Major League Baseball Power Rankings: A Shift in the East

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

I've decided to start a series of weekly MLB power rankings. My rankings will, for the most part, be based on standings, and how the team has been playing lately. If a team has been over performing all year, hey, they're playing good baseball, and they're going to be high up in my rankings.

I will not be taking things like divisional factors into account very much, although they are very real, I don't think that's the purpose of power rankings. So we're now about a week into the second half, let's see where each team stands.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (61-34)

The Dodgers have continued to play great baseball since the return of Manny, and continue to be the heavy favorite in the NL West. They're currently riding a five game winning streak, highlighted by Manny's go ahead, pinch hit, grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds last night.

2. New York Yankees (57-37)

After spending most of the season in second place, the Yanks finally overtook the Red Sox for sole possession of first place in the powerful AL East this week. Increased contributions as of late from players like Hideki Matsui, AJ Burnett, A-Rod, and Phil Hughes have played a big part in their recent surge.

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (55-38)

As much as it pains me to say this, the Angels are basically unbeatable right now. Yes, their last three wins have been against the lowly Royals, but they also completed a three game sweep against the Yankees just before the all-star break.

What's even more amazing, is that they're 9-1 since losing star outfielders Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero to injuries.

4. Boston Red Sox (55-39)

They're having a bad week, but let's not forget that they're still the Red Sox. They are still an incredibly talented team, and you can never count them out.

Their recent acquisition of Adam Laroche from the Pirates, for virtually nothing, may help them out in the near future. They've lost their last five, but they're still only two games behind the Yanks.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (53-39)

The Phils recently had a nine game winning streak by the Chicago Cubs, but that streak has them now sitting six games up on the Braves and Marlins, and they are starting to establish themselves as the very heavy favorite in the NL East.

Having Raul Ibanez healthy again has been big for them, and if they're able to acquire Roy Halladay they can pretty much start thinking about the playoffs.

6. Tampa Bay Rays (52-44)

The Rays are going to have a really tough time passing both the Red Sox and the Yankees, but the wild card may still be a very realistic possibility for them. Word has it that they have entered the Halladay sweepstakes, and also have their eyes on the Indians' veteran catcher Victor Martinez.

Acquiring either of those two would be huge for them.

7. Colorado Rockies (52-43)

The surging Rockies have now passed the surprising Giants for the NL wild card lead, and their offense has been no little part of that. Brad Hawpe and Todd Helton have both been red hot, while Jason Marquis and Ubaldo Jimenez are both having great years to anchor their pitching staff.

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