2012 MLB Power Rankings – Top 10 Teams in July: With the All-Star Game in the books and an end to the summer stretch of the season in sight, it is time to see how the top teams in Major League Baseball stack up. While certain teams have established themselves as sure-fire contenders, there are other teams that continue to run hot and cold. A few division winners appear to be emerging, but with additional wild-card spots available in both leagues, there are a ton of teams still in the hunt. Not to mention that the relatively quiet trade market could explode at any moment, reshaping the playoff picture entirely. In the meantime, here is a look at the latest MLB Power Rankings.
July 2012 MLB Power Rankings: Top 10 Teams
1. New York Yankees (57-37): It must be nice to go on a four-game losing skids and still have the best record in baseball. The Bronx Bombers continue to lead the majors in home runs, totaling 149 thus far. Rafael Soriano has helped New York forget about the loss of closer Mariano Rivera, and as long as this lineup continues to pound home runs at its current clip, the pitching only has to be serviceable for the Yankees to thrive.
2. Cincinnati Reds (55-40): Cincinnati could have folded when MVP candidate Joey Votto went down with a knee injury. Instead, the Reds have ripped off four straight wins and are 8-2 in their last 10. Second baseman Brandon Phillips has shown why he was the biggest All-Star snub during the stretch, and starter Homer Bailey has actually looked like the ace he was drafted to be. Not to mention that Aroldis Chapman has been blowing away everyone in the ninth inning. Cincinnati is a major player in the National League.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (54-40): Armed with a group of castoff pitchers and a superstar center fielder, the Pirates just won’t go away. Five straight wins have Pittsburgh just a half game out of first in the NL Central and looking like a playoff team. The Pirates actually have the second-fewest homers in the majors this year, but with MVP frontrunner Andrew McCutchen shouldering the load on offense and the pitching staff ranking sixth in team ERA, this team keeps finding ways to win games.
4. Texas Rangers (56-37): It is the same old story for Texas. The Rangers have a loaded lineup, and they continue to lead the majors in team batting average. They also rank second in runs scored. The pitching has been streaky at times, but the offense covers up for the flaws more often than not. Texas just has too much power in its lineup to struggle for an extended period of time, and the Rangers have stretched out their lead in the AL West once again.
5. Washington Nationals (55-39): Pitching has been the name of the game for Washington all season, and the Nationals still lead the majors in ERA and WHIP. However, starter Gio Gonzalez appears to be wearing down, and Stephen Strasburg is fast approaching his supposed innings limit. On the plus side, the lineup is getting healthy. With Jayson Werth set to join the red hot Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman shortly, Washington should still be able to contend even if the pitching slips a bit.
6. Detroit Tigers (52-44): Teams in the AL Central have taken turns running hot and cold, and right now, it is the Tigers’ turn to be on top. Detroit has reeled off five straight wins and has eight wins in its last 10 games to take the lead in the division. The staff of power pitchers has been up and down, but Justin Verlander and company have amassed the second-most strikeouts this year. Meanwhile, Miguel Cabrera has made sure the Tigers’ offense has produced. Detroit currently ranks in the top 10 in the majors in runs scored, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The Tigers have the star power to win this division.
7. San Francisco Giants (53-42): The offense still isn’t pretty, but the Giants starting rotation can go toe to toe with anyone. San Francisco has gone 7-3 in its last 10 games, and back-to-back strong starts from Tim Lincecum are definitely encouraging. Even with Lincecum struggling most of the year, San Francisco still owns the fifth-best team ERA in baseball. If the Giants can get the two-time Cy Young winner back on track for the stretch run, they should be able to stretch out their lead in the NL West.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (52-44): Center fielder Matt Kemp returns, and the Dodgers suddenly win four straight games. Shocking what one incredibly great player can do for a lineup. The fact that the Dodgers are even still in contention after how bad their offense was when Kemp was out is a testament to the pitching staff. Los Angeles has the second-best team ERA in baseball this year, and Kemp’s return should help an offense that ranks dead last in homers and has scored the fifth-fewest runs.
9. Atlanta Braves (52-43): Thanks to an offense that has ranked in the top 10 in runs scored all year and a pitching staff that has steadily improved, the Braves continue to stay within striking distance in the NL East. At this point, a wild-card spot seems very likely. Atlanta has been pretty darn solid all year, and having the right mix of young talent and veteran experience has a lot to do with that. The health of Chipper Jones could be the X-factor long term.
10. Oakland Athletics (50-44): Once again, Oakland has assembled a group of unknown players that keep winning games. Who would have thought a rotation featuring Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone, Bartolo Colon and Brandon McCarthy would be part of a staff that owns the fourth-best ERA in baseball? On offense, Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes appears to be the real deal, and Josh Reddick is looking like a steal. The Athletics have won five straight games and are 8-2 in their last 10. This roster certainly doesn’t look like a playoff team, but it is tough to argue with the results on the field.
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