Philadelphia Phillies Rising: Power Ranking the MLB Playoff Contenders
2010 presents us with some of the most compelling playoff races in recent history. With the Padres slipping in the NL West, the Phillies taking over in the NL East, and possibly the two best teams in baseball -- the Rays and Yankees -- battling it out in the AL East, the last 20 games could bring about many surprises.
The NL West is possible the most inspiring story. With the Padres as the darling team all season, the Giants and Rockies are making a push as San Diego is beginning to have trouble holding on atop the division. The NL East is also interesting, with the Braves making way for the Phillies to swoop into first place. And, of course, the Yankees and Rays battling it out with the Red Sox also in the mix for a possible wild card spot.
Here are the power rankings for the 10 teams that look poised or have a chance at making the 2010 MLB playoffs.
10: San Diego Padres
1 of 10
The Padres have allowed their lead in the NL West to be reduced to a slim one game lead, thanks to a recent 10-game losing streak. This teams pitching is their strong-point, and it will have to remain that way if this team wants to make the playoffs. With the best team ERA in baseball, the Padres will have to preserve that as they battle strong offensive teams in the Rockies and Reds this coming week.
Biggest problem area: The Rockies and Giants are just too good, especially of late. Even at full force, it will be hard for the Padres to hold them down.
Key player: Heath Bell has been the strong spot of this team all season, and will need to maintain that to keep this team above water.
Crucial series: This weekend against the Giants. It will likely all be determined there.
Surprising help could come from: Nobody looks poised to step up.
Biggest team to contend with: The Rockies are the biggest threat to the Padres because of their offensive ability. The Padres may be able to hold off the Giants with their pitching, but the Rockies have the superior un-matched offense.
9: Braves
2 of 10
The Braves have been slipping for some time now, and recently let the Phillies take over first place in the NL West. The Braves have been superior to the Phillies all season, and have the tools -- both offensively and defensively -- to retake the lead in the NL East. All they need to do is return to their early- or mid-season form, and they will retake over the division.
Biggest problem area: The pitching staff has not performed over the past couple of weeks. As a mjor strong point for this team, they need to get back on track.
Key player: Tim Hudson, who leads the Braves in ERA, has lost his past two starts. They need their top starter to be on his game to pull this team back up.
Crucial series: Three-game set starting next Monday in Philiadelphia.
Surprising help could come from: Jair Jurrjens has been in-and-out this season. If he can return to his former self, he can catapult this team to a new level.
Biggest team to contend with: The Phillies.
8: Giants
3 of 10
While the Padres have slipped, the Giants have enjoyed themselves as they have gotten right back into the race in the NL West. With some of the best pitching in baseball, the Giants simply need to hold of the Rockies and maintain their great pitching.
Biggest problem area: Pitching is great, but the Giants are going to need to work on their below average Runs/Game value, especially when going up against the Padres pitching staff.
Key player: Aubrey Huff was helping out with the offense before putting up a .229 batting average in the past 13 games. He needs to get on track to provide this team with the offense they need.
Crucial series: This weekend against the Padres.
Surprising help could come from: Pat Burrell is no stranger to big offensive outbursts. Don't rule out a home run surge from his down the stretch.
Biggest team to contend with: The Giants are sandwiched by the Padres and Rockies, both teams they have to worry about.
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7: Rockies
4 of 10
The Rockies, also in the epic NL West battle, separate themselves because of their offense. Carlos Gonzalez is a legitimate triple-crown candidate, and Troy Tulowitzki is on a tear. All you worry about is their pitching staff, which has held it's own. They need to use their strong offense to beat out the weak offenses of the Giants and Padres.
Biggest problem area: The Rockies pitching staff is barely above average. Ubaldo Jimenez is the only one you can really count on every five days.
Key player: The Rockies starting getting hot when Tulowitzki started getting hot. He needs to keep this up, or at least not fall into a slump.
Crucial series: Last weekend of the season against the Giants.
Surprising help could come from: Aaron Cook was an all-star two years ago, but has not pitched up to those standards in 2010. He has the ability to pitch much better, and it is exactly that push that the Rockies need.
Biggest team to contend with: At this point, it looks as though the Giants will be the only ones that will stand in the way of the Rockies.
6: Rangers
5 of 10
The Rangers are another team that has slipped recently. That has been due to their inability to maintain a strong pitching staff. Everyone will immediately point to Cliff Lee when talking about this team, who has not performed since being traded. They have a top offense, but it is the pitching staff that needs to get back on track.
Biggest problem area: Cliff Lee and the pitching staff. Getting completely healthy.
Key player: Cliff Lee, Cliff Lee, Cliff Lee. We all know what he is capable of, he just needs to get back on track.
