Tweet
NOTE: The standings are based off the result of Sunday's games. Last week rankings in ( )
The original Power Rankings crew is back at it this week! Rudi took care of his work like always, while Woy found time to contribute by staying sober long enough.
Last Week's: VSN Power Rankings - Version 7
Biggest Jump: Chicago White Sox +7
Biggest Fall: St. Louis Cardinals -14
1. Texas Rangers – 32-22 (2)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers - 33-21 (1)
3. Tampa Bay Rays – 31-23 (3)
4a. Washington Nationals – 30-22 (5)
4b. Cincinnati Reds – 30-23 (6)
6. Chicago White Sox – 31-23 (13)
7. Miami Marlins – 31-23 (11)
8. New York Mets – 31-23 (12)
9. New York Yankees – 29-24 (9)
10. Baltimore Orioles – 30-24 (4)
11. San Francisco Giants – 30-24 (15)
12. Los Angeles Angels - 28-27 (16)
13. Atlanta Braves – 29-25 (8)
14. Boston Red Sox – 28-26 (19)
15.Cleveland Indians– 28-25 (10)
16. Philadelphia Phillies – 28-27 (14)
17a. Toronto Blue Jays – 28-26 (17)
17b. Pittsburgh Pirates - 27-26 (20)
19a. Detroit Tigers – 25-29 (17)
19b. Arizona Diamondbacks – 25-29 (22)
21. St. Louis Cardinals – 27-27 (7)
22a. Milwaukee Brewers – 24-30 (26)
22b. Seattle Mariners - 24-32 (24)
22c. Kansas City Royals – 23-29 (25)
25a. Houston Astros – 23-31 (22)
25b. Colorado Rockies – 23-30 (28)
27a. Oakland Athletics – 23-31 (23)
27b. Minnesota Twins – 20-33 (29)
29. Chicago Cubs – 18-35 (30)
30. San Diego Padres – 18-37 (28)
The original Power Rankings crew is back at it this week! Rudi took care of his work like always, while Woy found time to contribute by staying sober long enough.
Last Week's: VSN Power Rankings - Version 7
Biggest Jump: Chicago White Sox +7
Biggest Fall: St. Louis Cardinals -14
1. Texas Rangers – 32-22 (2)Woy: Hancock was FX's movie of the week this past week. Nelson Cruz hit a homer today farther than Hancock probably could.
Rudi:I put the Rangers back in the top spot solely because Matt Kemp is out for awhile. They also signed Roy Oswalt this week.
Rudi:I put the Rangers back in the top spot solely because Matt Kemp is out for awhile. They also signed Roy Oswalt this week.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers - 33-21 (1)Woy: A bad week for the Dodgers leave them just three games up on their arch-rival San Francisco. Will the latest Matt Kemp injury finally come back to bite them?
Rudi: The Dodgers still own the best record in the big leagues, but the news of Matt Kemp out for at least a month will put a damper on things soon.
Rudi: The Dodgers still own the best record in the big leagues, but the news of Matt Kemp out for at least a month will put a damper on things soon.
3. Tampa Bay Rays – 31-23 (3)Woy: I love Joe Maddon even more for his line-up cards: https://p.twimg.com/AuZuPlICMAAt_ok.jpg
Rudi: I was not a fan of the Carlos Pena batting leadoff idea, but it seems to be working out somewhat so far. With the recent struggles of Justin Verlander, David Price is slipping into Cy Young territory.
Rudi: I was not a fan of the Carlos Pena batting leadoff idea, but it seems to be working out somewhat so far. With the recent struggles of Justin Verlander, David Price is slipping into Cy Young territory.
4a. Washington Nationals – 30-22 (5)Woy: Hagerstown Suns alumni Steve Lombardozzi and Bryce Harper went back-to-back today in a 3-2 loss to the Braves.
Rudi: The Stephen Strasburg/Brandon Beachy duel on Saturday was a treat for fans of any team. Washington welcomed back Michael Morse to the line-up which should help their sputtering offense.
Rudi: The Stephen Strasburg/Brandon Beachy duel on Saturday was a treat for fans of any team. Washington welcomed back Michael Morse to the line-up which should help their sputtering offense.
4b. Cincinnati Reds – 30-23 (6)Woy: Let's take bets on what strange act Aldoris Chapman is caught up in this week. Secret cocaine addiction?
Rudi: The Reds have the best record in the majors since April 19th. The Most Interesting Man in Baseball had quite a week. Chapman’s hotel room was robbed in Pittsburgh and his “girlfriend”/escort was found tied up in the room.
Rudi: The Reds have the best record in the majors since April 19th. The Most Interesting Man in Baseball had quite a week. Chapman’s hotel room was robbed in Pittsburgh and his “girlfriend”/escort was found tied up in the room.
6. Chicago White Sox – 31-23 (13)Woy: Paul Konerko's pursuit of .400 took a nosedive this week, as his average fell from .399 to .366.
Rudi: Hologram Paul Konerko has lead the White Sox to victories in 9 of their last 10. I guess I was wrong when I blurbed a few weeks ago that the most exciting moment of their season would be Humber’s perfect game. Oops.
Rudi: Hologram Paul Konerko has lead the White Sox to victories in 9 of their last 10. I guess I was wrong when I blurbed a few weeks ago that the most exciting moment of their season would be Humber’s perfect game. Oops.
7. Miami Marlins – 31-23 (11)Woy: Hanley Ramirez and Giancarlo Stanton might be my favorite 3/4 line-up punch in baseball. Their swings are beautiful.
Rudi: Giancarlo Stanton hit .343 with 12 bombs and 30RBI in the month of May. Safe to say he has recovered from his slow start. Jose Reyes is starting to heat up as well.
Rudi: Giancarlo Stanton hit .343 with 12 bombs and 30RBI in the month of May. Safe to say he has recovered from his slow start. Jose Reyes is starting to heat up as well.
8. New York Mets – 31-23 (12)Woy: *insert comment about Johan Santana's no-hitter here*
Gooby: Johan Santana threw a 134 pitches while not allowing a hit against the Cardinals. It’s crazy that his no-no was the first in Mets history.
Gooby: Johan Santana threw a 134 pitches while not allowing a hit against the Cardinals. It’s crazy that his no-no was the first in Mets history.
9. New York Yankees – 29-24 (9)Woy: Derek Jeter is playing like he's 27, not 37.
Rudi: The Angels/Yankees series during the week was a lot of fun to watch. Every game had the intensity that you wouldn’t expect this early in the season. Rafael Soriano has settled nicely into the closer spot.
Rudi: The Angels/Yankees series during the week was a lot of fun to watch. Every game had the intensity that you wouldn’t expect this early in the season. Rafael Soriano has settled nicely into the closer spot.
10. Baltimore Orioles – 30-24 (4)Woy: After a 1-6 record this week, it looks like the Orioles are who we thought they were. Now the fans will flock to Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick to see their savior Dylan Bundy continue his minor league dominance.
Rudi: Orioles Magic seems to have ran out. Baltimore has only won 1 game out of their last 8. It doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Fenway Park then welcome the Phillies this week.
Rudi: Orioles Magic seems to have ran out. Baltimore has only won 1 game out of their last 8. It doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Fenway Park then welcome the Phillies this week.
11. San Francisco Giants – 30-24 (15)Woy: Did Barry Zito and Tim Lincecum switch their ERAs? Zito is putting up a surprising 2.98 mark, while Lincecum is hovering near the 6.00 mark.
Rudi: Melky Cabrera is showing no signs of letting up. He had 51 hits in the month of May, breaking the Giants franchise record of 49 set by none other than Willie Mays.
Rudi: Melky Cabrera is showing no signs of letting up. He had 51 hits in the month of May, breaking the Giants franchise record of 49 set by none other than Willie Mays.
12. Los Angeles Angels - 28-27 (16)Woy: I ranked the Angels 10th last week with the thought process that they were about to have a big week. After taking series wins against the Yankees and Rangers, it looks like this team is starting to live up to expectations.
Rudi: Mark Trumbo and Mike Trout are really, really good baseball players. Albert has started to heat up as well and this offense is finally starting to score more runs. Look out Texas.
Rudi: Mark Trumbo and Mike Trout are really, really good baseball players. Albert has started to heat up as well and this offense is finally starting to score more runs. Look out Texas.
13. Atlanta Braves – 29-25 (8)Woy: How was Brandon Beachy not drafted out of college again?
Rudi: After waiting 3 weeks for his recreational spectacles to arrive in the mail, Freddie Freeman did not miss a beat in his return to action. The Braves travel to Miami to face Ozzie Guillen’s swag crew.
Rudi: After waiting 3 weeks for his recreational spectacles to arrive in the mail, Freddie Freeman did not miss a beat in his return to action. The Braves travel to Miami to face Ozzie Guillen’s swag crew.
14. Boston Red Sox – 28-26 (19)Woy: Every week it seems like Boston is pissing another AL East team off with hit batsmen.
Rudi: It will be interesting to see where the Youk saga ends. Conflicting reports about whether they want to trade him or not always make for a fun month of rumors leading up to the trade deadline.
Rudi: It will be interesting to see where the Youk saga ends. Conflicting reports about whether they want to trade him or not always make for a fun month of rumors leading up to the trade deadline.
15.Cleveland Indians– 28-25 (10)Woy: I'm sorry, but this is by far the most boring over-.500 team in baseball.
Rudi: After getting swept by the White Sox last weekend, the Indians continued to fall back to reality this week losing series to the lowly Royals and Twins.
Rudi: After getting swept by the White Sox last weekend, the Indians continued to fall back to reality this week losing series to the lowly Royals and Twins.
16. Philadelphia Phillies – 28-27 (14)Woy: Hector Luna is starting for the Phillies right now. I don't hate that city as much anymore.
Rudi: This team can’t stay off the DL. Roy Halladay going to the DL will force other pitchers to step up. At least Chase Utley is beginning is rehab assignment soon.
Rudi: This team can’t stay off the DL. Roy Halladay going to the DL will force other pitchers to step up. At least Chase Utley is beginning is rehab assignment soon.
17a. Toronto Blue Jays – 28-26 (17)Woy: I have a signed Rajai Davis rookie card when he was with the Pirates.
Rudi: Edwin Encarnacion continues to amaze me and is on pace for the best year of his career by far. He already has 17 home runs and 43 RBI. He had 17 all of last season.
Rudi: Edwin Encarnacion continues to amaze me and is on pace for the best year of his career by far. He already has 17 home runs and 43 RBI. He had 17 all of last season.
17b. Pittsburgh Pirates - 27-26 (20)Woy: I remember when James McDonald couldn't make it out of the sixth inning last season. Now he's one of the most underrated starting pitchers in the NL.
Rudi: If James McDonald keeps pitching the way he has thus far, his name has to be in the discussion in the NL Cy Young debate. The Pirates head to Cincinnati in the battle for first place this week.
Rudi: If James McDonald keeps pitching the way he has thus far, his name has to be in the discussion in the NL Cy Young debate. The Pirates head to Cincinnati in the battle for first place this week.
19a. Detroit Tigers – 25-29 (17)Woy: The Tigers are the AL version of the Cardinals right now - team with high expectations who started the season hot, then struggled as time went on.
Rudi: The invincible Verlander has lost 3 consecutive starts which is something he has done in years. Without Verlander having his top stuff, this pitching staff is in serious trouble of being exposed.
Rudi: The invincible Verlander has lost 3 consecutive starts which is something he has done in years. Without Verlander having his top stuff, this pitching staff is in serious trouble of being exposed.
19b. Arizona Diamondbacks – 25-29 (22)Woy: Justin Upton is struggling almost as bad as Lanteri's virtual version in his old MLB The Show franchise.
Gooby: Wade Miley is 6-2 with a 2.72ERA. More impressive is the fact he has 9-21 at the plate for a whopping .429 average.
Gooby: Wade Miley is 6-2 with a 2.72ERA. More impressive is the fact he has 9-21 at the plate for a whopping .429 average.
21. St. Louis Cardinals – 27-27 (7)Woy: Not the worst team in terms of talent, but worst in terms of execution. The pitching is awful, the offense are leaving too many men in scoring position, the DL has fielded a playoff roster themselves and manager Mike Matheny looks completely clueless out there. At least Yadier Molina is five for five on stolen base attempts! 
Rudi: All of the injuries seem to have caught up with the defending Champions. They find themselves in third place in the Central after scoring 1 run in their first 3 games with the Mets.
