Newest Power Rankings

The summer is starting to heat up, and teams are starting to separate themselves from the pact. If you notice one pattern, and it's been consistent for the past few years, its that the NL continues to suck. Which begs the question, which is worse? The National League or the Eastern Conference in the NBA? And don't give me that crap about the Cardinals or the Pistons winning championships somewhat recently, both divisions are terrible. Now, without further ado, let's take a looks at the updated Katzo MLB Power Rankings (through June 18th):

1. Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels (45-26): The hottest team in the majors right now. Stellar pitching staff, a bullpen that has the likes of K-Rod, and set-up man Shields to complement a starting rotation which consists of Lackey, Colon, Escobar, Santana, and Weaver. Not too mention a line-up of scrappy hitters up and down, scattered with a couple power guys who can get the home run when necessary. I don't see many teams that could beat them in a seven game series.

2. Boston Red Sox (44-25): Good hitting, decent starting pitching, great bullpen. Very solid team but I have some issues with the starting pitching. Lester is coming back soon, but will he save the day? Doubtful. Playoff bound? yes. World Series bound?...

3. Detroit Tigers (40-29): I love this team and would very much like to see a Tigers/Angles ALCS. But injuries in the bullpen have hampered them a bit. Great line-up and tremendous young pitching. Can the bullpen turn it around?

4. Cleveland Indians (41-28): Remember when I said at the beginning of the year to watch out for this team? Same division as the Tigers, slightly less hitting and a questionable closer keeps me from putting them ahead of Detroit. Still believe they will make earn the Wild Card.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (39-31): Another team of young players that I love to watch. Prince is slowly turning into a King in front of our eyes. Tremendous bullpen and a solid rotation should get them at least to the NLCS. Would love to see a Brewers and Tigers/Angels World Series.

6. NY Mets (38-30): Pitching, pitching, pitching. Do you really want your ace starting spring training at the end of July? Age is starting to show, and as dangerous as their line-up is, they can't carry them every night, especially in the playoffs.

7. Oakland A's (38-31): Pitching, pitching, pitching. But this is a good thing for the A's. Stellar young group of arms, but where are the runs going to come from? An exact opposite of the Mets.

8. San Diego Padres (40-28): Great staff and bullpen, but will have trouble adding to the left side of the scoreboard. Also, is this division the best or the worst in the NL? I can't tell. (Okay, not the worst, that's the central).

9. LA Dodgers (39-30): The saga continues, consistent pitching with struggling bats.

10. Atlanta Braves (38-33): Health. This team has all the tools to make a run, but can they stay healthy and can they be consistent enough? And honestly, Andruw, really?

11. NY Yankees (35-32): Staff is finally healthy (minus Hughes). Clemens is back and Abreu is hitting, but can they keep it up, and have they dug themselves into too deep a hole?

12. Philadelphia Philies (36-34): Cole Hamels cannot carry this staff, and it's too bad because he's special. Line-up is too hot and cold.

13. Arizona (40-31): Young hitters have started to cool, don't be surprise if this team fizzles down the stretch.

14. Minnesota Twins (34-34): Santana hasn't been the same. If he turns it around and with Mauer back, I could see this team making a late push.

15. Seattle Mariners (35-31): Surprise of the year so far. Had a nice little streak. Not enough pitching or overall weapons to make a serious run.

16. Colorado Rockies (35-34): Love the young hitters.
17. Toronto Blue Jays (33-35): Destroyed by the injury bug.
18. Florida Marlins (33-38): Too young still.
19. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (31-37): Slowly but surely making strides.
20. Chicago White Sox (29-37): A huge hole in the proverbial team bat.
21. St. Louis Cardinals (30-37): Rumblings of Ankiel being called up as a power-hitting OF, good for him.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (30-39): Already ran out of steam.
23. Chicago Cubs (31-37): Easily the most entertaining off the field team this year...that's about it.
24. San Fransisco Giants (30-39): Can't score for the young, but talented pitching staff.
25. Houston Astros (30-40): Can't score any runs period.
26. Kansas City Royals (29-42): Alex Gordon is finally starting to turn it around.
27. Washington Nationals (30-40): Second most surprising team this year.
28. Baltimore Orioles (29-40): New manager won't help much, at least this year.
29. Texas Rangers (26-43): Yuck.
30. Cincinnati Reds (27-44): Yuckier, especially after they trade Dunn and possibly Griffey.

Playoff Predictions:

AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Angles
Wild Card: Indians

ALDS: Angles over Indians, Tigers over Red Sox
ALCS: Angles over Tigers

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Brewers
NL West: Dodgers
Wild Card: Padres

NLDS: Brewers over Padres, Dodgers over Mets
NLCS: Brewers over Dodgers

World Series: Angles over Brewers