I thought seeing as we're slightly more than a quarter of the way through the MLB season and most teams are now approaching the 50 game mark it would be a good time to sort through the MLB season and provide a power rankings of all 30 teams. The list itself is pretty self explanatory as teams are ranked by how strong they appear as of today. One minor note is that this post and all the numbers provided in it are previous to tonight's Sunday night game. The teams will be provided with their record, record in their last 10 games, current streak of wins or losses, and a brief note. Without further delay...
MLB Power Rankings
1. Cleveland Indians (29-15, 6-4, W3)
Surprise, surprise! They've got the best record in baseball. I didn't see that coming whatsoever, and its been 44 games now. They can sustain this, especially if they continue to pitch.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (28-18, 4-6, L1)
Much less of a surprise, and they're doing it with that monster of a staff that they've assembled. The big 4 have combined for a 2.80 ERA. The back end of the bullpen has been solid without Brad Lidge as well.
3. San Fransisco Giants (26-19, 7-3, W4)
No World Series hangover here. Ryan Vogelsong has been a fantastic surprise and helped add depth to an already fantastic and successful rotation.
4. Florida Marlins (26-19, 5-5 L1)
Florida's done just enough to win. I'm a little skeptical that they can sustain it, but with Josh Johnson as the best ace you've possibly never heard of in the league, they give themselves ample opportunities to win.
5. St. Louis Cardinals (27-20, 6-4, W1)
They've got the best offense in baseball right now, and they've done it despite early struggles from Albert Pujols (well, struggles for him). Who knew Lance Berkman's fountain of youth would be in St. Louis?
6. New York Yankees (25-20, 5-5, W2)
They sure do use that bandbox of a park to their advantage. Looks like Curtis Granderson has finally figure out how to hit there. Russell Martin's been a solid addition thus far as well.
7. Tampa Bay Rays (26-21, 4-6, W1)
They're 24th in the Majors in on base percentage yet winning ball games. They're very formidable if they can get Jeff Niemman rolling the right way again.
8. Atlanta Braves (26-22, 6-4, W1)
The Braves strong staff picked up where they left off last season. A healthy Jair Jurrjens has been fantastic, and rookie Bandon Beachy looks like a real keeper. Craig Kimbrel's 4 blown saves make him a question mark though.
9. Boston Red Sox (24-21, 7-3, L1)
Mashing the ball is the way they've gone after last year's emphasis on pitching and defense backfired. They're second in OBP, but 24th in ERA. Health and having enough pitching will tell the tale for Boston.
10. Texas Rangers (24-23, 5-5, W1)
Texas caught the injury bug early, but they've still competed well in what could be a tough division. Its a good thing they didn't trade Michael Young after all, he's been their most consistent hitter, but what else is new?
11. Milwaukee Brewers (24-23, 8-2, W3)
A slow start for the Brewers, but it seems they're finally coming around. They got Zack Greinke back a couple of weeks ago, and that should help what's been a mediocre pitching staff. Ryan Braun leads the National League in homers.
12. Cincinnati Reds (25-22, 5-5, L5)
Dropping five straight doesn't bode well for them, putting them behind a division rival on the list that has a worse record. Their starting pitching has been very temperamental and unable to throw consistent strikes. They have one starting pitcher with over 8 games started and an ERA under 5 (Bronson Arroyo).
13. Detroit Tigers (23-23, 5-5, W1)
The middle of their order is just as dangerous as expected, and catcher Alex Avila has been a pleasant surprise, but the pitching and especially the erratic bullpen has been a significant problem. They only have 3 relievers with an ERA under 7.
14. Colorado Rockies (23-22, 4-6, L3)
They've been a very mediocre, inconsistent team. Troy Tulowitzki had a hot start, but Carlos Gonzalez didn't. Ubaldo Jimenez has been very shaky. This team could go either way yet.
15. Toronto Blue Jays (23-23, 7-3, L1)
Jose Bautista has been amazing for a season plus now. Adam Lind is quietly having a good season as well. Can they compete in such a top heavy AL East though?
