Ranking The Heart Of The Order 30-1

Mike  Kent by Senior Writer Written on May 15, 2009

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OAKLAND, CA - MAY 04:  Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Oakland Athletics on May 4, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

There are many teams in the MLB, and all of them have heart's to there order's. thous are the 3-4-5 hitters, and thous are the guys most teams expect to get the runs in.

But who has the best heart to there order? He are my rankings to this, hope you enjoy it!

(by the way, the reason you will not see 18 Silver Sluggers and two MVPs is because I only wrote the ones that were in the heart of the orders)

I put a lot of work in to this ( three hours). So I hope you enjoy it.

Mariners: Griffey-Beltre-Branyan

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 24:  Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 24, 2009 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Mariners won 8-3.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Awards Won in '08: None

The Mariners are just not that good. I do not think that having Ken makes any diffrence at the end- they still suck.

And Ken is past his prime, these guys are just not that good.

Sorry M's fans

Giants: Sandoval-Molina-Winn

SAN FRANCISCO - MAY 14: Randy Winn #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a sacrafice fly in the first inning against the New York Mets during a Major League Baseball game on May14, 2009 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Gett

Awards Won In '08: None

This is the worst heart of a order I have ever seen, they really suck. There is no way the Giants win anything with these guys. luckily for the hitters they have Tim, Zito and Johnson as pitchers.

There is not much too say about these guys other then they are old and done.

McLouth, LaRoche (Adam)-Diaz

NEW YORK - MAY 09:  Nate McLouth #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the New York Mets on May 9, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Pirates 10-1.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Gett

Awards Won '08: None

This is not such a good heart of a order. Other then Nate they they all stink. That is why they are one of the worst teams in baseball (that and many other reasons)

If they dont get another good hitter to back up Nate they will never win anything.

Padres: Gonzalez-Headley-Gerut

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03:  Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the San Diego Padres bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Awards Won in '08: None

these Padres are more of a pitching team, but they have some good offense.

Gonzalez and Headley are two very underrated players, they do not have much around them to help them get RBI's and help there teams win. Giles is old and not playing well and Eckstein is no more then Ok.

Gerut is not doing well, and he is the reason the Padres are so low on the list.

D-Backs: Upton-Reynolds-Byrnes

PHOENIX - MAY 10:  Eric Byrnes #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a RBI double against the Washington Nationals during the third inning of the major league baseball game at Chase Field on May 10, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/G

The D-Backs do not have a good Heart of the order, Byrnes is not doing to well.

There is now way they are going to win the NL West with this offense, the Dodgers will kill these guys if Byrnes does not get hot.

Upton and Reynolds are looking good to start the season, but that is not enough for them if they really want to make the playoffs

Rockies: Helton-Atkins-Hawpe

CHICAGO - APRIL 15: Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies, wearing a #42 jersey on Jackie Robinson Day, swings the bat against the Chicago Cubs on April 15, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Da

In Colorado hitting is a bit easier, that is why I think some of these Rockies have so many Home Runs. But that is not the only reason, there offense seems to know how to hit on the road too.

Helton is one of the best hitters in the NL West, He may be the best hitter in the NL West not on the Dodgers. Atkins is one of the most underrated players in the MLB. He has power is a good player. And the same with Hawpe.

Cubs: Fukudome-Lee-Bradley

PHOENIX - APRIL 29:  Derrek Lee #25 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the game at Chase Field on April 29, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Cubs 10-0.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

This is the Cubs offense that helped them win the NL Central and lead the NL in wins in 2008.

Derek Lee is one of the best first baseman in the NL, and Fukudome has been a star since leaving Japan to play for the Cubs.

And with Alfonso Soriano in leadoff these Cubs have one of the better offenses in the NL

Astros: Berkman-Lee-Tejada

HOUSTON - APRIL 06:  Lance Berkman #17 of the Houston Astros bats against the Chicago Cubs during the Opening Day game on April 6, 2009 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

The Astros are looking bad this season, but that is not all because the heart of there order.

Carlos Lee And Tejada are looking great, But Berkman is not. He is batting under 250 and it is killing them that he is not helping the Astros score the players in front of him like Kaz and Bourn.

If he starts hitting well, the Astros heart of the lineup can be great.

Teahen-Guillen-Butler

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 14:  Billy Butler #16 of the Kansas City Royals singles to drive in two runs during the 5th inning of the game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 14, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Awards Won in '08: None

The Royals had a great first 15 games, from there they turned back in to themselves. And so did the heart of there order. they are just not as good any more.

Teahen, Guillen and Butler are good players, but not great. That is why they are so high on the list

Indians: Martinez-Hafner-Peralta

NEW YORK - APRIL 18:  Travis Hafner #48 of the Cleveland Indians at bat against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 18, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

I think this is one of the worst lineups in baseball. I am no manger, but I think the way they have this order is wrong.

