These rankings are based on a 300 point system, 150 for offensive production and 150 for pitching production. 30 points (1 point for each team) is the most points any team can receive in a given category. For instance, if the Rays lead the league in HR’s they will get 30 points for that category.
The 5 offensive categories used: HR’s, RBI’s, Runs, Average, and SB’s .
The 5 pitching categories used: Wins, Saves, WHIP, ERA, and K’s
1.(↔ ) New York Yankees (43-26): The Yankees again sit atop the Fantasy Power Rankings with 250 of a possible 300 points. You know your team is hot when Javier Vazquez is in the zone. Vazquez has six quality starts (QS) in his last eight starts. The Yankees major pitching off-season acquisition has come around and lowered his WHIP to just 1.29. If he continues to lower his ERA (5.01) and work his K total (62 in 70 IP) this just might turn into a beautiful relationship.
2.(↑ 1) Texas Rangers (41-28): The hottest team in baseball has won eight straight and has made it to their highest seeding yet. Neftali Feliz leads the AL in saves (19) and has truly been a fantasy superstar this year. With just a 2.87 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP Feliz may be tempting the Rangers to make him a starter, but why change a good thing? Vladimir Guerrero is batting .327 with 15 HR’s and 57 RBI; he should be known as a legend during his era!
3.(↓1) Tampa Bay Rays (42-27): While on a six-game hit streak, slugger Carlos Pena has finally gotten his average to the .200 mark. He is still one of the more powerful first baseman (15 HR’s and 46 RBI) so if he can keep his average rising, the Rays will remain in the top three. No worries with their pitching as there isn’t a man in the rotation another staff couldn’t use.
4.(↑ 1) Boston Red Sox (43-28): David Ortiz isn’t dead yet. Over Ortiz’s last ten games he has 11 RBI and three HR’s with 12 hits. Jon Lester (won his last eight decisions) has finally found his running mate in Clay Buchholz, who has taken his game to the next level this year. Buchholz has an incredible 2.47 ERA, matched by his 1.24 WHIP on the season.
5.(↑8 ) Atlanta Braves (42-28): While retirement talks (and thoughts) for Chipper Jones are inevitable, he has six RBI in his last five games. Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, Troy Glaus has been rejuvenated, and is batting .280 with 15 HR’s and 55 RBI (five more than Pujols).
6.(↑ 1) Los Angeles Angels (39-33): Tori Hunter has three HR’s and 10 RBI over his last ten to help the Angels score 114 of a possible 150 offensive points this week. Jared Weaver has been a fantasy gift this year while recording 12 QS in 15 starts and owning a 3.04 ERA. He struck out 11 against the Cubs last game while allowing no runs and just two hits.
7.(↓ 3) Cincinnati Reds (37-33): Joey Votto is quietly putting together one of the better fantasy years with a line of .314/14/43/7. Rookie pitcher Mike Leake just took his first loss and has given up 10 earned in his last two starts. It is time for Johnny Cueto to give a little more than his six QS and a 4.30 ERA.
8.(↑ 3) Minnesota Twins (40-29): Morneau has a stat line of .340/15/47, while Joe Mauer is waiting to strike with just three HR’s and 31 RBI. Carl Pavano is 8-6 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and has 10 QS in 14 starts.
9.(↑ 3) St. Louis Cardinals (38-31): St. Louis’ pitching is carrying the squad right now with 108 pitching points. Wainwright, Carpenter, and Jaime Garcia lead the way with 20 wins and 35 QS in 43 starts. Pujols is still doing his thing with 15 HR’s and 50 RBI, while Matt Holliday is picking it up with four HR’s, 8 RBI, and eight hits in his last three games.
10.(↓2) Toronto Blue Jays (38-32): Toronto leads the league in homeruns with 106, 16 more than the second place team (Boston). Leading the way is Jose Bautista (18) and Vernon Wells (16). Ricky Romero leads the pitching staff with a 3.08 ERA and 10 QS in 14 games started (GS).
11.(↑ 3) New York Mets (39-30): Johan Santana has given up four runs in each of his last three starts.
12.(↑2) San Francisco Giants (38-30): Buster Posey has cooled off since being called up; he is hitting under .100 over his last ten (3-for-31).
13.(↓7) Los Angeles Dodgers (38-31): Andre Ethier is just 4-for-36 in his last ten games.
14.(↓ 5) San Diego Padres (40-29): Adrian Gonzalez has a line of .310/15/47, and the Padres are still in first. He isn’t going anywhere!
15.(↑1) Florida Marlins (33-36): Josh Johnson has given up just four earned over his last eight with a 1.80 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.
16.(↑ 5) Chicago White Sox (34-34): Jake Peavy has three QS in a row and has won three of his last four starts. The sox have won six straight.
17.(↑ 7) Detroit Tigers (38-30): Miguel Cabrera, the leader in the AL MVP race (in my eyes), has a line of .328/19/60.
18.(↓3) Colorado Rockies (36-33): In 101.1 IP Ubaldo has recorded a QS in every outing with 13 wins and 88 K’s.
19.(↓1) Chicago Cubs (31-38): Alfonso Soriano and Derek Lee are batting .270 and .234 respectively.
20.(↓1) Kansas City Royals (29-41): Greinke has just two wins, although he’s recorded 10 QS in his 15 starts.
21.(↓ 1) Milwaukee Brewers (29-40): Prince Fielder has just 27 RBI in the first 69 games.
22.(↑3) Philadelphia Phillies (35-32): Roy Halladay has five losses in his last seven games and has given up 20 runs during that span.
23.(↓ 6) Washington Nationals (31-39): Strasburg has 32 K’s in 19.1 IP and could possibly make the all-star team.
24.(↓1) Oakland Athletics (34-37): The A’s just acquired Connor Jackson, but are still lacking in the offense category greatly (57 of 150 possible points).
25.(↓2) Arizona Diamondbacks (27-43): See A’s; who’s next?
26.(↔) Seattle Mariners (28-41): Cliff Lee pitched a complete-game shutout and Seattle won by just one run.
27.(↔ ) Houston Astros (26-44): Roy Oswalt and his 3.12 ERA will probably be gone soon.
28.(↔ ) Cleveland Indians (26-42): There is a reason the Indians were able to deal Victor Martinez: Carlos Santana (.393/2/8 in 9 games).
29.(↔) Pittsburgh Pirates (25-44): Pittsburgh has brought up another solid prospect in Pedro Alvarez (.063 AVG. in six games).
30.(↔) Baltimore Orioles (19-50): The Orioles are in last place here and it’s not even close. Just 40 total points of a possible 300.
Best Offense: (129) Texas Rangers
Best Pitching: (132) San Francisco Giants
Worst Offense: (19) Houston Astros
Worst Pitching: (17) Baltimore Orioles
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