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Monday, May 17, 2010

Week 6 Power Rankings; Tampa Bay Rays own 2010 Baseball Season

Another week in the books for the 2010 baseball season and another dominating week for the Tampa Bay Rays. This team is not going anywhere despite the fact they will have a target on their back all season that the Red Sox and Yankees will try to hit. The NL West is the unsung division in baseball, boasting four legitimate threats to make the playoffs. The Cincinnati Reds are this week's biggest mover though, taking first place away from the St. Louis Cardinals.

1. Tampa Bay Rays (26-11): Their biggest question is who is the ace between Matt Garza, David Price and James Shields. They have all been fantastic this season.
2. New York Yankees (24-13): Phil Hughes might be the Cy Young through the first month and a half (5-0, 1.65 ERA).
3. Philadelphia Phillies (23-13): Shane Victorino is third in the NL with 32 RBIs.
4. Minnesota Twins (23-14): The best defensive team in baseball. Probably the best coached too.
5. San Diego Padres (22-15): 2.64 team ERA. Incredible. Get to know Mat Latos- he has given up three hits and no runs over 17 innings in his last two starts.
6. San Francisco Giants (21-15): Juan Uribe's 23 RBIs are five more than any other Giant.
7. Cincinnati Reds (21-16): Won 8 of 10 and look like a real threat to the Cardinals in the Central.
8. St. Louis Cardinals (21-17): They had led the NL Central every day since last July until back-to-back losses to the Reds.
9. Toronto Blue Jays (23-16): This offense ceases to amaze me. Their 60 homers and 102 doubles easily outpace the rest of the majors.
10. Detroit Tigers (22-16): An incredible 5-2 week against Boston and New York.
11. Los Angeles Dodgers (20-17): Seven game win streak despite an injury to Andre Ethier.
12. Texas Rangers (20-18): The class of the West. A three game losing streak yet still lead the division by two games.
13. Florida Marlins (20-18): Starting to put together with a 6-1 week including a four game sweep against the Mets.
14. Colorado Rockies (19-18): Ubaldo Jimenez Cy Young update: 7-1, 1.12 ERA.
14. Washington Nationals (20-18): Ran into a Rockies buzzsaw, but still see themselves over .500 in the middle of May.
16. Boston Red Sox (19-19): Who would have thought this team is second to last in the American League with a 4.83 ERA, better than only the Royals.
17. Atlanta Braves (18-19): The Braves are playing better lately, but have only four saves in 37 games.
18. Oakland Athletics (18-20): Their freefall may not be over even with a five game losing streak already in the books.
19. Los Angeles Angels (18-21): They could really have used Vlad Guerrero for another year after seeing him light it up for the Rangers.
20. New York Mets (18-20): If this season continues to be a roller coaster, Jerry Manuel might not be around for much longer.
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (16-21): An impressive 5-1 against the Cubs. Not much else to brag about this year.
22. Chicago Cubs (16-22): Carlos Zambrano has to pitch like a Cy Young when (if) he returns to the rotation for this team to have a prayer of a good season.
23. Cleveland Indians (15-20): Mitch Talbot has been a bright spot this season (5-2, 3.23 ERA).
24. Chicago White Sox (15-22): Jake Peavy looks like he has turned around. Now only if Gavin Floyd and Mark Buehrle could figure it out.
25. Milwaukee Brewers (15-22): I can't stress it enough, the Brewers need so much more pitching to contend (5.20 team ERA).
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (15-23): Speaking of bad pitching. The D-Backs team ERA of 5.80 ranks dead last in the majors.
27. Seattle Mariners (14-23): Has to be frustrating to be a Mariners fan. They just can't put a winning club out there regardless of the talent on the field.
28. Kansas City Royals (14-24): Zack Greinke watch is over. He finally collected his first win even with one of his outings of the year.
29. Houston Astros (13-24): 110 runs rank last in the NL.
30. Baltimore Orioles (12-26): Ty Wiggington's having a career year (.320, 12 homers, 24 RBIs).