VSN Power Rankings - Version 6

[Rudi]

NOTE: The standings are based off the result of Sunday's games. Last week rankings in ( )
The rankings were compiled with lists from Rudi, MVP and Lanteri. Woy got too drunk and passed out before submitting his list. Warner and Rudi on the blurbs. Thanks to all those who participated this week

Last Week's: VSN Power Rankings - Version 5

Biggest Jump: Boston Red Sox +7
Biggest Fall: Detroit Tigers -6

1. Los Angeles Dodgers - 28-13 (2)

Rudi: Despite having a plethora of guys on the disabled list, the Dodgers are a whopping 15 games over .500 and have the best record in baseball.
Warner: The Dodgers have six sons of former major league players on the roster.

2. Texas Rangers – 26-16 (1)

Rudi: Josh Hamilton finally proved himself to be human by cooling off a bit this past week. The Rangers will look to clinch the AL West in a few weeks still.
Warner: Four of the five Rangers starters are averaging over six innings per start, with three averaging nearly seven, as the Nolan Ryan led Rangers continue the organization wide finger flip towards pitch counts.

3. Baltimore Orioles – 27-15 (4)

Rudi: Orioles Magic was out in full force this past week. They had a 5 game winning streak snapped by the Nationals on Sunday, but these road warriors are 15-6 away from Camden.
Warner: Most observers thought the Orioles would have fallen apart by now. I'm pulling for them, but I have serious questions as to whether their pitching can hold up.

4. Atlanta Barves – 26-16 (3)

Rudi: Fredi Gonzalez keeps batting Jason Heyward 7th much to the chagrin of fantasy owners everywhere. The Barves keep on trucking along thanks to great pitching from Brandon Beachy and co.
Warner: Braves will play 13-straight games against contending teams, with no days off. Obviously this will be a key stretch for them as they cling to a one and a half game lead in the East.

5. Washington Nationals – 24-17 (6)

Rudi: The Nationals fell victim to Orioles Magic over the weekend but were able to salvage the finale. Steven Strasburg hit his first career home run, but had to leave the game with tightness in his arm. Hopefully nothing comes of that injury.
Warner: On Sunday, Stephen Strasburg hit a HR, struck out 8 batters, and picked up a win. He was also pulled with under 100 pitches for the second straight start, as the Nats save up his innings in blowouts.

6. Tampa Bay Rays – 25-17 (7)

Rudi: The Angels have to be wondering where was this Fernando Rodney the last two years. Rodney has been the best closer in baseball thus far notching 13 saves without blowing one and sporting a 0.46 ERA.
Warner: With the Yankees having injury issues, and Boston battling all sorts of problems, it looks like the steady Rays are poised to mount the most serious challenge to the young Orioles.

7. Miami Marlins – 22-19 (8)

Rudi: The Marlins were hyped up like no other team in the NL before the season thanks to the addition of Jose Reyes. After getting off to a rough start, Miami is finally getting things together and looks to be a force in the NL East.
Warner: Heath Bell has not allowed a run in five out of his last six outings, picking up two wins and a save over that period.

8. St. Louis Cardinals – 22-19 (5)

Rudi: The injury bug is hitting the defending champions hard right now. They had to call up AAA phenom Matt Adams after Lance Berkman suffered a potential season ending injury.
Warner: With Allen Craig & Lance Berkman back on the DL, rumor has it Mark McGwire might suit up this week, as the pesky Reds climb to a half game back of the once red hot Cardinals.

9. Toronto Blue Jays – 23-19 (11)

Rudi: Obvious regression candidate Henderson Alvarez was finally rocked Sunday against the Mets. Who would have thought the Blue Jays would be 4 games above .500 even after recently putting Adam Lind on outright waivers?
Warner: Adam Lind was cut this week, making way for Vlad Guerrero's eventual call up.

10. Cincinnati Reds – 21-19 (12)

Rudi: After the bullpen finally had a meltdown against the Mets, the Reeds rebounded nicely to take 2 out of 3 from the Yankees over the weekend. Aroldis Chapman pitching in save situations is must see TV.
Warner: Rookie Mike Costanzo, a former first round pick of the Phillies & career minor leaguer, is one month older than Joey Votto.

11. Cleveland Indians – 23-18 (14)

Rudi: Cleveland fans finally showed up to the ballpark this weekend. Not sure if it was the draw of the visiting Marlins or not, but it will be interesting to see if this first place team continues to draw 43 fans a game.
Warner: After last year's cock tease, Indians fans (and Asian groundskeepers) are still in "they're still shitty" mode until after the All Star break.

12. New York Yankees – 21-20 (8)

Rudi: The Yankees struggles to hit with runners in scoring position is reaching epic proportions. Alex Rodriguez is hitting .176 with RISP while Robinson Cano is barely above .180. Those numbers are going to have to change if the Yankees want to stay afloat in the AL East.
Warner: Andy Pettitte has faced Kevin Millwood & Bronson Arroyo in his two starts. Very gracious of the opposition to dust off other old dudes to match up with him.

