Post by Brian R (Rangers) on Jul 1, 2011 20:46:24 GMT -5
(Pre Season ranking in parenthesis)
1. (5) Brewers 10-2 they are up at the top of the NL for a reason; the trio of McCann, Fielder, and Braun have been the bash brothers while the pitching staff led by Norris and Gallardo has gotten deep in games. Then to close it out, the manager has 3 closer options to go to. Not a team that anyone wants to face
2. (7) Yanks 8-4 they have essentially the whole Yankees lineup plus big Papi, and the whole Yankees staff + Bumgartner (awesome this year) and Cain from the Giants defending world champ staff - how did they lose 4 weeks?
3. (4) Rays 10-2 other than a little stronger hitting from behind the plate and a few holds, this team has no holes and is in a good position to battle it out for the top spot in the very strong AL East
4. (22) Tigers 9-3 this team has Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera on it - need I say more? They also have breakout candidate of the year in catcher Alex Avila. Even in the weeks they haven't been flashy, they are getting it done and look to be in the drivers seat of the AL Central
5. (1) Twins 7-5-0 the mighty Twins have underperformed since Buster Posey and founder Mike Dellano's departures; how they have 5 losses is hard to explain when one looks at their lineup and pitching staff. Other than a closer, this team has a top of the line ML starter at every position and should make a run at the playoffs
6. (8) Rockies 10-2 having two 2010 triple crown race candidates is good, right? Not to mention, the rest of their lineup consists of guys putting together solid seasons. The starting pitching is a little weak, but if the starters can eat up enough innings to get the ball into the hands of Rivera or Street, the game's as good as over
7. (14) Jays 10-2 it's hard to imagine that Carlos Santana and Chase Utley are two of the only things holding this team back; pitching staff is a little weaker than some of the other top teams and one has to think they'll be looking to add some depth down the stretch if they want to continue to be tied for the lead in a tough division
8. (19) Angels 8-4 another solid squad - some aging hitting that is hitting for average more than power but there's nothing wrong with that. 2 closers to go with Haren and a few other good front end starters - can't sleep on the A's but in a really good position headed into the second half
9. (23) Cards 9-3 not surprisingly, this lineup looks very mediocre without The Machine. They have good pitching depth if a few guys could start to stand out over the second half, and their middle relief looks to be the best in the league although they do not have a guy to lock it down in the 9th
10. (6) Braves 7-5 this team is scary on paper - Heyward has been in a half season long slump, but if he comes out of it, this team would have the power to really be able to compete. The pitching staff has some elite options at the top and some good middle relief to get to Bailey. In a crowded NL East, they look the strongest
11. (11) A's 7-5 this team is making a run at this year in the recent acquisition of Stanton; if he can get some smaller contributions from a few other guys, Beltre and Stanton could help this team give the Angels a battle for supremacy in the AL West; the bullpen is one of the stronger in the league but the starting pitching has had trouble getting to them
12. (15) Mets 8-4 not a lot of power, but adequate hitting with good speed and a very deep pitching staff with a lot of good options to go to. Might be a hitter away from competing late in the post season, but to have the top spot in the NL East at midseason is a good place to be
13. (2) Phils 7-5 this team has some serious pop - very strong lineup with Upton and Holliday to go with the Phillies main stars. And has anyone looked at Shields' numbers on the year? I knew Verlander was having an amazing statistical year, but Shields numbers are identical and I had not heard a peep about him really? They could use another starter and Madson going down hurts them, but they'll be in the hunt down the stretch
14. (13) Dodgers 7-5 the middle of their lineup gives opposing pitchers nightmares with Ethier Konerko and Kemp - but they are an injury or two away from being completely decimated as the team is not very deep. The pitching staff is much the same with Kershaw and Billingsley followed by few other good options. If they can stay healthy, they may continue to win games and compete all through the season with just those 5 guys - their next few weeks will probably determine if they are buyers or sellers during the 2nd half
15. (21) White Sox 6-6 hitting is not their problem; while Berkman has cooled off a bit, Asdrubal Cabrera is putting together an amazing all around season - it's too bad you don't get fantasy points for great defense. The starters are solid with Scott Baker leading the way, but the bullpen could use another arm or two if they want to sneak into the playoffs this year
16. (10) Reds 6-6 the defending NL Central champs have the deepest pitching staff in the league and can go any direction they want on a given week - the ability to strategize will come in handy late in the season. Their hitting could use a serious B12 injection if they want to compete, but with a move or two this team could hang around and try to get into the wild card race.
