1. Yankees (62-35) – Why does Alex Rodriguez get media coverage of every at bat while he attempts to hit homerun #600? He is a self-proclaimed cheater.
2. Rays (59-38) – The Rays have done it, they’ve gotten over the hump. That hump was snapping an 18-game losing streak in Cleveland.
3. Padres (58-39) – Every time I look at the NL West standings I check to see what the lead for the Padres currently is. Well, every time I look, they have at least a three game lead.
4. Braves (57-41) – I would be surprised if the Braves make any more moves before the trade deadline. Right now I would say they are pretty set (long story short, that doesn’t mean a division title is in the bag).
5. Rangers (58-41) – Cliff Lee is in the win column, which should scare the other teams in the division. I think he is ready to rock and roll the rest of the season.
6. Reds (55-45) – The Reds will certainly look to make a move if they can. This team is a couple moves away from being one of the best in the league.
7. Giants (56-43) – Don’t look too fast, but the Giants are currently atop the NL wild card standings. I’m curious to see if this is a fluke or if their starting pitching will keep them rolling.
8. Cardinals (55-44) – If the Cardinals don’t make a move for a fourth and/or fifth starter, then they MUST get Brad Penny back soon. They won’t survive automatically losing every fourth and fifth day.
9. Red Sox (55-44) – The Red Sox do not need to make a trade; they need two things: 1) health and 2) go back to the east coast.
10. White Sox (53-44) – The ChiSox survived their west coast trip to stay in first place in the AL Central. You know they will make some sort of move before Saturday’s trade deadline.
11. Twins (53-46) – Minnesota needs to have a really good series in KC this week because the first place White Sox play the Mariners at home.
12. Dodgers (53-46) – Ready to make that move towards first place LA? Well you play the Padres starting Tuesday night.
13. Angels (52-49) – I still don’t think this Dan Haren trade will improve this team enough this season. But that could really help them next year, starting from scratch.
14. Phillies (52-46) – Now that Jimmy Rollins is back maybe the Phils can get some of their swagger back. Then again, that might not happen until Chase Utley returns – whenever that is.
15. Rockies (51-47) – The Rox are quickly dropping after a very bad road trip. Ubaldo has stopped winning too, which means they gotta start picking up his slack.
16. Tigers (51-46) – It’s a good thing they came back in the second game of the doubleheader on Sunday. They are a sinking ship, and a move is definitely going to made to help the team this week.
17. Mets (50-49) – I get the feeling Jerry Manual could be fired on Monday. This 2-9 road trip to start the second half was scary bad.
18. Athletics (50-48) – Dallas Braden won his first start since the perfect game on Mother’s Day. That’s over two months!
19. Marlins (49-49) – It’s been a wild week of walkoffs in Miami. They truly have no shot of making the playoffs, but this past week could keep them from being sellers this deadline.
20. Blue Jays (50-49) – I’ll give the Jays credit for trying this year, despite not having Roy Halladay. I wonder who they can dump at the trade deadline.
21. Brewers (47-53) – The Brewers are thinking of trading Corey Hart at the deadline, but he’s currently hurt. They may as well hold on to him, especially if his injured wrist hurts his value.
22. Cubs (45-54) – The Cubs are now doing what they should have been doing from the start of the season. I think it’s too late for them though.
23. Nationals (42-57) – The Nats have gotten worse and worse since Stephen Strasburg came up. I recall people thinking they could make a playoff push.
24. Royals (42-56) – After the series he had in New York this weekend, the Royals should trade Scott Podsednik for ultimate value. I’m sure their phones are ringing as we speak.
25. Astros (40-58) – I’ll bet you 10:1 odds that Roy Oswalt does not get traded.
26. Indians (41-57) – Who do the Indians have to trade at the deadline? Shelly Duncan? Haha.
27. Mariners (39-60) – I truly feel bad for the people of Seattle. There is not much to go to the games for other than to see Ichiro and hope that King Felix is pitching.
28. Diamondbacks (37-62) – First they trade Dan Haren, now who? I could see Adam LaRoche and Edwin Jackson leaving for prospects and/or cash.
29. Pirates (37-62) – Do the Pirates have any trade chips in 2010? Honestly, who could they trade? Octavio Dotel? They just don’t have much value in anything in Pittsburgh.
30. Orioles (31-67) – Remember back in Spring Training when people said the Orioles could be a shocking/improved team this year?