13. San Francisco Giants – 21-20 (15)

Rudi: Melky Cabrera is an early candidate for off-season move of the year. Cabrera has been raking in the middle of the Giants lineup, hitting at a .353 clip so far.
Warner: Will the Giants hang around long enough for Pablo Sandoval & Freddie Sanchez to come back and make an impact on what has become an anemic offense?

14. New York Mets – 22-19 (10)

Rudi: For whatever reason, Mets fans think this good start will continue throughout the year. I still think the Mets will finish in last place. We shall see.
Warner: The Mets plucky start will amount to nothing unless they find a way to fix a severely broken bullpen.

15. Chicago White Sox – 21-21 (19)

Rudi: I can not reiterate enough the fact that the off-season batting cages have turned Adam Dunn’s career around. He has already surpassed his 2011 home run total, and is only 10 RBIs short of the mark he set last year.
Warner: Darkhorse trade deadline candidate - Adam Dunn.

16. Boston Red Sox - 20-21 (23)

Rudi: The Red Sox are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. The Bobby V ejection/reaction a few days ago was priceless. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out right now.
Warner: Will Middlebrooks might end up giving Bobby Valentine a way out of this Kevin Youkilis mess. Youkilis has drawn interest from several teams, including Philadelphia and Cleveland.

17. Philadelphia Phillies – 21-21 (17)

Rudi: The Phillies are doing a good job sticking around .500 while their two superstars are on the DL. Once Utley and Howard return, I expect the Phillies to be right in the thick of things until the end.
Warner: The dismantling of the Phillies continued this week, as the Fightin's traded away Rich Thompson two weeks after moving Scott Podsednik. In all seriousness, rumors of Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino being o the trade block appear to be false.

18. Oakland Athletics – 21-21 (16)

Rudi: Week after week we find the Oakland Athletics right around .500. Josh Reddick has been a great addition to an overall weak lineup.
Warner: The A's are .500 and sit only 5 games behind the Rangers, with Manny Ramirez set to join the team shortly. Add in the fact that SHOOTY BABITT is part of the broadcast team, and Oakland is a great choice for the 'adopted west coast team to watch after your teams game is over' in the second half.

19. Detroit Tigers – 20-21 (13)

Rudi: The Tigers pitching humiliated the Pirates over the weekend. Justin Verlander was 2 outs away from pitching his 3rd no hitter on Thursday then Maximus Scherzer struck out 15 Pirate batters on Sunday.
Warner: As noted by this fine blurber last week, I believe a big key to the Tigers moving forward is the performance of Max Scherzer, who finally showed some life with a 15 K performance on Sunday.

20. Arizona Diamondbacks - 19-23 (25)

Rudi: The return of Chris Young was much needed. Arizona already finds themselves 9.5 games behind the Dodgers.
Warner: Chris Young returns at just the right time, as the D'Backs teeter on the brink of falling out of contention.

21. Seattle Mariners – 19-24 (19)

Rudi: I’m starting to buy into the hype that Warner keeps putting out about this team. There is not much to be excited about here. They have fallen 4 games below .500 after hovering around that mark for awhile.
Warner: The most boring team in the league.

22. Pittsburgh Pirates – 19-22 (21)

Rudi: I seem to be the only one on the James McDonald hype train, but he had another solid start this week striking out 11 and only walking 1 against the Nationals.
Warner: Pirates struck out a very MLB:THE SHOW-like 41 times over the weekend against the Tigers.

23. Los Angeles Angels – 18-24 (18)

Rudi: Mike Trout has been awesome since being called up. He has 1 more HR than Albert Pujols on the season in 21 less games played.
Warner: http://www.randomdudeswithmorehomeru....com/index.php

24. Houston Astros - 18-23 (22)

Rudi: The Astros did a good job of not getting swept by in-state rival Texas over the weekend. Brett Myers is going to be a very hot commodity at the trade deadline especially with all the closer problems around the league.
Warner: I'm calling it now - the Astros will finish ahead of the Brewers.

25. Milwaukee Brewers – 17-24 (24)

Rudi: Just because they won 16-4 on Sunday doesn’t take away the fact they lost 4 in a row to the Astros and Twins before hand. This team is struggling and is clearly missing a big bat in the middle of the lineup to help out PED Braun.
Warner: Rumors abound concerning the Brewers going after Josh Hamilton this offseason, which if true, confirm the the dishonesty of the organization concerning the inability to afford to keep Prince Fielder.

26. Kansas City Royals – 16-24 (28)

Rudi: Eric Hosmer is hitting .176. That is a big problem. Still the fact that the Royals have went 13-10 since their awful start is something to be somewhat happy about, right?
Warner:Y ou had the sinking feeling that the Royals were dead in the water when Joakim Soria and Salvador Perez went down during the spring. Now Danny Duffy will need Tommy John surgery, joining Jonathan Sanchez on the DL and further depleting the thin pitching staff.

27. San Diego Padres – 16-26 (29)

Rudi: Dale Thayer is a name you have never heard. He is the Padres closer right now and is 5/5 on save opportunities without allowing a run.
Warner: One has to wonder what treasures the Friars can acquire in return for the ultimate trade chip, Jason Bartlett.

28. Colorado Rockies – 15-25 (27)

Rudi: Getting swept by the Mariners is some pretty awful stuff. The bad pitching has finally caught up to Colorado and they are sinking fast.
Warner: Do people realize just how bad the Rockies are? Jamie Moyer leads the team in ERA at 4.20, and Troy Tulowitzki hasn't hit, which adds up to a sub .400 winning percentage.

29. Chicago Cubs – 15-26 (26)

Rudi: The Cubs have lost 6 in a row and the only bright spot this week was the great moment of Kerry Wood walking off Wrigley Field for the last time. Any fan of the game should check that out if you missed it. Touching stuff.
Warner:Too bad Alfonso Soriano can't retire after one last K.

30. Minnesota Twins – 10-24 (30)

Rudi: I felt bad about having the Twins last every week so I gave them a one spot bump this week. Plus they showed some signs of life by taking 2 out of 3 from the Brewers.
Warner: I'll just repeat my blurb from last week...Recent call ups, SP Scott Diamond & SS Brian Dozier, give Twins fans something to watch besides loss after loss.

[Rudi]

Lanteris Ranks

 

1) Texas Rangers
2) Los Angeles Dodgers
3) Atlanta Braves
4) Baltimore Orioles
5) Washington Nationals
6) Tampa Bay Rays
7) St. Louis Cardinals
8) Toronto Blue Jays
9) Miami Marlins
10) Cleveland Indians
11) New York Yankees
12) Cincinnati Reds
13) Chicago White Sox
14) Boston Red Sox
15) San Francisco Giants
16) Oakland Athletics
17) New York Mets
18) Philadelphia Phillies
19) Detroit Tigers
20) Arizona Diamondbacks
21) Seattle Mariners
22) Houston Astros
23) Los Angeles Angels
24) Pittsburgh Pirates
25) Milwaukee Brewers
26) Kansas City Royals
27) Colorado Rockies
28) San Diego Padres
29) Chicago Cubs
30) Minnesota Twins

MVPs Ranks

 

Los Angeles Dodgers
Texas Rangers
Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins
Cincinnati Reds
Toronto Blue Jays
St. Louis Cardinals
New York Mets
Cleveland Indians
San Francisco Giants
Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago White Sox
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Oakland Athletics
Detroit Tigers
Arizona Diamondbacks
Seattle Mariners
Pittsburgh Pirates
Los Angeles Angels
Houston Astros
Milwaukee Brewers
Kansas City Royals
San Diego Padres
Colorado Rockies
Chicago Cubs
Minnesota Twins

Rudis Ranks

 

LAD
TEX
BAL
ATL
TB
WAS
MIA
STL
TOR
CLE
CIN
NYY
SF
NYm
CHW
PHI
BOS
DET
OAK
PIT
ARI
SEA
LAA
HOU
MIL
KC
SD
COL
MIN
CHC

[Golden Taters]

Mariners are the most boring team in the league wooooooooooooooooooo!

[stevsta]

GO LA

[Golden Taters]

Mariners are letting me down falling out of the top 20

btw, I have a small suggestion for the next Power Rankings. In the other rankings, can you guy's add what order each team is, like Lanteri did?

[Villain]

Who would've guessed the Dodgers could jump into the number 1 spot in a week without Matt Kemp?

:woah:

[Leftwich]

[Guest]

A new deal is needed

[Goober]

Warner, isn't it universally regarded that Prince Fielder>Josh Hamilton?

Corey Hart is at 1B now, the Brewers need a RFer. Braun/Gomez/Hamilton would be a killer outfield. But I'm not getting my hopes up. Just resign Greinke.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Warner, isn't it universally regarded that Prince Fielder>Josh Hamilton?

Corey Hart is at 1B now, the Brewers need a RFer. Braun/Gomez/Hamilton would be a killer outfield. But I'm not getting my hopes up. Just resign Greinke.

My whole thing, is the reason they gave was money. It smelled like bullshit then, it smells like bullshit now. If it was a baseball decision, have some guts and say so.

My issue is with all of these bullshit owners, not just the Brewers. My belief is that they all have more money than they let on. The Brewers sell out every night. The lowly Pirates, who couldn't sell out that building if they had free blow job night, even manage to turn a profit. The Pirate owners choose to make a profit instead of breaking even and investing in the team, which is their right, but is also a slap in the face to fans.

All im saying is that I find it hard to believe that the Brewers could not afford to pay Fielder, and if the Hamilton stuff is true (and to be fair, it might not be), that proves it.