DEEP BLUE C: Closer Fernando Rodney has locked down 9th innings to help lead the A.L.'s most dominant pitching staff. Photo courtesy Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Happy June, everyone. We’re about 60 games into the season and interleague baseball is here! But, more importantly, another two weeks have gone by which means it’s time to update the power rankings.
June 11th finds us with three teams ten games over .500 or more, an important benchmark. So, naturally, the Dodgers, Rays, and Nationals are the top three teams with Texas a very close fourth.
In terms of notable risers, the Pirates and White Sox are white hot, but it’s the Atlanta Braves, now relatively healthy again, that have been the most impressive. If they continue to win at the clip they have in their last ten, the division-leading Nationals will have some close company soon enough.
The Angels have also continued to turn it around while another talented team, the Tigers, continue to slide. And they’re not the only ones, either. Boston and Philadelphia, two perennial playoff contenders, are quickly playing their way out of October.
But those are just the highlights. Here are the COMPLETE updated rankings…
MLB POWER RANKINGS – JUNE 11TH
1. Los Angeles Dodgers | 39-22 (21-9 Home, 18-13 Road) [Change From Last Ranking: ± 0]
Most wins, fewest losses. Seems like #1 material to me. Chavez Ravine continues to be very friendly.
2. Tampa Bay Rays | 35-25 (19-11 Home, 16-14 Road) [+ 3]
Third-best record and toughest opponent win percentage so far. Best team ERA in the AL.
3. Washington Nationals | 35-23 (18-10 Home, 17-13 Road) [± 0]
Sweeping Boston in Fenway was impressive. Getting swept by the Marlins was not. Morse is back, too.
4. Texas Rangers | 35-26 (15-11 Home, 20-15 Road) [- 2]
Have stumbled a bit, but still very talented. An increase in home games going forward should help.
5. New York Yankees | 34-25 (19-12 Home, 15-13 Road) [+ 2]
When a team this talented catches fire, their opponents dread playing them. 8-2 in their last ten.
6. Baltimore Orioles | 34-26 (16-14 Home, 18-12 Road) [- 2]
They’ve allowed the perennial contenders to catch up, but continue to win especially in extra frames.
7. Atlanta Braves | 34-26 (14-12 Home, 20-14 Road) [+ 3]
Have rebounded nicely from a midseason hiccup. 5th-toughest opponent win percentage so far.
8. Cincinnati Reds | 32-27 (17-13 Home, 15-14 Road) [- 2]
They were #6 last week but have gone just .500 since. The small confines of home are missed away.
9. New York Mets | 32-29 (19-12 Home, 13-17 Road) [- 1]
They’ve let the Braves and Nationals start to pull away. The defense has been atrocious at times.
10. San Francisco Giants | 34-27 (19-13 Home, 15-14 Road) [+ 2]
They can just barely smell the Dodgers. Had won 7 of 9 before yesterday’s loss to Texas.
11. St. Louis Cardinals | 31-30 (14-13 Home, 17-17 Road) [ – 2]
According to sabermetrics, this team should be 12 games over .500. I assure you they are better.
12. Chicago White Sox | 33-27 (16-18 Home, 17-9 Road) [+ 3]
They aren’t going away, folks. In fact, the numbers seem to indicate they might just be for real.
13. Cleveland Indians | 32-27 (16-16 Home, 16-11 Road) [- 2]
They’re staying afloat near the top of the division, but expect Detroit to muddy the waters soon.
14. Los Angeles Angels | 32-29 (16-14 Home, 16-15 Road) [+ 4]
In the top half of the rankings for the first time in forever. The talent is starting to live up to the hype.
15. Pittsburgh Pirates | 32-27 (19-11 Home, 13-16 Road) [+ 6]
They’ve been white hot recently, but the numbers say they should have a sub-.500 record.
16. Toronto Blue Jays | 31-29 (16-12 Home, 15-17 Road) [+ 1]
Might be leading the A.L. East if they could play in Canada all the time. Morrow is supremely underrated.
17. Miami Marlins | 31-29 (16-16 Home, 15-13 Road) [- 4]
They may be hot and cold all season. Unfortunately that won’t cut it for a playoff berth.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks | 30-30 (15-16 Home, 15-14 Road) [+ 1]
Back to .500 after a devastating slump. Every day it seems a different player is stepping up.
19. Detroit Tigers | 28-32 (13-16 Home, 14-16 Road) [- 5]
There’s too much talent for them to be four under .500. And yet, they are. Deservedly so, too.
20. Philadelphia Phillies | 29-33 (12-19 Home, 17-14 Road) [- 4]
They are bruised and broken and not handling it well. It’s quickly becoming time to panic in Philly.
21. Boston Red Sox | 29-31 (14-19 Home, 15-12 Road) [- 1]
It’s becoming abundantly clear that this is not an October baseball team. Still in the A.L. East cellar.
22. Milwaukee Brewers | 28-32 (16-17 Home, 12-15 Road) [+ 3]
Could it be they’ve finally figured out how to win? Are they too far gone? This could get interesting.
23. Seattle Mariners | 27-35 (10-15 Home, 17-20 Road) [± 0]
A tough schedule has held them back. Michael Saunders is the next Seattle Cinderella story.
24. Kansas City | 24-34 (8-20 Home, 16-14) [+ 2]
It seems like they invent new ways to lose at home, and they’ll have to play there more now.
25. Oakland Athletics | 26-35 (13-16 Home, 13-19 Road) [- 3]
They were doing reasonably well before getting swept by Arizona. They have not liked interleague.
26. Houston Astros | 26-34 (18-14 Home, 8-20 Road) [- 2]
They have been absolutely miserable outside of Texas. They need four more Wandy Rodriguez’s.
27. Colorado Rockies | 24-35 (15-18 Home, 9-17 Road) [± 0]
Carlos Gonzalez has been sensational. Their pitching has not been and they sorely miss Ubaldo.
28. Minnesota Twins | 24-35 (11-18 Home, 13-17 Road) [± 0]
Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and now Ben Revere. All this hitting and some horrible pitching.
29. Chicago Cubs | 20-40 (12-15 Home, 8-25 Road) [+ 1]
There’s been some good moments this season. Not many. Okay virtually none. But some.
30. San Diego Padres | 20-41 (14-20 Home, 6-21 Road) [- 1]
Remember when this team had talented players? It feels like forever ago.
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NOTE: This story was originally published on SportsHead. To read this article and others, click here.
When Bryan isn’t writing, he is on Twitter! Follow him @bclienesch!
