NOTE: The standings are based off the result of Sunday's games. Last week rankings in ( )
We had two new guys join the POWER RANKINGS CLUB this week [MVP and Lanteri both ranked the teams as well]. Warner and Woy on the blurbs. Thanks to all those who participated this week
Last Week's: VSN Power Rankings - Version 4
Biggest Jump: New York Mets +7
Biggest Fall: Arizona Diamondbacks-7
1. Texas Rangers - 23-12 (2)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers – 23-11 (4)
3. Atlanta Braves – 22-13 (7)
4. Baltimore Orioles – 22-13 (4)
5. St. Louis Cardinals – 20-14 (3)
6. Washington Nationals – 21-13 (4)
7. Tampa Bay Rays – 21-14 (1)
8a. New York Yankees – 19-15 (8)
8b. Miami Marlins – 18-16 (11)
10. New York Mets – 19-15 (17)
11. Toronto Blue Jays – 19-16 (14)
12. Cincinnati Reds – 17-16 (10)
13. Detroit Tigers – 17-17 (9)
14. Cleveland Indians – 18-14 (11)
15. San Francisco Giants – 17-17 (14)
16. Oakland Athletics - 18-17 (19)
17. Philadelphia Phillies – 16-19 (13)
18. Los Angeles Angels – 15-20 (23)
19a. Chicago White Sox – 16-19 (16)
19b. Seattle Mariners - 16-20 (21)
21. Pittsburgh Pirates – 16-18 (25)
22. Houston Astros – 15-19 (21)
23. Boston Red Sox – 15-19 (26)
24. Milwaukee Brewers - 15-19 (20)
25. Arizona Diamondbacks – 15-20 (18)
26. Chicago Cubs – 14-20 (27)
27. Colorado Rockies – 13-20 (23)
28. Kansas City Royals – 13-20 (28)
29. San Diego Padres – 12-23 (29)
30. Minnesota Twins – 10-24 (30)
We had two new guys join the POWER RANKINGS CLUB this week [MVP and Lanteri both ranked the teams as well]. Warner and Woy on the blurbs. Thanks to all those who participated this week
Last Week's: VSN Power Rankings - Version 4
Biggest Jump: New York Mets +7
Biggest Fall: Arizona Diamondbacks-7
Woy: Despite suffering his first loss last Sunday, Yu Darvish is a treat to watch and might be must-see television during every one of his starts. That offense is pretty good too.
Warner: While everybody focuses on the fact that the Rangers have buried the Angels early on, the plucky A's stand only four games behind.
Warner: While everybody focuses on the fact that the Rangers have buried the Angels early on, the plucky A's stand only four games behind.
Woy: It was just announced that Matt Kemp might miss some time due to a hamstring injury. We'll see how the Dodgers respond if he has to make a DL stint.
Warner: The Giants (Pablo Sandoval), the D'Backs (Chris Young), and the Padres (Carlos Quentin) have no sympathy for a potentially lingering hamstring issue for Matt Kemp.
Warner: The Giants (Pablo Sandoval), the D'Backs (Chris Young), and the Padres (Carlos Quentin) have no sympathy for a potentially lingering hamstring issue for Matt Kemp.
Woy: A sweep of one of the NL's best teams will shoot you up to the top of the rankings. Brandon Beachy and Tommy Hanson shut down a great Cardinals offense as the Braves finished their road trip 7-2.
Warner: The Barves had a successful 7-2 road trip, overtaking the Nats for...sorry, MLB has shut down production of this blurb.
Warner: The Barves had a successful 7-2 road trip, overtaking the Nats for...sorry, MLB has shut down production of this blurb.
Woy: Bill Hall, a.k.a. the hardest player to get out on MLB 2K11, hit a homer in his first game as an O. I really hope Baltimore can keep it up - Camden Yards would be awesome to see during meaningful September games.
Warner: After praising the acquisition of Jason Hammel & Matt Lindstrom last week, both men were injured this week. Curse of the blurb?
Warner: After praising the acquisition of Jason Hammel & Matt Lindstrom last week, both men were injured this week. Curse of the blurb?
Woy: What a bipolar week for those who wear the birds on the bat. First they sweep the D'Backs in Arizona, then are swept at home against Atlanta. Carlos Beltran might be the hottest hitter in baseball not named Josh Hamilton and Allen Craig is making it hard to keep himself out of the line-up.
Warner: Cards came back down to earth with a tough home sweep at the hands of the Barv-, oops, sorry Bud, Braves. Lance Berkman and his skanky beard return from the DL this week.
Warner: Cards came back down to earth with a tough home sweep at the hands of the Barv-, oops, sorry Bud, Braves. Lance Berkman and his skanky beard return from the DL this week.
Woy: Do the Nationals have any other option at closer besides Henry Rodriguez? It always seems like he's struggling with his command and making things harder than they have to be. The loss of Wilson Ramos to a torn ACL is huge.
