MLB POWER RANKINGS (June 14 – 20)

Biggest jumps from last week: Rangers +4, Reds -9

1. Yankees (43-26) – The Yanks were able to prevent losing the season series to their cross-town rivals with a couple nice wins to wrap up the weekend. That team is so good it’s unfair – and it doesn’t even really bother me.
2. Braves (42-28) – Atlanta slides into the two spot after continuing to pitch and slug. If they can continue this, they could be the class of the NL.
3. Rays (42-27) – The Rays are having some serious woes in Interleague play. Luckily it’s just about another week.
4. Red Sox (42-28) – In Manny’s return to Boston, the Red Sox proved there is life without him.
5. Twins (40-29) – Who knew after that miserable loss in Philly on Friday that they’d win the next two. That’s the fight this team has in them.
6. Rangers (41-28) – The Rangers have won 8 in a row and get to face Pittsburgh at home next. It could be a double digit win streak for them!
7. Padres (40-29) – San Diego continues to hold on to first place in the NL West. Their starting pitching will be the difference maker for hanging around or not.
8. Dodgers (38-30) – LA needs consistency to maintain any hope of winning that division. I do see trades in their future though.
9. Angels (39-33) – This LA team has such great focus. They are a winning team on the road and have been able to overcome the loss of Kendry Morales.
10. Blue Jays (38-32) – Somehow the Blue Jays are surviving in the AL East. However, to make the playoffs they need to kick it into high gear.
11. Mets (39-30) – The Mets are playing way over their heads after beating the worst two teams in the American League. The Yanks put them in their place though.
12. Giants (38-30) – I hope Tim Lincecum is OK. They need him.
13. Cardinals (38-31) – The Cards are back on track thanks to Matt Holliday. But still, the rest of the offense needs to pick it up.
14. Tigers (38-30) – I’ve been trying to figure out how the Tigers keep winning. It puzzles me, but it also seems like they play 75% of their games at home.
15. Reds (37-33) – The offense is in a lapse after the Mariners pitching staff just embarassed them in Seattle.
16. Phillies (35-32) – The Phils need to pick it up. It’s as if they think they can just coast until the playoffs. Well, guess what, you might not make it.
17. Rockies (36-33) – Ubaldo is awesome. The rest of the staff, not so much.
18. White Sox (34-34) – Back at .500 in ChiTown! I guess that’s one Chicago team that can be proud.
19. Athletics (34-37) – It’s the time of the year when the A’s fall back into their hole in the AL West.
20. Marlins (33-36) – Mike Stanton hit his first home run of his career this week. It was a grand slam – the first of many.
21. Nationals (31-39) – If I was a Nats fan, I would realize that if they can’t win a game that Stephen Strasburg gave up one run, then they are royally screwed.
22. Cubs (31-38) – The Cubs are getting booed, but the players are sticking behind Lou Pinella. Actually, it’s the players who are sucking, not Lou!
23. Brewers (29-40) – I don’t have much to say about a team that can’t pitch and hits inconsistently.
24. Royals (29-41) – It’d be cool to see the Royals play well and actually compete in September. Maybe in the year 2050 that will happen.
25. Mariners (28-41) – If only Cliffy baby and King Felix could pitch every day!
26. Diamondbacks (27-43) – Bad, bad, bad team. I hope they at least show up for the rematch of the 2001 World Series when the NYY come to town this week.
27. Indians (26-42) – This is how the Indians could make the playoffs: play the Pirates more often.
28. Astros (26-44) – So much for the Astros sticking up for their fans in the Lone Star Series battle (swept by TEX).
29. Pirates (25-44) – Hey, Pirates fans, at least the losing streak is over.
30. Orioles (19-50) – This was a big week for the Orioles; they won 2 whole games!

-Chris