These rankings are based on a 300 point system, 150 for offensive production and 150 for pitching production. 30 points (one point for each team) is the highest total 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 five offensive categories used:HR’s, RBI, Runs, Average, and SB’s
The five pitching categories used:
Wins, Saves, WHIP, ERA, and K’s
1.(↑1) Texas Rangers (48-33): Despite going just 2-4 last week, the Rangers remain at the top of the FPR this week. The Rangers also lost their leading position as the best offensive team, but Texas sits just two points behind the Reds for the lead with 130 points. With all of these negatives, they hold the most coveted positive: the number one spot, with 243 total points, in the fantasy baseball power rankings standings.
2.(↑1) Tampa Bay Rays (48-33): They may not be first for the time being, but they are the first team from the AL East to make the list. The Rays scored two points more than the Yankees with a total of 237. They lead the league in stolen bases, while their pitching is carrying them with 128 total points.
3.(↓1) New York Yankees (50-31): New York is currently riding a three-game win streak and they have the best record in the majors. There really is nothing to worry about, especially when speedster Brett Gardener can hit a grand slam one day and hit an inside-the-parker the next. New York scores in the top-10 in eight categories this week.
4.(↔) Boston Red Sox (48-33): The Red Sox scored in the top three in all but one offensive category for the fourth most offensive points. David Ortiz has two home runs and eight RBI over his last seven games.
5.(↔) Cincinnati Reds (43-34): The Reds have a lot of good things going for them, and now they can add the possibility of acquiring Cliff Lee’s services. Apparently, Cincinnati now sits near the top of the possible landing spots for the stud left-hander. Throw him into the mix with the Reds offense and they have a real shot at the NL pennant. The Reds lead the league with 132 points.
6.(↔) San Diego Padres (45-31): Major League Baseball failed to get one of the more obvious things right for this year’s All Star Game: getting a Padre pitcher on the team. The Padres lead the league with a remarkable 146 of the possible 150 pitching points. My guess is that Mat Latos will eventually be named a replacement.
7.(↑2) Los Angeles Angels (46-38): The Angels are one of the more well-rounded teams in the AL, as they are above .500 at home and on the road. Still, they are 3.5 games back of Texas and 4.5 games back in the Wild Card race.
8.(↑2) New York Mets (46-36): The Mets currently lead the Wild Card race and are also the first team from the NL East to make the list. New York is inching closer to the 200 points total in the FPR (194) and receive some help soon. They are also considered one of the leaders in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
9.(↓1) Atlanta Braves (48-35): The NL East leading Atlanta Braves scored 187 points, just seven behind the Mets for the bragging rights in the FPR. The Braves are the best home team in the league with a 30-10 record, although they are just 18-25 on the road.
10.(↑6) Los Angeles Dodgers (45-36): The Dodgers’ 186 points are good to climb six spots and fill out the top-10. However, the Dodgers can’t seem to make up too much ground on the Padres. They are just .500 on the road at 21-21.
11.(↓4) St. Louis Cardinals (45-37): St. Louis scores 179 points this week, but they drop four spots.
12.(↓1) San Francisco Giants (42-40): The Giants received 121 pitchings points, good for third this week.
13.(↑1) Colorado Rockies (44-38): The Rockies have won six-of-10 and sit just 1.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race.
14.(↑3) Minnesota Twins (44-38): If these standings mean anything (I’d like to think they do), the Twins will regain the division lead soon.
15.(↓2) Chicago White Sox (42-38): Chicago falls two spots, yet they sit just one game back of the division lead.
16.(↓1) Florida Marlins (38-43): Considering their division and all of the recent changes, the Marlins should start looking at their future.
17.(↑3) Philadelphia Phillies (43-38): The Phillies are now far from last in the NL East, but still need some help with their pitching (70 points).
18.(↓6) Toronto Blue Jays (41-42): I have my doubts about the Jays finishing anywhere near the top-10 at this point.
19.(↑3) Oakland Athletics (41-42): The A’s scored 148 points this week, 66 batting and 82 pitching.
20.(↓1) Milwaukee Brewers (37-46): The Brewers are one of four teams with losing records both at home and away in the NL Central.
21.(↔) Kansas City Royals (36-46): Joakim Soria is tied for the lead league in saves with 23.
22.(↑2) Washington Nationals (36-47): 128 total points for Washington is respectable, but they are still a ways away.
23.(↓5) Detroit Tigers (44-37): This is the surprise of the week here. The Tigers lead the AL Central, but fall five spots.
24.(↓1) Chicago Cubs (36-47): With the exception of Marlon Byrd and Carlos Marmol, there isn’t too much to brag about for Cubs fans.
25.(↔) Arizona Diamondbacks (32-51): Don’t be surprised if the D’Backs get rid of Dan Haren shortly after the All-Star break.
26.(↔) Seattle Mariners (34-47): At 15 games back, the Mariners will likely look to get what they can for Lee any week now.
27.(↔) Houston Astros (32-51): Well, they’re not the worst team in their division.
28.(↔) Cleveland Indians (32-49): Watch out for the Indians. In five years. They went 7-3 over their last 10.
29.(↑1) Pittsburgh Pirates (30-52): It seems the worst two teams in the league are pretty obvious.
30.(↓1) Baltimore Orioles (25-57): See Pittsburgh. It seems the two swap positions every week.
Best Offense: (132) Cincinnati Reds
Best Pitching: (146) San Diego Padres
Worst Offense: (20) Houston Astros
Worst Pitching: (10) Baltimore Orioles
Originally published at www.FantasyBaseballSportal.com
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