1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have consistently been near the top of the rankings. Now that Manny Ramirez is back, there’s no reason why they can’t run away with the best record in the National League.

2. Boston Red Sox
Earlier in the season, the Red Sox were struggling due to poor starting pitching. With their starters giving better performances, Boston now appears to be the team to beat in the American League.

3. New York Yankees
After a slow start, the Yankees have been very good. The money they spent in the offseason has been money well spent to this point. As long as they stay healthy, the Yankees appeared to be heading to the 2009 MLB playoffs.

4. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are playing very well right now. They entered the MLB All-Star break with five straight wins. Their goal of winning back-to-back championships is definitely alive and kicking.

5. Los Angeles Angels
To begin the season, the Angels had to deal with tragedy. Now, the Angels appear to be hitting their stride. Expect the Angels to be able to hold off the Texas Rangers in the AL West.

The sky is the limit for the Dodgers with Manny Ramirez (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Baseball Power Rankings – All-Star Break

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Even without Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers has held the top spot in the power rankings for practically the entire season.

2. Philadelphia Phillies
After a slow start, the Phillies are starting to turn it on. The defending World Series champions are 8-2 over their last ten games.

3. Boston Red Sox
If the Red Sox can get some starting pitching, the rest of their team looks very strong. But right now, the starting pitching is horrid.

4. New York Yankees
The Yankees are another team that started slowly but they’ve turned it around. Since Alex Rodriguez returned, the entire squad has played much better.

5. Texas Rangers
Although the Rangers have a good record, it’s just difficult to take the Ragers seriously. Are they going to tank again once the summer heats up? Time will tell.

Are the Texas Rangers for Real? (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 MLB Power Rankings – Top Five

Here are our 2009 MLB power rankings as of June 1st:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Even without the suspended Manny Ramirez, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best team in baseball. They aren’t quite as good without Ramirez but they have a good shot to hold onto their National League leading record.

2. Texas Rangers
Are the Rangers for real? It’s difficult to tell for sure. The fact that their bats are hot isn’t the story. The real story is that their pitching finally appears to be decent, which is bad news for the rest of baseball.

3. New York Yankees
All the millions the Yankees handed out this summer appear to be paying off. Mark Teixeira is hitting well and C.C. Sabathia has become the ace. Once Alex Rodriguez really heats up, the Yankees will be tough to beat.

C.C. Sabathia seems to be worth the money (Image: Newscom)

4. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies aren’t getting any help from their starting pitchers and their bullpen has been shaky (especially closer Brad Lidge), they have only lost four times in their last 16 games. Once their pitching becomes decent, watch out!

5. Boston Red Sox
Like the Phillies, the Red Sox are winning despite their starting pitching. However, with John Smoltz getting closer and closer to returning and a strong bullpen, Boston appears to be in good shape to make the playoffs.

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 MLB Power Rankings – June Edition

Alex Rodriguez - Image: Newscom

1. New York Yankees
The Yankees didn’t make the playoffs in 2008 but after a hugely successful offseason, the Yankees have leapfrogged over the entire league to become the favorites in 2009. As long as Alex Rodriguez eventually returns to near 100% health, the Yankees will undoubtedly make the playoffs this year.

2. Boston Red Sox
Though the Red Sox didn’t make the big splash in free agency that the Yankees made, they had a number of quality moves to help improve their roster. With no more Manny Ramirez to cause drama, this team has a great combination of talent and chemistry.

3. Philadelphia Phillies
The reigning World Series champions are the team to beat in the National League. The bats appear ready to have a big year. The question mark for the Phillies is whether or not their pitching can keep up and perform at least as well as they did last season.

4. Tampa Bay Rays
Can Cinderella strike again? The Rays are definitely talented but they still have a lot to prove. Over the last few decades, there have been a number of teams that had one fluke season before returning to mediocrity. Will the Rays be the next example?

5. Los Angeles Angels
Last season, the Angels had the best record in baseball. However, they flamed out early in the playoffs. This season, they have the pieces to once again be dominant in the regular season. That said, they will need to prove they have the clutch players who can thrive in the postseason.

Post from: EveryJoe

Ranking the Best Teams in Baseball