MLB Power Rankings: Pretenders or Contenders?

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

1. Philadelphia Phillies (59-44, First NL East, Previous Rank 3)

The Phillies boast Major League Baseball’s best lineup. The lineup features former, future, and potential MVPs, and that does not include 2009 NL All Stars Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and Jayson Werth. The Cliff Lee acquisition puts them over the top and the favorites to win it all again in 2009.

2. New York Yankees (63-42, First in AL East, PR 2)

The Yankees offense will carry them into the postseason and they will contend for a title if Joba Chamberlain throws like he did in his last start (8 IP, 3 H, 5 K vs. Tampa Bay).

3. Boston Red Sox (62-42, .5 GB of Yankees, Wild Card Leader, PR 1)

The Victor Martinez trade was due in large part to David Ortiz (.231 average) and Jason Bay’s struggles (.213 since June and five RBI in July). Martinez will inject some life into an aging offense but if they depend on Brad Penny, Clay Bucholz, and John Smoltz they will become pretenders. 

4. Los Angeles Angels (63-40, First in AL West, PR 6)

I have said it before and I will say it again: The Angels have no business being this good.The Halos have actually improved since my last power rankings, winning eight of their last 10, and I still cannot believe how good they are.

They have dealt with injuries up and down their roster, the Nick Adenhart tragedy, and still find themselves with the second best record in baseball.

The Angels are one of my favorite teams of the 2009 season and Mike Scioscia is the AL Manager of the Year.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (58-48, Third in AL East, PR 5)

The Rays are one of the best teams in baseball but only two AL East teams can make the postseason. Tampa Bay will be contenders for years to come, and is one this season, but they are currently on the outside looking in.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (58-50, First in NL Central, PR 10)

The Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa trades helped St. Louis leap ahead of the Dodgers and Cubs and become the second best NL team. They went from a good offense to having a great one and they have a great 1-2 punch atop their rotation. The Cardinals can beat you in a number of ways.

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (65-40, First NL West, PR 4)

The Dodgers did not make a big splash at the deadline but did solidify their strained bullpen by acquiring LHP George Sherrill. LA has a great team but the NL improved dramatically with the Matt Holliday trade, hence the Dodgers dropping a few spots. The Dodgers need another SP to be legitimate contenders and until then they will remain below St Louis and Philadelphia.

8. Chicago White Sox (54-52, Second AL Central, PR 8)

The White Sox made the biggest splash at the trade deadline by acquiring ace Jake Peavy. A healthy Peavy gives the South Siders a very good rotation and they already have an explosive offense (fifth most HR in MLB). They are the most talented team in the AL Central and remain the favorites to capture the division crown.

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