MLB Power Poll

Welcome to week two of the MLB Power Poll. We've got some major shakeups throughout the top 10 with the emergence of some red hot teams. The previous week's rankings are in brackets followed by the team's ranking in parentheses.

Top 10
1.) Boston Red Sox [6] (39-26)- Is this the same team that started the season with six straight losses and went 2-10 out of the gate. The Sawx can't be stopped now. A season long nine game win streak has them atop the AL East and just a 1/2 game behind the Phils for the best record in the bigs. Adrian Gonzalez has hit an RBI nine games in a row.



2.) Philadelphia Phillies [3] (40-26)- Speaking of the Phillies, they're looking like a sure fire World Series front runner. The class of the National League has been a pitching mahine this season. Cliff Lee was the much talked about addition to the staff, but it's defending Cy Young winner Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels who have been the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
3.) New York Yankees [1] (36-28)- I'm not ready to completely quit on last week's top dog yet. Sure they're winless against the BoSox at Yankee Stadium this season, but those games are meaningless until the postseason begins. I'd be surprised if those two didn't meet up in the playoffs. Keep an eye on Derek Jeter who left tonight's game with a sore calf.
4.) Milwaukee Brewers [5] (38-29)- If the Sox are the hottest team in the AL, the Brewers are certainly the NL version. After eight consecutive wins (including a sweep of St. Louis), Milwaukee has leapfrogged the rival Cardinals to take over first place in the Central. There's no better batting tandem in the league than Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun.
5.) Atlanta Braves [Not Ranked] (38-29)- Another team that's streaking right now is Atlanta. Philly better look in their rear view mirror, because the Braves coming up quick. Brian McCann should be a lock for the NL Catcher spot in the All-Star game. He leads Hotlanta in four of the five major hitting categories.
6.) St. Louis Cardinals [4] (38-29)- There's no shame in getting swept by the Brew Crew. The Cards are still in contention and will be all summer. If you were to tell me that Chris Carpenter would have just a single win so far, I would have expected the Cardinals to be in the basement. Not the case, thanks to great performances by Jaime Garcia and team wins leader Kyle Lohse.
7.) Texas Rangers [2] (36-31)- To be honest, I could have (and probably should have) dropped the Rangers even further in the poll. Minnesota had the worst record in the MLB coming into their series against Texas, but they were able to win three of four from the Rangers to get out of the basement. Ron Washington's club better watch out for the surging Seattle Mariners who are threatening to take the AL West lead.
8.) San Francisco Giants [10] (37-29)- The defending champs just keep finding ways to win. Despite being the only division leader (and team in this poll) with a negative run differential, the Giants have managed manufacture close victories. Even with their DL piling up thanks to Freddy Sanchez' dislocated shoulder, this team continues to persevere. They just signed vet Bill Hall as insurance.
9.) Arizona Diamondbacks [8] (37-30)- Even though no regulars on the roster are hitting over .300, this offense is sneaky good. In fact, they've scored the most runs in the entire NL West without some of the big name brands of the other squads. At this time last year, the D-backs were already the cellar dwellers of this division's standings.
10.) Detroit Tigers [NR] (36-30)- So much for that huge Indians' lead in the AL Central. The Tigers have roared back into this race and have tied atop the standings with Cleveland. Triple Crown threat Miguel Cabrera finally has some protection to keep pitchers honest with the always solid Victor Martinez batting directly behind him. Justin Verlander may be the Cy Young leader in the American League right now.

Bottom 10
26.) San Diego Padres [NR] (29-38)- The Pads have scored an MLB worst 224 runs this season.
27.) Kansas City Royals [27] (29-37)- No team in baseball has less road wins (8) than the Royals.
28.) Oakland Athletics [26] (28-39)- My pre-season pick to win the AL West is a distant 4th in the division.
29.) Chicago Cubs [30] (26-39)- Still a mess. How can you go 13-19 at one of the game's best stadiums, Wrigley Field?
30.) Houston Astros [29] (25-42)- Manager Brad Mills is clueless. Closer Mark Melancon has been replaced by one of the worst pitchers in baseball Brandon Lyon.
by Andrew Adamson