MLB Power Rankings 2012: Pitching Staffs That Will Carry Teams Deep into October

With only about a quarter of the MLB regular season remaining, the playoff picture is starting to get clearer. However, just reaching the postseason will not be enough for some teams.

Throughout the years, great pitching has usually been the key to a successful run in the playoffs. Even a great lineup can go cold when facing elite players on the mound, and teams with the best rotations and bullpens usually end up winning it all.

This year, there are a lot of squads that are having great years, but only a few teams have the pitching to really be contenders for the World Series.

Washington Nationals

Many predicted a breakout year for the Washington Nationals, but few could have predicted that the team would have the best record in the major leagues near the end of August.

The key has been the starting rotation, which has stayed healthy and has been efficient all year long. Jordan Zimmermann leads the majors in ERA, while Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez are in the top 10 in strikeouts.

Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler have also kept teams off the board at the back of the rotation to help the club lead the majors in team ERA.

There are a number of talented hitters in the lineup, but the pitching staff has carried the Nats this season and will help them be favorites in the postseason.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are only 18th in the majors in runs scored, yet if the season ended today they would be in the playoffs as the first wild card.

David Price is in contention for the Cy Young, while youngsters Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore are impressing in the tough AL East.

In addition, closer Fernando Rodney has had possibly the most surprising season in all of baseball. He has anchored the team with a 0.79 ERA and identical WHIP to earn himself a league-leading 38 saves. Before this year, his ERA had not been below four since 2006.

This staff has a great mix of youth and experience that will be dangerous for opponents in October. 

Cincinnati Reds

If not for Todd Redmond being needed for a double-header, the Reds would have the distinction as the only team in baseball to use only five starters all season.

They have been fortunate to stay healthy, but more importantly the players have pitched well when it is their turn in the rotation.

The Reds lead all teams with eight complete games, but the bullpen is more than capable of picking up the slack when the starters do not go the distance. The pen's 2.67 ERA leads the majors.

Aroldis Chapman forced his way to the closer role and has only given up two earned runs to NL teams all season. With the way the bullpen can shut down games, Cincinnati will be tough to beat.

Power Rankings

Team	Record
1. Washington Nationals	75-46
2. Cincinnati Reds	74-48
3. New York Yankees	72-49
4. Atlanta Braves	70-51
5. Texas Rangers	70-50
6. Tampa Bay Rays	67-54
7. Los Angeles Dodgers	67-55
8. Baltimore Orioles	66-55
9. Pittsburgh Pirates	67-54
10. Chicago White Sox	65-55
11. Oakland Athletics	65-55
12. St. Louis Cardinals	65-56
13. San Francisco Giants	66-55
14. Detroit Tigers	64-57
15. Arizona Diamondbacks	62-59
16. Los Angeles Angels	62-60
17. Seattle Mariners	58-64
18. Philadelphia Phillies	56-65
19. Boston Red Sox	59-63
20. New York Mets	57-64
21. Kansas City Royals	54-66
22. Toronto Blue Jays	56-65
23. Miami Marlins	55-67
24. Milwaukee Brewers	54-66
25. Cleveland Indians	54-67
26. San Diego Padres	53-70
27. Minnesota Twins	50-70
28. Colorado Rockies	46-73
29. Chicago Cubs	47-73
30. Houston Astros	39-83

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