Rudi: All of the injuries seem to have caught up with the defending Champions. They find themselves in third place in the Central after scoring 1 run in their first 3 games with the Mets.
22a. Milwaukee Brewers – 24-30 (26)Woy: I don't even feel like making fun of this team this week.
Rudi: The Brewers got lucky out west and were able to sweep the Dodgers in a 4-game series. This team still will not recover and might find themselves finishing behind the Pirates in the division.
Rudi: The Brewers got lucky out west and were able to sweep the Dodgers in a 4-game series. This team still will not recover and might find themselves finishing behind the Pirates in the division.
22b. Seattle Mariners - 24-32 (24)Woy: The Seattle Mariners scored 21 runs on the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. They might not score 21 more runs all season.
Rudi: I’ve always wondered why the Mariners don’t move the fan section known as the “King’s Court” down closer to the action. It seems weird to me that they sell out that WHOLE section way out in left field but the sections closers are empty.
Rudi: I’ve always wondered why the Mariners don’t move the fan section known as the “King’s Court” down closer to the action. It seems weird to me that they sell out that WHOLE section way out in left field but the sections closers are empty.
22c. Kansas City Royals – 23-29 (25)Woy: The Royals were last interesting when Bo Jackson was playing centerfield. That was before I was born.
Rudi: Bruce Chen leads the Royals staff with his miniscule 4.86 ERA.
Rudi: Bruce Chen leads the Royals staff with his miniscule 4.86 ERA.
25a. Houston Astros – 23-31 (22)Woy: After the Astros' surprising start, they've fell to fifth in the NL Central this week following a 2-8 skid. A series of desperation starts on Tuesday when the Cardinals come to town.
Rudi: Houston fell behind 8-2 in the second inning on Saturday, but did not give up. They battled back to take the 9-8 lead in the 4th inning against the Reds only to eventually lose 12-9. This young group is scrappy and will never stop trying out on the field.
Rudi: Houston fell behind 8-2 in the second inning on Saturday, but did not give up. They battled back to take the 9-8 lead in the 4th inning against the Reds only to eventually lose 12-9. This young group is scrappy and will never stop trying out on the field.
25b. Colorado Rockies – 23-30 (28)Woy: After Jamie Moyer was designated for assignment, there is nothing I want to watch from this team anymore. Sorry Tulo and CarGo.
Rudi: Carlos Gonzalez is creeping into a threatening position for the NL Triple Crown. 6th in BA, 2nd in HR, 2nd in RBI. He is about all this team has now that Tulo went on the DL.
Rudi: Carlos Gonzalez is creeping into a threatening position for the NL Triple Crown. 6th in BA, 2nd in HR, 2nd in RBI. He is about all this team has now that Tulo went on the DL.
27a. Oakland Athletics – 23-31 (23)Woy: The actors in Moneyball could play better baseball at this point.
Rudi: The return of Yoenis Cespedes could not have come at a better time. Oakland has lost 9 of 10, and their collective team batting average is inching closer to be under .200. Yikes.
Rudi: The return of Yoenis Cespedes could not have come at a better time. Oakland has lost 9 of 10, and their collective team batting average is inching closer to be under .200. Yikes.
27b. Minnesota Twins – 20-33 (29)Woy: Like NAHSTE said in the MLB Draft thread, it would be a lot of fun to see Byron Buxton roam centerfield in Target Field for years to come.
Rudi:Scott Diamond looks to be a diamond in the rough for the Twins. Hardy har har. He is 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA.
Rudi:Scott Diamond looks to be a diamond in the rough for the Twins. Hardy har har. He is 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA.
29. Chicago Cubs – 18-35 (30)Woy: The Cubs swept the Padres, therefore they shall be placed ahead of San Diego for now.
Rudi: Steve Bartman.
Rudi: Steve Bartman.
30. San Diego Padres – 18-37 (28)Woy: Call up Anthony Reyes, please. I want to see these high socks in Padres brown and yellow: http://www.fulcrumgallery.com/produc...es-game-12.jpg
Rudi: Edinson Volquez has been a lot better than Mat Latos.
Rudi: Edinson Volquez has been a lot better than Mat Latos.
Comment