This past week saw a sudden resurgence by the Yankees and a growth in the wins column for the Padres, among other things. Here are the power rankings from the MLB after last week, all comments are appreciated.
Rank(Pv) |
Team |
Record |
Comments |
| 1(1) |  |
28-12 | The White Sox pitchers are finally slowing down a bit, and they’re 5-5 in their last ten. This team just doesn’t have the offense to compete when their pitching is poor. That said, they still have a 4.5 game lead over the Twins for first in the AL Central, the largest lead of any team with actual competition (so the NL Central doesn’t count). Also, I’m turning this into the Scott Podsednik 100 Steals Watch as long as he’s around this pace considering how it hasn’t been done since Vince Coleman in 1987. |
| 2(12) |  |
23-16 | If not for the Yankees, the Padres would be the hottest team in baseball right now. They haven’t lost since last week either. Plus, they beat up on Dan Kolb which is always funny to watch (yes I still hold a grudge from 1992). |
| 3(2) |  |
25-13 | A split with the White Sox was all they needed with four very winnable series against the Royals, Phillies, Mariners and Detroit coming up. Some rumors have Mike Sweeney coming over from KC to replace Palmeiro at first base, but I think they should wait and go after Lyle Overbay if the Brewers start to fade. The Brewers could be looking to move Overbay to make room for Prince Fielder, especially if they fall from .500. |
| 4(3) |  |
24-14 | Scott Rolen is out 3-6 weeks, allowing former Pirate Abraham Nunez to become the starter at third base. Not good news for the Cardinals. Of course, they’re in a division where the second place team is called the Milwaukee Brewers, so they don’t have much to worry about. |
| 5(5) |  |
22-16 | The Red Sox somehow allowed Octavio Dotel to hold a lead against them, but they’ve steadily closed the gap on the Orioles for first in the AL East. |
| 6(4) |  |
23-15 | Kolb blew another save last week; the Braves desperately need to trade for a real closer. (I wrote this before Kolb blew another save tonight, guess I’m just good luck. Jose Mesa may be available for some good prospects.) |
| 7(20) |  |
20-19 | The Yankees are easily the hottest team in the MLB right now, and winners in their last 10 games. Tino Martinez is just a machine, and one of the only Yankee’s that I don’t feel guilty about cheering for. |
| 8(7) |  |
20-15 | Dontrelle Willis finally got his first loss of the season against the Dodgers. I’m sure thousands of fantasy owners will panic and trade him in fear of the slumps Willis has suffered in the second half of the year in seasons past, but I’d hang on to him for at least another start if it were my choice. |
| 9(6) |  |
21-16 | The Twins are firmly moving towards a new stadium in downtown Minneapolis, which is definitely a good thing as is any time crappy Astroturf is removed from competition. |
| 10(11) |  |
21-18 | They fleeced the Phillies in getting Marlon Byrd for Endy Chavez. Chavez obviously wasn’t going to compete for a job, while Byrd still has the potential to. |
| 11(10) |  |
23-17 | They’re in the tightest division in baseball so far, the NL West, and Brandon Webb is pitching less like he did last year and more like he did in 2003. |
| 12(9) |  |
22-17 | The Angels are going to be forced to disclose their actual location more prominently henceforth, as per a bill passed by the California Assembly. Hopefully they’ll just drop all this Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim garbage altogether. |
| 13(8) |  |
21-17 | The Dodgers are falling fast from their blazing start. They’re 3-7 in their last 10 games and have dropped to third in the NL West. |
| 14(13) |  |
21-18 | Toronto has surprisingly possessed one of the best trio of relatively young pitchers in the league right now in Gustavo Chacin, Josh Towers and Roy Halladay. |
| 15(15) |  |
21-19 | No everyday player on this team has over a .300 batting average, but they’re in a tight race with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of America of the Western Hemisphere of the World of the Universe. |
| 16(14) |  |
21-19 | Mike Piazza is getting dangerously close to the Mendoza Line; isn’t it time for him to retire yet? |
| 17(18) |  |
19-19 | Rickie Weeks could begin seeing some time, which could be considered rushing him as his defense is still somewhat questionable. He’s been doing well in AAA though, and I’m excited to see how he’ll do in the majors. |
| 18(16) |  |
18-20 | They’re staying within striking range of first in the NL West, which is all the Giants have to do until they’re healthy. |
| 19(17) |  |
18-19 | Jeremy Bonderman has pitched really well so far and he’s only 22. |
| 20(24) |  |
17-20 | Carlos Zambrano has been diagnosed with tightness in his elbow, and is unsure whether or not he’ll make his next start. How many young pitchers does Dusty Baker have to injure before he is fired? |
| 21(23) |  |
17-20 | The Pirates were getting dangerously close to .500, so Jose Mesa decided to take matters into his own hands and blow his first save of the year. AAA pitcher Ian Snell pitched a no-hitter today, even though he’s been projected primarily as a reliever. |
| 22(19) |  |
18-22 | I honestly can’t comprehend why they traded Marlon Byrd to the Nationals for Endy Chavez. Are they looking for players who can consistently hit into a double play? |
| 23(22) |  |
17-21 | Take three starters with ERA’s over 5.55, add some poor offense and you get a losing season. |
| 24(25) |  |
15-23 | Jeff Bagwell may or may not come back this year, or at all after surgery on his arthritic right shoulder. |
| 25(26) |  |
15-23 | Ichiro was expected to get close to .400 this year, but he’s down around .340. The rest of the Mariners, however, can’t crack the .300 mark. |
| 26(27) |  |
14-25 | Adam Dunn is having a good season (1.067 OPS), but its tough to win games when Aaron Harang has been your best pitcher to date. |
| 27(28) |  |
14-26 | Dewon Brazleton has apparently gone into hiding after getting beat down all year long, he failed to report to his assignment in AAA Durham. |
| 28(21) |  |
15-23 | Dotel continued depth charging his trade value last week as Oakland’s won just two games in their last ten. |
| 29(29) |  |
11-25 | The NL West will remain really tight as long as every team in that division can continue lighting up the Rockies. |
| 30(30) |  |
11-28 | The Royals have won a dismal 28% of their games, and will only get worse if they actually trade Mike Sweeney. |