2011 MLB Power Rankings and Ratings Poll – Phillies Top the List(Updated)

2011 MLB Power Rankings – MLB Power Rating Poll from NSAwins.com – Phillies, Rockies, Yankees Top the List: With a few weeks in the books, the cream is starting to rise to the top. A few powerhouse clubs have worked their way to the top of this week’s addition of Power Rankings, but a few surprise teams remain in the mix well.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (15-7): The most-hyped pitching staff in recent memory has lived up to expectations, and this Phillies team just isn’t likely to have many prolonged losing streaks during the year. Fast starts from Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco have made up for the absence of Chase Utley, and Jose Contreras has filled in admirably for injured closer Brad Lidge.
2. Colorado Rockies (14-7): Troy Tulowitzki is making an early case to win NL MVP honors, and the Rockies are currently tied for the best record in baseball. Perhaps the most encouraging thing about Rockies hot start is the fact that they are 8-2 on the road. Not to mention the fact that Huston Street is a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities thus far.
3. New York Yankees (12-7): Despite a make-shift starting staff and a horrible start from Derek Jeter, the Yankees are sitting atop the AL East. Mariano Rivera continues to be an ageless wonder and currently leads the American League in saves with seven. The Bronx Bombers lead all of baseball in home runs, and they are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (12-10): Forget about that slow start from Albert Pujols. He has six home runs in his last 10 games and is now tied for the league lead with seven. His teammate Matt Holliday currently leads all of baseball with a .412 batting average, and the Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 games. If it weren’t for the many failures of closer Ryan Franklin, St. Louis could have one of the best records in the majors.
5. Boston Red Sox (10-11): The fingers can be removed from the panic button in Boston. The Red Sox have won five straight and eight of their last 10 to climb back in the mix, despite the continued struggles from Carl Crawford. Jed Lowrie has been a surprise sparkplug on offense, and Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka have been dealing from the mound.
6. Texas Rangers (14-7): After a blazing start, the Rangers have been dealt a couple of tough blows. Reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton will miss a couple of months after breaking his arm, and an injury to defending rookie of the year Neftali Feliz has left the team without a closer. That being said, the Texas offense is still loaded enough to keep the club atop the AL West.
7. Florida Marlins (13-7): The young roster is overachieving despite a dreadful start from Hanley Ramirez. Josh Johnson has established himself as the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young, and Anibal Sanchez appears fully recovered from his elbow surgery. The Marlins are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and they could be the biggest threat to the Phillies in the division.
8. Detroit Tigers (12-10): The pitching is coming around, and Miguel Cabrera is once again proving he can carry the load on offense. The Tigers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are the hottest team in the AL Central. The hot streak is even more impressive considering Victor Martinez is currently on the DL.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (11-11): After a dreadful start to the year, the Rays have used a 7-3 stretch to vault back into contention in the always formidable AL East. Pitching and defense has carried the team, but timely hitting by Johnny Damon has given the Rays just enough on offense to win some games.
10. Cleveland Indians (13-8): Despite losing their last three games, the Indians remain the surprise leaders in the AL Central. Quality starting pitching and resurgent years from Travis Hafner and Asdrubal Cabrera at the plate have led the way. Grady Sizemore recently rejoined the team as well, and a Cleveland offense thought to be among the league’s worst could turn out to be potent.
11. Los Angeles Dodgers (12-11): Clayton Kershaw is in the mix for the NL Cy Young, and Matt Kemp is playing like a potential MVP. The Dodgers have a starting staff capable of competing in the NL West, but they might need one more bat to get over the hump. The team’s biggest hurdle may end up being the Frank McCourt fiasco.
12. Milwaukee Brewers (11-10): Milwaukee gave Ryan Braun a fat new contract, and he is rewarding the club with a strong start to the year. Braun is just one of several weapons on offensive for one of the fiercest lineups in the league. If the Brewers can sure up their bullpen, they are going to be tough to handle.
13. Kansas City Royals (12-10): Alex Gordon continues to shed his bust label, and the Royals are running their way into contention. Kansas City has tallied a league-best 30 steals this season and currently rank in the top-five in terms of runs scored. With as mediocre as their division has been, the Royals could end up stealing at AL Central.
14. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (13-10): The good news is that Jared Weaver is off to an incredible start and currently leads the majors in wins, strikeouts and ERA. The bad news for the Angels is that he has six of the team’s 13 wins. If Weaver and fellow starter Dan Haren slow down at all, it could be bad news for the Halos.
15. Atlanta Braves (11-13): Chipper Jones has managed to stay healthy, and he and the rest of the Braves are starting to find their rhythm. Atlanta is probably still a bat or two short of making a real run at Philadelphia in the division, but the Braves have enough talent to compete for the wildcard.
16. Oakland Athletics (11-12): The offense has been mediocre at best, but thanks to the best ERA in baseball, the Athletics are holding their own. Brett Anderson headlines Oakland’s arsenal of arms, and his power slider is one of the nastiest pitches in the game. If the Oakland front office can land a bat, the Athletics can win the AL West.
17. Cincinnati Reds (12-11): The Reds still lead the majors in runs scored, but the offense has been boom or bust of late. Defending MVP Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips have been rock solid, but Jay Bruce apparently left his swing at the club’s spring training facility. Cincinnati still has a shot to return to the playoffs, but they won’t be running away with the NL Central.
18. San Francisco Giants (10-11): The Giants have dropped four straight, and it has become apparent how pitching-dependent this club is this season. When the starters struggle, San Francisco does as well. Unless the offense picks it up, even studs like Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain can’t do it alone.
19. Toronto Blue Jays (10-12): The long-term scenario remains the same for Blue Jays because the AL East is simply too stacked for them to compete. However, Jose Bautista is emerging as one of the premier players in the game. A year after leading the majors in home runs, Bautista currently leads the American League in batting average and homers.
20. Washington Nationals (10-11): The Nationals have actually been better than expected in 2011. While they still won’t be a factor this season, it does bode well for the team’s chances when Steven Strasburg returns and Bryce Harper matures a bit.
21. Chicago Cubs (10-12): Chicago pitchers have struck out more batters than any staff in baseball, but the same staff has also walked more batters and has the worst ERA in the majors. Starlin Castro has all the makings of the next great shortstop, but unless the Cubs get their pitching straightened out, the World Series drought will extend.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (10-12): The 4-1 start turned out to be too good to be true, and the Pirates have come back to earth the last few weeks. Pittsburgh ranks among the 10 worst teams in most offensive categories, and that isn’t likely to change. Jose Tabata and Andrew McCutchen are two fine young outfielders, but the Pirates simply don’t have enough pieces of the puzzle in place right now.
23. New York Mets (9-14): Thanks to a four-game winning streak, New York’s record isn’t as bad as it was a week ago, but the Mets still have a lot of issues. Pitching has been the biggest problem for the Mets, and the team’s 4.74 ERA is the fifth-worst mark in the league.
24. Minnesota Twins (9-12): A three-game winning streak has brought Minnesota’s record closer to respectable, but the team’s problems on offense are obvious. The Twins are last in the majors with just nine home runs thus far, and it is tough to compete in the American League without a little pop in the lineup.
25. Arizona Diamondbacks (9-12): The talent on Arizona’s team has been flashed on several occasions in the form of offensive outbursts, but the youth has shown through. Inconsistent play on the mound and at the plate has led to a mediocre start to the year, and it will likely be the theme throughout 2011.
26. Seattle Mariners (8-15): The Mariners have a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation with Felix Hernandez and newcomer Michael Pineda, but pitching and defense can only get a team so far. Seattle’s offense has been as bad as expected, ranking third-last in the league in both team batting average and home runs.
27. San Diego Padres (9-14): After a hot start, the Padres are starting to look like a team missing its best offensive weapon. Young catcher Nick Hundley has been a pleasant surprise, but there is no one on the roster capable of filling Adrian Gonzalez’s shoes. San Diego simply doesn’t have the talent to make much noise in 2011.
28. Houston Astros (8-14): There just isn’t a lot to love about this team outside of Hunter Pence. Carlos Lee looks washed up, and youngsters Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace are still developing. It is going to be another long year in Houston.
29. Baltimore Orioles (8-12): The fast start is already a decent memory, and a 2-8 stretch has returned Baltimore to the cellar in the AL East. There were plenty of reasons this team was picked to finish last in the division, and they are starting to become evident on the field.
30. Chicago White Sox (9-14): The offense was supposed to lead the league in runs scored, but the entire team has been slumping to start the year. Adam Dunn and Alex Rios are barely hitting .300 combined, and the supposedly rock solid bullpen has been giving away the few leads Chicago has had. It is about time for a patented Ozzie Guillen rant.