The New York Yankees come into the week ranked number one in the power rankings after solidifying thier recent dominance this weekend againt the rival Boston Red Sox by taking two out of three games at Fenway Park.
The Bronx Bombers have the best record in Major League Baseball and went 7-3 on their latest road trip, which included a trip to the West Coast.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have the second best record in baseball and, therefore, recieve the second best spot in the power rankings.
The red hot Philadelphia Phillies slot into the third spot in the rankings with the St. Louis Cardinals a close fourth.
The struggling Los Angeles Dodgers round out the top five.
Here is how the entire top 10 rounds out:
1. New York Yankees (78-46): The Yankees paid CC Sabathia the big bucks to beat the other team's ace and beat the Boston Red Sox. He did both in his last start Sunday against Josh Beckett and the Sox. The Yankees hold a 7 1/2 game lead in the American League East and have clearly been the Major's best team since the All-Star Break.
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (74-48): Despite dropping two of three in Toronto, The Angels had another good week and have been playing great baseball in the second half of the season. The have the Majors second best record and deserve their number two ranking.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (71-50): Through five starts with his new team, Cliff Lee's 5-0 record and 0.68 ERA ranks him in the top five all time for pitchers in their first five starts with a team. He and Cole Hamels should make a dangerous one-two-punch in a short postseason series.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (72-54): John Smoltz' strong debut was a good sign for the Red Birds already potent pitching staff. The Cards have three pitchers with 10-plus wins in their starting rotation and a good closer in Ryan Franklin. Oh, and it doesn't hurt to have Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday in the middle of a lineup.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (74-51): The Dodgers recent struggles have brought the club back down to earth and to the rest of the top teams in the National League. The team is very talented but seems to have more question marks at this point of the season than the aforementioned Phillies and Cardinals.
6. Boston Red Sox (70-53): The Red Sox just missed cracking the top five after a week which saw the squad go 4-2. The Sox offense looked much better this week, but the pitching did not look good, especially Josh Beckett. He lost both of his starts this week and looked less than average.
7. Colorado Rockies (70-54): The Rockies have opened a three game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League Wild Card race. They have a very dangerous one-two-punch in Jason Marquis and Ubaldo Jimenez, and a lineup to back it up. Don't be surprised if the Rockies overtake the Dodgers in the Nationnal League West.
8. Texas Rangers (69-54): The Rangers took a step back this weekend by losing a series to the Tampa Bay Rays. The pitching has been a pleasent surprise, but can the young arms hold up? A three game set against the potent Yankee offense this week will be a big test for the young hurlers.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (67-56): The Rays have hung around all season, but still haven't made a strong push at the American League Wild Card. The team is loaded with talent in the rotation and in the lineup, and that push may be about to come.
10. San Francisco Giants (67-57): The Giants need the final game of a four game set against the Rockies badly; if they lose, they will fall to four games back in the National League Wild Card. Tim Lincecum is winless in his last four starts, and, although he needs to turn things around, the offense should shoulder some of the blame.
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