| MLB Power Rankings Week Of 06/
29/
2008 |
| Rk |
Team |
Last Wk |
Rise/Fall |
High/Low |
Comment |
| 1 |
 Rays |
4 |
(+3) |
1/24 |
The Rays swept the Marlins last week by a combined score of 27-8. Evan Longoria has boosted his average by over 30 points in June as he continues to lockdown frontrunner status in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. This week's series against the Red Sox sets up as another thrilling installment of a developing rivalry based upon success. Of course, it's probably taboo now to act surprised when the Rays do anything big.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 2 |
 Red Sox |
3 |
(+1) |
1/3 |
Knuckler Tim Wakefield has lasted seven innings in each of his last five starts. He's allowed three runs or less in all of them. It's anonymous parts like Wakefield that have defined the Red Sox machine this season. Names like J.D. Drew, Kevin Youkilis and Wakefield have carried the show while the star power has dealt with injuries. Pretty scary when/if everything comes together.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 3 |
 Cubs |
1 |
(-2) |
1/13 |
The Cubs, like a lot of teams this season, are an easier proposition when on the road. The White Sox were able to take full advantage of it over the weekend. Fans should expect somewhat of a slowdown in the Cubs' offense with Alfonso Soriano out and Jim Edmonds due to come back to earth. But that's where Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee could step in with a prolonged hot run.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 4 |
 Angels |
2 |
(-2) |
2/12 |
Another key series with the A's highlights the proceedings this week. A nice cushion in the AL West heading into the break would be a fitting way to end a first half that saw the Angels far exceed expectations despite several key injuries. But if the A's are somehow a game or two out heading into the break, it may be a bit of a letdown for the Halos. Vlad Guerrero's average has surged by nearly 40 points in June. An ominous sign to be sure for the rest of the West.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 5 |
 White Sox |
8 |
(+3) |
5/19 |
Jermaine Dye for MVP, anyone? Dye has been held hitless in only five games in June. The White Sox have needed all of it thanks to a surprising surge by the Twins. The ChiSox clutched up this weekend, but then again, it appears that home field is all that matters these days. With Jose Conteras' ERA increasing by over a run in June and Javy Vazquez's going up over a half run in that same time span, the ChiSox are obviously going to need more of the same from Dye and Co.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 6 |
 Cardinals |
5 |
(-1) |
4/20 |
Albert Pujols returned to the lineup last Thursday and promptly went 4-for-4. The Cards made it through his injury unscathed in the standings. The Cards should be somewhat concerned by Ryan Ludwick's near 30-point drop in batting average. Ludwick has hit only three homers this month after hitting nine in May. The next three series are against the Mets, Cubs and Phillies. So the pitching staff had better be on its best behavior.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 7 |
 Twins |
12 |
(+5) |
7/26 |
Talk about the surge that nobody saw coming. Yes, the Twins beat up on the Padres, Nats and suddenly woeful D-backs. But the pitching in that span was for real as they allowed over three runs just once. To show just how hot the Twins were in that stretch, even Joe Mauer hit one out of the park. The schedule isn't easy heading into the break with two series against the Tigers and a set against the Red Sox mixed in. It would help if Carlos Gomez (just three SBs in June) went back to being a competent leadoff hitter.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 8 |
 Athletics |
9 |
(+1) |
7/25 |
The A's continue to rank at or near the bottom of the AL in home runs, but it doesn't seem to matter thanks to a pitching staff that has the second-best team ERA in baseball. The longer the A's stay in the race, the bigger each series against the Angels becomes. That's why this week's set could send a message that Oakland promises to be a thorn in the Halos' side the entire summer.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 9 |
 Brewers |
7 |
(-2) |
6/23 |
Prince Fielder has come alive in the power department this month with eight homers. That's a good sign heading into the second half. When you consider that Fielder's been somewhat quiet, J.J. Hardy has struggled and Rickie Weeks has been injured, there's some fruit to the thought that the Brewers' offense could get even better. Now the question becomes whether the pitching staff has enough to keep the team in contention. Salomon Torres has saved eight games in June and may not leave the closer's role at any point this season.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 10 |
 Phillies |
6 |
(-4) |
5/16 |
The Phils stopped hitting somewhere around mid-June and have produced two ho-hum weeks as a consequence. Chase Utley was hitting .325 on June 3 but has dipped into the .290s now. When he heats back up, the rest of the East will have a major problem on its hands. The schedule before the break couldn’t be any tougher with dates against the Braves, Cards, Mets and D-backs.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 11 |
 Yankees |
11 |
- |
3/23 |
It's been a terribly disappointing season for Robinson Cano, but his performance in June could signal that a turnaround is in the offing. Cano has raised his average by over 20 points this month and is giving the Yanks a much-needed threat at the bottom of the order. The Yanks have series coming up against the Red Sox and Rays. As bad as things have been, a strong showing in those sets could erase some of the bitter taste.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 12 |
 Marlins |
10 |
(-2) |
6/29 |
Dan Uggla’s sprained ankle hopefully won’t cost him too much time. Uggla was working on a seven-game streak without a homer, which seems like an eternity the way the ball’s been flying off his bat. The Marlins cooled considerably over the past two weeks, but they haven’t paid a price either with the Phillies also struggling.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 13 |
 Orioles |
14 |
(+1) |
12/30 |
Nick Markakis has seen his average surge by over 20 points in June, and the O’s are reaping the rewards in the standings. The story, however, of the O’s offense this season has to be Aubrey Huff, who hit 15 homers in 2007 but has 14 already this season. Like Markakis, Huff’s average has risen over 20 points in June. It’s no wonder the O’s have won five series’ this month.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 14 |
 Diamondbacks |
13 |
(-1) |
2/14 |
Micah Owings’ ERA is over five and Randy Johnson isn’t too far behind. Who said the D-backs’ problems were all about hitting? Speaking of which, the team's batting average has dipped into the .240s, and we’re not sure we see a way that improves dramatically.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 15 |
 Tigers |
19 |
(+4) |
3/27 |
Magglio Ordonez hitting the DL threatens to derail the run the Tigers were making in the AL Central standings. After such a horrid start, being only a handful of games out of first is quite an accomplishment. Here’s the problem, though, the Tigers can’t afford anymore prolonged losing streaks. Their margin for error is gone.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 16 |
 Rangers |
18 |
(+2) |
16/30 |
Josh Hamilton has just one homer in his last 13 games. Perhaps that’s an expected slowdown. The problem we see going forward is that any downturn in offensive production from the Rangers won’t be made up by a porous pitching staff. Expect some high-scoring games this week in the Bronx.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 17 |
 Braves |
16 |
(-1) |
9/17 |
Injuries to Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar are just the latest setbacks to a team decimated by bad luck this season. Mark Teixeira did a pretty good job last week, making up the difference with six homers in his last seven games. Jones and Escobar’s injuries aren’t considered serious, so the lineup should be banging at full strength soon enough.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 18 |
 Mets |
15 |
(-3) |
5/20 |
It was hard for Mets fans to see Johan Santana lose a game at Shea to the Yankees. Winning those types of biggies are supposed to be what Santana was brought in for. When’s the last time a 3.01 ERA and 103 Ks in 113 2/3 innings felt so bad? Answer: When it had a 7-7 record for $17 million to go along with it. Only in New York.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 19 |
 Dodgers |
21 |
(+2) |
5/21 |
Winning a game when you’re no-hit has to be a sign that things are turning around. The Dodgers haven’t taken advantage of the D-backs’ collapse, but then again, how bad can they feel being a handful of games out after playing so poorly in the first half. With Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda nearing a return, this team could be one to watch in the second half.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 20 |
 Pirates |
17 |
(-3) |
17/29 |
If the Pirates were in the NL West, they’d be a handful games out of first. In the Central, though, they’re thinking about who to trade away in hopes of a better future. Tom Gorzelanny has actually lowered his ERA by nearly a run this month, but it’s still over 6. Makes you wonder where the Bucs would be if Gorzelanny and Ian Snell were in ’07 form.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 21 |
 Blue Jays |
23 |
(+2) |
6/23 |
It’s truly a shame to let all that pitching go to waste. The Jays have allowed the third-fewest runs in the AL but have also scored the fourth fewest. Having said that, the Jays had run outputs of eight, 14, seven and nine last week ... which subsequently resulted in four wins.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 22 |
 Astros |
24 |
(+2) |
10/24 |
The Astros have now taken series against the Rays and Rangers over the past two weeks. With Lance Berkman cooling off, Carlos Lee has picked up the slack. Roy Oswalt has brought his ERA under five, which could be a good sign for the second half.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 23 |
 Royals |
27 |
(+4) |
22/29 |
We could tell as early as the Royals’ good showing at Yankee Stadium in early June that this team was starting to turn things around. Dropping a set to the Cards over the weekend was the Royals’ first series loss in over two weeks. If the Royals enter the All-Star break less than 10 games out, it could make for a rare interesting second half in K.C.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 24 |
 Reds |
22 |
(-2) |
18/28 |
The Reds managed a run or less in four games last week. Needless to say, it wasn’t a great week. Things were salvaged with a series win over the Indians. Rookie phenom Jay Bruce has cooled considerably, which means now the offense is reverting to its free-swinging, striking-out-too-much ways. The Reds are battling the Nats, D-backs and Pads for dead last in the NL in team batting average.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 25 |
 Giants |
26 |
(+1) |
23/30 |
Tim Lincecum was amazingly dominant on Saturday night against the A’s. The 170-pounder is now in the league’s top five in strikeouts and ERA. The Giants are still within striking distance in the West, but we doubt they’re buyers at the trade deadline.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 26 |
 Indians |
20 |
(-6) |
1/26 |
The speculation on where C.C. Sabathia will be headed is starting to build and Tribe fans can expect it to continue throughout July until something actually happens. Losing a series to the Giants and Reds is pretty harsh, especially since the Tribe looked good in Los Angeles. And now begins a critical road trip in Chicago.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 27 |
 Nationals |
29 |
(+2) |
24/30 |
Losing Lastings Milledge to the DL is yet another blow to the offense, but with Austin Kearns almost back, the Nats have options. Elijah Dukes has played his way into a starting role and will remain a mainstay in the lineup. Ryan Zimmerman continues to progress and could begin swinging a bat. A healthy lineup probably won’t be good enough to get the Nats back into contention, but it will make it easier to pass the time.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 28 |
 Rockies |
25 |
(-3) |
10/30 |
Just when it looked like the Rox were gaining momentum, they took a big step back. That probably has something to do with playing on the road where the Rox look more helpless every passing day. Back at home this week against the West, there’s a likely chance Colorado can make things even more interesting in the standings.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 29 |
 Padres |
28 |
(-1) |
17/30 |
Although their records are nearly identical, the Pads lost their shot at being ranked above the Rox by losing a series at home against the Mariners. Even Jake Peavy couldn’t beat the M’s. The Pads have lost 13 of their last 15 games but get a chance to get well in Colorado this week.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 30 |
 Mariners |
30 |
- |
7/30 |
The M’s took advantage of their series at San Diego by making baseball’s worst record look a little bit better. Erik Bedard used his start against the Pads to send his ERA under four. Perhaps the M’s sweep of the Padres just proves how bad the NL West truly is. Seattle will attempt to keep it going with a doable series at home against the Jays.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
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