17. (12) Marlins 6-6 their record is fitting because it's hard to know what direction this team is going to go in - the hitting looks pretty strong with a few young elite options and good depth. The pitching looks a little week but it is fairly deep and they have two closer options. They're in the right division as no one is running away with it so far, so they have to think they're still in it.
18. (28) Nats 7-5 they have seven wins so far, but the second half is not looking all that promising at this point; their hitting is very young and not very deep or strong, and their pitching staff is mainly in the medical ward right now. If they can get healthy and scrape a few wins together in the next few weeks, they could potentially be in the hunt but the team looks weaker than many of their rivals
19. (9) Orioles 5-7 this team might have an uphill battle ahead of them in the second half, but they are in a very strong position headed into next year. Their pitching depth compares with almost any team in the league, but their best hitters are guys that haven't yet hit the big leagues which doesn't bode well for this season
20. (3) Cubs 5-7 with Aramis Ramirez finally hitting, maybe he's just helping out his owner by upping his trade value headed towards the deadline. Halladay has been stellar but it hasn't been enough as the hitting has not been strong enough and the rest of the pen has been less than stellar. Zambrano to the DL might be as good a sign as any that it's another "maybe next year" for Cubs fans
21. (17) Padres 4-8 some of the hitters have outperformed this year and they are fairly deep - but they haven't had quite enough pop and Carl Crawford has not nearly lived up to his monster salary which doesn't give a team many options. The pitching staff behind Lester is a little weak with no closing option, which means the hitting would have needed to carry quite a bit more of the load.
22. (18) Rangers 4-8 Captain Joe Mauer has been nowhere to be seen, and neither has this team's hitting. The pitching is strong but has not been able to do it all. Might be a team looking to get younger during the second half
23. (16) Giants 4-8 no team has fallen harder and farther than the defending World Champs - they went with a youth and pitching combination that hasn't seemed to work out this year. Their hitting is less than adequate and I would look at them as sellers during the 2nd half
24. (20) Indians 4-8 an example of why you need both hitting and pitching to win games (weeks); their hitting is very deep and very strong while their pitching is almost non-existent.
25. (24) Royals 3-9-0 when management can't make up their mind between going young and going for it this year, you end up with a team like this - one that has some all stars surrounded by a lot mediocre and minor league talent
26. (25) Astros 3-9 this team has won two straight but their best times are clearly ahead of them. The Stanton trade gave them some nice added depth for next year, and they will probably look to do a little more trading in the second half if they want to compete in 2012.
27. (26) Pirates 2-10 their new GM is 1-1 since taking over; that's way better than it was looking before that so you have to be excited for their future. Adam Dunn has been one of the busts of the year, which doesn't help given his salary. The hitting has been adequate this far, but the starting pitching hasn't been deep enough behind Daniel Hudson and they have no closer. A few recent moves have already started putting them in a better position for 2012, and this team definitely has some potential to compete next year
28. (27) Red Sox 2-10 the owners must have had a crystal ball and seen what the AL East was going to look like this year - they cleaned house and have built a 2012-20?? powerhouse with the minor league superstars on the roster.
29. (29) Mariners 1-11 like the Red Sox, they have built a futures powerhouse team; and it has been even more impressive because they didn't have a ton of superstars with which to barter with to get them. Mark it down, Red Sox vs. Mariners in 2012 or 2013 ALCS
30. (30) Dbacks 1-11 the Diamondbacks will definitely be playing for a World Series in one of the next couple years vs. the Red Sox or Mariners. Only a matter of whose MiLB superstars are going to bloom first and finest as to who takes home the eventual trophy.