Warner: It might be wise for Davey Johnson to move to a six man rotation with the return of Chien-Ming Wang. This would squeeze a few late August and early September starts out of the 160-inning capped Stephen Strasburg.
Warner: It might be wise for Davey Johnson to move to a six man rotation with the return of Chien-Ming Wang. This would squeeze a few late August and early September starts out of the 160-inning capped Stephen Strasburg.
Woy: This offense misses Evan Longoria more than anything right now.
Warner: When Kyle Farnsworth comes back, Joe Maddon has to choose between Farnsworth and Fernando Rodney to close games. If this was Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep would shove both of them to the Nazi's.
Warner: When Kyle Farnsworth comes back, Joe Maddon has to choose between Farnsworth and Fernando Rodney to close games. If this was Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep would shove both of them to the Nazi's.
Woy: It seems like the Yankees have been very quiet this past week - probably because of all the Josh Hamilton hoopla. They're keeping pace with Baltimore and Tampa Bay, as they took two of three from Seattle (6-2, 6-2, 2-6).
Warner: The completely useless Eduardo Nunez was finally optioned back to AAA. Joe Girardi must have recovered those embarrassing photos.
Warner: The completely useless Eduardo Nunez was finally optioned back to AAA. Joe Girardi must have recovered those embarrassing photos.
Woy: Giancarlo Stanton's walk-off grand slam was an absolute bomb today. They really need to figure out what's wrong with Heath Bell however, who seems to be a blown save lock every time he pitches.
Warner: Heath Bell is still terrible, creating a nice diversion as the Marlins have quietly started to heat up.
Warner: Heath Bell is still terrible, creating a nice diversion as the Marlins have quietly started to heat up.
Woy: Despite two late-inning losses to Miami, this Mets team looks like a solid one for the time being. A four-game home stand against Milwaukee and Cincinnati could push them closer to the NL East top.
Warner: Frank Francisco has been so bad, even the Blue Jays wouldn't wan't him back.
Warner: Frank Francisco has been so bad, even the Blue Jays wouldn't wan't him back.
Woy: Colby Rasmus is hitting .225. At least that's better than Albert Pujols.
Warner: Will the back end of the bullpen doom the Blue Jays? Sergio Santos, bad and injured. Francisco Cordero, bad and fat.
Warner: Will the back end of the bullpen doom the Blue Jays? Sergio Santos, bad and injured. Francisco Cordero, bad and fat.
Woy: Cincinnati needed a huge game from their franchise first baseman and got it today, as Joey Votto hit three bombs - including a game-winning grand slam. Next up: a trip down south to face red hot Braves team.
Warner: Reds are 10-1 in the final game of a series, and 6-0 on Sunday. Joey Votto's walk off grand slam on Mother's Day, his third homer of the day, will be one of the iconic moments of his career.
Warner: Reds are 10-1 in the final game of a series, and 6-0 on Sunday. Joey Votto's walk off grand slam on Mother's Day, his third homer of the day, will be one of the iconic moments of his career.
Woy: Brandon Inge was recently cut from the Tigers, so naturally he would come back to kill them in their latest series. Even with their struggles, the Tigers are still only one game back from the Indians in the AL Central.
Warner:To me, Max Scherzer is the key to how far this team will go. His last start was a good sign.
Warner:To me, Max Scherzer is the key to how far this team will go. His last start was a good sign.
Woy: I mentioned this in an earlier version of the Power Rankings, but it's worth mentioning again - Derek Lowe is enjoying a career renaissance in Cleveland.
Warner: Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, and Vlad Guerrero signed with teams with the last week or so. That's the core of a championship fantasy team circa 2002.
Warner: Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, and Vlad Guerrero signed with teams with the last week or so. That's the core of a championship fantasy team circa 2002.
Woy: The Giants will enjoy the next week at home, as they host the Rockies, Cardinals and A's. A good homestand could have them inch closer to the NL West leading Dodgers, who are currently six up right now.
Warner: he Giants are sitting at .500, 6 games back, with Matt Kemp battling hamstring issues. It will be June before we know it, the time is now for SF to make a move.
Warner: he Giants are sitting at .500, 6 games back, with Matt Kemp battling hamstring issues. It will be June before we know it, the time is now for SF to make a move.
Woy: Speaking of those A's, can we get a little round of applause for them? They're currently a game over .500, which is something none of us saw coming.
Warner:
Warner:
Woy: Despite it being May, I think it's time to worry a tad for Phillies fans, especially when Roy Halladay is getting outdueled by Edison Volquez.
Warner: The Phillies sent Scott Podsednik to Boston for cash. Clearly this is the first step in breaking up the last place team.
Warner: The Phillies sent Scott Podsednik to Boston for cash. Clearly this is the first step in breaking up the last place team.
Woy: Is it time to be legitimately concerned about Albert Pujols?
Warner: Albert Pujols projected 2012 stats: .195, 6 HR's, 60 RBI. Josh Hamilton hit 9 HR's this week, and has over 40 RBI on the season.
