Tagged: Power Rankings
All-Star Break Power Rankings (July 14)
The 82nd All-Star game has come and passed and Thursday brings MLB’s second half – which never fails to stir up drama. The NL has clinched home field advantage in World Series with a 5-1 victory over the AL All-Stars. The Milwaukee Brewers had three starters voted in, however, Ryan Braun sat out due to an ailing hamstring. Rickie Weeks hit lead-off and went hitless, but did steal a base and score a run. Fielder, starting at first base and hitting clean-up, delivered the big hit of the night – a three-run jack off of Texas starter C.J. Wilson – and was named the All-Star game MVP. At the end of the contest the Brewers made a drastic roster move. Milwaukee now has K-Rod and the Ax-Man at the back end of their pen. With Rickie Weeks playing like his hair is on fire, if Braun and Fielder keep mashing, the Brewers could be in line for a deep postseason run. Here are the top ten teams in baseball right now…
Even though Ryan Braun pulled out of the game, Milwaukee still had two All-Star starters in first baseman Prince Fielder and second baseman Rickie Weeks. The former minor league roommates also participated in the Home Run Derby together and batted in their normal clean-up and lead-off spots in the NL starting lineup.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (57-34, 1st in NL East by 3.5 games)
Roy Halladay: (11-3) 2.45 ERA, 138 SO, 1.02 WHIP
Ryan Howard: (.257 BA/.353 OBP/.475 SLG) 18 HR, 72 RBI
2. Atlanta Braves (54-38, 2nd in NL East, 3.5 GB)
Jair Jurrjens: (12-3) 1.87 ERA, 65 SO, 1.07 WHIP
Brian McCann: (.310 BA/.381 OBP/.514 SLG) 15 HR, 50 RBI
3. Boston Red Sox (55-35, 1st in AL East by 1.0 game)
Josh Beckett: (8-3) 2.27 ERA, 94 SO, 0.95 WHIP
Adrian Gonzalez: (.354 BA/.414 OBP/.591 SLG) 17 HR, 77 RBI
4. New York Yankees (53-35, 2nd in AL East, 1.0 GB)
CC Sabathia: (13-4) 2.72 ERA, 126 SO, 1.16 WHIP
Curtis Granderson: (.269 BA/.361 OBP/.575 SLG) 25 HR, 63 RBI
5. San Francisco Giants (52-40, 1st in NL West by 3.0 games)
Matt Cain: (8-5) 3.06 ERA, 105 SO, 1.10 WHIP
Aubrey Huff: (.236 BA/.290 OBP/.361 SLG) 8 HR, 44 RBI
6. Milwaukee Brewers (49-43, 1st in NL Central, tied with STL)
Yovani Gallardo: (10-5) 3.76 ERA, 104 SO, 1.36 WHIP
Ryan Braun: (.320 BA/ .402 OBP/ .559 SLG) 16 HR, 62 RBI
Prince Fielder: (.297 BA/ .415 OBP/ .575 SLG) 22 HR, 72 RBI
7. Texas Rangers (51-41, 1st in AL West by 1.0 game)
Alexi Ogando: (9-3) 2.92 ERA, 78 SO, 1.01 WHIP
Adrian Beltre: (.273 BA/ .314 OBP/ .499 SLG) 19 HR, 71 RBI
8. St. Louis Cardinals (49-43, 1st in NL Central, tied with MIL)
Jaime Garcia: (9-3) 3.22 ERA, 100 SO, 1.25 WHIP
Lance Berkman: (.290 BA/.404 OBP/ .602 SLG) 24 HR, 63 RBI
9. Detroit Tigers (49-43, 1st in AL Central by 0.5 game)
Justin Verlander: (12-4) 2.15 ERA, 147 SO, 0.87 WHIP
Miguel Cabrera: (.311 BA/ .430 OBP/ .549 SLG) 18 HR, 59 RBI
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (49-43, 2nd in NL West, 2.0 GB)
Ian Kennedy: (9-3) 3.44 ERA, 106 SO, 1.15 WHIP
Justin Upton: (.293 BA/ .375 OBP/ .506 SLG) 15 HR, 46 RBI
Fielder's three-run bomb was the first home run hit by a Brewer in All-Star game history and earned him MVP honors, also a Brewers first.