1. (5) Brewers 10-2 they are up at the top of the NL for a reason; the trio of McCann, Fielder, and Braun have been the bash brothers while the pitching staff led by Norris and Gallardo has gotten deep in games. Then to close it out, the manager has 3 closer options to go to. Not a team that anyone wants to face
2. (7) Yanks 8-4 they have essentially the whole Yankees lineup plus big Papi, and the whole Yankees staff + Bumgartner (awesome this year) and Cain from the Giants defending world champ staff - how did they lose 4 weeks?
3. (4) Rays 10-2 other than a little stronger hitting from behind the plate and a few holds, this team has no holes and is in a good position to battle it out for the top spot in the very strong AL East
4. (22) Tigers 9-3 this team has Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera on it - need I say more? They also have breakout candidate of the year in catcher Alex Avila. Even in the weeks they haven't been flashy, they are getting it done and look to be in the drivers seat of the AL Central
5. (1) Twins 7-5-0 the mighty Twins have underperformed since Buster Posey and founder Mike Dellano's departures; how they have 5 losses is hard to explain when one looks at their lineup and pitching staff. Other than a closer, this team has a top of the line ML starter at every position and should make a run at the playoffs
6. (8) Rockies 10-2 having two 2010 triple crown race candidates is good, right? Not to mention, the rest of their lineup consists of guys putting together solid seasons. The starting pitching is a little weak, but if the starters can eat up enough innings to get the ball into the hands of Rivera or Street, the game's as good as over
7. (14) Jays 10-2 it's hard to imagine that Carlos Santana and Chase Utley are two of the only things holding this team back; pitching staff is a little weaker than some of the other top teams and one has to think they'll be looking to add some depth down the stretch if they want to continue to be tied for the lead in a tough division
8. (19) Angels 8-4 another solid squad - some aging hitting that is hitting for average more than power but there's nothing wrong with that. 2 closers to go with Haren and a few other good front end starters - can't sleep on the A's but in a really good position headed into the second half
9. (23) Cards 9-3 not surprisingly, this lineup looks very mediocre without The Machine. They have good pitching depth if a few guys could start to stand out over the second half, and their middle relief looks to be the best in the league although they do not have a guy to lock it down in the 9th
10. (6) Braves 7-5 this team is scary on paper - Heyward has been in a half season long slump, but if he comes out of it, this team would have the power to really be able to compete. The pitching staff has some elite options at the top and some good middle relief to get to Bailey. In a crowded NL East, they look the strongest
11. (11) A's 7-5 this team is making a run at this year in the recent acquisition of Stanton; if he can get some smaller contributions from a few other guys, Beltre and Stanton could help this team give the Angels a battle for supremacy in the AL West; the bullpen is one of the stronger in the league but the starting pitching has had trouble getting to them
12. (15) Mets 8-4 not a lot of power, but adequate hitting with good speed and a very deep pitching staff with a lot of good options to go to. Might be a hitter away from competing late in the post season, but to have the top spot in the NL East at midseason is a good place to be
13. (2) Phils 7-5 this team has some serious pop - very strong lineup with Upton and Holliday to go with the Phillies main stars. And has anyone looked at Shields' numbers on the year? I knew Verlander was having an amazing statistical year, but Shields numbers are identical and I had not heard a peep about him really? They could use another starter and Madson going down hurts them, but they'll be in the hunt down the stretch
14. (13) Dodgers 7-5 the middle of their lineup gives opposing pitchers nightmares with Ethier Konerko and Kemp - but they are an injury or two away from being completely decimated as the team is not very deep. The pitching staff is much the same with Kershaw and Billingsley followed by few other good options. If they can stay healthy, they may continue to win games and compete all through the season with just those 5 guys - their next few weeks will probably determine if they are buyers or sellers during the 2nd half
15. (21) White Sox 6-6 hitting is not their problem; while Berkman has cooled off a bit, Asdrubal Cabrera is putting together an amazing all around season - it's too bad you don't get fantasy points for great defense. The starters are solid with Scott Baker leading the way, but the bullpen could use another arm or two if they want to sneak into the playoffs this year
16. (10) Reds 6-6 the defending NL Central champs have the deepest pitching staff in the league and can go any direction they want on a given week - the ability to strategize will come in handy late in the season. Their hitting could use a serious B12 injection if they want to compete, but with a move or two this team could hang around and try to get into the wild card race.