-Chris

1. Yankees (56-32) – Umm, east coast teams aren’t supposed to go out west and win 5 of 6 games; it’s just not supposed to work that way.
2. Braves (52-36) – I know the Rays have a better record, but what the Braves have done in the first half cannot go unlooked. This team has learned how to win, home or away – and I’m impressed.
3. Rays (54-34) – If it wasn’t for the Yankees the Rays would have the best record in the majors. But you know what, the Yankees aren’t going anywhere.
4. Red Sox (51-37) – To fight through the injuries like this team has in the first half, that takes some guts. I wonder how the team will react once they get those guys back.
5. Padres (51-37) – Big ups to the Padres! They went into Colorado at risk of losing first place before the break, but they held serve and won one game to keep first all alone.
6. Rangers (50-38) – Swept by the O’s going into the break is not good. But getting Cliff Lee is going to be huge. Once he gets settled in they have automatic wins every five days.
7. White Sox (49-38) – The hottest team in baseball is in Chicago – the south side that is. The ChiSox have won 25 of 30, which makes the All-Star break the worst thing possible. But they are in first in the AL Central!
8. Rockies (49-39) – This week proved that the Rockies have the magic that they had just a few years ago that brought them to the World Series.
9. Reds (49-41) – Despite losing four straight in Philly, the Reds are still in first place in the NL Central at the break. That’s a great jump for this young team that is looking to make the playoffs for the first time in forever.
10. Dodgers (49-39) – I’m still waiting for the Dodgers to start running away with the division. Oh wait,now with the Rockies there I’m not sure that can happen.
11. Tigers (48-38) – Joel Zumaya is out for the year so their bullpen is going to need to step it up in the second half – maybe a trade will happen?
12. Mets (48-40) – The Mets had a chance to take first place by the break but they choked at home against the first place Reds and Braves. Typical.
13. Cardinals (47-41) – The week from hell for St. Louis ended with a winning series in Houston. The break came at a perfect time for them – that’s for sure.
14. Angels (47-44) – Before hosting the All-Star Game, the Angels really struggled going into the break. They get to stay home afterwards so maybe that’ll get them going again.
15. Phillies (47-40) – Good thing they swept the Reds because they were fading fast in the NL East standings.
16. Twins (46-42) – Third place at the All-Star break? Who would have guessed that after they started the season?
17. Giants (47-41) – After beating up the Brewers in a four-game series in Milwaukee, the Giants won 2 of 3 over the Nats in DC. That helps make up for their terrible week before last.
18. Blue Jays (44-45) – Roller coaster first half for the Jays. It looked like they might have had the pieces to hang around earlier this season, but they are just too far back at this point.
19. Athletics (43-46) – I’m pretty glad that Trevor Cahill’s All-Star spot was replaced by teammate Andrew Bailey. Gotta make sure the team is represented for the fans.
20. Marlins (42-46) – I wonder what team Dan Uggla will go to before the trade deadline. Then again, he’s always rumored to be traded before the deadline.
21. Brewers (40-49) – The Brewers need to trade Prince Fielder for whatever they can get. He has only 39 RBIs at the break. That’s unacceptable.
22. Nationals (39-50) – What an intense first half for the Nats. They were in first, then not. Then Stephen Strasburg came up and the wheels fell off.
23. Cubs (39-50) – This team has one of the highest payrolls in baseball and they have one all-star. Ouch.
24. Royals (39-49) – I have nothing to say about the Royals. I don’t even remember who they played this week, or if they played at all.
25. Astros (36-53) – The Astros hired Jeff Bagwell to be their hitting coach. Next they’ll hire Craig Biggio to be their baserunning coach.
26. Mariners (35-53) – Well, without Cliff Lee on the roster the bullpen better be ready for some more innings – a lot more.
27. Indians (34-54) – I feel so bad for Cleveland sports fans.
28. Diamondbacks (34-55) – I wonder if putting the entire D’Backs roster in the Home Run Derby would actually help their swings…?
29. Pirates (30-58) – How long until football season for Pittsburgh sports fans?
30. Orioles (29-59) – The O’s won 4 of 7 games this week. BAM! Also, they could be signing Buck Showalter to be their next manager any day now.

