MLB Power Rankings – Yankees Still No.1, Cardinals Flex Muscles

Online betting players are gearing up for a wild close to the regular season in the major leagues, and in this week’s Power Rankings, there is a lot of excitement once you get past the top team, who have been No.1 since winning the World Series last year. 

1.  New York Yankees (70-43) – The Yankees are earning tough series splits to stay atop the major leagues, and you get the feeling they’re just biding their time until September. 

2.  St. Louis Cardinals (64-49) – There’s no more discussion as to who are the alpha dogs in the National League Central after that beating in Cincinnati, is there, Brandon Phillips?

3.  Atlanta Braves (66-48) – The Braves responded to a surging Philadelphia team by playing well themselves, and they’ll welcome the Dodgers to town this weekend.

4.  San Diego Padres (66-46) – The Padres have a huge series this weekend in San Francisco as they try to hold off the Giants in the National League West.

5.  Texas Rangers (65-48) – The Rangers showed they weren’t to be taken lightly in their split with the Yankees, and their next six games come against Boston, and at Tampa Bay.

6.  Boston Red Sox (66-49) – The Red Sox simply won’t go away, and they’re getting more healthy with each game.

7.  Philadelphia Phillies (63-50) – Shane Victorino and Chase Utley should be back soon, Roy Oswalt is looking comfortable: this is still the team to beat in the National League.

8.  Tampa Bay Rays (69-45) – They’ve been no-hit twice, and were almost no-hit again last weekend in Toronto.  It’s almost weird, especially given how talented the Rays are. 

9.  Minnesota Twins (64-50) – The Twins are gearing up for their annual battle for the American League Central lead, but….

10.  Chicago White Sox (64-50) - …they play the White Sox three times next week as the two look for victory in the rubber match of their current series on Thursday.

11.  San Francisco Giants (65-50) – With just one more big bat in the lineup, I’m willing to place MLB betting odds on the Giants running away with the National League West.

12.  Toronto Blue Jays (59-54) – If the Blue Jays had the Giants’ staff, they’d even be challenging in the insane American League East.

13.  Cincinnati Reds (64-51) – To Brandon Phillips: the phrase, “don’t speak unless spoken to” comes to mind, and even if asked, just stay quiet. 

14.  Colorado Rockies (59-54) – The Rockies are quietly keeping themselves in the hunt, and Ubaldo Jimenez has some Cy Young competition in the form of St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright.

15.  Los Angeles Angels (59-57) – The battle-tested Angels won’t give up the West that easily to Texas, but it’s not looking good right now.

16.  Florida Marlins (56-56)
17.  Los Angeles Dodgers (59-55)
18.  Oakland Athletics (57-56) 
19.  New York Mets (56-57)
20.  Washington Nationals (49-65)
21.  Arizona Diamondbacks (46-69)
22.  Baltimore Orioles (40-74)
23.  Milwaukee Brewers (53-62)
24.  Detroit Tigers (55-59)
25.  Houston Astros (48-65)
26.  Seattle Mariners (44-71)
27.  Cleveland Indians (47-67)
28.  Kansas City Royals (47-67)
29.  Chicago Cubs (48-66)
30.  Pittsburgh Pirates (39-74)

Pittsburgh continues to be one of the most pitiful franchises in all of sports, but who could have foreseen the collapse in the Windy City by the Cubs?  They’re not even trying anymore, and manager Lou Piniella doesn’t deserve that.  Look for a clearout during the summer, and don’t expect much from the Cubs’ sports betting odds in 2011, either.