MLB Power Rankings 2012: Teams Sure to Cool Down After a Hot Start

What happens in April and May is often forgotten by August, as hot starts and surprising slumps go the way of the buffalo as the long season progresses and takes its natural shape.

Some surprise teams will head toward the postseason still standing, but more often than not, the early upstarts return to the mediocrity we all expected of them.

Let's take a look at a few teams destined to return to Earth after a hot start in this edition of the MLB power rankings.

1. Texas Rangers (18-10)

Early on, the Rangers have been baseball's most complete team, with a potent lineup and a rotation and bullpen good enough to keep them atop the standings. They remain my pick to win the World Series this year.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (19-10)

If they keep this up, they won't need a miraculous September and the broken hearts of Boston Red Sox fans everywhere to make the postseason.

3 Baltimore Orioles (19-9)

The Orioles have now won five straight, taking two from the New York Yankees and sweeping the Red Sox.

But surely this team is bound to come back to Earth soon, right?

I certainly believe they'll continue to hit, led by young studs like Adam Jones and Matt Wieters. But whether the pitching staff can maintain its rather torrid start remains to be seen.

We'll find out a few things this week, with the date with the Rangers next on the schedule. This could be the week the Orioles cool off a bit.

4. Washington Nationals (18-10)

The broken wrist of Jayson Werth and subsequent 12-week absence is going to hurt this team, no doubt about it. He's certainly started stronger at the plate than he did last year, and he's a very good defensive player in right field.

And young teams are always susceptible to hot and cold streaks. As good as this team's pitching has been—and as fun as the debut of Bryce Harper has proven to be—they will slump at some point; that's the nature of the game.

I believe the Nationals will remain competitive in the NL East all season long. But I don't think we'll be ranking them anywhere near the fourth spot in the power rankings for much longer.

5. Atlanta Braves (18-11)

The Braves have been raking early this season with a league-leading 162 runs. But can they keep it up?

6. St. Louis Cardinals (17-11)

Clearly, the loss of Albert Pujols and Tony La Russa hasn't been a factor early this season. Carlos Beltran has been a revelation this year reminiscent of Lance Berkman's reemergence a year ago.

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (18-10)

Matt Kemp is the best baseball player in the world, Clayton Kershaw hasn't missed a beat and all Andre Ethier has done is drive in runs, with an absurd 28 RBI.

But this isn't the year for this Dodgers team; not yet.

Ethier will slow down, Chris Capuano is unlikely to maintain a 2.21 ERA and 1.12 WHIP throughout the course of the year and Ted Lilly won't give this team a quality start every time he takes the mound.

Matt Kemp may maintain his torrid pace, but the rest of the team won't. But look out—this Dodgers team is a year or two and big splash in free agency away from being a World Series contender.

8. New York Yankees (15-13)

Pitching will be an issue all season long. But the lineup in New York will bash its way to the postseason.

9. Detroit Tigers (14-13)

Things will turn around in Motown. My belief in this team's potential probably has them higher in the rankings then they currently deserve, but it's my power rankings, so there you have it.

10. Toronto Blue Jays (16-13)

The fact that this team is 16-13 despite Jose Bautista's horrific start speaks to this team's sneaky potential in the American League.

11. Cincinnati Reds (14-13)

Mat Latos striking out 11 Pittsburgh Pirates in six innings on Sunday is a great sign for the Reds.

12. Arizona Diamondbacks (14-15)

This team needs Justin Upton to start raking. When that happens, look out.

13. Cleveland Indians (15-11)

Jason Kipnis is off to a fantastic start for the Tribe, hitting .288 with five home runs and 18 RBI.

14. Philadelphia Phillies (14-15)

Will the Phillies score enough runs even when Ryan Howard and Chase Utley return? I wouldn't bet against this team, mediocre as they've been early.

16. San Francisco Giants (14-14)

The real Tim Lincecum is slowly returning to form, Matt Cain is steady as always and Buster Posey has been very good in his return this season. Once the team gets Pablo Sandoval healthy, look for them to make a move in the NL West.

18. Los Angeles Angels (12-17)

Albert Pujols hit a home run! The sky isn't falling after all!

17. Colorado Rockies (12-15)

The demotion of Jhoulys Chacin to the minors is not a good sign for this Rockies squad.

19. Milwaukee Brewers (12-16)

Save one poor outing, Zack Greinke has been solid. Yovani Gallardo has been less consistent. This team needs both to be aces this year to make a playoff push.

21. Miami Marlins (14-14)

Not the start Miami envisioned. Heath Bell has been awful, Jose Reyes has been subpar and the Marlins are still overcoming a slow start. Still, a 7-3 mark in the team's last 10 games is promising.

15. New York Mets (15-13)

This team will crash and burn. I'm not sure when, but they won't be above .500 much longer.

20. Oakland Athletics (15-14)

He hasn't hit for a very high average, but the 21 RBI for Yoenis Cespedes is promising.

22. Boston Red Sox (11-16)

The Bosox truly are Major League Baseball's most dysfunctional family. Injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford haven't helped. Could this season have started any worse for this team?

23. Chicago White Sox (13-15)

Philip Humber's perfection has seemed an aberration, as the Sox are 3-7 in the last 10 games.

25. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-16)

Another year, another postseason spent at home. Thus is the likely fate of the Pirates.

26. Seattle Mariners (13-17)

It's about time this team sat down Chone Figgins in favor of Kyle Seager.

24. Houston Astros (13-15)

Frankly, the Astros have about eight more wins than I expected from them early in the season. Bravo.

27. Chicago Cubs (11-17)

Starlin Castro's .345 batting average and 18 RBI have been the bright spot for the team this far. He's a stud.

28. Kansas City Royals (9-18)

I was expecting more from the young Royals this year. That's what you get when you expect things from the Royals.

29. San Diego Padres (9-20)

Cory Luebke may need Tommy John surgery. The bright spot early in the season for this Padres team has gone dark.

30. Minnesota Twins (7-20)

It seems so long ago that the Twins were perennial playoff contenders and Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer were perennial MVP candidates.

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