-Chris

1. Yankees (50-31) – The Yankees will remain number one for a while because of games like this past Sunday. They essentially won because a guy lost a ball in the sun allowing two runs to score (including the hitter).
2. Braves (48-34) – All I can think about is earlier in the season when Atlanta was terrible. What if they were decent? They could be running away with this division!
3. Red Sox (49-33) – Somehow this team is overcoming injury after injury and continue to move up in the standings. The All-Star break should be very good to them though.
4. Rays (48-33) – Tampa Bay needs to sustain a good last week of the first half to ensure there isn’t too much distance between them and the Red Sox. That starts on Monday as they play – the Sox.
5. Padres (49-33) – Who has the best record in the National League? That’s right, the Padres.
6. Rangers (48-33) – The most impressive team in the American League is the Texas Rangers. I knew they would hang around through the season, but they know how to make some distance in the AL West too.
7. Reds (47-36) – The number 7 team in the rankings this week had 7 homeruns on Sunday, including three from Drew Stubbs. Granted, the wind was blowing out of Wrigley, but still that’s a heck of a lot of dingers.
8. Angels (46-38) – Speaking of homers, Torii Hunter smashed two on Sunday to go with his seven RBIs. Nice way to prove your worth as an All-Star.
9. Mets (46-36) – So the Mets hold their own on the road again and now they go back home to try and continue their amazing home record. Still waiting for the Mets let down…
10. Cardinals (45-37) – The offense is just too inconsistent, meanwhile the Reds are consistent. Something has to give at some point for the Cards to take over first place (for good).
11. Dodgers (45-36) – I really thought the Dodgers had a run in them to take over first from the Padres. I guess that will have to wait until after the All-Star break.
12. Tigers (43-37) – Detroit could use more home games. I always get this feeling that they just plain win at home, which has kept them at the top of the AL Central.
13. Twins (44-38) – The Twins need to play better at home against the best teams in the league. Seems like they struggle to get two of three each team good teams come into Target Field.
14. Rockies (44-38) – The Rockies are grooving on their current home stand, but can they continue that on the road in the second half?
15. Phillies (42-38) – With the injury to Chase Utley (among others) the Phillies are just pushing themselves to the All-Star break. They better hope they can survive this week against the Braves and Reds (two first place teams).
16. White Sox (42-38) – The Sox are always looking to make moves at the trade deadline, but maybe this year they will be buyers…? Then again, it would be interesting to see what they could get for Paul Konerko.
17. Athletics (41-42) – The A’s have played well the last few weeks, but they just won’t be able to catch the Rangers or Angels.
18. Blue Jays (41-42) – The Jays were hoping to hang around in the AL East until the AS break, but instead they are in fourth place – for the rest of the season.
19. Giants (41-40) – A big losing streak is not what this team needed. With all of those aces should that not happen?
20. Marlins (38-43) – Now that we know Bobby V isn’t going to manage the Marlins, maybe they can settle into this season?
21. Brewers (37-45) – If the Brewers had any pitching at all, they might not be 8 games under .500. And now Yovani Gallardo is injured – that won’t help.
22. Nationals (36-47) – Stephen Strasburg shouldn’t make the All-Star team. Although, it’s not set in stone that he won’t.
23. Cubs (35-47) – I love how bad the Cubs are this year.
24. Royals (36-46) – I’m waiting for the year that the Royals aren’t one of the worst teams in the league. No, not in April, but in September.
25. Mariners (34-47) – Cliff Lee HAS to get traded. But will Seattle get that talented young power hitter they are looking for?
26. Indians (32-49) – Imagine if the Indians didn’t blow it in 2007 and they won the World Series. The franchise would be in good shape instead of terrible, horrible, horrific shape.
27. Astros (32-51) – Carlos Lee finally hit in June. Too little, too late for Houston.
28. Diamondbacks (32-50) – New manager (Kirk Gibson), same results in Arizona.
29. Pirates (30-52) – Bad, bad buccos.
30. Orioles (25-56) –You know you have a bad roster when Ty Wigginton is your All-Star. No offense to Ty, but big offense to Baltimore.

