Most Recent MLB Power Rankings
Baseball's Ten BestTeams for the Week Ending May 25, 2007
May 26, 2007 James Lincoln Ray
The Newest MLB Power Rankings.
1. Boston Red Sox (32-15, 1st Place AL East). Despite losing 2 out of 3 to the New York Yankees during their May 21-May 23 series, the Sox remain 10.5 games over their historic rivals and sport the best record in all of baseball. Although the team has shown some chinks in its armor -- Beckett is on the DL, Schilling and Dice-K have struggled recently -- Boston always seems to have a player who will bail them out in a close game.
2. New York Mets (30-17, 1st Place NL East). Even after losing 2 out of 3 games to the Atlanta Braves this week, the Mets still have a 2.5 game lead over their closest division rivals. After a weekend set against the intra-divisional Marlins, the Mets face Barry Bonds and the Giants for a three game set. WIth the Braves playing the tough-to-beat Phillies and the upstart Milwaukee Brewers, the Mets could begin to put some space between themselves and Atlanta this week.
3. Cleveland Indians (29-17, 1st Place AL Central). The Indians have been a surprise this season behind strong pitching (C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Paul Byrd) and slugging (Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner), which has led them to a slight lead over the Tigers in the division and in the MLB Power Rankings. The team plays Detroit six times in the next week, which could give the Tribe (or Detroit) a chance to open a more comfortable lead.
4. Detroit Tigers (29-18, 2nd Place AL Central). The Tigers have stayed in the race in the AL Central despite injuries to Kenny Rogers, Joel Zumaya and Jeremy Bonderman. Saving the battered pitching staff has been a surprisingly potent offense that has scored more runs than anyone in baeball over the first two months. Their six upcoming games against Cleveland could shake things up a lot in the next week.
5. Atlanta Braves (28-20, 2nd Place NL East). The Braves have had a tough week, losing 4 out of 6 games. Lucky for them, their two wins came against the first place Mets, including a victory in which John Smoltz picked up his 200th win.
6. Los Angeles Angels (29-20, 1st Place AL West). Winning 7 out the last 10 games has catapulted the Angels to sixth on the MLB Power Rankings list. They continue to be led by Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Matthews on offense while the pitching is grounded by John Lackey, Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar.
7. Los Angeles Dodger (28-20, 1st NL West). In Dodgerland, it's still all about pitching, pitcing and more pitching. Free agent Randy Wolf continues to impress: he is second in the National League with 6 wins, he's third in strikeouts with 66, and has a respectable 3.75 ERA. Brad Penny (6-1, 2.26 ERA) is an early season Cy Young candidate, and releivers Jonathan Broxton and Takashi Saito have been automatic.
8. Milwaukee Brewers (28-20, 1St NL Central). The Brewers may be falling back to earth, losing 6 of their last 10 after starting out 24-14. However, they have the best tandem of young hitters in the game (J,J, Hardy and Prince Fielder) and very strong pitching, which should keep them in the thick of this race all year long.
9. San Diego Padres (27-21, 2nd Place NL West). Jake Peavy, who is a pitching Triple Crown candidate (2nd in Wins, 2nd in Ks, 1st in ERA), has been the glue that holds this team together. They may not be able to catch the Dodgers, but then again, they might. That is why they play the games.
10. Chicago White Sox (24-20, 3rd Place AL Central). The Sawx are starting to play more consistently, but they will have to play even better if they are to compete in the very tough AL Central.
_______________
This Season's Fantasy Pitching Leaders
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles