MLB Power Rankings Week 6

Overview:

-It was another great week of baseball this week in which history was made and several 2011 All Stars went down with some serious injuries. First off is Angels SP Jered Weaver who became the 10th Angels player to throw a no hitter in the team's history. It took Weaver 121 Pitches to do so as he struck out 9 Twins and only walking one as part of the Angels 9-0 victory. Just up north in San Francisco Giants slugging 3B Pablo Sandoval found out he had broken the hamate bone in his left hand. Sandoval broke the same bone last year in his right hand and missed 6 weeks which is the expected time table for this injury. Fellow 3B Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays will be out even longer with a partially torn hamstring. Longoria suffered the injury Monday Night while trying to steal Second Base. The biggest injury news though had to be the Yankees loss of Mariano Rivera who went down with a torn ACL during warm ups. It was a hectic week around baseball, with Weavers no-no and the Rays and Giants losing their All Stars, but it still managed to be a exciting week. 

By the Numbers:

7: RBI's by Cardinals OF Carlos Beltran in the teams 12-3 Win against the Pirates on Wednesday

110: At Bats as an Angel before Albert Pujols finally hit a HR. A Major League record for a player with more then 400 Career HR's

97: Pitches thrown by Blue Jays SP Henderson Alvarez in his Complete Game Shutout of the Angels. The 1st of his career. 

1: HR's this season by Angels 1B Albert Pujols. He finally hit one Sunday against the Blue Jays. He is still hitting .196 on the year with 7 RBI's.

5: Wins this season by Giants SP Madison Bumgarner. He didn't have 5 Wins until July 19th last year.

Power Rankings:


1.) Washington Nationals (18-10):
-The Nationals take the No.1 spot in the Week 6 Power Rankings even after getting handled in their 3-9 loss to the Phillies at home. The story for the Nationals though has become 19 year old phenom Bryce Harper who has already set the Majors ablaze. Harper has showed all the tools of a future MVP, he has shown off his rocket arm throwing home both which should have been outs. Harper also has shown off his baseball IQ with smart base running and situational awareness. With the Nats offense continuing to struggle Harper may have found a play to stay in the Majors.
2.) Tampa Bay Rays (19-10):
-You would have thought the devastating loss of Evan Longoria would have crippled this team but they just keep on pressing, that was until Matt Moore and Joel Peralta crushed the teams momentum as they lost a 3 game series to the A's. Rookie Matt Moore hasn't lived up to expectations this year with a 5.71 ERA and a 1-2 record. Despite his struggles and the absence of Longoria the Rays should continue to play like the best team in baseball.
3.) Baltimore Orioles (19-9):
-The Orioles easily have to be the biggest surprise so far early in the 2012 season. A team everyone expected to finish last in the AL East, is not only first in the East, but first in all of baseball. The team has been solid throughout with the offense getting contributions from everyone in the lineup with guys like Matt Weiters, Adam Jones, and even Mark Reynolds. As for their pitching, well it has been great to as Jason Hammel, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta have been pitching well as of late. The team is now coming off a 3 game sweep in Boston, and now head back home for a 4 game series against the red hot Rays. It will be a true test to determine if this Orioles team is legit or just a flash in the pan.
4.) Los Angeles Dodgers (18-10):
-The Dodgers drop a bit in my Power Rankings after blowing their win Sunday against the Cubs. The Blown Save was the 3rd by Javy Guerra this season, and it appears he may be close to losing the job to Strikeout Master Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers have made it here so far thanks to crazy numbers from Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, but it appears the hot start has faded a bit. As the Dodgers head back home for a crucial 3 game series against the Giants, it will be a true test to determine who is the best team in the NL West.
5.) Texas Rangers (18-10):
-The Rangers are your typical story of the team that could hit well and had great pitching but has just run into some bad luck. After dropping the series to the Rays last Sunday, the Rangers stumbled in their next 6 games losing 4. Coming off a trio of series losses to the Rays, Blue Jays, and Indians, the Rangers just look forward to taking out their frustrations on the team with the best record in baseball. It will be the ultimate test for both the Rangers and the Orioles and will show who is the best team in the American League.
6.) Atlanta Braves (18-11):
-The Braves played decently this week going 4-3. The week started with losing 2 of 3 to the Phillies at home, but they went back on the road and got things going again in Colorado. The Braves swept the 3 game series thanks to an offensive explosion that saw them score no less then 7 runs in the 3 game series. The performance vaulted them to the top of the Majors in runs scored and much of that credit has to go to Freddie Freeman and the old wonder Chipper Jones. The corner infielders have been the balance of youth and experience combined for 14 RBI's in the 3 game span (Chipper did not play Sunday). The Braves are definitely for real and have to be licking their chops as they head to Chicago to take on the Cubs.
7.) St. Louis Cardinals (17-11):
-Your 2011 World Series Champions are simply firing on all cylinders right now and are showing that they may be better off without Albert Pujols, ok well I won't go that far. Never the less the offense is going full force right now with guys like Jon Jay leading the team with a 3.92 BA, RF Carlos Beltran atop the team leader board with 7 HR's, and David Freese doing it all with 24 RBI's. It has truly been a team effort and we haven't even got to the pitching yet. Lance Lynn has simply been a monster registering a stellar 1.6 ERA to match with his 5-0 record.  He isn't the only Cardinals pitcher contributing as Kyle Lohse also has a 2.11 ERA along with an equally impressive 4-1 record. The Cardinals appear to be one of the best teams in baseball, and have a great shot at defending their title.
8.) Cleveland Indians (15-11):
-Remember last season when the Indians were playing great baseball in the 1st half of the season, then cooled down in the 2nd half, well it's happening again. The Indians stand atop the AL Central at 15-11, and have won their past 3 series against the Angels, White Sox, and Rangers. While their pitching hasn't been stellar they have gotten contributions from Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kipnis, and Jack Hannahan. The Indians are still waiting on Carlos Santana to start finding his power stroke, but they still have to be happy with the direction they are header.
9.) Toronto Blue Jays (16-13):
-The team up north has hit some early bumps in this 2012 season. Jose Bautista still isn't hitting above .200 and Brett Lawrie hasn't seen his hot start to end the 2011 season carry over into this year. While the Jays offense continues to struggle, their pitching has surprisingly been effective. Most recently 22 year old righty Henderson Alvarez threw a Complete Game Shutout, and Brandon Morrow leads the team with a 2.38 ERA. The Jays are a team with a lot of potential if their pitching can keep it up, because we all know at some point this Jays offense will have a breakout game.
10.) New York Yankees (15-13):
-The Yankees didn't have the greatest week going 3-4 despite some nice performances by their hitters. AFter a 3 game series loss to the Orioles at home, the Bronx Bombers went out to Kansas City hoping to turn things around in a 4 game series. Instead, they walked out of KC with a series split and some devastating news on top of that. Their closer for the first time in nearly 20 years. Rivera tore the ACL in his knee after taking fly balls during warm ups as he has done throughout his career. It is a devastating blow not just for the Yankees bullpen, but for their clubhouse as well. The road ahead will be a long one for the Yankees, as they hope David Robertson can do enough to fill the void.



11.) Cincinnati Reds (14-13):
-The Reds not may be playing flashy baseball but they are doing the little things to get the job done. Mat Latos who had struggled throughout the year found his groove against the Pirates striking out 11 over 6 scoreless innings. The Reds offense has been led so far by Jay Bruce who is the team leader in BA (.300) HR's (8), and RBI's (18). This is a team who's offense can explode at any time and if they continue to get great outings from Latos and Johnny Cueto, they could make a run in the NL Central.
12.) New York Mets (15-13):
-The Mets may be one of the quietest teams above .500 in all of baseball. While all the attention is going to their hated brother the New York Yankees the Mets have managed to stand equal with them.  On offense it has been David Wright leading the charge with a .375 BA and 14 RBI's, while their pitching has been led by Johan Santana has he tries to revitalize his career. While the quality of the Mets opponents thus far can be questioned, their play should not be. Fans around the league will get their first chance to see the Mets on National Television Monday when they travel to Philadelphia. Even with the Phillies still dealing with injuries this 3 game series should be a true test for the Mets.
13.) Detroit Tigers (14-13):
-Remember all the hype that surrounded the Tigers coming into the season, well a record of 14-13 isn't exactly what fans in the Motor City were hoping for. 2011 MVP and Cy Young Justin Verlander has been as strong as ever with a 2.38. While Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera have continued to be the Smash Brothers of D-Town their fellow teammates haven't come close to matching their production. If the Tigers want to prove they can be the best team in the American League, they have a long way to go.
14.) Miami Marlins (14-14):
-The Marlins are reeling in a big one, and it is a 6 Game Winning Streak. Despite the struggles by big time Free Agent signing Heath Bell (who has now been removed from the Closer role) the team has started finding ways to win. What makes their play even more amazing is the fact that Ace Josh Johnson has yet to find the magic in 2012, getting shelled for 6 Runs in just 2 Innings against the lowly Padres. The Marlins now head to Houston where they hope to build on their streak and stay hot.
15.) San Francisco Giants (14-14):
-The Giants went into the week with a lot of momentum, but that came crashing down after being swept by the Marlins at home and finding out Pablo Sandoval would miss the next 6 weeks with a broken hamate bone. For a team that struggled to score runs the loss of Sandoval will be felt, and guys like Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan, and Buster Posey need to step up. Pagan and Melky did just that over the weekend as the Giants won the final 2 games in their 3 game series against the Brewers to buid new momentum as they head south to face the hated Dodgers. The Giants pitching has been stellar led by Matt Cain who is 1-2 with a solid 2.38 ERA and Madison Bumgarner who is 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA. If the Giants want to make up ground in the NL West the 3 game series in L.A will give them a great chance.
16.) Arizona Diamondbacks (14-15):
-The Diamondbacks are getting closer to being healthy and it couldn't come at a better time. Standing at a game under .500 the D-Backs have been suffering from the DL bug with Daniel Hudson, Stephen Drew, and Chris Young all spending time on the Disabled List. Fortunately for the D-Bacls Justin Upton is starting to get hot and Utility starter Cody Ransom is also swinging a hot bat. It may be a few weeks before Drew, Young, and Hudson are back but once they are at 100% this Diamondbacks team will be ready to contend.
17.) Oakland Athletics (15-14):
-The Athletics have been one of the hottest teams of late winning 3 of their past 4 series including series wins against the White Sox, Red Sox, and Rays. Their success has come surprisingly not from their pitching but by their offense led by OF's Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes. The offense came through this past weekend against the Rays after striking out 12 times in the 1st game they came back to take the next 2 and the series with them. It will be great momentum for the young team as they prepare for next week.
18.) Philadelphia Phillies (14-15):
-Despite losing the 3 game series in the Nations Capital, the Phillies stepped up on Sunday Night Baseball and showed a sign of life. Hunter Pence went deep twice, and Cole Hamels tossed 8 strong innings as the  Phillies went on to win 9-3. The Phillies have been off to a slow start this year with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley not expected back from the DL until later in the year. Meanwhile Roy Halladay had one of his worst starts in recent memory giving up 8 ER in 5 Innings. Despite the Phillies struggles it appears they re close to getting in a groove, and once they do watch out.
19.)Houston Astros (13-15):

-WOW how crazy is it to see the Astros on a 5 game Winning Streak, sure it wasn't snapped on Sunday in an 8-1 thrashing by the Cardinals, but the streak has still been quite impressive, The catalyst on offense has been Jed Lowrie who has been on a tear as of late hitting a insane .524 average to match with 3 HR's and 9 RBI's. After being shipped out of Boston in the off season Lowrie has come back with a vengeance and is showing it early. There is no chance the Astros can keep this going or even close to it, but it is a sign of light as the team prepares for their future in the American League.

20.) Chicago White Sox (13-15):

-The past 2 weeks have brought the White Sox from 10-6 to 11-15. After Phillip Humber threw his Perfect Game on April 21st the team have not had anything nearly as effective since pitching wise. John Danks has looked atrocious, registering a 6.51 ERA on the year. The bright spot for the White Sox was Chris Sale who was 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA before he had to be moved to Closer because of the struggles by Hector Santiago. The White Sox will hope Sale can be the shutdown guy as the Closer but with the move their rotation takes a big hit, and so will their overall play.

21.) Milwaukee Brewers (12-16):
-The Brew Crew are certainly not the same team of 2011. The absence of Prince Fielder has been evident, and they were dealt another offensive blow earlier in the week when Mat Gamel was diagnosed with a Torn ACL. The absence at 1B means that Travis Ishikawa is now getting every day AB's and that is just a sign how bad off this team is. The Brewers are coming off back to back series losses in San Diego and in San Francisco over the weekend, where offense continued to be a problem for them. They will now head home for a series against the Reds, followed by the Cubs where they hope their luck will change.
22.) Colorado Rockies (12-15):
-Give credit to the Rockies offense for continuing to dominate and having no trouble smashing baseballs with ease. The problem is their opponents are doing the exact same thing to them. Despite great starts by Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gonzalez, and now rookie Wilin Rosario it hasn't been enough to play .500 ball. The telling stat for the Rockies is their team leader in ERA, who is 49 year old Jamie Moyer with a 4/01 ERA. The entire staff has been bad with Guillermo Moscoso being sent down to the Minors, and fellow SP Jhoulys Chacin possibly facing the same fate. It has been a rough start for the Rockies and much of the blame has to go on their pitching.
23.) Los Angeles Angels (12-17):
-Hats off to Albert Pujols and Jered Weaver for making it an eventful week for everyone around baseball. The storyline going into Wednesday was Albert Pujols still having a ZERO in the Home Run column. Then Weaver took some pressure off by throwing a no-no. The pressure grew days later for Albert as he continued to struggle, but the streak is finally over. Pujols hit a 2-Run Shot on Sunday as part of the Angels 4-3 win to lead them to a series win over the visiting Blue Jays. If Pujols has indeed ended his slump and Weaver continues to buzz through batters, the Angels will move up in the Power Rankings quickly.
24.) Boston Red Sox (11-16):
-After winning 6 games in a row last week, the Red Sox are back to their losing ways one week later. The Red Sox came home and lost a 3 game series to the A's, then followed that up over the weekend when they got swept by the Orioles including a 17 Inning Loss on Sunday. The problem for the Red Sox continues to be their pitching as they have given up no less then 4 Runs in their past 7 games. The combination of Jon Lester and Clay Bucholz struggles, combined with the inconsistency is the rest of the rotation has been the kryptonite for Boston this year.
25.) Pittsburgh Pirates (12-16):
-Things are really starting to roll down the hill for the Pirates, which could be considered normal. The offense has been horrific as they are last in the Majors in Runs (78), and 2nd worst in On Base Percentage (.286). Much of the teams struggles can be linked to the struggles of All Star CF Andrew who has failed to hit a HR this season and has as many extra base hits as RBI's (7). The Pirates are a team that will continue to struggle all year, and will be sellers at the Trade Deadline.
26.) Seattle Mariners (13-17):
-The Mariners are coming off a series win against the Twins, although that is nothing to brag about. Felix Hernandez was dominant on Saturday throwing 8 Scoreless Innings, striking out 9 while only allowing a single hit. The win snapped the Mariners 7 game losing streak. The Mariners are a fairly young team with guys like Jesus Montero, Dustin Ackley, and Kyle Seager all trying to prove themselves. Expect Felix Hernandez to continue to dominate, but due to a lack of run support, wins won't come often.
27.) Chicago Cubs (11-17):
-The Cubbies are coming off a big series win over the Dodgers and much of that credit has to go to 28 year old 1B Bryan LaHair. LaHair has come out swinging this year posting a .390 BA along with 7 HR's and 16 RBI's. While LaHair and Starlin Castro have been leading the offense it has been Ryan Dempster dominating the opposing hitters with a .95 ERA, yet he hasn't registered a win in his 4 starts. If Dempster can keep up the hot start he could be a big trade chip come July 31st.
28.) Kansas City Royals (9-18):
-After a slow start to begin the season, the Royals are seeing signs of light from their young centerpieces on offense in 3B Mike Moustakas and 1B Eric Hosmer. Moustakas has ranged his average in the past 10 games from .290 to .305, and it is no coincidence the Royals have won 6 of those 10 games in the process. The Royals are coming off a 4 game series draw against the Yankees and will look to build momentum off of that going into next week.
29.) San Diego Padres (9-20):
-The Padres are an example of a team where you can see the future is bright, but the present appears to be a very rough road. Their offense is one of the worst in the Majors, leaving their young guys in the rotation with zero support. Things got worse for the Padres this week when they found out SP Cory Luebke may need Tommy John Surgery. It is going to be a rough year for the Padres, but the future is on the way.
30.) Minnesota Twins (7-20):
-It would be an understatement to say the Twins are the worst team in baseball. They rank 2nd to last in the Majors in Runs Scored (92) and 3rd Worst in Runs Allowed (151). An example of how bad their offense is was found this week when they were no hit by Jered Weaver on Wednesday Night and followed that up by being 1 hit on Saturday Night against Felix Hernandez. The Twins will continue to try and find answers, but their is no solution for this team.