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)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

1) Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have been the best team virtually all season. We’ll they have cooled off a bit as of late, they have a relatively safe lead in the National League.

2) Los Angeles Angels
After a tragedy filled beginning to the 2009 baseball season, the Angels are now clicking on all cylinders. They’ve won eight games in a row and should cruise to another AL West title.

3) New York Yankees
All that money the Yankees spent in the offseason to bring in Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett seems to be paying off.

4) Boston Red Sox
Although the Red Sox have been up and down lately, they still are arguably the last team anyone in the American League wants to see come playoff time.

5) Philadelphia Phillies
The defending World Series champions appear to be one of the two best teams in the National League. At the plate, the Phillies are as deadly as any team in the major leagues.

Can the Phillies do it again? (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers held on with Manny Ramirez out of the lineup. Now that he’s returned from his suspension, the Dodgers will be difficult to stop.

2. Boston Red Sox
Although they’ve cooled off as late, the Red Sox are the one team no one in the American League wants to see in the playoffs. With their pitching improving, they’ll be a tough out in the postseason.

3. New York Yankees
All that money is starting to figure out how to win. Since Alex Rodriguez returned, the Yankees have been elite.

4. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are trying to get past their emotional start to the season. As the campaign goes along, expect L.A. to grow their lead in the AL West.

5. San Francisco Giants
The Giants are the surprise team in baseball. They have great pitching — lead by Tim Lincecum. If they get enough hits, they’ll be in the race for the duration.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

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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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

Post from: Knuckle Curve