17. (12) Marlins 6-6 their record is fitting because it's hard to know what direction this team is going to go in - the hitting looks pretty strong with a few young elite options and good depth. The pitching looks a little week but it is fairly deep and they have two closer options. They're in the right division as no one is running away with it so far, so they have to think they're still in it.
18. (28) Nats 7-5 they have seven wins so far, but the second half is not looking all that promising at this point; their hitting is very young and not very deep or strong, and their pitching staff is mainly in the medical ward right now. If they can get healthy and scrape a few wins together in the next few weeks, they could potentially be in the hunt but the team looks weaker than many of their rivals
19. (9) Orioles 5-7 this team might have an uphill battle ahead of them in the second half, but they are in a very strong position headed into next year. Their pitching depth compares with almost any team in the league, but their best hitters are guys that haven't yet hit the big leagues which doesn't bode well for this season
20. (3) Cubs 5-7 with Aramis Ramirez finally hitting, maybe he's just helping out his owner by upping his trade value headed towards the deadline. Halladay has been stellar but it hasn't been enough as the hitting has not been strong enough and the rest of the pen has been less than stellar. Zambrano to the DL might be as good a sign as any that it's another "maybe next year" for Cubs fans
21. (17) Padres 4-8 some of the hitters have outperformed this year and they are fairly deep - but they haven't had quite enough pop and Carl Crawford has not nearly lived up to his monster salary which doesn't give a team many options. The pitching staff behind Lester is a little weak with no closing option, which means the hitting would have needed to carry quite a bit more of the load.
22. (18) Rangers 4-8 Captain Joe Mauer has been nowhere to be seen, and neither has this team's hitting. The pitching is strong but has not been able to do it all. Might be a team looking to get younger during the second half
23. (16) Giants 4-8 no team has fallen harder and farther than the defending World Champs - they went with a youth and pitching combination that hasn't seemed to work out this year. Their hitting is less than adequate and I would look at them as sellers during the 2nd half
24. (20) Indians 4-8 an example of why you need both hitting and pitching to win games (weeks); their hitting is very deep and very strong while their pitching is almost non-existent.
25. (24) Royals 3-9-0 when management can't make up their mind between going young and going for it this year, you end up with a team like this - one that has some all stars surrounded by a lot mediocre and minor league talent
26. (25) Astros 3-9 this team has won two straight but their best times are clearly ahead of them. The Stanton trade gave them some nice added depth for next year, and they will probably look to do a little more trading in the second half if they want to compete in 2012.
27. (26) Pirates 2-10 their new GM is 1-1 since taking over; that's way better than it was looking before that so you have to be excited for their future. Adam Dunn has been one of the busts of the year, which doesn't help given his salary. The hitting has been adequate this far, but the starting pitching hasn't been deep enough behind Daniel Hudson and they have no closer. A few recent moves have already started putting them in a better position for 2012, and this team definitely has some potential to compete next year
28. (27) Red Sox 2-10 the owners must have had a crystal ball and seen what the AL East was going to look like this year - they cleaned house and have built a 2012-20?? powerhouse with the minor league superstars on the roster.
29. (29) Mariners 1-11 like the Red Sox, they have built a futures powerhouse team; and it has been even more impressive because they didn't have a ton of superstars with which to barter with to get them. Mark it down, Red Sox vs. Mariners in 2012 or 2013 ALCS
30. (30) Dbacks 1-11 the Diamondbacks will definitely be playing for a World Series in one of the next couple years vs. the Red Sox or Mariners. Only a matter of whose MiLB superstars are going to bloom first and finest as to who takes home the eventual trophy.
