NOTE: Stats and records updated thru Sunday afternoon, June 29.
1. Los Angeles Angels (40-32)
Out of the top five teams in the majors, (Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Tigers), the Angels are the hottest team, no doubt.
They are the only team to have won seven of their last ten games, and are currently on a four-game winning streak. They just took over the AL West lead by a half-game over the slumping Texas Rangers.
2. Boston Red Sox (46-28)
Even though the Angels are at the top of my list this week, the Red Sox are still my pick to win the American League Championship.
With a team in the top six in both offense and pitching, how can I not pick them?
3. Detroit Tigers (41-33)
If I were a Tigers' fan, I would feel pretty confident in my pitching rotation right about now.
The Tigers are being led by guys like strikeout master Justin Verlander, team ERA leader Edwin Jackson, and the rising Rick Porcello.
4. New York Yankees (42-32)
This team would be absolutely dominating left and right if they only had a pitching staff that played as well as their offense. The Yankees have scored 411 runs through 74 games (2nd only to the Rays with 429), but have given up 358 runs (23rd-best in majors).
Oh, and happy trails to Xavier Nady, who suffered a season-ending injury last week.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (48-27)
The Dodgers pitching staff, led by Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Clayton Kershaw, and Randy Wolf, have done a fantastic job this season so far. They have given up only 288 runs (second-best in majors.)
6. Tampa Bay Rays (41-35)
I would almost be afraid to face this team if I were a Major League pitcher. The Rays have scored a ML—best 429 runs through 76 games.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (40-34)
Guys like Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder continue to swing hot bats and lead the way for the NL Central leading Brewers.
Mike Cameron, Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy aren't doing so bad either.
8. San Francisco Giants (39-34)
If the Giants do end up making the playoffs, it will be strictly because of their pitching.
They have only given up a league-best 282 runs through their first 73 games.
Talk about awesome!
9. Texas Rangers (40-33)
Once Josh Hamilton makes his return (which could be sooner rather than later), the Rangers could become a top-five offense once again. This team could rack up more wins to help their pitching staff.
As of late, the Rangers are in a bit of a slump with the red-hot Angels coming into town Monday thru Wednesday. It's a great time to knock the Halos back off and claim the AL West throne once again.
10. Philadelphia Phillies (38-34)
If the Phillies had a little bit better of a pitching staff, they could be in the top five at this point. They have given up 360 runs this year (seventh-worst in the majors.)
11. Colorado Rockies (39-35)
Guys like Clint Barmes, Brad Hawpe, Todd Helton, and Troy Tulowitzki are swinging hot bats over the past couple of weeks.
They have scored 384 runs this season (jumping to sixth in the majors.)
The Rockies are the only team that has won at least eight of their last ten games.
12. Seattle Mariners (38-36)
Looks like Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, and Jarrod Washburn need help from their offense.
The Mariners have only scored 287 runs this season (second-worst in majors.).
If they don't get help, the M's will not see anything higher than 3rd place in the AL West division.
13. Toronto Blue Jays (41-35)
So I picked this team to finish 4th in the AL East, and as of right now, I look like a genius.
14. St. Louis Cardinals (41-35)
So how 'bout that Albert Pujols? Not bad...
15. New York Mets (37-35)
The Mets are currently fighting with the Giants and their amazing pitching staff over the NL Wild Card lead.
They currently trail the Giants by a game and a half.
16. Houston Astros (35-36)
Just like the Mariners, the Astros need help from their offense.
Houston has a top-ten pitching staff, with guys like Wandy Rodriguez, Roy Oswalt, Russ Ortiz, and Felipe Paulino leading the way, but their offense has only recorded 294 runs (4th-worst in the majors) through 71 games.
17. Florida Marlins (38-38)
If you listen closely outside your front door, you can hear the Marlins hitters like Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu, Dan Uggla, and Cody Ross scream out "we want a pitching staff!"
18. Chicago Cubs (35-36)
I wonder when Milton Bradley is going to blow up again...
19. Minnesota Twins (38-38)
Justin Morneau continues to play like a top-20 offensive player.
He's hitting .309, with 17 HRs, and 61 RBIs. Fantastic numbers.
20. Cincinnati Reds (36-37)
Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto, and Micah Owings lead the way for the Cincinnati Reds' top-ten pitching staff.
21. Baltimore Orioles (34-40)
Jeremy Guthrie, Brad Bergeson, and Koji Uehara aren't doing that bad of a job, but the Orioles pitching staff as a whole isn't very exciting. As a result, they remain in the bottom ten.
22. Chicago White Sox (36-38)
Not much of an exciting team to talk about at this point.
The only guy really worth mentioning is their best player, Jermaine Dye, who's hitting .287 with 18 HRs and 45 RBIs this season.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (35-39)
For a non-exciting club, they actually have a pretty good pitching staff.
The Pirates have only given up 324 runs this season (eighth-best in the majors.)
Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, and Ross Ohlendorf continue to lead a rather decent group of pitchers.
24. San Diego Padres (32-41)
It's official: this team can't score worth anything.
284 runs to this point is not going to cut it.
The same almost goes for their pitching staff (368 runs given up this season, fifth worst in the majors.)
25. Atlanta Braves (34-40)
Besides Chipper Jones, Yunel Escobar, and Brian McCann, the Braves offense needs a boost. They have only scored 306 runs this year (seventh-worst in majors.)
26. Washington Nationals (21-51)
This team is still the worst in all of baseball, but they haven't played too badly recently.
Out of the bottom five teams in the majors (Athletics, Royals, Indians, Diamondbacks, Nationals) the Nats are the only team that has won at least five of their last ten games.
Problem is the Nats have a terrible pitching staff. I don't think guys like Julian Tavarez, Daniel Cabrera, and John Lannan are going to cut it for me.
27. Oakland Athletics (31-42)
Like the Braves, the A's offense could use a bit of a boost.
28. Arizona Diamondbacks (30-45)
Over the past week or so, I'm realizing how great of a player the Diamondbacks have in Mark Reynolds.
The man is playing like a top-five player right now, batting .268, with 21 HRs, and 54 RBIs.
29. Cleveland Indians (31-45)
This team would definitely be out of the bottom ten if they had some hurlers.
The Indians have scored 395 runs so far (third in majors), but have also given up a league-worst 415 runs.
Maybe the addition of Chris Perez might help a little bit, but not too much. Their were talks at the beginning of the year with Perez being the Cardinals closer.
30. Kansas City Royals (31-42)
Dude, what happened to their pitching staff? They use to be pretty good...
Carter's National League MVP Race:
1. Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
2. Adrian Gonzalez (Padres)
3. Raul Ibanez (Phillies)
4. Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks)
5. Ryan Howard (Phillies)
Carter's American League MVP Race:
1. Carlos Pena (Rays)
2. Mark Teixeira (Yankees)
3. Aaron Hill (Blue Jays)
4. Jason Bay (Red Sox)
5. Russell Branyan (Mariners)
Carter's National League Cy Young Race:
1. Dan Haren (Diamondbacks)
2. Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers)
3. Tim Lincecum (Giants)
4. Javier Vazquez (Braves)
5. Josh Johnson (Marlins)
Carter's American League Cy Young Race:
1. Zack Greinke (Royals)
2. Roy Halladay (Blue Jays)
3. Felix Hernandez (Mariners)
4. Jered Weaver (Angels)
5. Justin Verlander (Tigers)
- Login to post comments