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 get 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.(↔) Tampa Bay Rays (18-7): The Rays are a potent bunch, looking at their roster it is tough to find a player who is not fantasy relevant. Tampa Bay is 7-3 in its last 10 and they look like the best team in baseball. This could be their year as they have the least amount of weaknesses of any team.
2.(↔) New York Yankees (16-8): The Yankees led the league in FPR offensive points and are in the top 5 in each category used for hitting. However, there are some concerns here. Curtis Granderson was put on the DL and could be out a month, while the other big offseason acquisition, Javier Vazquez looks nothing like he did last year with the Braves.
3. (↑1) San Diego Padres (16-9): San Diego holds the top spot as the best pitching team in the FPR (131). The Padres are by far the biggest surprise this year and those teams who were looking at obtaining the services of Adrian Gonzalez may want to come up with a new gameplan. The Padres are a good, young team and will surely go through a rough-steak but for now they lead the NL West by 1.5 games over the Giants.
4.(↓1) Minnesota Twins (16-9): The AL Central leading Twins avoided a scare with Justin Morneau’s back but now must deal with Joe Mauer’s heal. The Twins call the injury a “week-to-week” issue that will certainly make Twins fans nervous. The Twins have been good this year, but how long can they deal with their stars being injured?
5.(↔) Chicago Cubs (13-13): The Cubs finished last week with a three-game win streak and begin the week with a series against the porous Pirates team. Alfonso Soriano went deep twice yesterday and seems to be settling in this year. Chicago is in the top 5 in four of the five offensive categories (Avg., R, RBI, HR).
6. (↔) St. Louis Cardinals (17-8): St. Louis is being carried by its pitching staff (125 of 150) right now, while the Cards have won 7 of their last 10. The Cardinals, while not in the bottom 10 of any offensive category, need to figure out a way to get more runners on base and drive them in.
7. (↑5) Toronto Blue Jays (13-13): After writing off the Blue Jays last week, the Blue Jays surprised me by moving back up 5 spots this week. I still don’t believe this team can maintain a .500 record this year. Too many young pitchers lead me to believe the Jays won’t remain in the top 10 in four of the five pitching categories (W, S, WHIP, K) for much longer.
8. (↑13) Detroit Tigers (16-10): The Tigers capitalized on playing a slumping Angels team by picking up a sweep and moving their winning streak to five games. The Tigers are the biggest movers of the week, and I believe the recent success to be linked to the play of Austin Jackson (.455/11/1/3/2 in his last 10).
9. (↑1) San Francisco Giants (14-10): The Giants stand second in pitching production (127 of 150) at week’s end to only the Padres. San Francisco’s offense is starting to go backwards, but I look for the pitching staff to carry them in their hopes of making a playoff run and in staying in the top 10 of the FPR.
10. (↑3) Florida Marlins (13-12): Florida rounds off the top 10 this week while sitting just 1.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East. As I mentioned last week, the Marlins are a balanced team and should remain around the top 10 all year. They have enough fantasy studs to be relevant but not enough to be great.
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