MLB Power Rankings: Who's Hot and Who's Not Around the League?

It has gone by quick, but the MLB regular season is already almost a third of the way through, and there have been a laundry list of surprises so far this year. I don't think many people guessed that 50 games into the season the Baltimore Orioles would be the team leading the AL East.

Now with over 100 games left to be played in the regular season, things will more than likely look dramatically different at season's end then they do now. But, here are the power rankings as they stand right now.

30: San Diego Padres

Padre fans haven't had much to scream about as they currently sit with an abysmal 17-34 record, and have failed to gain any momentum as they are currently on a five-game losing streak. Pitching has been poor, hitting has been poor, and they have only managed to win two of their last ten contests.

29. Chicago Cubs

The Cubbies have failed to generate much offense this year, although Bryan LaHair has provided some unexpected power with 10 home runs so far this season. However, already being 11 games back in the NL Central isn't the greatest place to be just 49 games into the season.

28. Atlanta Braves

As of right now, their record isn't too terrible compared to the other teams in the gutter of this list. They are three games above .500 and not too far out of the division lead. However, their win against St. Louis Tuesday night snapped an eight-game losing streak, which at the time was the highest losing streak in all of baseball.

27. Minnesota Twins

It isn't too much of a surprise that the Minnesota Twins are struggling so far this year, and their 17 wins are tied for the fewest of any team in the bigs.

26. Oakland Athletics

The Athletics started the year right around the .500 mark, but have lately drifted south in the AL West. They are currently riding a seven-game losing streak, and have only won two of their last ten games.

25. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are only ahead of the Padres in the NL West, and although they have won two in a row, they still find themselves 12.5 games back in the division.

24. Milwaukee Brewers

With the departure of Prince Fielder in the offseason, the Brewers were another team whose expectations weren't too high as this year started. Before winning two in a row, they had only won three of their previous eight games.

23. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are in dead last in the AL West and have only won four of their last ten games. Their nine wins at home are good enough for the third lowest amount in the entire American League.

22. Houston Astros

The theme this season so far for the Astros has been their inability to win away from home. They are a very solid 16-10 at home, but only 6-17 away from Minute Maid Park.

21. Kansas City Royals

There hasn't been much to cheer about lately if you're a Royals fan, and this year is appearing to run along the same trend. They are currently eight games below .500 and are 5-17 at home, which is the worst winning percentage at home in the entire league.

20. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-backs have been the epitome of an average team this year, and have failed all year to get a solid streak of wins together. They are five games below .500 and currently 10 games back in the NL West.

19. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers were either the most overrated team entering this year, or are just the team that has under-performed the most thus far.

With the addition of Prince Fielder, many thought that the Tigers would run away with the division, and even contend for a world title, but they are currently three games under .500 and were just swept by their division rivals, the Cleveland Indians.

18. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is only three games back in the AL East, but have began to drift away and have recently showed why many people picked them to finish in the cellar of the division. They have won two in a row, but only four of their last ten games.

17. Philadelphia Phillies

They play in perhaps the most surprisingly successful divisions in the game, but they have been hovering right around .500 for most of the season. It wouldn't have been a surprise to watch them run away with the division title, but a lack of offense has been a catalyst in their so far very average 2012 campaign.

16. Pittsburgh Pirates

There has been conversation that the Pirates might be able to be the surprise team in the bigs this year and make a run at winning the NL central; however, the Pirates have arguably the worst management in all of professional sports and their young talent doesn't look like it will be enough to produce a team that will be around when the postseason hits.

15. Boston Red Sox

After an abysmal start, the Red Sox are currently making moves to get back to their winning ways. They have won seven of their last ten, but there is a lot more work to do if they are going to be serious contenders for either the wild card or the AL East crown.

14. New York Yankees

The Yankees are currently three games above .500, but have dropped their last two games and have failed to produce offensively to the capability that they can. With the Orioles and Rays both playing stellar baseball, the Yanks are going to have to step up and pull together a large string of wins as the year goes on to contend for the AL East.

13. Baltimore Orioles

For about the first forty games of the season, the Orioles were the talk of the league but have steadily declined and will most likely see themselves out of the top of the AL East soon. They have lost four in a row and seven of their last ten, but at eight games over .500, they are still in a great spot.

12. San Francisco Giants

The Giants are starting to get back on track, as they have won six of their last ten games and, with a win Wednesday night, they would start a solid winning streak. They are going to need their offense to kick it into high gear if they want to make a run at the playoffs though, as they are currently 19th in the league in runs scored.

11. St. Louis Cardinals

Even after losing Albert Pujols, the Cardinals have still found a way to be close to the top of the NL Central, and have even managed to have the second most productive offense in the bigs; however, their bullpen, which has only converted eight saves this year, might eventually lead to them being on the outside looking in as the season progresses.

10. New York Mets

The Mets have been an impressive 16-10 at home this season, and are currently only 1.5 games back in the NL East; however, they are another team that has struggled on the bump—their team ERA of 4.40 is currently the sixth worst in the majors.

9. Cleveland Indians

The Indians have surprisingly been at the top of the AL Central for almost the entire year; however, they are only 5-5 in their last ten games. After Justin Masterson got shelled by the Royals, it's hard to tell how long the Indians will continue to be near the top of the division.

8. Miami Marlins

Not only do the Marlins have perhaps the most innovative stadium in the league right now, but they have also put together a solid first 50 games this season.

They are coming off of a win from the division-leading Washington Nationals; however, they are only 20th in total offense so far this year. If they want to make a serious run at the playoffs, they are going to have to find a way to produce more runs.

7. Tampa Bay Rays

Although they have lost two straight, the Rays have been playing solid ball all season and find themselves at the top of the AL East. They are in the top 12 in the majors in both hitting and pitching, and their 17 wins at home this year are the most in the American League.

6. Washington Nationals

The Nationals currently have the lowest team ERA in the bigs, and if that trend continues, there is a great chance that they could find themselves in the postseason. They have dropped their last two games, but still stand alone atop the NL East.

5. Los Angeles Angels

After an extremely slow start, the Angels picked up the slack as the month of May comes to a close. They have won eight games in a row, but still have a lot of work to do, as they are only one game over .500.

If they can find a way to start consistently winning on the road (they're currently 13-15), then they have a real chance at either winning the AL West or the wild card.

4. Texas Rangers

After a fast start, the Rangers have since slowed down by winning just six of their last ten games. However, they still hold a very comfortable lead in the NL West, as they are 5.5 games up on the L.A. Angels. The key so far has been an explosive offense, led by Josh Hamilton. Their 280 total runs this year are the most in the big leagues.

3. Cincinnati Reds

Perhaps the most surprising story in the MLB so far has been the sudden emergence of the Reds. They currently hold a 1.5 game lead on the Cardinals in the NL Central, and have won eight out of their last ten games. Even though they are 21st in total offense this year, their pitching staff has been the key to their early success.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers currently hold the best record in baseball, but have slipped as of late by dropping two straight games. There is absolutely no need to panic though, as they are still six games up in the NL West and shouldn't have a problem continuing their winning ways. Led by Matt Kemp, the Dodgers are a very serious contender for a World Series title come October.

1. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are the hottest team in baseball right now. Their 16 wins on the road this year are the most in the American League, they are currently riding a seven-game winning streak, and they have won nine of their last ten. Led by Adam Dunn's 16 home runs, and Paul Konerko's .386 batting average, the Sox have one of the hottest offensive lineups in the game.

What do you guys think? Who do you think is placed too high or too low?