MLB Power Rankings – 5/12
Written May 12, 2009 by Jack Jones
The LA Dodgers are going to miss Manny Ramirez. That was clear as soon as he was handed his 50-game suspension for using a female fertility drug as the very next day the Dodgers lost their first home game to the Washington Nationals, after starting the year off at 13-0 at home. Following that loss came losing the series to the San Francisco Giants, so if they don’t get their act together shortly, a change will be taking place at the top of our power rankings. Looking for a place to bet on baseball this summer? Superbook is offereing a 50% signup bonus, plus dime lines during the MLB season!
1. LA Dodgers, 22-11 Overall, 19-14 Run Line – The Dodgers have jumped out as the team to beat in the National League this season. It didn’t seem like anyone was going to contend with the Dodgers as this lineup suddenly seemed loaded with guys like Furcal and Hudson getting on base at the top of the order then Ramirez, Kemp, and Ethier there to drive them in. Now without Ramirez it seems like there is a giant hole left in the middle. Their pitching needs to hold up so they can get the ball to Broxton with a lead in the 9th, who has been untouchable.
2. Toronto Blue Jays – 22-12, 16-18 – Who would have thought the Blue Jays would have been the team to beat in the AL East at this point? This team is winning some close games, and we’ll find out if the team can hang on here shortly with a couple of series against the Yankees and the White Sox on the horizon. The funny thing is that the team has been battling injuries to their starting rotation, but Roy Halladay and Scott Richmond have picked up the slack.
3. Boston Red Sox – 20-12, 17-15 – Even though Boston is a couple of games in the win column behind the Blue Jays, you can expect this team to be there right until the final day of the regular season. If David Ortiz ever starts hitting, and Kevin Youkulis gets back in the order then this lineup is dangerous all around. Josh Beckett and Jon Lester haven’t even pitched well and Dice-K has been on the shelf, but the Red Sox are still winning a bunch of games.
4. St. Louis Cardinals – 20-12, 18-14 – The Cardinals have been a profitable team to play on the run line this year. Albert Pujols is a beast and continues to produce year after year. This sesaon he’s only hitting .330 with 12 home runs and 33 RBIs. The pitching hasn’t been too bad so far even with Chris Carpenter on the disabled list. Can this team hold off the Chicago Cubs all year long? It should be a great race to watch.
5. Kansas City Royals – 18-14, 22-10 – There is nobody even in Zach Greinke’s league right now as the right-hander has been absolutely dominant to start the season. Four complete games and two shutouts with an ERA of 0.50. They finally sent Sidney Ponson to the bullpen so there shouldn’t be a big hole in the rotation. This team has done well against left-handed starters and was a popular sleeper heading into the season.
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