-Chris

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

Biggest jumps from last week: Angels +6, Cardinals -9

1. Yankees (40-23) – New York takes over the top spot thanks to a week full of winning. The offense is clicking again, which could keep them up here for a while.
2. Rays (40-23) – Losing 2 of 3 at home to the Marlins isn’t good. I’m not even going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they’re rivals.
3. Braves (37-27) – This is what we expected the Braves to do from the start of the season. I wonder where this team would be if they didn’t start the season so poorly.
4. Red Sox (37-28) – Small slip up on Sunday, but two huge games from the offense over the weekend puts them a little higher this week.
5. Twins (36-27) – Little hickup against the Braves this weekend, but they have to focus because Ubaldo Jimenez comes to town this week.
6. Reds (36-28) – Despite losing 2 of 3 to the Royals, the Reds are proving that they are not going to give in this year. They’re offense is so good.
7. Padres (37-26) – The Dodgers are on their heels, but they still aren’t going to give in. I wonder if this team could settle for the Wild Card?
8. Dodgers (36-27) – Swept at home by the Angels with a chance to take over first place in the NL West. Is this team good, or bad? I can’t tell yet.
9. Rangers (35-28) – Texas remains in first place in the AL West, but the Angels are creeping right behind them.
10. Angels (36-30) – This is the hottest team in baseball, which could make the AL West all their by the All Star break.
11. Blue Jays (34-30) – Tough weekend in Denver for the Jays. I think that they’re going to be stuck in fourth place the rest of the year.
12. Mets (35-28) – The Mets have the easiest Interleague schedule. They just swept the Orioles, now they get to go to Cleveland.
13. Giants (35-27) – The Giants starting pitching keeps them alive, but its their offense that let’s them have a chance to win.
14. Tigers (33-29) – The Tigers aren’t throwing in the towel in the AL Central, but they have yet to do anything to truly make a move toward first.
15. Cardinals (34-29) – Things are really low in St. Louis. Something has to give…
16. Phillies (32-29) – We knew the Phillies were having offensive troubles, but those two blowouts in Boston had to be alarming from a pitching standpoint. They need JA Happ back.
17. Rockies (33-30) – Ubaldo Jimenez has 12 wins and the team only has 14 total road wins. They need some more consistency from other starters if they want to make the playoffs.
18. Athletics (32-33) – Tough series for Oakland across the bay.
19. Marlins (31-32) – Bringing up Mike Stanton was a stroke of genius. He brought the team purpose and fight – and a pretty good player.
20. Nationals (31-33) – Yes, the Nats are in last place in the NL East, but they certainly aren’t last in the power rankings.
21. White Sox (28-34) – At least they didn’t get no-hit on Sunday.
22. Brewers (26-37) – Corey Hart is an all-star, but is anyone else from this team qualified?
23. Cubs (28-35) – At least Ted Lilly didn’t get a no-hitter on Sunday.
24. Indians (25-37) – They won two against the Nats and then lost to Stephen Strasburg. They’ll take it, I’m sure.
25. Royals (27-37) – Zack Greinke turned it on for the finale in Cincy on Sunday. I’d like to see him bounce back to last year’s level.
26. Diamondbacks (26-38) – I heard Brandon Webb is working his way back. Too little too late, but they’ll take it.
27. Astros (25-39) – Swept in New York. Could that be Roy Oswalt’s new home come August?
28. Mariners (24-39) – Seattle can’t rely on simply Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez. But they might do better if those two were able to hit.
29. Pirates (23-40) – 8 straight losses. Wouldn’t expect much more from them.
30. Orioles (17-46) – Trbl, just trbl.

