Shea’s MLB Power Rankings (as of 9/29/2011)
This week’s MLB power rankings showcase a few teams unexpectedly on the ropes and a few teams unexpectedly clawing their way back into the playoff hunt.
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The dust has finally settled. The MLB regular season ended in dramatic fashion, as the American and National League Wildcard berths were decided on the final night.
With St. Louis and Tampa making the big dance, let’s see how they rank among the eight playoffs teams in relative strength entering the postseason.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (102-60): Ending the season with four straight wins showed that last week’s losing skid was nothing to worry about. Theoretically, the Phillies could play five games against St. Louis and start Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Halladay-Lee. They could use Roy Oswalt in long relief. Wow. The Phillies remain the team to beat.
2. Detroit Tigers (95-67): The Tigers were as dominant as any team in baseball over the second half of 2011. No one has pitched better than Justin Verlander this season. The Tigers’ collection of clutch hitters, including Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, not to mention a shutdown bullpen, also make them look “built for the playoffs.”
3. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): The Rays certainly earn the “Team of Destiny” title entering the postseason after winning their final five games and rallying from a seven-run deficit Wednesday night to clinch a playoff berth on an Evan Longoria walkoff. Their offensive versatility and deep pitching make them a legit threat to avenge last season’s loss to Texas. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
4. Texas Rangers (96-66): They enter the playoffs as baseball’s hottest team, having won six straight and nine of 10. Their bats are built to give just about any opponent fits. But will their pitching step up? Last year, Cliff Lee carried them. This year, it will have to be the likes of C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Derek Holland.
5. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Don’t sleep on the Brewers. They landed the all-important home field for the first round and will put their 57-24 record at Miller Park to the test. Given their prodigious power and excellent top three starting pitchers, I still believe the Brewers are built better than any other team in either league to challenge Philadelphia.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): The most unlikely playoff participants didn’t seem to have a hope in hell just a few weeks ago. Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter could turn back the clock and make the Cards look like their 2006 counterparts – but does this team have the depth to last long?
7. New York Yankees (97-65): Outstanding hitting aside, the New York Yankees arguably have the weakest pitching staff of any playoff qualifier. Bettors and experts all year round have predicted that Brian Cashman’s failure to land another arm will be the team’s downfall. Time to find out if they were right.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): In a playoff breakdown oozing parity, the D-backs should feel no shame being ranked eighth here. But the rank is justified given that this team has almost no playoff experience. We really don’t know what to expect from ’Zona.
We’re almost at the end of another MLB gambling season. It’s time to NOW bring your best baseball betting hat to the table for gambling on baseball. Cappers Picks all season long provides MLB baseball gambling predictions, so check back often.
