MLB Power Rankings 2012: Teams Rising Down the Stretch

We're more than two-thirds through Major League Baseball's 2012 campaign, with teams jostling for position and making the playoff push.

Some teams have fallen off the radar in the second half of the season, while others appear to be soaring at just the right time.

Here's a look at some teams currently doing damage, complete with power rankings below.

Feel free to chime in, folks.

Tampa Bay Rays

Since losing two of three against the Baltimore Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays have gone on to win seven straight, sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins in the process.

The Rays are ranked 23rd in runs scored, but third in team ERA (3.36)—more evidence that great pitching will generally get you farther than great hitting.

The Rays have done this despite having the third-toughest schedule in baseball.

Baltimore Orioles

The job that Buck Showalter has done in Baltimore cannot be overstated.

The Orioles rank 20th in runs scored and 19th in team ERA and have a winning record despite being collectively outscored by opponents by 49 runs this season.

That shows that the Orioles, despite their shortcomings, know how to win ball games. Changing the culture is the first part of fielding a strong club.

The Orioles have won 10 of their last 14 games. They won two out of three against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays and swept the Seattle Mariners during that time.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The margin between the Dodgers and the rival San Francisco Giants is razor thin, but the Dodgers have won seven of their last 10 games and have a better team ERA than the Giants.

In fact, the Dodgers rank third in team ERA this season (3.35), which is why they've been able to get away with a rather lackluster offense (451 runs, 26th in baseball).

It's going to be a riveting close to the season in the National League West.

MLB Power Rankings

Team	Record
1. Washington Nationals	72-44
2. Cincinnati Reds	69-46
3. New York Yankees	68-47
4. Atlanta Braves	67-47
5. Tampa Bay Rays	63-52
6. St. Louis Cardinals	62-53
7. Texas Rangers	67-47
8. Chicago White Sox	62-52
9. Los Angeles Dodgers	63-53
10. San Francisco Giants	63-53
11. Pittsburgh Pirates	64-51
12. Oakland Athletics	61-53
13. Baltimore Orioles	62-53
14. Los Angeles Angels	60-56
15. Detroit Tigers	61-55
16. Arizona Diamondbacks	58-57
17. Boston Red Sox	57-59
18. Philadelphia Phillies	53-62
19. Toronto Blue Jays	55-60
20. New York Mets	55-60
21. Milwaukee Brewers	52-62
22. Seattle Mariners	53-64
23. San Diego Padres	52-65
24. Minnesota Twins	50-65
25. Miami Marlins	52-64
26. Cleveland Indians	54-62
27. Kansas City Royals	49-65
28. Chicago Cubs	45-69
29. Colorado Rockies	42-71
30. Houston Astros	38-79

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