JAKE ROBINSON'S BASEBALL POWER RANKINGS: May 2- May 8 2011
1. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (22-11)- It is scary how good this team is, considering how inconsistent the offense has been. Placido Polanco has been the teams best hitter. Raul Ibanez is finally hitting the ball out of the infield. The return of Chase Utley can not come soon enough.
2. CLEVELAND INDIANS (22-11)- The emergence of pitchers Josh Tomlin and Justin Masterson have solidified the rotation. The tribe is poised to run away with the American League Central.
3. NEW YORK YANKEES (19-13)- Derek Jeter is beginning to turn it around. The Captain is batting .375 over the last week. He hit two home runs and collected four RBI against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Me thinks that reports of his demise are a bit premature.
4. TAMPA BAY RAYS (20-14)- Weekend sweep of the Orioles has put the Rays back into the American League East mix. The return of Evan Longoria, adds even more punch to an already potent lineup.
5. FLORIDA MARLINS (20-13)- Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad form a fearsome foursome of a rotation. If Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton start hitting, the skies the limit.
6. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (20-15)- Welcome back from the dead Lance Berkman. The former Astro is finally healthy after battling knee injuries for the past couple of seasons. He is in incredible shape and the ball is flying off of his bat. Albert Pujols is still mired in a slump.
7. LOS ANGELES ANGELS (20-15)- Jared Weaver has been the best pitcher in the game so far. The bullpen has been lights out. Mike Sciosca is always one step ahead of the competition.
8. COLORADO ROCKIES (18-14)- Right handed pitcher Jason Hammel has been outstanding. The ace, Ubaldo Jimmenez needs to fix his mechanics in order for the Rocks to stay ahead of the pace in the National League West.
9. ATLANTA BRAVES(20-16)- Dan Uggla, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Jason Heyward are clicking as an offensive unit. The starting rotation of Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrens, Tommy Hanson and Derrick Lowe continue the rich tradition of pitching for the Braves.
10. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (18-16)- The loss of "Kung Fu Panda" Pablo Sandoval hurts the team offensively. Moving Miguel Tejada to third in his place hurts the team defensively. This team still has problems hitting. Giant fans have their fingers crossed, in hopes that the team can swing a deal for Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.
11. CINCINNATI REDS (18-16)- The return of Johnnie Cueto to the rotation is a welcome addition. Paul Janish, Ramon Hernandez, Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto and a streaky Jay Bruce fuel the offense.
12. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (18-16)- Has the best home record in the majors. They have almost always been a team that can run the bases, and they can flat out rake. However, Bruce Chen is their ace, so.......
13. TEXAS RANGERS (18-17)- Team has cooled down after torrid start. Injuries to players has had a detrimental effect on the club.The returns of Neftali Perez and Josh Hamilton can not come soon enough.
14. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (17-17)- After years of mediocre play, high draft picks are beginning to pay dividends. Team could be a serious player in a soft National League Central. Manager Clint Hurdle is slowly but surely changing the losing culture in Pittsburgh.
15. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (18-17)- With all apologies to the Philadelphia Phillies, the A's have the best rotation in the majors right now, as evident by their major league leading 2.76 ERA. Unfortunately the offense is downright dreadful.
16. DETROIT TIGERS (17-18)- Getting Victor Martinez back should be a big boost to the ball club on the field and in the club house. Justin Verlander threw the second no-hitter of his career on Saturday against the Blue Jays.
17. BOSTON REDSOX (16-18)- Still waiting for consistency from their starting rotation. John Lackey, Clay Buckholtz and Daisuke Matsuzaka have been abysmal. At some point Carl Crawford has got to get his game going.
18. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (16-19)- Team is a mess off the field and it has rolled over on to the diamond. Owner Frank McCourt is embroiled in a messy divorce. The front office has intimated that payroll for May might not be met, and Bud Selig is itching to take over day to day operations of the team. Andre Eithier's 30 game hit streak was a good distraction from all the off field problems.
19. SEATTLE MARINERS (16-19)- Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda and Ichiro are the only reasons to watch this team.
20. CHICAGO CUBS (15-18)- Carlos Pena hit his first Wrigley Field home run on Saturday versus the Reds. Carlos Zambrano has been the only bright spot in their rotation, although right handers are hitting .297 off of him.
21. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (15-19)- Pitchers Kyle Drabek and Ricky Romero have been solid, but this team relies on the long ball too much to score runs.
22. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (16-18)- Solid starting pitching. Offense has been less than stellar. Defense and Bullpen downright atrocious. What a boring team.
23. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (15-18)-Between Russelll Branyan, Juan Miranda and Xavier Nady, they have one home run at the first base position, through the first 27 games.
24. NEW YORK METS (15-19)- Johann Santana will begin pitching off the mound next week. Too little too late.
25. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (14-19)- Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman have been terrible. Brian Matusz begins rehab assignment next week. Vlad Guerrero finally drew a walk, after going without one for the whole month of April.
26. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (14-20)- Zack Grienke, Carlos Gomez and Milwaukee Brewers equals underachievers cubed.
27. MINNESOTA TWINS (12-20)- Francisco Liriano had the ugliest no hitter in the history of the game. Injuries to Joe Maur, Delmon Young and Tsyoshi Nishioka have crippled the team.
28. CHICAGO WHITESOX (13-22)- Horrible closers, horrible rotation, horrible defense and a maniac for a manager.
29. SAN DIEGO PADRES (14-20)- THE PADRES ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE...AND I'M LETTING THEM OFF THE HOOK!!! BECAUSE THEY ARE, WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!!
30. HOUSTON ASTROS (13-21)- J.R Richards, Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio aint comin through those doors folks.....
