1. Tampa Bay Rays (2) (14-5)- This is the first time this season the hated Yankees have been knocked from the top spot. The young Tampa Bay Rays sport the best record in the majors. Ten pitchers on this staff have an ERA below 4.00 and they are now first in the MLB in runs scored and stolen bases. They are first in the MLB in batting average allowed and second in the league with a 3.38 team ERA. David Price also threw a complete game shutout on Sunday. This team is playing scary good right now.

2.New York Yankees (1) (12-6)- The Yanks move down one spot in the rankings after a week where they dropped a 3 game set to the Angels and won a 3 game set from the light-hitting Athletics. Javier Vazquez is not making a smooth transition from the NL to the AL, as he struggled mightily on Sunday. On the other hand, Andy Pettite is pitching like he is 10 years younger with a 1.29 ERA and Robinson Cano is sporting a 1.092 OPS.

3. Minnesota Twins (3) (13-6)- The Twins stay in the same spot this week after winning both of their series with the Indians and Royals. Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, and Michael Cuddyer are like murders row right now for opposing pitchers. Liriano, Slowey, and Pavano are anchoring the staff right now and Scott Baker will improve as the season goes on. Jon Rauch blew his first save of the year on Saturday but the team rebounded to get the win.

4. St. Louis Cardinals (5) (11-7)- This team is coming along nicely. Predictably, Albert Pujols leads this team in just about every offensive category imaginable. If you need any evidence of the difference in competition level between the AL and NL, look no further than Brad Penny. Penny has a 0.94 ERA through 3 starts and is absolutely dominating after being cut from the Red Sox almost a year and a half ago.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (4) (11-7)- The Phillies took the series over the Braves early in the week and then dropped a series on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Against Arizona, the Phils faced possibly the three worst pitchers you will see on the same team. Ian Kennedy, Rodrigo Lopez and Kris Benson are all bottom of the barrel retreads. Injuries are taking a toll on this team right now, as they continue to slide down the rankings. Roy Halladay has a 0.82 ERA and Jayson Werth is really hitting the ball well with a .333 average. Joe Blanton will be back soon along with other reinforcements.

(more…)

Tags: Angels, Astros, Athletics, blue jays, Braves, brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, indians, Mariners, marlins, Mets, Nationals, orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees