2008 Power Rankings for this week
RK TEAM REC COMMENT
1 Diamondbacks 26-15 The D-backs' hottest hitter in May has been an unlikely source, catcher Chris Snyder (.438 BA, 1.238 OPS).
2 Cubs 25-16 Ted Lilly is flowering in May: The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA and has walked just four while striking out 25.
3 Rays 24-17 James Shields has given up only one home run -- a solo shot -- in his past seven starts (47 innings pitched).
4 Astros 24-18 How hot is Lance Berkman? He's got 28 hits, 13 of them for extra bases, in his last 46 at-bats for a .609 average during the 12-game span.
5 Athletics 23-19 Rookie Daric Barton went 1-for-16 as the A's were shut out three times in their last six games.
6 Marlins 23-17 Mark Hendrickson already has more wins this season (five) than he had all of 2007 (four).
7 Indians 22-19 It's not all Cliff Lee. Indians starters have a 0.16 ERA (one run in 55 1/3 innings) over the last seven games.
8 Phillies 23-19 Brett Myers has allowed the most home runs (15) in the majors, and has a 7.62 ERA in his past five starts.
9 Red Sox 24-19 Jacoby Ellsbury is a perfect 24-for-24 on stolen-base chances in his career, including 15-for-15 in 2008.
10 Angels 24-19 With Chone Figgins on the DL, Reggie Willits and Gary Matthews Jr. have combined to go 4-for-20 in the leadoff spot.
11 Dodgers 21-19 Turnaround time? Andruw Jones has three hits in his last nine at-bats, with a HR, two RBIs and only one K.
12 Cardinals 24-19 Izzy gonna close again? He has now blown five saves as the closer and one as a set-up man.
13 Braves 20-20 The Braves are an impressive 10 games over .500 at home, but are a poor 10 games under .500 on the road.
14 White Sox 20-20 Thanks, D-backs. Carlos Quentin leads the AL in home runs (10) and ranks second in RBIs (34) and slugging (.581).
15 Mets 20-19 Chants of "fire Willie, fire Willie" could soon start from the Shea Stadium faithful if the Mets continue their uninspired play.
16 Blue Jays 21-22 Shaun Marcum is third in the AL with a 2.22 ERA, and has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his past seven starts.
17 Orioles 21-19 Jay Payton has gotten more than half of his RBIs (11) against the Red Sox (six) this season.
18 Pirates 20-21 Opponents are batting .304 against Pirates starters, who have the third-worst ERA (5.49) in the majors.
19 Twins 20-20 Livan Hernandez, who has won six of his nine starts, is getting lots of run support -- almost eight runs a game.
20 Yankees 20-22 Mike Mussina has allowed only six walks in nine starts, and is unbeaten in his past five starts.
21 Rangers 20-22 Josh Hamilton has 13 multiple-RBI games in 2008, the most in the majors.
22 Brewers 20-21 Having played less than the equivalent of a full season in the majors, Ryan Braun inks an extension for $45 million. Wow.
23 Royals 19-21 Could closer Joakim Soria be an effective starter? Catcher John Buck thinks so. Soria has yet to allow a run in 17 appearances this season.
24 Reds 18-23 First baseman Joey Votto leads all rookies in home runs (8). He's got a dozen in his first 61 big league games.
25 Nationals 18-24 Jon Rauch has given up one run in his last 16 outings, during which time he's 8-for-9 in save opportunities.
26 Mariners 16-26 Second baseman Jose Lopez has a seven-game hitting streak and is hitting .429 during that span (12-for-28).
27 Tigers 16-25 Justin Verlander's strange trip continues. He has one win, a 6.05 ERA and the Tigers are averaging just 2.29 runs per game when he starts.
28 Giants 17-25 Welcome back, Omar Vizquel. The venerable defensive whiz has hit .444 in his first five games of '08.
29 Rockies 15-26 The Rockies miss Troy Tulowitzki, but Clint Barmes has been a worthy replacement (.421 in May and only one error).
30 Padres 15-27 With the Padres going 4-9 in May so far, they haven't gotten much help from their ace, Jake Peavy (1-2, 5.17 ERA).
