Team of the Week: Tampa Bay Rays (pictured above), for the second time in three weeks
Bust of the Week: Philadelphia Phillies, for the second straight week
As the MLB and its 29...err, 30...teams (sorry, Nats fans) approach the middle of the season, it's all about how well they can perform with the title races tightening and the summer sun heating up.
Some teams have used the extra intensity to boost their play to a whole new level, but others...well, just aren't playing their best baseball of the season.
One of those usually reliable teams is the Philadelphia Phillies, who have become the first team to be awarded "bust of the week" for two consecutive editions this season. The underperforming Phillies have dropped three straight, as well as nine of their last 10.
After a thrilling World Series title last season, it appears that Philadelphia may have some trouble in their attempt to repeat.
However, there are also some bright spots, and one of them is the Tampa Bay Rays. After a disappointing opening to the season, the Rays have really improved their play in the past several weeks, pulling them with in two games of the AL Wild Card.
But the MLB is more than two teams. My complete 30-team power rankings follow this.
Basic Rankings Method
5%...Last season's success
65%...Success this season
25%...Current Streak
5%...Intangibles (injuries, etc.)
LW...Last Week's Ranking
1. (LW-1) Los Angeles Dodgers (48-26)
Continuing to dominate the NL West, these Dodgers are looking extremely dangerous to other teams, like the Red Sox, that are trying to find a way to capture the World Series title.
2. (LW-2) Boston Red Sox (45-28)
All of a sudden, Boston's 7-3 L10 record has moved them into a significant four-game lead over the Yankees.
3. (LW-3) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (39-32)
Despite not yet even leading their division, the Angels have still managed to go 7-3 in their last 10, winning their last three. They are in an excellent position to overtake the Rangers.
4. (LW-4) New York Yankees (41-32)
Even though their record is one of the best in the majors, the Yankees aren't yet even close to being a shoo-in for a playoff spot.
They've begun to slip farther and farther behind the division-leading Red Sox, and have the Angels, Blue Jays, and Rays right on their heels for the wild card spot.
Thankfully, a three-game winning streak is keeping them ahead in that race, for now.
5. (LW-8) Texas Rangers (40-32)
After having the top four spots stay the same as last week, the Rangers have moved up from eighth to fill out the top five.
However, although the Rangers are playing decent baseball right now, the Angels are ready to strike at any misstep, and the wild card isn't yet in their hands, either.
6. (LW-10) Toronto Blue Jays (41-34)
Despite having the division title a long way off, the Blue Jays have won seven of 10 and beat the Phillies last night, which has pulled them within a game of the wild-card leading Yankees.
7. (LW-9) Detroit Tigers (41-32)
Currently, the Tigers are threatening to run away with the division, but I feel yesterday's loss may be a sign of things to come.
8. (LW-17) Tampa Bay Rays (40-35)
After winning the Team of the Week award on June 7, the Rays dropped a bit last week. But starting this week, Tampa Bay has once again achieved Team of the Week and is no longer a long shot for the AL Wild Card.
9. (LW-7) Milwaukee Brewers (39-34)
Just when they think the more-talented Cardinals are going to buck them completely out of the National League Central title race, St. Louis goes into one of their own slumps and all of a sudden Milwaukee is back on top. Wow...crazy!
10. (LW-11) Colorado Rockies (38-35)
After surprising the world in the first half of June, the Rockies have quieted a bit but are still showing no signs of slowing down. They are still 7-3 in their L10, and appear to be here to stay.
11. (LW-14) New York Mets (37-35)
The NL East is falling apart all around them, and despite a .500 L10 record, the Mets may find themselves in first place before long.
12. (LW-15) San Francisco Giants (39-33)
14. (LW-6) St. Louis Cardinals (37-31)
The Cardinals have to stop their wild inconsistency, or their 2007 dream season may not return to St. Louis for a while.
15. (LW-5) Philadelphia Phillies (37-34)
What an unbelievably strange year the Phillies have had so far. They are a pathetic 13-22 at home, yet have the best (by far) road record in all of the majors at 24-12.
Just when you think they are going to settle in to a summer routine, the Phillies drop nine of 10 (including a sweep by the Orioles), and fall down 10 spots to the middle of the pack.
16. (LW-18) Seattle Mariners (37-36)
The Mariners may have lost yesterday, but they are 7-3 in L10, and have been fairly successful the past two weeks.
17. (LW-20) Florida Marlins (38-37)
Just when everyone began to forget about the Marlins, they sparked themselves and went 5-1 this week. It may just be an unimportant burst of energy, but possibly Florida can finally squeak into the playoffs this season.
18. (LW-16) Chicago Cubs (35-35)
19. (LW-21) Chicago White Sox (35-38)
Back-to-back Chicago teams. Back-to-back disappointed coaches. I'm certain neither the Cubs nor the Sox hoped to have the kind of season they've had so far.
20. (LW-23) Houston Astros (34-37)
The Astros are barely clinging on...to fifth place in their division. Hey, at least that's better than sixth!
21. (LW-24) Pittsburgh Pirates (34-39)
22. (LW-13) Cincinnati Reds (35-37)
Just when Reds fans were starting to believe this may be the season the Reds finally return to glory, they go 1-5 in seven days. I'm sorry, Cincinnati, but baseball just isn't your city's sport...then again, what is?
23. (LW-19) Atlanta Braves (34-39)
Wow. The Braves just aren't the team they used to be. Three straight losses, below .500 in last ten,... However, I do see a small winning streak coming.
24. (LW-22) Baltimore Orioles (33-40)
25. (LW-25) Oakland A's (31-41)
26. (LW-26) Kansas City Royals (31-41)
After a respectable first few months, the Royals are once again nearing the bottom of the rankings. 3-7 L10 record won't help, either.
27. (LW-27) San Diego Padres (31-41)
Three straight losses and a 3-7 last ten record. Not exactly what the Padres' management is looking for. Then again, this season hasn't been exactly what the Padres' management was looking for.
28. (LW-29) Cleveland Indians (31-44)
Just two wins in 10 games for the Indians. Its beginning to look similar to the Browns.
29. (LW-28) Arizona Diamondbacks (30-44)
Another loss. Another disappointment. That's what the 2009 Diamondbacks are all about.
429,680,519. Washington Nationals (21-50)
They've moved down a spot (from 429,680,518th last week)...which is their best week this season!
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