-Chris

-Chris

-Jason

1. Yankees (21-9) – See #2 for explanation of being over the Rays.
2. Rays (22-9) – The Rays may have the best record in the majors still, but after being the victims of a perfect game, they can’t be number 1. I don’t care.
3. Phillies (19-12) – They took care of the Cardinals at home this past week, one of the best in the NL.
4. Twins (21-11) - Joe Mauer is back, so that’ll automatically keep them near the top!
5. Cardinals (20-12) – Good bounce back series in Pittsburgh after they lost some toughies in Philly.
6. Blue Jays (19-14) – Just when you think they’re going to fade away, the go on a nice winning streak.
7. Padres (19-12) – San Diego keep the wins coming!
8. Rangers (18-14) – This team could shock some people as the year goes on. They are making great moves with the roster to build throughout the season.
9. A’s (17-15) – Dallas Braden is the man. I hope he faces A-Rod this year now.
10. Giants (18-12) – Losing 2 of 3 to the Mets is still a let down in my book. They need to practice windy day fly balls too.
11. Mets (17-14) – Can they just go on a losing streak so they can drop like 15 spots?
12. Tigers (17-14) – If the Tigers make the playoffs, they won’t do a dang thing. Book it.
13. Nationals (17-14) - Here you go Nats. Lucky number 13. I guess time will tell what is coming for them (Stephen Strasburg!).
14. Reds (16-15) - If the Reds played all 162 games at home, they would have 140 walk off wins.
15. Brewers (15-16) – The Brew Crew are the wierdest team. One game 20 runs, the next 0. Is that possible?
16. Red Sox (15-16) – Boston is lucky to salvage one game in the Yankees series. Its an embarassment.
17. Rockies (15-16) – Ubaldo finally lost. That’s not a good sign.
18. Cubs (14-18) – I hate the Cubs, and I love that they don’t crack even the top 15.
19. Dodgers (14-17) – Honestly, the Dodgers probably don’t even deserve the 19 spot. That’s sad.
20. White Sox (13-19) – Depend on homers and you get burned. Haven’t they learned their lesson?
21. Angels (14-19) – I’m still waiting for them to make their move in the AL West!
22. Diamondbacks (14-18) – The D’Backs are the NL version of the White Sox. See # 20.
23. Marlins (14-17) – I hate to say it, but I think the Marlins are actually worse than the Nats.
24. Pirates (14-17) – This team has fight in them. I’ll give them that. But they have to get more consistent with their starting pitching.
25. Braves (13-18) – What’s worse: getting no-hit or a two-hit shutout to Jamie Moyer?
26. Mariners (12-19) – Fired their hitting coach and exploded for 8 runs. Yes, exploded.
27. Indians (11-18) – The Indians are the most hated team in baseball – by their own fans.
28. Royals (11-21) – Swept by the Rangers, swept by anyone. Sounds about right for Kansas City.
29. Astros (10-21) – Trade Berkman to St. Louis, I’ll take him!
30. Orioles (9-23) – This team stinks, yet they split a four-game set with the Twins? Sorry Jay.

-Chris

-Jason

-Jason