Wow, things are getting wild. The Rays and Yanks are now tied for first in the AL East, and the Red Sox are not going away. The Padres have a commanding 6-game lead. The Braves have lost four straight, but the Phils could not capitalize. The Reds are hot and the Cards are not. The Twins and Rangers have not been hurt by recent mediocre play. So there you have it, and here you have your power rankings….
1. New York Yankees (78-50)—It was only a matter of time before the Rays caught up, but until Tampa goes ahead in the standings, the Bombers are still the team to beat.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (78-50)—Joe Maddon’s team sure doesn’t mess around, do they?
3. San Diego Padres (76-51)—If you keep waiting for the Padres to come back down to earth, you’re going to be waiting until possibly November.
4. Minnesota Twins (74-55)—Watch out for this team in the postseason. All of a sudden, with Brian Fuentes and Matt Capps, they have a pretty sick bullpen. Joe Nathan who?
5. Texas Rangers (73-55)—Josh Hamilton has an excellent shot at the triple crown, and this lineup has to send shivers through the collective spine of the Yankees’ pitching staff.
6. Cincinnati Red (74-54)—Speaking of triple crown, how about Joey Freaking Votto?
7. Atlanta Braves (73-55)—They can’t sustain losing streaks at this point in the season, but are still hanging tough.
8. Boston Red Sox (74-55)—In what other division can you be 19 games over .500 and in THIRD place?
9. Philadelphia Phillies (71-57)—They had their chance to close the gap this past week, and blew it.
10. San Francisco Giants (71-58)—Lots of talent, but can they put it all together? P.S. What is wrong with Tim Lincecum?