Warner: Albert Pujols projected 2012 stats: .195, 6 HR's, 60 RBI. Josh Hamilton hit 9 HR's this week, and has over 40 RBI on the season.
Woy: he White Sox have played 13 consecutive games against AL Central foes not named Minnesota and still have two more against Detroit. It's not a very interesting fact, but that's all I could pull out besides the fact that Jake Peavy is good.
Warner: Robin Ventura is considering using Chris Sale as the bullpen catcher.
Warner: Robin Ventura is considering using Chris Sale as the bullpen catcher.
Woy: I bet Yankees fans were cursing at Brian Cashman under their breath after Jesus Montero put one over the short porch in right on Friday.
Warner: Sometimes I forget this team exists. Might as well move to Oklahoma City and change their name to the Lightning.
Warner: Sometimes I forget this team exists. Might as well move to Oklahoma City and change their name to the Lightning.
Woy: After winning four of six from Washington and Houston, Pirates fans are believing in last year's magic again. This year, I don't think Jerry Meals will have to bring them down from that high - their offense should do the trick.
Warner: Give the Pirates credit for hovering a smidge below .500 despite historical level struggles to score runs in April.
Warner: Give the Pirates credit for hovering a smidge below .500 despite historical level struggles to score runs in April.
Woy: For those fans who just enjoy baseball, the Astros-Pirates series was actually fun to watch over the past three days.
Warner: Let's think about possible destinations for Carlos Lee, who is in the final year of his contract. A return to Milwaukee? Will he even accept a trade as a 10/5 guy?
Warner: Let's think about possible destinations for Carlos Lee, who is in the final year of his contract. A return to Milwaukee? Will he even accept a trade as a 10/5 guy?
Woy: After Josh Beckett's disaster on Thursday, the Red Sox bats showed up with 23 runs over the next three games. This team can make some noise if the rotation figures it out.
Warner: Boston continued to add to their collection of washed up center fielders this week, adding Scott Podsednik to Marlon Byrd. Somewhere, Corey Patterson anxiously checks every few minutes to make sure his cell phone is still on.
Warner: Boston continued to add to their collection of washed up center fielders this week, adding Scott Podsednik to Marlon Byrd. Somewhere, Corey Patterson anxiously checks every few minutes to make sure his cell phone is still on.
Woy: If Milwaukee wants to make a run at St. Louis, here's their best shot in May. After taking two of three from the Cubs, they will travel to New York for two, then travel to Houston for two before hosting Minnesota for three.
Warner: Looks like Rickie Weeks may be joining Chris Narveson, Mat Gamel, Alex Gonzalez, Carlos Gomez, Richie Sexon, Robin Yount, and Moose Haas on the DL. This team is in shambles.
Warner: Looks like Rickie Weeks may be joining Chris Narveson, Mat Gamel, Alex Gonzalez, Carlos Gomez, Richie Sexon, Robin Yount, and Moose Haas on the DL. This team is in shambles.
Woy: One win for the entire week will drop you pretty far in the Power Rankings. They were dominated by St. Louis and then managed to take one from division rival San Francisco. 1-5 at home won't get it done, folks.
Warner: With Joe Saunders coming back down to earth, and Trevor Cahill's inconsistency, this team needs Daniel Hudson to come back to stabilize the rotation.
Warner: With Joe Saunders coming back down to earth, and Trevor Cahill's inconsistency, this team needs Daniel Hudson to come back to stabilize the rotation.
Woy: Every Cubs fan but one is already thinking about next year.
Warner: Starlin Castro is the worst good player in the league.
Warner: Starlin Castro is the worst good player in the league.
Woy: Good news: Jamie Moyer has the second best ERA in the Rockies' rotation. Bad news: That ERA is 4.66.
Warner: Left handed PH/immobile 1B Jason Giambi may end up being one of the most highly sought after players at the trade deadline.
Warner: Left handed PH/immobile 1B Jason Giambi may end up being one of the most highly sought after players at the trade deadline.
Woy: Lighten up Royals fans - at least your AAA team is 24-14!
Warner: Danny Duffy left Sunday's game and is scheduled for an MRI. More bad news for the Pirates of the AL.
Warner: Danny Duffy left Sunday's game and is scheduled for an MRI. More bad news for the Pirates of the AL.
Woy: Like Rudi predicted at the beginning of the year, Edison Volquez has found his stuff in San Diego.
Warner: Play by play man Dick Enberg is like one of those teens from the 'Final Destination' movies. He's getting really nervous, because when Vin Scully croaks, he knows he's next.
Warner: Play by play man Dick Enberg is like one of those teens from the 'Final Destination' movies. He's getting really nervous, because when Vin Scully croaks, he knows he's next.
Woy: The Twins are so bad that the NFL is looking to relocate them instead of the Vikings.
Warner: Scott Diamond, which totally sounds like a fake video game name, is now 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Another recent call up, Brian Dozier, hit his first career HR Sunday.
Warner: Scott Diamond, which totally sounds like a fake video game name, is now 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Another recent call up, Brian Dozier, hit his first career HR Sunday.