If the season ended today:
AL MVP
1. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox
2. Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays
3. Curtis Granderson, CF, Yankees
NL MVP
1. Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
2. Jose Reyes, SS, Mets
3. Matt Kemp, CF, Dodgers
AL Cy Young
1. Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers
2. CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees
3. Jered Weaver, SP, Angels
NL Cy Young
1. Jair Jurrjens, SP, Braves
2. Roy Halladay, SP, Phillies
3. Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies
Major League Power Rankings (June 27)
- Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder looks like the NL MVP, but LA’s Matt Kemp is a close second.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (49-30, 1st in NL East by 5.0 games)
No team has more wins than Philly, now imagine if Chase Utley starts to hit…
2. New York Yankees (45-31, 1st in AL East by 0.5 game)
The Yankees own baseball’s best run differential (+97), having scored 399 runs and given up only 302.
3. Boston Red Sox (45-32, 2nd in AL East, 0.5 GB)
The BoSox lead all of MLB in runs (405), batting average (.278), on base percentage (.353), and slugging (.450).
4. Milwaukee Brewers (44-35, 1st in NL Central by 3.0 games)
Ryan Braun (.308 avg, 16 hr, 59 rbi, 17 steals) and Prince Fielder (.305 avg, 21 hr, 68 rbi, 51 walks) are both on pace to have career years.
5. San Francisco Giants (44-34, 1st in NL West by 1.5 games)
The reigning champs continue to get outstanding pitching performances from their starters, and closer Brian Wilson is a legitimate contender for NL Cy Young (5-1, 2.50 ERA, 23/25 saves).
6. Tampa Bay Rays (44-34, 3rd in AL East, 2.0 GB)
Behind James Shields’ stellar season (6 complete games, 3 shutouts), the resurgent Rays find themselves 2 games back in the division, having won 8 of their last 10 contests.
7. Detroit Tigers (42-36, 1st in AL Central by 1.0 game)
Brennan Boesch has given the Tigers ample production out of left field, batting .299 with 10 homers and 38 runs batted in.
8. Cleveland Indians (40-36, 2nd in AL Central, 1.0 GB)
The Tribe seems to be treading water as of late, but continue to find ways to win thanks to breakout star Asdrubal Cabrera (.293 avg, 12 hr, 44 rbi).
9. Atlanta Braves (44-35, 2nd in NL East, 5.0 GB)
Jair Jurrjens is turning out to be yet another Atlanta ace, boasting a 10-3 record with a scintillating 2.07 ERA.
10. Texas Rangers (41-38, 1st in AL West by 2.0 games)
Despite losing three straight decisions, Rangers rookie Alexi Ogando (7-3) still boasts a 2.87 ERA and an even better 1.03 WHIP.
If the season ended today:
AL MVP
1. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox
2. Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays
3. Curtis Granderson, CF, Yankees
NL MVP
1. Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
2. Matt Kemp, CF, Dodgers
3. Ryan Braun, LF, Brewers
AL Cy Young
1. Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers
2. Jered Weaver, SP, Angels
3. James Shields, SP, Rays
NL Cy Young
1. Roy Halladay, SP, Phillies
2. Jair Jurrjens, SP, Braves
3. Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies
Major League Power Rankings (June 20)
- Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver have been two of the best pitchers in baseball and are in a battle for the American League Cy Young Award this season.
1. Boston Red Sox (43-28; 1st AL East)
Adrian Gonzalez has Boston fans thinking Triple Crown with a .348 average (1st in MLB), 64 runs batted in (1st in MLB) and 15 home runs (six shy of league leaders).
