MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers Hang On

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (24-12, 1st NL West)
The Dodgers went through a tough stretch without Manny, losing four of five, but they have regrouped to win back-to-back games on the road against the reigning World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies to keep the top spot in our power rankings this week. Dodgers still own the best record in baseball.

2. Toronto Blue Jays (23-14, 1st AL East)
The Blue Jays lost their first series of the year with the Yankees, getting shut down by Pettitte and Sabathia in back-to-back games. Was that a harsh dose of reality for Toronto? Only time will tell. I’ll give the Jays the benefit of the doubt for now as they have been very tough in the early going.

3. Boston Red Sox (21-14, 2nd AL East)
The Red Sox jump up a spot this week thanks to some struggles by the Cardinals and behind a strong series win over division rival, and defending American League champion, Tampa Bay. Boston remains one of the most solid teams in terms of pitching and hitting statistics as it hits .278 and scores 5.6 runs per game and has a bullpen ERA of 3.12 – second best in baseball.

4. Milwaukee Brewers (21-14, Tied 1st NL Central)
The Brewers have been a nice surprise early on as many expected them to struggle after losing their two best starting pitchers from the 2008 team. They have won 9 of 11 and they go head to head with co-leader St. Louis this weekend to see what they are really made of.

5. Chicago Cubs (20-14, Tied 2nd NL Central)
Despite numerous injuries to key players (currently Carlos Zambrano and Aramis Ramirez are on the DL), the Cubs have won 10 of their last 13 and appear to be headed toward first place sooner or later.

6. Texas Rangers (20-14, 1st AL West)
The Rangers have won 10 of their last 12 games behind one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball, currently ranked third in runs per game (5.62) and first in homeruns (58). The pitching continues to be up and down, but if it can get more consistent, the Rangers have enough offense to win the West.

7. St. Louis Cardinals (21-14, Tied 1st NL Central)
The Cardinals have slipped from No. 3 on my list last week behind back-to-back series defeats against division rivals Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. St. Louis has now dropped 7 of its last 11 after a hot start and could face more trouble with the red hot Brewers in town this weekend.

8. New York Mets (19-15, 1st NL East)
After a slow start the Mets are coming on strong, having won 9 of their last 11 games. But with a tough 10-game road trip underway,which includes series’ with two of the best teams in baseball (Dodgers and Red Sox), it will be interesting to see if New York can keep rolling.

9. Cincinnati Reds (20-14, Tied 2nd NL Central)
The Reds have won 6 of 7 and have been the strongest road team in baseball thus far with a 13-5 mark. With the Reds coming on strong, the NL Central is playing the best ball in the bigs right now.

10. New York Yankees (17-17, 3rd AL East)
A-Rod is back. Sabathia has put together back-to-back strong outings. The Yankees appear to be rounding into shape following back-to-back series wins over division rivals Baltimore and Toronto. The Yanks still need to get their bullpen figured out as it has cost them too many games already.

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• College Basketball Power Rankings: Kansas Keeps Top Spot

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