I think Sizemore should bat third moving Martinez and Hafner each one back and put Peralta in leadoff. But that may be just me, I dont know how Indians fans feel.

Anyway, with this lineup the Indians will not go far.

Athletics: Giambi-Crosby-Holliday

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 10:  Matt Holliday #5 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during a Major League Baseball game on May 10, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Matt)

The Athletics have good players in the 3-4-5 spots, but they are just not playing as well as they could.

Matt, last year was a NL Silver Slugger. But this year he is not doing to well hitting less then .240 and same with Jason.

Blue Jays: Rios-Wells-Lind

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 10:  Alex Rios #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on May 10, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

As good as the Blue Jays have been looking, I do not yet believe at they can get to the playoffs. And most of there success is thanks to there pitchers.

Rios and Wells are underrated players, it is sad for me to see there talent get buried in Toronto. But that is because I am not a Blue Jays fan.

Dodgers: Hudson-Ethier-Martin

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 09:  Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on May 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

This is the best offense in the NL West by far, even with losing Manny.

I am not saying that losing Manny is not going to bother this team, but they can hold on for 50 day without him.

Hudson has been having a career year, Matin and Ethier have been looking great.

And with great players behind them like Matt Kemp these guys are safe and get to hit

Tigers: Thomas-Cabrera-Ordonez

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 22:  Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a single against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the third inning of the baseball game at Angel Stadium on April 22, 2009 in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/

Awards Won In '08: None

Cabrera has been looking great this season, he has been the reason the Tigers are over .500

But Ordonez has started the season on the wrong foot. He is one of the biggest disappointments this season. If he can get back and do well I see the Tigers having a good shot at the AL Central.

Braves: Jones-Anderson-McCann

MILWAUKEE - MAY 29:  Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves follows his pop-fly during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 29, 2008 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Braves defeated the Brewers 8-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Brian)

The real star of the offense is McCann, the four eyes catcher is the best player on the Braves (I have glasses too so I am aloud to call him a four eyes)

Chipper is a great player, but I think his time has past. He keeps on getting injured and it has really killed the Braves.

But thanks to players in front of this lineup (Mostly Escobar) the Braves heart of the linup is still getting runs in.

Orioles: Markakis-Huff-Mora

BALTIMORE - APRIL 8:  Nick Markakis #21 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a home run in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards April 8, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland.  (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Aubrey)

The first first one of this heart of the order is great, Nick is very underrated. he has power and speed. But Mora and Aubrey are not that looking good, and that is why these guys dont win many games.

But Nick is very good, he is one of the best outfielders in the AL.

Rays: Longoria-Pena-Aybar

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 15: Infielder Carlos Pena #23 of the Tampa Bay Rays homers against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field on April 15, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Rookie Of The Year (Longoria)

Even O Mighty! I have heard of people that have picked him to be the 2009 AL MVP, that is how good he is.

Carlos is on to a slow start, but I think he will be hot very soon. Aybar is a average player, noting special

Angels: Abreu-Hunter-Morales

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 04:  Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Oakland Athletics on May 4, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

This lineup is doing well, but the Angels with out Vladimir Guerrero are not as good as they will need to be to win the AL West.

But that is Ok, Hunter and Abreu are doing well even without Vlad. Vlad is expected to be back in a week or two, if he comes back healthy then LA will have a good 2009

Nationals: Zimmerman-Dunn-Kearns

WASHINGTON - APRIL 16:  Adam Dunn #44 of the Washington Nationals hits a home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on April 16, 2009 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

The Nationals are one of the worst teams in baseball, but that is not because the heart of there lineup. With Adam and Ryan killing the other pitchers this is one of the best lineups in baseball.

I know it sounds crazy, but it is true. And Austin is looking great this season too, it looks like Adam Dunn has given the Nationals lineup a new life

Marlins: Ramirez-Cantu-Uggla

DENVER - MAY 10:  Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins takes an at bat against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on May 10, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Ramirez went two for four as he was one of many players using pink bats in Major

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Hanley)

Hanley is considered by most people (including me, and I am a Mets fan) the best Shortstop in the NL if not in all baseball. And he just keeps on getting better.

Cantu has started the season very well, if he keeps this up he may get some ALL-Star votes. But Uggla is not doing well this season, his AVG is under .200

Twins: Mauer-Morneau-Cuddyer

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 28: Justin Morneau #33 of the Minnesota Twins strikes out in the seventh inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at the Metrodome on September 28, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 6-0. (Phot

Awards Won In '08: 2 Silver Slugger (Joe and Justin)

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are great players, Joe is the best catcher in the AL (if not in all baseball) and Justin is a former MVP winner.

The Twins can be a great team, all they needs is Carlos Gomez to start getting on base more often and this heart of the order will do just fine.

White Sox: Quentin-Dye-Thome

CHICAGO - APRIL 29:  Carlos Quentin #20 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Seattle Mariners during the game on April 29, 2009 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Carlos)

The White Sox have a amazing batting order, and with that comes there great Heart of the order.

Quentin and Dye are guys that strike fear in to any pitcher on the mound and Thome can just hit the ball hard. This heart of the order is one of the best

Yankees: Teixeira-Rodriguez-Matsui

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 8:  Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees takes a swing against the Baltimore Orioles on May 8, 2009 at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Alex)

Now that the Yankees added Mark Teixeira and A-Rod is back I think they can go back to there winning ways. I think that Mark will soon get hot thanks to A-Rod and Derek Jeter hitting around him.

If Matsui stays healthy this season he can be one of the better outfielders in the AL. I dont think they can win the AL East, I think the red Sox will win the division. But the Yankees can win the Wild Card easily if the heart of there order can get hot.

Brewers: Braun-Fielder-Cameron

NEW YORK - APRIL 19:  Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers at bat against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 19, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Ryan)

The Brewers heart of the lineup is just great, Braun and Fielder would each be team MVP on most teams in the MLB. Braun and Fielder led there team to the playoffs last year (with a lot of help from CC) and were great hitters last season.

Mike Cameron is one of the better defensive outfielders in the game, but that does not matter in this rankings. He has a very powerful bat at times and can get very hot

Mets: Wright-Delgado-Beltran

NEW YORK - MAY 09:  Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 9, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Pirates 10-1.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Ge

Awards Won In '08: 1 Silver Slugger (David)

David Wright and Carlos Beltran are great hitters, they are both in between the top ten batters in baseball. Delgado can be one of the best too, if he can stay healthy.

With Delgado doing good this heart of the order can be in the top five, but since Delgado is not always hot they are not in the top ten.

One other key to these guys is Jose Reyes getting on and stealing bases When he is hot, so is the heart of the order

Phillies: Utley-Howard-Werth

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 08:  Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies at bat against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on April 8, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: Silver Slugger (Chase)

If you have seen the Phillies then you know that there is no heart of the order, they really have great hitters all around. But the 3-4-5 spots in the order are something else. There are two players in these spots that are in the MVP race e very season.

Utley and Howard are the best second baseman and first baseman in the NL East (and that is hard for me to say as a Mets fan).

And With Jimmy in the front of the lineup these guys get plenty of chances to get RBI's

Red Sox: Ortiz-Bay-Lowell

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 13: Jason Bay #44 of the Boston Red Sox is greeted at home by David Ortiz #34 after Bay's two run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 13, 2009 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.   (Photo by

This is a lineup that could be the best, Jason Bay and Lowell are really looking great this season. But there is one guy that is becoming a goat in Boston- David Ortiz.

Ever since Manny Ramirez left Boston Ortiz has been looking bad. Can Ortiz hit well without the great Manny hitting behind him? Right now the Red Sox may not want to hear the answer.

I think that David needs a bit more time to get his grove back, but until then they have Bay looking like a MVP and Dustin Pedroia looking great too. When Ortiz starts hitting again this team will be the best in baseball

Reds: Votto-Phillips-Bruce

FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 03: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run against the Boston Red Sox at the City of Palms Park on March 3, 2009 in Fort Myers, Florida (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: None

I think this is one of the better Hearts of the lineups in baseball, it is very young with Bruce and Votto coming in just last year.

The Reds are a very young team and fast team, and they are looking better them people tout they would. And that is in most thanks to the heart of this lineup that has been doing the job.

Rangers: Hamilton-Cruz-Blalock

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 15:  Centerfielder Josh Hamilton of the the Texas Rangers at bat on April 15, 2009 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Awards Won In '08: 1 Silver Slugger (Josh)

The Rangers have one of the top batting orders in the game, they need it with all the bad pitching they have.

This heart of the order is not all in the Rangers lineup, the great Michal Young and Ian Kinsler bat before the the great three even come up.

We all know the great story of Josh Hamilton, and Cruz is not heard of a lot. And Hank Blalock has been known for being one of the DL's best friends. I think that if Hank and Josh keep helthey these guys have a good shot at winning the West

Cardinals: Pujols-Duncan-Molina

ST. LOUIS - APRIL 06:  :  :  Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals takes a swing against the Pittsburgh Pirates during Opening Day on April 6, 2009  at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4

Awards Won In '08: NL MVP (Albert), Silver Slugger (Ryan)

The guy in the photo is the best player in the NL, that is the reason the Card's in this spot on the list.

Duncan and Molina have been looking great too, if they can keep up what they are doing then Albert will make shear they win the NL Central

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written on May 15, 2009 Rankings/List

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