2. Philadelphia Phillies (45-28; 1st NL East)
Cole Hamels (9-3, 2.51 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 103 K, 104 innings) has the slightest of edges over teammate Roy Halladay (9-3, 2.56 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 114 K, 112.1 innings) for NL Cy Young.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (40-33; 1st NL Central)
Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Rickie Weeks have combined for 49 homers, 144 runs batted in, and a .299 batting average.
4. New York Yankees (41-29; 2nd AL East)
The Bronx Bombers are living up to their nickname, leading the majors with 105 home runs.
5. St. Louis Cardinals (40-33; 1st NL Central)
The Cards snapped their seven game skid Saturday win a win over Kansas City, but lost Albert Pujols to a wrist injury Sunday.
6. Cleveland Indians (39-31; 1st AL Central)
The Tribe seems to be back on track after a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh, putting them one game ahead of the Tigers for 1st place in the division.
7. Detroit Tigers (39-33; 2nd AL Central)
Justin Verlander has gone 7-0 with a 1.94 ERA in his last ten starts (May 2-June 19); his WHIP on the season is a microscopic 0.85.
8. San Francisco Giants (39-33; 1st NL West)
After a rough start to the year, Madison Bumgarner has lowered his ERA to 3.21 (better than Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez), but still has a dismal 3-8 record.
9. Texas Rangers (38-35; 1st AL West)
Texas remains atop the AL West despite a 3-7 road trip.
10. Minnesota Twins (31-39; 4th AL Central)
Putting the Twins in the top 10 seems a bit absurd – but they’re hot – white hot.
If the season ended today:
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez – 1B – BOS
NL MVP: Prince Fielder – 1B – MIL
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander – SP – DET
NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels – SP – PHI
Major League Power Rankings (June 13)
1. Boston Red Sox (39-26; 1st AL East)
Adrian Gonzalez continues to lead the planet in runs batted in with 60.
2. Milwaukee Brewers (38-28; 1st NL Central)
Since Zack Greinke’s return, the Brewers have the best record in baseball; they find themselves all alone atop the division for the first time since early June of 2009.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (40-26; 1st NL East)
Cliff Lee leads the majors in strikeouts (107) while Roy Halladay is second (106).
4. St. Louis Cardinals (38-29; 2nd NL Central)
A weekend sweep at Miller Park has knocked the Cards out of 1st place in the division.
5. New York Yankees (36-27; 2nd AL East)
Curtis Granderson (20) and Mark Teixeira (19) have the most homers among any duo in Bigs.
6. Texas Rangers (36-31; 1st AL West)
Alexi Ogando is still the AL Cy Young favorite with a 7 wins, no losses, a sparkling 2.10 ERA and an other worldly 0.90 WHIP.
7. Atlanta Braves (38-28; 2nd NL East)
The Braves have rattled off a NL best 6 consecutive wins to come within 2 games of division leading Philadelphia.
8. San Francisco Giants (37-29; 1st NL West)
With Pablo Sandoval set to return, the Giants (8-4 in June) are looking like they’ve forgot all about Mr. Posey.
9. Detroit Tigers (35-30; 1st AL Central)
Consistent play and an abysmal fall by Cleveland (1-9 in their last 10 games) has the Tigers tied for 1st place.
10. Seattle Mariners (34-32; 2nd AL West)
Brandon League is 18 for 21 in save opportunities with a 1.04 WHIP.
If the season ended today:
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez – 1B – BOS
NL MVP: Prince Fielder – 1B – MIL
AL Cy Young: Alexi Ogando – SP – TEX
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay – SP – PHI
Major League Power Rankings (June 5)
1. Philadelphia Phillies (35-24; 1st NL East)
No reason for the Phillies to move out of the top spot. Their pitching continues to be rock solid while the return of Chase Utley has sparked their once dormant offense.