16. Arizona Diamondbacks (22-23, 7-3, W5)
All of a sudden the Diamondbacks have won 5 in a row and have a commanding hold on 3rd in the NL West. Ryan Roberts's hot start might be coming to an end though, I wonder how much this team will be able to score in the long run.
17. Kansas City Royals (22-23, 4-6, L1)
A hot start quickly fizzled, most probably due to very poor pitching in key moments. The lack of a true ace on their staff is a trouble spot. The bright side is they're 7th in OBP.
18. LA Angels (23-24, 2-8, L1)
A very inconsistent team in a very strange division. They've played well statistically, but don't have the wins to show for it.
19. Seattle Mariners (21-24, 5-5, W4)
My pick of Michael Pineda for Rookie of the Year looks pretty smart 45 games in. The Mariners have pitched incredibly well, but can't hit. Chone Figgins can't steal first and they've gotten no production out of left or center field.
20. Chicago White Sox (22-26, 7-3, W2)
They just haven't been very good, there's no other way to put it. They need bullpen help, even though Sergio Santos appears to have assumed the closer's role. Jake Peavy could definitely be a step in the right direction, they've played much better since his return.
21. Baltimore Orioles (21-24, 5-5, W2)
They looked formidable for a brief period. The young arms have been very inconsistent, and its been their biggest undoing. Zach Britton being the exception to that, has been very good.
22. New York Mets (22-24, 6-4, L2)
Pitching has been at a premium. They certainly need better from Mike Pelfrey. The Mets have hit well, but can't seem to keep the leads that they get. The defense has been sloppy as well.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (22-24, 4-6, L1)
They've pitched better than I anticipated but have also hit worse than what was expected. Andrew McCuthen finally seems to be getting it on track. Pedro Alvarez has been a grave disappointment, and Lyle Overbay at the other corner infield position has provided very little power production as well.
24. Washington Nationals (21-25, 3-7, L2)
They can't hit worth a lick, which is a shame since they've pitched fairly decently but have wasted those performances. The only team with a worse OBP is Minnesota. Adam LaRoche is off to another cold start, and they gravely need a lead off man.
25. Oakland Athletics (22-24, 3-7, L4)
Losing four in a row doesn't do them favors. They've actually got the best pitching in baseball, but also have really struggled at the plate (a common theme lately on this list). This could be a mindblowingly better team with some better hitters.
26. Chicago Cubs (20-24, 5-5, W1)
They've got the 3rd best OBP in the Majors, but the 3rd worst ERA. They only seem to have 4 starting pitchers, and only 2 are dependable at all right now. Ryan Dempster has gotten hit all over. Maybe cutting Carlos Silva wasn't such a good idea?
27. LA Dodgers (21-27, 3-7, L2)
They've been all-around unimpressive, and it starts with the organization's troubles. But at the same time, what happened to Jonathon Broxton?
28. San Diego Padres (19-27, 5-5, L2)
The beat goes on for San Diego in that they've pitched well but can't hit. To think, last year this team came within a game of the playoffs. Granted they still had Adrian Gonzalez. Makes me wonder if they could compete with him on the squad this season.
29. Houston Astros (17-30, 3-7, W1)
One of two teams with a winning percentage in the .300s. The offense has at least shown flashes. First baseman Brett Wallace is a very underrated player. Michael Bourn has 17 steals already and is hitting at a respectable .271. They need pitching desperately though.
30. Minnesota Twins (15-29, 3-7, L2)
Probably the biggest surprise of them all. They're last in various statistical categories on both sides of the ball, and losing Joe Mauer for an extended period certainly didn't help. This is a case of all 25 guys just struggling all together.
What's the baseline?
The Indians are the tops, the Twins are the bottom. Who saw that coming? The AL East is tough, and the National League really seems to be able to pitch the baseball. I'll be very interested to see what a mid season power rankings would look like in comparison.
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