1. Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp and crew have been unstoppable this season. Clayton Kershaw is pitching like he's this year's NL Cy Young and Andre Ethier is batting .324. It's amazing what a change of ownership has done to this team. The Dodgers have had the best young talent in the game the past several years, but they haven't been able to put it all together for a full season. This may be the year that everything goes there way.
2. Texas Rangers I think it goes without saying that Josh Hamilton is the best hitter in the league. He could carry this team on his back if he had to. Nelson Cruz (OF), Ian Kinsler (2B), Adrian Beltre (3B), Michael Young (DH), Elvis Andrus (SS), Mike Napoli (C), Mitch Moreland (1B), and David Murphy are the best collection of everyday players in the game. I am worried about the teams starting pitching depth with Nefalti Feliz on the DL, but the impending signing of Roy Oswalt should help.
3. Chicago White SoxRight now my White Sox are the hottest team in baseball. Paul Konerko (1B) is giving Hamilton some competition for the AL MVP right now and Dayan Viciedo (OF) and has been playing out of his mind. Jake Peavy (SP) has been healthy for the first time in years and he looks like he could be the AL Cy Young and Chris Sale (SP) has lived up to expectations. Adam Dunn (DH) looks like he has rebounded from the worst season of baseball EVER and Alex Rios (OF) has been looking good as well. If Gordon Beckham (2B) and Alejandro De Aza (OF) and maintain their current level of play, this team could win the AL Central.
4. Tampa Bay RaysThe Rays are probably the best coached team in baseball. Manager Joe Madden and his staff do an incredible job of coaching up their young talent. The team has played well despite losing Evan Longoria (3B) to injury. The Rays have one of the best rotations in baseball, a great bullpen, and an impressive defense but this team lacks the potent bats that the elite teams in baseball have. The Rays 29-21 record is even more impressive because they play in the hardest division in baseball.
5. Washington NationalsWho would have thought that the Nationals would be winning the NL East and have a better record than the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies? I'm pretty sure that the Washington Nationals front office didn't think that this team would playing this well, not that Mike Rizzo and company would admit it. Steven Strausburg (SP) has been incredible and is pitching like he never had Tommy John surgery. Bryce Haprer (OF) has been playing like he is the best prospect in the last decade and the National's rotation has been lights out. The only thing that worries me about this team is that they lack the offensive firepower.
6. Baltimore Orioles
This is another team that has been a surprise this season. Buck Showalter is showing why he is one of the best managers in the history of the game. Adam Jones (OF) has been phenomenal this year, both at the plate and in centerfield. Chris Davis (1B), Mark Reynolds (3B), and Matt Wieters (C) have also helped Fighting Buck Showalters carry the load offensively. Wei-Yin Chen (SP) and Jason Hammel (SP) have been great this year as well. However, this team has started to falter in the last week or so and I have a feeling that they probably won't be in the top 10 in next month's power rankings.
7. Cincinnati Reds The Reds have been able to to take advantage of a of weak NL Central division going 28-21. Joey Votto (1B) and Brandon Phillips (2B), the faces of the franchise, have played up to par this year. Ryan Hanigan has been hitting so well this season that he could win the NL Silver Slugger award for the catcher position. Johnny Cueto (SP) has played very well this season, though I bet Reds fans wished that the team didn't trade Josh Hamilton for him. The Reds could lock up the division by late July if Cardinals falter without Lance Berkman (1B).
8. New York Yankees Despite a shaky starting rotation and Mark Texiera's abysmal performance this season, the Yankees have a strong record at 29-21. This team has so much talent that it would take an epic collapse if this team doesn't end up making the playoffs. I bet that Brian Cashman will go out an get a starting pitcher to help stabilize the rotation, unless someone steps up. In the mean time Derrick Jeter (SS), Brent Gardner (OF), and Robinson Cano (2B) will have to carry the team with their bats.
9. Cleveland IndiansWho would have thought that the White Sox and Indians would be battling for control of the AL Central in June, let alone have winning records. The Indians have the best bullpen in baseball and players like Jason Kipnis (2B) and Asdrubal Cabrera (SS) have played exceptionally well. Derek Lowe (SP) has found the fountain of youth this year and his presence has helped stabilize the Indian's starting rotation. This team could be for real.
10. Miami MarlinsThe new look Miami Marlins have been playing very well this year and their big off-season has definitely played a role in their resurgence. Heath Bell (CL) and Mark Buerhle (SP) have both lived up to their expectations while Jose Reyes (SS) has underachieved thus far. Manager Ozzie Guillen has this team playing very had and they could give the Nationals some problems as the season progresses.
11. Toronto Blue JaysGeneral Manager Alex Anthopoulos has done an incredible job of turning around a Blue Jays franchise that has not been able to compete in the AL East since David Cone was pitching for Toronto in 1995. Brett Lawrie (2B), Edwin Encarnacion (DH), and Jose Bautista (OF) have played well this season and the rotation has been solid. There is a chance that this team could make the playoffs this season but I think that they are still a year or 2 away from threatening the Yankees and Rays.
12. St. Louis Cardinals It has been a rough go for Cardinals fans after they won the World Series. Pujols bolted in free agency, Manager Tony La Russa retired, and Lance Berkman (1B) tore his ACL. I think that this team could have overcome Pujols and La Russa and still make the playoffs, but without Berkman I just don't see it happening. Adam Wainwright (SP) is back from Tommy John surgery and the team's starting rotation is about as good as it gets. If the Redbirds can get another bat at the trade deadline they could make another serious run at the playoffs.
13. New York MetsThis is another team that has defied expectations so far. David Wright (3B) has been having a phenomenal season and he is one of the best players in baseball. I don't understand why ESPN doesn't give him more love. Players like Rueben Tejada (SS), Daniel Murphy (2B), Kirk Nieuwenhuis (OF), and Mik Baxter (OF) have come out of nowhere and played quality baseball so far this season. How long can this team hold up this level of play? Who knows.
14. San Francisco GiantsI FEEL LIKE I WANT TO RAGE...RIGHT NOW. God, I have really missed Brian Wilson (CL) this year. Not only is he one of the best closers in the game, he is also the most entertaining player in baseball. His absence, along with Tim Lincecum's (SP) struggles, and an anemic offense have hurt this team. However, the rest of the team's starting rotation is so strong that they can still be competitive. If Lincecum can turn his season around the Dodgers may have some competition in the NL West.
15. Atlanta BravesThe Braves are one of the best organizations in baseball. No matter what, it seems like they always have a competitive team. The Braves barely missed the playoffs last year and this year they are in a position to win their division or the wild card. Jason Heyward (OF) has been disappointing but Martin Prado (OF), Michael Bourn (OF), Dan Uggla (2B), and Freddie Freeman (1B) have all played well this year. Mike Minor (SP) and Randall Delgado (SP) have not been playing well and make the back of the rotation very weak.
16. Philadelphia Phillies Wow. I knew that the Phillies would probably struggle without Ryan Howard (1B) but I didn't see them a game over .500. Then again half of their roster is on the DL. So that doesn't help their cause. If the Phillies can get healthy they can get back into the playoff hunt, but it doesn't seem likely considering the fact that the team has always been very injury prone.
17. Los Angeles AngelsAfter a terrible start, Albert Pujols (1B) finally seems to be coming around. All the Angels had to do was fire their hitting coach and take personel decisions away form Manager Mike Scioscia. I could see this as the beginning of the end of Scioscia's tenure as the Angels manager. Despite all of the disappointment the Angles are a game over .500. They could still get it together and make a real run at the AL Wild Card, but I doubt it.
18. Boston Red SoxI think Red Sox nation might be missing Terry Francona. The Bobby Valentine tenure has gotten off to a horrible start. The Red Sox got off to a terrible start this season and they don't really seem to be turning it around this year. The Red Sox are a game over .500 and are currently last in the division. I don't think that Carl Crawford (OF), John Lackey (SP), and rest of these underachievers will get back into the playoff hunt unless the Rays, Yankees, or Orioles falter.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates may actually be a decent team this season. Andrew McCutchen is quietly becoming one of the best outfielders in the game and James McDonald (SP) has been having a great year. Erik Bedard has been able to stay off the DL so far and has a 3.12 ERA. The rest of the team needs a lot of work though.
20. Detroit TigersThe Tigers have been awful. I knew that they would have some problems because their starting rotation is very weak, but I didn't think that there offense would be this bad. Migel Cabrera (3B) has not been hitting as well as he did last year and Alex Avila (C) has been terrible. If this team does not upgrade their starting rotation they could fall out of the playoff hunt by August.
The Rest
21. Houston Astros
22. Oakland Athletics
23. Arizona Diamondbacks
24. Milwaukee Brewers
25. Seattle Mariners
26. Colorado Rockies
27. Minnesota Twins
28. Kansas City Royals
29. San Diego Padres
30. Chicago Cubs
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