The Ten: MLB Power Rankings
1. The Pittsburgh Pirates
Why not? While the Pirates may not be the sexiest team in baseball, but they've arguably been the most consistent.
While the Braves, Cardinals, Blue Jays and the Rangers have all been streaky...the Bucs have remained a consistently good team all year, a consistency that will stay with them throughout the regular season and get them to the playoffs for the first time since 1992.
2. Cincinnati Reds
The new Big Red Machine, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Bucs have made the NL Central the most exciting division in baseball.
3. Texas Rangers
June hasn't been that great to the Texas Rangers. Even with the best pitcher in baseball in Yu Darvish, the Rangers weren't able to give him much support in June.
The Rangers have had a pretty horrid June, but last week the Rangers went 6-1 against their hated foes; the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals.
In addition to ending the month strong, the good news for Rangers fans is that they seemingly play better against better teams and without Josh Hamilton to screw to pooch in August, the Rangers should be at the top of their game come playoff time.
4. St. Louis Cardinals
While the Rangers had a bad June, the Cardinals had a bad May. But since then, it's all been smooth, dominant sailing for the Red Birds.
Yadi Molina and Matt Carpenter are the best at their positions in the National League. Not to mention Adam Wainwright has less walks than Brad Pitt has kids.
They have the experience and coaching to beat the Reds and Bucs for the very competitive, NL Central crown.
They have the experience and coaching to beat the Reds and Bucs for the very competitive, NL Central crown.
5. Detroit Tigers
While the rest of the city crumbles around them, the Tigers are giving the people of Detroit something to root for again this season.
6. Oakland Athletics
MC Hammer should be enough reason to never doubt anything to come out of Oakland.
Josh Donaldson is also an exciting breakout star.
MC Hammer should be enough reason to never doubt anything to come out of Oakland.
Josh Donaldson is also an exciting breakout star.
7. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are the most exciting team in baseball's second most exciting division, the AL East.
It's a tight race top to bottom, and Chris Davis will make us feel like it's 1961 again as he will likely get very close, if not surpass, the 60 home run mark.
8. Boston Red Sox
Spitball or not, Clay Buchholz is one of best pitchers in baseball this year. I'm B. Affleck and M. Damon approve.
9. Atlanta Braves
The days of Chipper and the great Atlanta pitching are long gone, but it's highly likely the Braves will be at the top of the NL East at the end of the season...especially if Washington continues their downward slope.
10. New York Yankees
Despite being arguably their most boring team in years, the Yankees are still relevant. Even in at 43, Mariano Rivera is still the king and with no A-Rod...are the Yankees sort of likeable?
The Orioles are the most exciting team in baseball's second most exciting division, the AL East.
It's a tight race top to bottom, and Chris Davis will make us feel like it's 1961 again as he will likely get very close, if not surpass, the 60 home run mark.
8. Boston Red Sox
Spitball or not, Clay Buchholz is one of best pitchers in baseball this year. I'm B. Affleck and M. Damon approve.
9. Atlanta Braves
The days of Chipper and the great Atlanta pitching are long gone, but it's highly likely the Braves will be at the top of the NL East at the end of the season...especially if Washington continues their downward slope.
10. New York Yankees
Despite being arguably their most boring team in years, the Yankees are still relevant. Even in at 43, Mariano Rivera is still the king and with no A-Rod...are the Yankees sort of likeable?
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