Ranking Midseason Records for All 30 MLB Teams from 2011-2012

The 2012 MLB season has evolved into an enigma regarding team records. This is especially true when comparing team records through 81 games in 2011 to the same point this year.  

While some teams have virtually the same records as they did in 2011, other teams have risen from the ashes of their own misery to give fans hope.

For example, the New York Yankees' 49-32 record in 2012 is virtually unchanged from their 50-31 record in 2011. The same goes for the St. Louis Cardinals, whose 42-39 record in 2012 is just one win less than their record at this point last season (so much for the Albert Pujols debate). And the Minnesota Twins' 35-46 record is exactly the same between 2011 and 2012.   

On the other hand, teams like the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and L.A. Dodgers have fostered very significant turnarounds since last season.

At 48-33, the Nationals have seen an eight-point uptick in victories from 2011. This team has done this by mastering three simple orders Forrest Gump could easily follow: hit, pitch, field.

The Orioles have also seen an eight-game improvement, though they have at times have failed to hit, pitch and field. But I have to say, of all teams in the major leagues, trying to figure out the Orioles is like trying to nail gelatin dessert to a skinny tree.

There are are also the Dodgers, who have continued winning despite injuries to Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier

Then there are teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers that have fallen off track this season, for various reasons.

The Phillies, for example, are 15 games worse (36-45) through 81 games this year than they were in 2011 (51-30). Even worse, this club has gone from penthouse to cellar in the NL East.

At 31-50, the Rockies are eight games worse. And Milwaukee is six games worse at 38-43.

Wonder if the Brewers are missing Prince Fielder yet?

Anyhow, below is a complete MLB standings comparison of all 30 teams through 81 games.

Rank	Team	2011	2011 Final	2012	Win Diff
01	Dodgers	36-45	82-79	44-37	+8
02	Orioles	36-45	69-93	44-37	+8
03	Nationals	40-41	80-81	48-33	+8
04	Rangers	43-38	96-66	50-31	+7
05	White Sox	39-42	79-83	44-37	+5
06	LA Angels	41-40	86-76	45-36	+4
07	Pirates	41-40	72-90	45-36	+4
08	Royals	33-48	71-91	37-44	+4
09	Astros	28-53	56-106	32-49	+4
10	Mets	41-40	77-85	44-37	+3
11	Reds	41-40	79-83	44-37	+3
12	Athletics	36-45	74-88	39-42	+3
13	Marlins	36-45	72-90	39-42	+3
14	Blue Jays	40-41	81-81	41-40	+1
15	Twins	35-46	63-99	35-46	0
16	Yankees	50-31	97-65	49-32	-1
17	Giants	46-35	86-76	45-36	-1
18	Cardinals	43-38	90-72	42-39	-1
19	Rays	45-36	91-71	43-38	-2
20	Indians	44-37	80-82	42-39	-2
21	Cubs	33-48	71-91	31-50	-2
22	Braves	46-35	89-73	42-39	-4
23	Tigers	43-38	95-67	39-42	-4
24	Red Sox	47-34	90-72	42-39	-5
25	D-Backs	44-37	94-68	39-42	-5
26	Mariners	39-42	67-95	34-47	-5
27	Padres	36-45	71-91	31-50	-5
28	Brewers	44-37	96-66	38-43	-6
29	Rockies	39-42	73-89	31-50	-8
30	Phillies	51-30	102-60	36-45	-15

Standings Courtesy: MLB.com

James Morisette is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter.