1. Los Angeles Dodgers (17-8, Last Week: No. 2)
The Dodgers are the hottest team in the league right now. Hands down. I had a hard time picking between them and the Blue Jays for the top spot. Having a 17-8 record (tied for best in the majors), and winning seven of their last ten games. How can you not put them at No. 1? Oh! and they got Manny!
2. Toronto Blue Jays (17-9, Last Week: No. 4)
No. 2 seems reasonable for the Jays mainly because of their great start and the way that they have their offense playing. Players like Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, and Vernon Wells are all doing a great a great job offensively.
3. Boston Red Sox (15-9, Last Week: No. 1)
All these guys need is a good week of baseball and they could be back in the top spot. I didn't lose confidence in the BoSox after they lost their first two games against the sorry Rays. I just felt like I needed a new team at number one.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (17-8, Last Week, No. 3)
St. Louis is second in the league in run differential (+36). They have a great offense. They're not the hottest team like they were last week, but they still have great batters like Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Chris Duncan. They, along with the Dodgers, are leading the way in the National League.
5. Florida Marlins (14-10, Last Week: 10)
Out of the top five teams in the league, this team is definately not the hottest. The only reason why I have them in the top five is because of their record. They've lost seven of their last ten and if they continue to play poorly, they might not even be in the top ten next week.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (12-10, Last Week: 11)
So the champs have won four of their last six and six out of 10. The only reason why I don't have them in the top five is because of their record at home (6-8). You gotta get the job done at home, people! But overall I do like the way this team is headed. They're the champs are they're starting to play like it.
7. Detroit Tigers (12-11, Last Week: No. 8)
I like the way the team is playing, for the most part. Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, and Placido Polanco are all swinging the bats well. The team as a while hasn't been too hot lately, but overall the team is looking pretty good. Even though their record doesn't show it, they're still the hottest team in the Al Central, with the Royals a close second.
8. Kansas City Royals (13-11, Last Week: No. 13)
Hey! Speaking of the Royals, here we are! They won three out of four against the mighty Blue Jays, and they played great in their extra inning win over the Twins on Saturday. Their offense has picked it up some. Last week, their offense looked pathetic to say the least. I've got a little more confidence in the Royals.
9. New York Yankees (13-11, Last Week: No. 7)
Not much of an exciting week for the Yankees. Their offense is really picking it up, but after a week of only winning four of their seven games they played last week, things aren't very exciting in the Bronx. I'm still looking for more, but I don't think I'm going to get much.
10. Seattle Mariners (14-10, Last Week: No. 5)
Felix Hernandez continues to dominate while holding a 4-0 record with 36 strikeouts and a 2.36 ERA. The Mariners offense continues to be questioned, but their pitching is definately getting the job done.
11. San Francisco Giants (11-11, Last Week: No. 16)
Ever since starting the year at 3-8, the Giants have won eight of their last 11 games and are rising up in ever chart possible. They certainly have the pitching down. Now if they can only score runs, they could be a 14, 15, or 16 win club by now. But overall, I do like the way the Giants have stepped up over the past couple of weeks.
12. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-11, Last Week: No. 6)
After starting the week at 10-7, the Pirates only won two of their next six games. Could this be a beginning of a long fall for the Pirates or will the Pirates remain a top-15 club for weeks to come (for once).
13. Chicago White Sox (12-11, Last Week: No. 12)
Still not a whole lot of excitement in Southern Chicago. only a 3-3 week last week. This team really needs a boost. C'mon Ozzie! Get fined of something! Something exciting!
14. Cincinnati Reds (12-11, Last Week: No. 14)
Something tells me that Jay Bruce could end the year with 30 HRS and 90 RBIS. I can feel it.
15. Chicago Cubs (12-11, Last Week: No. 20)
Probably the most exciting player on the Cubs roster this year (besides Alfonso Soriano) is possibly Ryan Theriot. Like Jay Bruce, I think Ryan Theriot could have a good breakout year.
16. Milwaukee Brewers (12-12, Last Week: No. 21)
I'm ready for this team to light it up. It hasn't happened yet. Their 21st-ranked offense in the majors isn't going to cut having a breakout year again. Unless you have a great pitching staff. The Brewers have a "good" pitching staff but not a "great" one.
17. Texas Rangers (11-12, Last Week: No. 18)
The Rangers just need to get it together as far as pitching goes. Like I mentioned last week, they really need to give guys like Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, and Nelson Cruz some help.
18. Minnesota Twins (12-12, Last Week: No. 17)
I'm not going to bash on their pitching staff as much as I did last week, but still. If the pitching can improve over the next couple of weeks, then we could see the Twins in the top 15.
19. Atlanta Braves (11-12, Last Week: No. 15)
Not a very good week, last week. only two wins in the six games they played. The pitching staff remains pretty good with guys like Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe.
20. Oakland Athletics (9-12, Last Week: No. 22)
I'm still getting to know who Andrew Bailey is at the moment. He's pitching pretty good this year after being the last pitcher to make the roster. In 15.2 innings pitched, he's allowed just two runs and a 3:1 K:BB ratio. Just because he interests me, I move the A's up two spots this week.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13, Last Week: No. 27)
They had a pretty good week. They went 5-2 over the past seven games but offensively, the Diamondbacks are not getting it done, resulting in a sub-.500 record through 24 games.
I really don't know what to make of this team. At the beginning of the season, I thought they could be a huge surprise and possibly be an underdog to win the Wild Card. It's not turning out that way so far.
22. Los Angeles Angels (10-13, Last Week: No. 24)
So pretty much, this whole team is struggling. They have the highest ERA in the majors which is proof that they got things to work on. Who cares if Vlad is injured. This team is not meeting their expectations.
23. Colorado Rockies (9-13, Last Week: No. 30)
After a World Series Championship run two seasons ago, they've been pretty much nobodies.
24. New York Mets (10-13, Last Week: No. 19)
What's happening to my predicted National League Champions?
25. San Diego Padres (11-13, Last Week: No. 9)
Adrian Gonzalez is pretty much amazing. As for the rest of the team, well, that's a different story.
26. Houston Astros (10-14, Last Week: No. 28)
Still waiting on the Astros to get an offensive boost.
27. Cleveland Indians (9-15, Last Week: No. 26)
I believe Grady Sizemore is starting to turn into the face of the Indians franchise.
28. Tampa Bay Rays (10-15, Last Week: No. 23)
Yeah, I still believe this team has no shot at the playoffs.
29. Washington Nationals (6-17, Last Week: No. 29)
I feel sorry for Adam Dunn.
30. Baltimore Orioles (9-15, Last Week: No. 25)
*insert picture of dead birds here*
Carter's AL MVP Race:
1. Ian Kinsler (Rangers)
2. Evan Longoria (Rays)
3. Aaron Hill (Blue Jays)
4. Adam Jones (Orioles)
5. Nick Markakis (Orioles)
Carter's NL MVP Race:
1. Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
2. Raul Ibanez (Phillies)
3. Chase Utley (Phillies)
4. Adrian Gonzalez (Padres)
5. Jorge Cantu (Marlins)
Carter's AL Cy Young Award Race:
1. Zack Greinke (Royals)
2. Roy Halladay (Blue Jays)
3. Felix Hernandez (Mariners)
4. Frank Francisco (Rangers)
5. Kevin Millwood (Rangers)
Carter's NL Cy Young Award Race:
1. Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers)
2. Johan Santana (Mets)
3. Dan Haren (Diamondbacks)
4. Chad Billingsley (Dodgers)
5. Yovani Gallardo (Brewers)
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