Power Rankings 5/11

Starting this week I will be posting weekly Power Rankings based on two components: a computer score and a human score. The computer score is based on a formula I derived from statistics such as wins, losses, current streak, run differential, etc. The human score, on the other hand, is more of a "gut instinct" based on where I personally feel the team falls in the rankings. A combination of the two scores will produce the total score, which ranks the teams as they stand each Monday morning.

RankTeamRecordComputer PtsHuman PtsTotal Pts1Blue Jays22-12109251342Cardinals20-1299321313Red Sox20-12100301304Dodgers22-11112161285Mets17-13105221276Royals18-14101251257Rangers17-1499251248Tigers17-1398251239Brewers18-14972512210Cubs17-14962412011Angels16-14962211812Reds17-14962011613Giants16-14951711214Rays15-18951611115Yankees15-16911911016Marlins17-15891910817Astros14-17911510618Twins15-17921310519White Sox14-16911210320Phillies15-14901210221Braves15-16891210122Mariners16-1689109923D-Backs13-1989109924Orioles13-199179825Indians11-218889626Athletics11-1885109527Padres13-199049428Rockies12-188548929Pirates12-198328530Nationals10-1994-1084

This past week has been a real game-changer around Major League Baseball. The Mets have won seven straight, the Dodgers have lost Manny Ramirez for 50 games, and Dustin Pedroia is hurt. And those are just the headlines. You can imagine what it's like to adjust your power rankings in light of such game-changing events.

First off, the Blue Jays still rest in first place thanks to a high computer score, followed closely by the team I believe is the best team in the MLB, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals' pitching situation still worries me, but their rotation has been producing quality outings and their offense seems strong enough to overcome most disasters the bullpen causes. Oh yeah, and they have that Pujols guy.

The Mets are the hottest team in baseball right now, winners of seven straight (four against division foes Atlanta and Philadelphia). In the last seven games, Mets starters have produced quality starts while the offense has finally hit its stride. Their bullpen has also held up to expectations, as they have the lowest ERA in the National League.

The Phillies seem to have hit a pretty big rut as they have lost four of their last five, all to division opponents. None of their starting pitchers are giving them quality outings, and even their ace, Cole Hamels, is struggling with a 6.17 ERA. Their offense is still dangerous, but Jimmy Rollins' .195 batting average is not helping their situation much.

The Dodgers will spend the next 50 games without slugger Manny Ramirez, thanks to a failed drug test that reported Ramirez used a banned substance. Despite what Manny says, he broke the rules and must now sit and watch his team play without him for the next two months. How will this affect the Dodgers? Only time will tell, but my guess is that it takes a bigger toll on them mentally than physically. With guys like Ethier, Loney, Kemp, Hudson, Martin, and Blake in their lineup, this team will still score a lot of runs. If their starting pitching holds up like it has the first month, the Dodgers will still be in first place when Manny returns.

So ends a hectic week in Major League Baseball, and in comes a new week full of headlines and surprises. How will the Dodgers fare? Will the Red Sox be okay without Pedroia? Will this be the week the Yankees finally turn things around? When will the Mets lose? Hopefully these questions will be answered somewhat next week.