MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers Surge
The Call to the Pen staff assembled their power rankings and brought them together for another addition of our weekly rankings. Each writer ranked every team from 1st to 30th, with the 1st place vote being worth three points and the last place team earning 0.1 points. The numbers were crunched, and below are your official Call to the Pen power rankings.
1. Texas Rangers– Another week, another “surprise”. The Texas Rangers remain the staff’s unanimous pick at the top. You know what was the surprise? Josh Hamilton almost breaking the record for most total bases in a game with four homers and a double in that 5-5 outing (Shawn Green holds the record with 19), and the fact that Elvis Andrus scored on every homer.
“Josh Hamilton is riduculous. Hopefully he can stay healthy; it could be a special season.” – Blaine Blontz
2. Los Angeles Dodgers– The surge continuous, as the Dodgers jumped into second place after being ranked eighth last week. You know whose been playing well and is bouncing back from a down year in 2011? Chad Billingsley. The problem is the bunting. Oh man, I can’t stand the bunting and neither can Kyle.
“Just imagine how good they would be if their manager stopped ordering a bunt every other at bat.” – Kyle Davis
“The Dodgers aren’t going away.” – Blaine
3. Detroit Tigers– Mr. I signed Prince Fielder with the intent of bringing home a title to Detroit. They are nestled in the third spot in our power rankings, so the move is paying dividends.
4. Washington Nationals– They say it’s easy to fall in love with Bryce Harper, but I’m not even close to that level. But I will admit that this guy is beyond special, even if Wilson Ramos is my favorite player on the team. The Nats signed Mike Gonzalez to a minor league deal, so the wait is finally over for the left-handed specialist.
“Just admit it, you think Bryce Harper is awesome. The stirrups, the arm, the stealing of home. There’s still plenty of room left on the bandwagon.” – Kyle
5. Tampa Bay Rays– Just so you know, I had them in second. The thing is, I never liked the Rays even though I lived in Tampa when they made it to the World Series. Now, I have even more respect for this team. By the way, I can’t wait to see Godzilla tear up the catwalk at the Trop.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
7. New York Yankees– Three straight teams from the AL Beast, and none of them play in the state of Massachusetts. The Yankees are safely in the lucky slot for the second straight week.
8. St. Louis Cardinals– Lance’s knights took a slight tumble in the power rankings, but they’ll rise as quick as one of David Freese‘s signature hot streaks.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
10. Baltimore Orioles– Yup, that’s four AL East teams in the top ten.
“They have a chance to show their true colors this week. It seems they’ve already started to do so against the Rangers, but we’ll see if they can salvage the series and play the Rays tough.” – Blaine
11. Atlanta Braves
12. New York Mets– Moved up one spot in the PWs from last week, even though their bullpen is thin. But, after all, it usually is.
13. Milwaukee Brewers– Always in the middle of the pack, the Brewers are reeling from injuries to quality infielders 1B Mat Gamel and SS Alex Gonzalez. To add some extra depth at short, the Brew Crew picked up former Houston Astros starter Tommy Manzella.
14. San Francisco Giants
“Injuries and suspensions are starting to really thin out an already top-heavy roster. It’s not time to panic yet, but there’s reason for concern.” – Kyle
“What is wrong with Tim Lincecum?” – Blaine
15. Philadelphia Phillies– Two teams that have been in the World Series in the past few years and have great pitching but no hitting are back-to-back in the rankings.
“It’s amazing how fast things have turned around in Philadelphia. The hitters just don’t seem to have a clue at the plate.” – Blaine
16. Miami Marlins– They are up a few spots in the rankings and hoping for more in the month of May.
17. Colorado Rockies
18. Cincinnati Reds– Mat Latos owned the Pirates with 11 K’s. What problem? Latos’s slider made a dramatic disappearance, but he’s getting back on track and will likely end up with a 3.40 ERA at the end of the year.
19. Los Angeles Angels
“They’ve been playing better of late. We should see the real Angels in the coming months.” – Blaine
20. Cleveland Indians
21. Chicago White Sox
22. Seattle Mariners
23. Pittsburgh Pirates– Andrew McCutchen homered for the second straight game.
24. Boston Red Sox– Will Middlebrooks is the most-searched player on the team, and it isn’t even close.
“After a surge, they’re 2-8 over their last 10 games.” – Blaine
25. Oakland Athletics
26. Kansas City Royals
“So much talent, just not enough on the field production.” – Blaine
27. Minnesota Twins– Francisco Liriano has been demoted to the ‘pen, while Danny Valencia, who is on the trading block, has been demoted to AAA.
“I can no longer justify not putting them in the bottom spot.” – Blaine
28. San Diego Padres
29. Houston Astros
30. Chicago Cubs– Don’t worry, the Houston Astros are probably worse.
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