MLB Power Rankings: No Manny No Problem

Written by Jimmy Boyd on May 21, 2009

mlb-power-rankings-52109 1. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-13, 1st NL West) – Manny’s absence in the lineup has not kept the Blue and White from taking care of business at the highest rate in baseball. The Dodgers have won four in a row and seven of their last eight, and I expect the winning to continue with three more games at home, where they are 17-3, before heading out on the road.

2. Milwaukee Brewers (25-15, 1st NL Central) – The Brew Crew is on a tear like few teams ever get to experience. Houston ended their seven game winning streak last night, but the Brewers have won 21 of their last 26 overall. We’ll have to see if the Beer Makers can sustain their high level of play without starting second baseman Rickie Weeks in the lineup.

3. Toronto Blue Jays (27-16, 1st AL East) – Toronto remains in the top spot out East, but how much longer can it hold off the Yankees and the Red Sox, which trail by just 2.5 and 1.5 games respectively? Toronto lost a home series to the Yankees last week and will head into the weekend off a series loss to the Red Sox.

4. Boston Red Sox (24-16, 2nd AL East) – Boston has been nearly unbeatable at home with a 15-4 record at Fenway, and it has taken the first two games of a three-game set with division leader Toronto. The Sox just got Kevin Youkilis back and Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to be activated tomorrow to pitch against the Mets. Plus, Big Papi just hit his first homerun of the season. It looks like it’s all coming together for Bean Town.

5. New York Yankees (23-17, 3rd AL East) – The Yankees are up five spots from last week as they have rattled off eight straight wins. Love him. Hate him. It doesn’t matter. That A-Rod guy is pretty good. Yanks have won four straight series’ since he put on the stripes.

6. Detroit Tigers (22-16, 1st AL Central) – The Tigers are starting to look like the team fans thought they were going to see last season when the organization brought in some big money talent. Detroit has won five in a row and eight of its last 11. The best news is that their ace is back. After struggling all of last year and in his first couple starts of 2009, Justin Verlander has been unhittable.

7. St. Louis Cardinals (23-17, 2nd NL Central) - The Cards have ended a tough stretch with back-to-back wins over defending NL Central champion Chicago. The team has to feel great about getting former NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter back on the hill last night as he threw five scoreless innings to help St. Louis beat the Cubs on ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball.

8. Texas Rangers (23-16, 1st AL West) - Texas has dropped two in a row since winning seven straight, but I expect the Rangers to get back on track against in-state rival Houston this weekend. We should see a good series with the Yankees when the Rangers return home on May 25th as A-Rod visits his former club.

9. Philadelphia Phillies (21-17, 1st NL East) – The defending World Series champs aren’t out of the gate like some expected, but they have to feel good about still sitting in first place. Surprisingly, Philly has done most of its damage on the road where it is 13-5 this season. The Phils have won five of six and are up big on the Reds Thursday afternoon.

10. Chicago Cubs (21-17, 3rd NL Central) – The defending NL Central champs have cooled off after a five-game win streak, but they are just sitting three games back and I don’t see them going anywhere. The team has to be happy to get the Big Z, Carlos Zambrano, back on the hill as he is expected to start Friday against the Padres. Aramis Ramirez should be back in action soon as well.

2007 MLB World Handicapping Champion, Jimmy Boyd, has nailed 12 of his last 15 MLB picks. Start riding this hot streak to big winners against the baseball odds today. It pays to bet on baseball with Jimmy Boyd!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: