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)
2. Texas Rangers – 26-16 (1)
3. Baltimore Orioles – 27-15 (4)
4. Atlanta Barves – 26-16 (3)
5. Washington Nationals – 24-17 (6)
6. Tampa Bay Rays – 25-17 (7)
7. Miami Marlins – 22-19 (8)
8. St. Louis Cardinals – 22-19 (5)
9. Toronto Blue Jays – 23-19 (11)
10. Cincinnati Reds – 21-19 (12)
11. Cleveland Indians – 23-18 (14)
12. New York Yankees – 21-20 (8)
13. San Francisco Giants – 21-20 (15)
14. New York Mets – 22-19 (10)
15. Chicago White Sox – 21-21 (19)
16. Boston Red Sox - 20-21 (23)
17. Philadelphia Phillies – 21-21 (17)
18. Oakland Athletics – 21-21 (16)
19. Detroit Tigers – 20-21 (13)
20. Arizona Diamondbacks - 19-23 (25)
21. Seattle Mariners – 19-24 (19)
22. Pittsburgh Pirates – 19-22 (21)
23. Los Angeles Angels – 18-24 (18)
24. Houston Astros - 18-23 (22)
25. Milwaukee Brewers – 17-24 (24)
26. Kansas City Royals – 16-24 (28)
27. San Diego Padres – 16-26 (29)
28. Colorado Rockies – 15-25 (27)
29. Chicago Cubs – 15-26 (26)
30. Minnesota Twins – 10-24 (30)
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
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.
Warner: The Dodgers have six sons of former major league players on the roster.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warner: Adam Lind was cut this week, making way for Vlad Guerrero's eventual call up.
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.
Warner: Rookie Mike Costanzo, a former first round pick of the Phillies & career minor leaguer, is one month older than Joey Votto.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
Warner: The Mets plucky start will amount to nothing unless they find a way to fix a severely broken bullpen.
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.
Warner: Darkhorse trade deadline candidate - Adam Dunn.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warner: Chris Young returns at just the right time, as the D'Backs teeter on the brink of falling out of contention.
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.
Warner: The most boring team in the league.
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.
Warner: Pirates struck out a very MLB:THE SHOW-like 41 times over the weekend against the Tigers.
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.randomdudeswithmorehomerunsthanpujols.com/index.php
Warner: http://www.randomdudeswithmorehomerunsthanpujols.com/index.php
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.
Warner: I'm calling it now - the Astros will finish ahead of the Brewers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warner: One has to wonder what treasures the Friars can acquire in return for the ultimate trade chip, Jason Bartlett.
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.
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.
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.
Warner:Too bad Alfonso Soriano can't retire after one last K.
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.
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.
