Power Rankings: MLB Top 10 for the Week of May 9

Week after week, I put this list together and consistently get shocked by some of the teams that drop off the list, and remain on it.  Half the league continues to send mixed messages, making all of us wonder if they will continue to impress or just fall on their faces.

That being said, this is the Week 6 Top 10.

10. Cincinnati Reds (18-16)

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 08: Starting pitcher Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers the ball against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 8, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

I'm not entirely convinced that they deserve to be here, but they've gone 4-1 over their last five games.  Plus, it definitely helps that Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto returned from injury in impressive fashion.  Twelve innings, one run between them to be exact.

9. Kansas City Royals (18-16)

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SURPISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Eric Hosmer #40 of the Kansas City Royals bats during a spring training game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

Eric Hosmer has had a decent debut, so that's good for the Royals.  They went 6-3 over their nine-game homestand, and continue to be one of the best hitting teams in the American League.  Unfortunately for them, they've been stuck in second place, so 18-16 won't cut it for long.

8. Colorado Rockies (18-14)

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 8: Jorge De La Rosa #29 of the Colorado Rockies Pitches against the San Francisco Giants during a MLB baseball game at AT&T Park May 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

1-5 over the last five games, and three of those losses have been in the walkoff form.  They got swept by the Giants, and their lead in the NL West has dwindled to one game.  Hitting continues to unravel, and the bullpen has been abysmal.  On the good news side, they remain some of the best starters—unfortunately, the bullpen has faltered.

7. Florida Marlins (20-13)

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - APRIL 26: Gaby Sanchez #15 of the Florida Marlins is congratulated by Mike Stanton #27 after hitting a HR during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Sun Life Stadium on April 26, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike E

The Marlins have had a quiet week, going 3-4.  Gaby Sanchez is suddenly hitting .328—can the Marlins continue to perform all season?

6. Los Angeles Angels (20-15)

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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 08: Manager Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signals during the game against the Cleveland Indians on May 8, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The win was Scoiscia's 1,000th career victory as a manager as

They just miss cracking the top five, but the better news is that they're in first place in the AL West after it appeared the Rangers (who fell out of the Top 10) would run away with it.  Their hitting is the best in the American League and their pitching is second—if they keep up with that kind of pace, the Angels will be back into the playoffs after missing just one year.  Congratulations on number 1,000 Mike Scioscia!

5. St. Louis Cardinals (20-15)

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 01: Jaime Garcia #54 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on May 1, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

It was either the Cardinals or the Angels for the No. 5 position, and I decided the Cardinals have been playing some good baseball lately, namely Jaime Garcia's two-hitter on Friday night.  They're the best hitting team in the National League and sit atop the Reds in the NL Central by a game and a half—this weekend's three game set in Cincinnati will be key, even this early in the season.

4. New York Yankees (19-13)

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ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 07: Derek Jeter #2 and Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees talk between innings at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on May 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

They've been a conundrum so far this season—none of their statistics depict a team that has played spectacular, yet they are in first, or tied for it at least.  Unfortunately for the Bombers, they've been leapfrogged this week...

3. Tampa Bay Rays (20-14)

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 06: Brandon Guyer #30 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after hitting a home run in his major league debut in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 6, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland.

They had a 5-1 week, and over those six games, Ray pitching hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of them.  Even more impressive, they've gone 19-5 since that dreadful 1-9 start.  To top it off—Longoria has returned, so they'll continue to win.

2. Cleveland Indians (22-11)

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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 08: Third baseman Adam Everett #8 of the Cleveland Indians can't reach a single hit by Mark Trumbo #44 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 8, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

What makes them No. 2 and not one?  Well, their 3-3 week.  Still, the Tribe is tied for the best record in baseball and amazingly is 13-2 at home.  If they could win more consistently on the road—where they are 9-9—they could run away with the AL Central.  On an impressive note, the Indians took two out of three from the very talented Oakland pitching staff.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (22-11)

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 25: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on April 25, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Philli

The heavy favorites to win the World Series reign supreme on the Top 10 for the third week in a row.  A 4-2 week puts them at 22-11, but that is only two games ahead of the Marlins.  With such a slim lead, the six games they have this week in Miami and Atlanta will be crucial.