2. Texas Rangers (34-26; 1st AL West)
Texas is a major league best 8-2 over their last 10 games. The return of Hamilton and Cruz have ignited the Ranger bats; and Elvis Andrus continues show why he’s one of the best young shortstops in the game.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (33-26; 2nd NL Central)
The Brewers are 19-6 since May 9th, the best record in all of baseball. Three straight 1-run victories on the road versus Florida seem to have dismissed any worries of Milwaukee’s road woes.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (36-25; 1st NL Central)
Albert Pujols seems to be back on track, hitting back-to-back walk-off homers to sink the Cubs. A weekend series at Miller Park should help clear the fuzzy picture atop the NL Central.
5. New York Yankees (33-24; 1st AL East)
The Yanks have regained sole possession of 1st place in baseball’s toughest division thanks to wins in 8 of their last 11 games. Next up is a home series with the Red Sox, who trail New York by 1 game in the standings.
6. Boston Red Sox (33-26; 2nd AL East)
Adrian Gonzalez is hitting a blistering .339 to go along with 12 home runs and a major league leading 50 runs batted in.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (33-27; 2nd NL West)
The D-backs continue to show pop in their lineup to go along with their surprising starting pitching.
8. Cleveland Indians (33-24; 1st AL Central)
The Tribe has cooled off a bit since their torrid start, but there’s no reason to believe that their 33 wins are an aberration.
9. San Francisco Giants (33-26; 1st NL West)
The defending World Champs may have lost their star catcher to injury, but their pitching is too solid for them to disappear just yet.
10. Florida Marlins (31-26; 2nd NL East)
Four straight loses have stymied the Fish, who have now dropped to 14-15 at Sun Life Stadium.
If the season ended today:
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez – 1B – BOS
NL MVP: Ryan Braun – LF – MIL
AL Cy Young: Alexi Ogando – SP – TEX
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay – SP – PHI
Major League Power Rankings (May 29)
1. Philadelphia Phillies (33-20; 1st NL East)
Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels have combined to go 17-9 with a 2.93 ERA, 250 strikeouts and only 44 walks.
2. Cleveland Indians (31-19; 1st AL Central)
Asdrubal Cabrera is hitting .452 (19/42) with runners in scoring position this season.
3. Boston Red Sox (30-23; 1st AL East)
Adrian Gonzalez (45) and Kevin Youkilis (34) trail only Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder (42) and Ryan Braun (38) for the duo with the most RBI.
4. Florida Marlins (30-21; 2nd NL East)
Leo Nunez leads all of baseball with 18 saves in 19 chances.
5. St. Louis Cardinals (32-22; 1st NL Central)
Lance Berkman (.354 AVG/.473 OBP) and Matt Holliday (.347/.440) are making up for Albert Pujols’ slow start (.257/.326).
6. Milwaukee Brewers (29-24; 2nd NL Central)
Ryan Braun ranks top 10 in the majors in runs (40), hits (62), triples (3), homers (12), RBI (38), total bases (114), walks (31) and steals (13).
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (29-24; 1st NL West)
Superb pitching has led Arizona to a MLB best 9-1 in their last 10 games.
8. New York Yankees (28-23; 2nd AL East)
Derek Jeter is only 20 hits away from becoming the first New York Yankee to reach 3,000.
9. Texas Rangers (28-25; 1st AL West)
Josh Hamilton has driven in a run in 4 of 6 games since coming off the disabled list May 23.
10. Tampa Bay Rays (28-24; 3rd AL East)
Jeremy Hellickson, 6-3 with a 2.80 ERA, looks to be the early favorite for AL Rookie of the Year.
If the season ended today:
AL MVP: Jose Bautista – RF – TOR
NL MVP: Ryan Braun – LF – MIL
AL Cy Young: Trevor Cahill – SP – OAK
NL Cy Young: Jair Jurrjens – SP – ATL
The Brawn of Braun 