Original Story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/powerranki....
RK TEAM REC COMMENT
1 Diamondbacks 26-15 The D-backs' hottest hitter in May has been an unlikely source, catcher Chris Snyder (.438 BA, 1.238 OPS).
2 Cubs 25-16 Ted Lilly is flowering in May: The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA and has walked just four while striking out 25.
3 Rays 24-17 James Shields has given up only one home run -- a solo shot -- in his past seven starts (47 innings pitched).
4 Astros 24-18 How hot is Lance Berkman? He's got 28 hits, 13 of them for extra bases, in his last 46 at-bats for a .609 average during the 12-game span.
5 Athletics 23-19 Rookie Daric Barton went 1-for-16 as the A's were shut out three times in their last six games.
6 Marlins 23-17 Mark Hendrickson already has more wins this season (five) than he had all of 2007 (four).
7 Indians 22-19 It's not all Cliff Lee. Indians starters have a 0.16 ERA (one run in 55 1/3 innings) over the last seven games.
8 Phillies 23-19 Brett Myers has allowed the most home runs (15) in the majors, and has a 7.62 ERA in his past five starts.
9 Red Sox 24-19 Jacoby Ellsbury is a perfect 24-for-24 on stolen-base chances in his career, including 15-for-15 in 2008.
10 Angels 24-19 With Chone Figgins on the DL, Reggie Willits and Gary Matthews Jr. have combined to go 4-for-20 in the leadoff spot.
11 Dodgers 21-19 Turnaround time? Andruw Jones has three hits in his last nine at-bats, with a HR, two RBIs and only one K.
12 Cardinals 24-19 Izzy gonna close again? He has now blown five saves as the closer and one as a set-up man.
13 Braves 20-20 The Braves are an impressive 10 games over .500 at home, but are a poor 10 games under .500 on the road.
14 White Sox 20-20 Thanks, D-backs. Carlos Quentin leads the AL in home runs (10) and ranks second in RBIs (34) and slugging (.581).
15 Mets 20-19 Chants of "fire Willie, fire Willie" could soon start from the Shea Stadium faithful if the Mets continue their uninspired play.
16 Blue Jays 21-22 Shaun Marcum is third in the AL with a 2.22 ERA, and has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his past seven starts.
17 Orioles 21-19 Jay Payton has gotten more than half of his RBIs (11) against the Red Sox (six) this season.
18 Pirates 20-21 Opponents are batting .304 against Pirates starters, who have the third-worst ERA (5.49) in the majors.
19 Twins 20-20 Livan Hernandez, who has won six of his nine starts, is getting lots of run support -- almost eight runs a game.
20 Yankees 20-22 Mike Mussina has allowed only six walks in nine starts, and is unbeaten in his past five starts.
21 Rangers 20-22 Josh Hamilton has 13 multiple-RBI games in 2008, the most in the majors.
22 Brewers 20-21 Having played less than the equivalent of a full season in the majors, Ryan Braun inks an extension for $45 million. Wow.
23 Royals 19-21 Could closer Joakim Soria be an effective starter? Catcher John Buck thinks so. Soria has yet to allow a run in 17 appearances this season.
24 Reds 18-23 First baseman Joey Votto leads all rookies in home runs (8). He's got a dozen in his first 61 big league games.
25 Nationals 18-24 Jon Rauch has given up one run in his last 16 outings, during which time he's 8-for-9 in save opportunities.
26 Mariners 16-26 Second baseman Jose Lopez has a seven-game hitting streak and is hitting .429 during that span (12-for-28).
27 Tigers 16-25 Justin Verlander's strange trip continues. He has one win, a 6.05 ERA and the Tigers are averaging just 2.29 runs per game when he starts.
28 Giants 17-25 Welcome back, Omar Vizquel. The venerable defensive whiz has hit .444 in his first five games of '08.
29 Rockies 15-26 The Rockies miss Troy Tulowitzki, but Clint Barmes has been a worthy replacement (.421 in May and only one error).
30 Padres 15-27 With the Padres going 4-9 in May so far, they haven't gotten much help from their ace, Jake Peavy (1-2, 5.17 ERA).
Original Story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/powerranki....
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