June 20, 2011
URBAN ARCHIVE
LAST WEEK'S RANKINGS
Editor's note: Mychael Urban's MLB power rankings -- detailing who's hot, who's not, a little why, a little how, and what it all means.
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1 (2)
Philadelphia Phillies (45-28) If they had a legit outfield, theyd win NL East by 20 games.2 (1)
Boston Red Sox (43-28) Adrian Gonzalez making mockery of supposed league-change challenge.3 (6)
New York Yankees (41-29) No complaints in Big Apple about CC Sabathias contract. No easy feat.4 (13)
Cincinnati Reds (38-35) Very little margin for error here. They rake or they probably lose.5 (12)
Tampa Bay Rays (39-33) James Shields very quietly putting up All-Star, Cy Young numbers.6 (5)
San Francisco Giants (39-33) Sweep at hands of As suggests this ranking plummets next week.7 (3)
Milwaukee Brewers (40-33) Similar to Reds in that middle of lineup carries too much of load.8 (7)
St. Louis Cardinals (40-33) Life as St. Louis non-starter: Be ready. Good chance you see time today.9 (10)
Cleveland Indians (39-31) Just when you think theyre frauds, they get back to crisp, team ball.10 (9)
Texas Rangers (38-35) Dog days come early in Arlington. Key to season: Will pitchers wilt?11 (4)
Atlanta Braves (40-33) Rookie 1B Freddy Freeman is what Giants need Brandon Belt to be.12 (8)
Arizona Diamondbacks (39-34) Only a half-game back in NL West, but bullpen just doesnt feel right.
13 (11)
Detroit Tigers (39-33) Justin Verlander used to be about promise, big arm. Now hes about smarts, too.14 (16)
Seattle Mariners (37-35) Franklin Gutierrez could really help out if he ever remembers how to hit.15 (20)
Pittsburgh Pirates (35-36) Still hovering near .500 in race for first winning season since Paleolithic Era.16 (21)
Toronto Blue Jays (36-36) Adam Lind is baseballs version of Warriors Dorrell Wright. Subtle but effective.17 (15)
Colorado Rockies (35-36) Cant afford to have Big Two (CarGo, Tulo) slump. Ever. Not even for a week.18 (18)
New York Mets (35-37) Recent influx of cash might prompt decision to keep, build around Jose Reyes.19 (23)
Washington Nationals (35-37) Smart: moving phenom Bryce Harper to OF. Dumb: insisting he stay in minors.20 (17)
Chicago White Sox (35-38)If you havent heard of Phil Humber, do some research. Intriguing talent.21 (14)
Los Angeles Dodgers (32-41) If they had cash to fortify ho-hum bullpen theyve make noise in NL West.22 (22)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (35-38) Hard to watch Torii Hunter play without the childlike joy thats defined his career.23 (28)
Oakland A's (33-40) Players raving about new skipper Bob Melvin. Everyone else raving about Jemile Weeks.24 (25)
Minnesota Twins (31-39) Hottest team in the game through Sunday but still eight games under .500.25 (24)
Baltimore Orioles (32-37) Derrek Lees rock-solid career winding down in witness protection program.26 (29)
Chicago Cubs (29-42) Carlos Penas agent deserves at least half of what struggling slugger isnt earning.27 (26)
Kansas City Royals (31-41) Matter of time before robust farm system starts spitting out scores of studs.28 (27)
San Diego Padres (30-43) It must have seemed like a really good idea at the time, right Orlando Hudson?29 (30)
Houston Astros (27-46) Might want to bring back Ryan-era softball uniforms to distract disgusted fans.30 (19)
Florida Marlins (32-40) Ten-game losing streak too much for manager Edwin Rodriguez to stomach.
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