Crucial series: The Rangers are virtually a lock for the postseason, but their confidence will be tested and determined this weekend against the Yankees.
Surprising help could come from: This team doesn't really need help, and it wouldn't be much of a surprise, but Cliff Lee is the answer.
Biggest team to contend with: Themselves. It is a matter of confidence for this team.
5: Reds
6 of 10
The Reds are another team that is essentially locked for the postseason. A couple wins here and there will hold off the second place Cardinals who, as of this writing, are five games back, and don't seem to have enough pull to hold off the Reds.
Biggest problem area: The Reds have a below average pitching staff. To this point, it has been held off by their great offense, but fixing up the pitching staff could really help this team.
Key player: Joey Votto has led this team's offense all year, and needs to maintain that lead role down the stretch.
Crucial series: The Reds have a very easy schedule for the remainder of the season. However, in the final weekend of the series, the Reds will face off against the Padres in San Diego. At that point, the Reds will have likely clinched, but it will be a great way for the Reds to get ready for the playoffs.
Surprising help could come from: Bronson Arroyo is a veteran starting pitcher who can certainly put together a big stretch. This team needs a surge of pitching, and Arroyo is most poised to provide that.
Biggest team to contend with: Shouldn't be much of a problem, but the Cardinals are still somewhat in it.
4: Twins
7 of 10
The Twins are on a roll, and always seem to get it done, one way or another. You don't worry about this team too much, especially with a six game lead in their division. They have a powerful offense, and a pitching staff that gets the job done easily.
Biggest problem area: Pitching staff could use a little improvement.
Key player: The Twins have not seen their former MVP, Justin Morneau, since early July. It has been up in the air whether he will return at all this season. The Twins need to work that out and move forward.
Crucial series: Next week against the division rival White Sox, the only team that poses a threat.
Surprising help could come from: Nick Blackburn is not pitching up to his abilities. He could provide this team with another quality starter.
Biggest team to contend with: The White Sox do not pose too much of a threat, but, now that they have Manny Ramirez, you cannot count them out.
3: Phillies
8 of 10
The Phillies are really putting on a show in the last couple weeks of the season, winning eight of their last 10 games, and taking over first place. Looking to go to the World Series for the third straight year, you can definitely not count out Philadelphia for another National League pennant. With the Braves slipping of their back, the Phillies are looking to cruise into the postseason for yet another year.
Biggest problem area: Their offense isn't what it used to be. Jimmy Rollins isn't playing up to his potential and can't stay healthy.
Key player(s): Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard have just recently heated up, and it is no coincidence that the Phillies did as well. Hamels has struck out 18 batters, and given up no runs in his last three starts, while Howard is hitting .375 with two home runs in his past four games. At this rate, these two players are all the Phillies need.
Crucial series: Next Monday begins a series against the second place Braves.
Surprising help could come from: No help needed.
Biggest team to contend with: The Braves.
2: Rays
9 of 10
The Rays and Yankees are in an epic battle, and have been for most of the season. The Rays have one of the most powerful pitching staffs in all of baseball. Coupled with their explosive, speedy offense, the Rays are an extremely dangerous team.
Biggest problem area: They are 5-5 in their past 10 games and are running out of time.
Key player: With 42 stolen bases and a .304 batting average, Carl Crawford has been the ignition for this team. He sparks the offense and opens up the whole for big innings.
Crucial series: They play seven games against the Yankees in the next two weeks.
Surprising help could come from: B.J. Upton has not played up to his potential in what seems like forever. He, too, can be a spark for this offense, and provide a bunch of power.
Biggest team to contend with: The Yankees.
1: Yankees
10 of 10
The 27 World Champion Yankees are looking to go back-to-back. However, unlike 2009, 2010 has been a bit of a rocky road for the Yankees. Losing A-Rod on multiple occasions has not helped, losing Andy Pettitte has had Yankee fans anxious for his return. With a slim lead in the AL East, the Yankees have one thing in mind: fix the starting rotation:
Biggest problem area: The starting rotation is in turmoil. No one has pitched to their potential (besides Sabathia). Derek Jeter has lost his ability to hit.
Key player(s): For all the Yankees that need to get back on pace, Marcus Thames and Robinson Cano deserve a lot of credit for stepping up in A-Rod's recent absense. This team could have sunk without A-Rod's power, but Thames and Cano put up great numbers.
Crucial series: This coming week in Tampa. Good chance to put away the Rays on their own turf.
Surprising help could come from: Ivan Nova has already been pitching well, but, if he continues to put up good numbers, we could be in for a big surprise (think playoff roster).
Biggest team to contend with: The Rays.
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