We’re more than two-thirds through Major League Baseball’s 2012 campaign, with teams jostling for position and making the playoff push.
Some teams have fallen off the radar in the second half of the season, while others appear to be soaring at just the right time.
Here’s a look at some teams currently doing damage, complete with power rankings below.
Feel free to chime in, folks.
Tampa Bay Rays
Since losing two of three against the Baltimore Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays have gone on to win seven straight, sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins in the process.
The Rays are ranked 23rd in runs scored, but third in team ERA (3.36)—more evidence that great pitching will generally get you farther than great hitting.
The Rays have done this despite having the third-toughest schedule in baseball.
Baltimore Orioles
The job that Buck Showalter has done in Baltimore cannot be overstated.
The Orioles rank 20th in runs scored and 19th in team ERA and have a winning record despite being collectively outscored by opponents by 49 runs this season.
That shows that the Orioles, despite their shortcomings, know how to win ball games. Changing the culture is the first part of fielding a strong club.
The Orioles have won 10 of their last 14 games. They won two out of three against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays and swept the Seattle Mariners during that time.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The margin between the Dodgers and the rival San Francisco Giants is razor thin, but the Dodgers have won seven of their last 10 games and have a better team ERA than the Giants.
In fact, the Dodgers rank third in team ERA this season (3.35), which is why they’ve been able to get away with a rather lackluster offense (451 runs, 26th in baseball).
It’s going to be a riveting close to the season in the National League West.
Team | Record |
1. Washington Nationals | 72-44 |
2. Cincinnati Reds | 69-46 |
3. New York Yankees | 68-47 |
4. Atlanta Braves | 67-47 |
5. Tampa Bay Rays | 63-52 |
6. St. Louis Cardinals | 62-53 |
7. Texas Rangers | 67-47 |
8. Chicago White Sox | 62-52 |
9. Los Angeles Dodgers | 63-53 |
10. San Francisco Giants | 63-53 |
11. Pittsburgh Pirates | 64-51 |
12. Oakland Athletics | 61-53 |
13. Baltimore Orioles | 62-53 |
14. Los Angeles Angels | 60-56 |
15. Detroit Tigers | 61-55 |
16. Arizona Diamondbacks | 58-57 |
17. Boston Red Sox | 57-59 |
18. Philadelphia Phillies | 53-62 |
19. Toronto Blue Jays | 55-60 |
20. New York Mets | 55-60 |
21. Milwaukee Brewers | 52-62 |
22. Seattle Mariners | 53-64 |
23. San Diego Padres | 52-65 |
24. Minnesota Twins | 50-65 |
25. Miami Marlins | 52-64 |
26. Cleveland Indians | 54-62 |
27. Kansas City Royals | 49-65 |
28. Chicago Cubs | 45-69 |
29. Colorado Rockies | 42-71 |
30. Houston Astros | 38-79 |
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