Chris Capuano is 7-1 in a comeback year that just about no one could have imagined. He leads the team in most pitching categories except for ERA, where Clayton Kershaw is holding down a minuscule 1.97 on the mound. 1
2 30-18  Texas might be a little worried about Josh Hamilton missing some time, but they continue to destroy the ball. Nelson Cruz is a very streaky hitter, and he is scalding hot this weekend.  4
3 29-19  Adam Jones is a well-paid man, and aside from a couple of losses to the Royals this weekend, the O’s are still tops in the AL East. We’ve got plenty of coverage on Baltimore on The Inside Move, from Adam Jones’s contract to the job of Buck Showalter at the helm. 2
4 29-19  The week was sealed off by a great comeback victory against the Red Sox on Sunday after a series with tensions running high. The Rays are now tied with the O’s for the best record in the AL East, and they’ll have a chance to knock them off when the two teams play each other later in the week. 5
5 29-18 After a couple of losses last week, the Nationals have rebounded and took advantage of the heavily slumping Braves to get back to the upper echelon of the NL East. Also, it’s pretty nice to get their star player Ryan Zimmerman back from the DL. 6
6 27-21  Not much is intimidating about the Amazin’s on paper, but they are playing great baseball and taking care of the opponents that should be beat. The knuckleballer R.A. Dickey has seven wins, and Johan Santana is keeping his ERA below three. Oh, and David Wright’s still hitting .382. 9
7 27-20  The Reds have quietly capitalized on a couple of losses by the Cardinals to move to the top of their division. Aroldis Chapman is still on fire, and the Reds were able to win on Sunday thanks to four home runs in Great American Ballpark. 13
8 26-22 The injuries that have been piling up for the team are starting to improve, but the Cards have now fallen back in the standings while trying to get healthier. Still, they’re playing good baseball, and an exciting race with the Reds may be in the near future. 8
9 26-21  The Indians had an interesting week. After sweeping the Tigers, who are playing mediocre baseball after expecting to be on top, they then get swept by the White Sox. Win or lose Cleveland, make up your mind! 7
10 26-22  Brian Cashman decided to stop in and call a meeting with the team, and since then, the Bombers have won five in a row. Maybe the GM should replace Girardi as the manager too. 12
11  26-22  The Marlins stay after a 4-3 week, although they have rebounded well from their pretty horrendous start. Now if we could only work on those uniforms… 11
12 26-23  Atlanta plummets nine spots this week as the aging middle of the order is starting to show its true side. Chipper remains on the DL, while Brian McCann hasn’t seen the starting lineup in five games. They will have to lean on their pitching more than ever to hang in a tough NL East. 3
13 25-23  It looks like the Giants are starting to get past the early string of injuries and play better baseball. The winning record is due mainly to Melky Cabrera, who sports a .369 average with 25 RBI. 15
14 26-22 Well hey there Paul Konerko! The mainstay at first base has an average of .399 with a third of the season down, meaning the press is going to start taking notice. The ChiSox took care of business this weekend, sweeping the division leading Indians and closing the gap. 16
15 24-25  Finally! Albert Pujols is hitting, the Angels have won six in a row, and all seems to well in the world. Next up is the Yanks, who also have their own winning streak going. 23
16 24-24  A tough weekend against the Rangers knocks the Blue Jays down a few spots, who are going to need much better pitching in a division where just about everyone is a contender these days. 10
17 25-24 The Phillies are over .500, but are still last in the NL East, proving it to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. The shoulder injury of Roy Halladay may force the team to bring back another former Roy to shoulder the load that might be left by their ace.  18
18  23-24 Come on Tigers, it’s time to kick it up into another gear. Prince Fielder isn’t hitting nearly as many homers that’s expected of him, and the team just cannot seem to put a winning effort together day-in and day-out. Time for a turnaround, and soon. 17
19 23-24 There was lots of progress last week, and it looked like Boston was back on its way to the top of the rankings. Instead, a tough defeat against the Rays on Sunday keeps them at a standstill and at the bottom of the division. 19
20 23-24  For all the crap I give Pittsburgh week-in and week-out, they continue to move up in the rankings. Believe it or not, they’re only 4 games out in the NL Central. 21
21  22-26 The Dbacks are another team that should not be this low in the rankings. Nonetheless, their young players are not performing up to expectations, and because of that, team morale isn’t exactly at an all-time high. 22
22 22-26 The A’s scored 5-runs in a three game sweep by the Yankees, proving that Josh Reddick and Seth Smith as your 3 and 4 hitters, respectively, is not going to get it done in this league. 14
23 22-25 Like the Pirates, Houston is moving up the list slowly but surely, and they’re only 5 out in the Central these days. Still, the record is below .500, and it will most likely stay there. 24
24  21-29 Because of the location of Seattle, the team has to travel thousands of miles more than any other ballclub in baseball. Just thought I’d share that since it’s better than mentioning the Mariners sucking this week. 20
25 17-24 Maybe Kansas City can start to get on a roll after winning a couple in a row against the Orioles. They’ve got some good young players, especially Billy Butler, who is finding his power stroke more often than in previous years. 26
26 19-28 Remember when the Brewers organization thought Aramis Ramirez was the answer to Prince Fielder leaving? Yea, that really has worked out for them. He just doesn’t have the same presence at the plate. 25
27 17-29 Oh Colorado. You’ve got some hitters, but do you have pitching? No, Jamie Moyer doesn’t count, but nice try.  27
28  17-32 At least the weather is nice in San Diego year-round… 28
29 15-32 The only reason the Twins moved up is because the Cubs are absolutely terrible these days.  30
30 15-32 It’s amazing how hard the Cubs worked to get this last spot. Losing 12 in a row is pretty damn difficult, but they managed to accomplish this stunning feat.  29

Mani

Rob Manisero is a co-founder of The Inside Move and a Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report. Even though he is an avid Yankee fan, he likes CitiField more than Yankee Stadium. He also wishes Jack Bauer would have an easy day for once in his life. Follow him on Twitter @RobMani

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