Knuckle Curve » baseball power rankings

MLB Power Ranking – September Edition

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:55:52 +0000

As we head into the stretch run of the 2009 MLB season, it’s time to take a look at the power ranking and separate the best from the rest.

1. New York Yankees
After a rough start to their 2009 campaign, the Yankees have easily been the best team in baseball. As of late, they look like the clear cut World Series favorite.

2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have been good for most of the season but right now they are playing especially well. If they can keep getting good pitching, Albert Pujols could supply enough runs by himself.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers got off to a very good start but it’s starting to look like they may have peaked too early. They need to catch a second wind to make a late push and get some momentum.

4. Los Angeles Angels
At the plate, the Angels don’t have any issues. They can score runs in their sleep. Pitching is the question mark that they will have to overcome.

5. Philadelphia Phillies
While they don’t always look elite, the Phillies can’t be overlooked right now. They obviously have the World Series experience that is very important at this time of year.

Can the Phillies win the World Series again in 2009? (Image: Zuma Press)

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2009 Baseball Power Rankings – Best Teams

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:37:22 +0000

1. New York Yankees
Heading into the offseason, the New York Yankees had a lot of question marks. But after their signing spree, the Yankees have addressed virtually all of their weaknesses. Signing Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett would help any team become the odds on favorite.

2. Philadelphia Phillies
The defending World Series champions should be very good once again in 2009. They are bringing back largely the same team that was able to get the job done in 2008. With added confidence and experience, the Phillies are the team to beat in the National League.

3. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays, like the Phillies, should see a jump in their confidence and experience. On top of that, the Rays have a ton of young players who are getting better and better. Although the Yankees will be tough to beat, the Rays might have the best chance of doing just that.

4. New York Mets
The biggest weakness for the Mets down the stretch last year was their pitiful bullpen. But after signing Francisco Rodriguez and trading for JJ Putz, the Mets suddenly have arguably the best bullpen in all of baseball. They’ll be tough to beat in 2009 — especially in games they get up early.

5. Boston Red Sox
With all the signing flurries, the Red Sox have been forgotten a little bit. But truth be told, they still have an extremely talented roster. As long as David Ortiz can have another fine season, there’s no reason why the Red Sox can’t compete once again.

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Best Teams in Baseball – September Edition

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:57:30 +0000

5. Milwaukee Brewers
With the addition of CC Sabathia, the Brewers have gone from very good team to legitimate World Series contender. Milwaukee still needs a good September to continue to prove they are for real.

4. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have been out in front for a lot of the season in the American League. They aren’t as hot now as they used to be but expect them to be able to turn it back on.

3. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are struggling a bit with injuries and aren’t as lethal with the bat as they used to be in past seasons. That said, they have championship experience and will be hard to knock out.

2. Tampa Bay Rays
Everyone is waiting around waiting for the Rays to plummet. That just doesn’t look like it is going to happen. The Rays are for real and could even make noise in the postsesaon.

1. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs continue to be the best team in baseball. The National League is very winnable and if they make the World Series, they could finally break their legendary cold spell.

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Best Teams in Baseball – Power Rankings – August Edition

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:43:20 +0000

5. Boston Red Sox
The reigning World Series champions are in good position so far in 2008. The Red Sox haven’t had a dominant season, however they should be able to make the postseason. Once they make the postseason, no other team in baseball wants to face Boston.

4. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers were good before trading for CC Sabathia. However, now after adding Sabathia to their team and surviving an incident that saw Prince Fielder push a teammate, the Brewers are really rolling. Currently, the Brewers have won eight straight games. Sabathia has personally won seven straight games with the Brewers.

3. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays struggled heading into the All-Star break and many baseball experts were predicting the fairy tale could be over. But the Rays have bounced back and now have a healthy league in the American League West. Tampa Bay remains a longshot to win the whole thing — but this team has been proving experts wrong all season long.

2. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have the best record in baseball and that is truly indicative of how well they’ve played this season. Adding Mark Teixeira in a trade was huge and that trade made the Angels even better. Right now, they have to be considered the favorite in the American League.

1. Chicago Cubs
While it is always dangerous putting the Cubs at the top of a power ranking, the Cubs have been on fire as of late. Winners of 13 of their last 16 games, Chicago looks like it has a real winner on its hands. Can the Cubs keep it up? History says no but the Cubs will try to prove history wrong.

Will the Chicago Cubs win the World Series to end their curse?

Photo: Newscom

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