MLB Power Post - Part I

We're at around 81 games in the books for many teams, which makes it only fitting that TDZ offers it's official MLB Power Rankings. While I could stop there and earn my usual top marks for excellence in blogging, I'll also talk about negotiations for MLB realignment and its potential impact on the league.

"What's going on here? The MLB Realignment Story," starring MLB, with Nolan Ryan

MLB Power Rankings!

1. Philadelphia Phillies - We all knew going into this year that their pitching staff was insane, and since opening day they've been able to tie up some loose-ends. Vance Worley has turned into a very good fifth starter, Chase Utley is back, and they showed their strength by beating the Red Sox in a series earlier this week.
2. New York Yankees - Let me set the record straight: in no way do I believe that the Yankees will have a better record than the Red Sox in September. However, to date they have gotten the job done. I guess there's nothing like losing your old, light-hitting shortstop captain to rack up some W's. Phil Hughes is also on the way back, meaning that their mediocre but overachieving staff will be entirely healthy soon.
3. Boston Red Sox - They've got great offense and pitching, but they could be doing better. Injuries are part of it, but over the coming weeks expect Theo Epstein to cast off some of the dead weight. Step 1 was DFAing Mike Cameron, and I expect this will be a trend so that other youngsters in their system can get playing time. Josh Reddick's reddickulous hitting is validation that their prospects can help the big club, while the old Drews and Camerons of the team are on notice. They're one healthy starter away from being back on top of the Yanks.
4. Tampa Bay Rays - This might be a head-scratcher for some, but my reasoning is simple: they have the best road record in MLB, and they play in the loaded AL East. Given two teams with equal records, I'll generally bet on the team with the better road record and tougher division. Their offense has also shown signs of life - thanks to Evan Longoria - to go along with their solid pitching.
5. Atlanta Braves - Their pitching has really carried this team. Jair Jurrjens should be at the top of the discussion for the NL Cy, leading a staff that is second to Philadelphia for team ERA. Let's not forget those relievers either: O'Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel have a stranglehold on innings 7-9. I'd rank this team higher, but their offense is highly suspect. Four of their starters have an OPS under .700, including a sub-.600 OPS for Dan Uggla. With Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward having the durability of balsa wood, it's tough to see this team above 5 right now.
6. San Francisco Giants - They're just like the Braves, but worse in every way. Their team ERA is 4th rather than 2nd, and their team OPS is worse. With Posey out of the lineup, they just don't have the same pop, but the good news is that Lincecum & Co. are still doing what they do, and that's good enough for best in the NL West.
7. Texas Rangers - If they still had Cliff Lee they'd be ahead of San Fran, but right now it's the back end of their rotation holding them back. C.J. Wilson and Alexi Ogando have been consistently stellar, meanwhile Josh Whamilton is back and leading a surging Rangers O.
8. St. Louis Cardinals - Losing Albert Pujols hurts, but with Big Puma Lancelot Berkman turning back the clock and David Freese back, the offense has hardly missed a beat. The starting staff is a bit patchwork, but the bullpen has finally stabilized with the release of Ryan Franklin and a solidified closer role for Fernando "Tossed Salad" Salas.
9. Milwaukee Brewers - Just by name recognition this team should be challenging for a top-5 spot, but I couldn't allow it. The only team with a worse road record is the Kansas City Royals. Let that sink in. Their starting staff should be capable of more consistency, but have yet to show it (excepting Marcum). Once they start pitching to their ability, and once Coach Roenicke realizes that Kameron Loe is awful and shouldn't be anywhere near the 8th inning, Milwaukee might be able to join the elite teams in September.
10. Detroit Tigers - Justin Verlander is a bad man, but no other starter has an ERA under the mid-4's. Prepare for laughter: Brad Penny is their number 3 starter. If only Phil Coke's handlebar mustache could save this staff! What I do like, however is their versatile offense, particularly their production from the catcher position, which is a huge advantage over most teams with light/non-hitting catchers. Lastly, Al Albuquerque is my favorite name in the bigs this year (he's good, too).
11. Cleveland Indians - I ranked the Tigers better, but I fully expect the upstart Tribe to be after their scalps all year long. They lack strong starting pitching, but their bullpen has been a tremendous strength. Meanwhile, youngsters are contributing on offense while old faces are once again playing to their abilities (Sizemore, Hafner). Someone also forgot to tell Asdrubal Cabrera that his first name isn't Miguel.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks - I'm shocked to see them this high, but the numbers don't lie. They are a top 10 offensive team, and they have 3 legit starters now in ace Ian Kennedy, Josh Collmenter, and Daniel Hudson. Meanwhile, Joe "Softball" Saunders has given up only 15 homers! I doubt they stay over .500 for the year, but I can't rank them lower than this based on their production to date, and they do have a stable of prospects waiting in the wings which could keep them afloat. And Wily Mo Pena.
13. Los Angeles Angels - On the strength of uber-ace Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, the Angels have one of the best team ERAs in the league. Offensively, they're not so strong, opting for more of a small-ball profile, which may explain why they're doing so well in interleague play (11-4). Defensively they're also solid: tied for 5th in fielding %, and 4th in range factor. I hate to admit it, but Mike Scioscia's fat cherub face coaches his teams well.
14. Cincinnati Reds - This is simply a middling team: great offense (3rd in MLB in runs), awful pitching (1 good starter). Joey Votto isn't quite as stellar as last year, but the peripherals seem to be there, so Mr. Redlegs can go ahead and relax on that front. They still need Bronson Arroyo to get into his usual post-ASG groove, and Edinson Volquez to fix his mechanics, then this team might actually challenge for a playoff spot. Some big assumptions there though.
15. Chicago White Sox - After some initial tribulations with their relief situation, Sergio Santos righted the ship and the team has slowly tried to recover. What they may never recover from is the huge sucking sound they're hearing coming from Adam Dunn's spot in the batting order as he's been a vacuum of production this year. Expect Alex Rios to rebound before Dunn gets his Paul Bunyan mojo back.

Like the final episode of TNG for season 3, this post is...

DUN DUN DUN! rum pum pum DUN DUN DUN! (^^click image^^)