Maine's MLB Power Ten, 5/8

[MaineDolFan]

Shouldn't be too many changes from last week, so let's get to this:

#1.  Chicago White Sox 22-9
13-4 is a pretty decent home record this time of year, and the Sox have stayed white hot (heh, get it?  White hot?) posting an 8-2 record over their past 10 outings.  One concern is Garcia.  He's 4-1, yes, but his ERA is 5.45 which means he isn't pitching well.  As a guy that generally starts hot and cools as the season progresses, the Sox need him to get things straight and soon.

#2.  Cincinnati Reds 21-11
The Reds are on fire right now and they are doing it against really good teams.  While the sexy talk centers around Bronson Arroyo, but the real story here is the 5-1 Aaron Harang.  3.78 ERA and 45 punch outs, this kid is really cranking right now and is a legit number one starter.

#3.  New York Yankees 18-11
Mike Mussina has something to say to everyone that thought he was done.  It begins and ends with his middle finger.  How about a 2.35 ERA over his first 6 starts with 42 k's?  Not bad for a guy that originally was slotted to be starting behind Iron Man Carl Pavano.  Who, speaking of, should be making a rehab appearance soon.  The Bronx Bombers are 8-2 in their last 10 and welcome the Red Sox to town starting tomorrow for a 3 game set.

#4.  Boston Red Sox 19-12
Boston's offense has started to turn it up a notch, they are averaging 5.6 runs a game at this point in time, and that's without Coco Crisp.  Turns out that starting Kevin Millar over Kevin Youkilis last year was a great move, Youk's only hitting .387 since being moved to the leadoff slot, along with a sick .490 OBP.  Tim Wakfield, who has pitched very well in three losses, finally saw some run support over the weekend en route to Boston's fourth win in a row.

#5.  New York Mets 21-12
Someone please tell Billy Wagner to shut the hell up?  On the eve of the Mets stare down with the red hot Phillies, Wagner has been running his mouth about how the Phillies wanted him to lose last year while they were chasing Houston for a wild card birth.  Really, Bill?  They wanted you to lose?  Huh.  Meanwhile the Mets continue their torrid pace, winners of 7 of their last 10.  One of the three losses?  A blown Billy Wagner save.

#6.  St. Louis Cardinals 20-12
What did I say about the Cards last week?  Repeat that.  Winners of their last 3 in a row, they are playing solid ball.

#7.  Detroit Tigers 20-12
Here is why I am not overly enthused with the Tigers - the last teams that they have faced are:  Royals, Angels, O's, Twins and Indians.  Of those teams, only one is playing over .500 baseball right now, the others are struggling.  The Tigers are a decent young ball club, but they are benefiting from a weak schedule.  They have the Reds coming up, but then it's back to reality when they face KC four more times.  Nothing like the Royals to gauge where you are at as a team.

#8.  Philadelphia Phillies 17-14
Winners of 8 in a row and 8 of their last 10, the Phills are going well right now.  They welcome the Mets to town starting tomorrow and get to face 5-0 Pedro and his sparkling 2.72 ERA.  Beating up on the Giants is one thing, we'll see where the Phillies really are after this set with the revamped Mets.

#9.  Houston Astros 19-12
Something about Houston is bothering me right now.  Maybe it's their weak schedule up to this point, it seems that they have played the Dodgers and Marlins an awful lot.  Maybe it's Brad Lidge's two losses and ERA over 6.00?  Maybe it's Andy Pettitte's 2-4 record?  Hmmm.  Yes, maybe.

#10.  Colorado Rockies 19-13
The Rockies continue tearing people a new one on the road while barely playing .500 at home.  The good news about playing on that moon station that they call a ball park in Denver is that NO ONE plays well there - if they could hover at .500 all year at home they might have a chance.  I mean, heck - they are playing in the division that no one wants to win anyway.

News & notes:
San Diego is playing very good ball right now, winners of 8 straight.  They still need to show me something at home, playing four games under .500 in your own crib isn't a way to make any noise.  Toronto is the same streaky team that they were last year, posting a 5-5 record over their last ten.  As suspected, they have two huge holes in their pitching rotation with Towers and Lilly and there  is no relief in sight, no one knows what is going on with AJ Burnett.  Kansas City has a real shot this year at the worst team in LEAGUE HISTORY.  They are on pace at 7-22 on the year.  Go Royals!

[Sunstroke]

San Diego is playing very good ball right now, winners of 8 straight.  They still need to show me something at home, playing four games under .500 in your own crib isn't a way to make any noise. 

Kansas City has a real shot this year at the worst team in LEAGUE HISTORY.  They are on pace at 7-22 on the year.  Go Royals!

My Padres will win more games at home...we just happened to get on our winning streak while we were on the road. Maybe if we finish off our 4 game sweep of the cubbies today and run the streak to 12 with a sweep of the Brew Crew as well, then maybe the Padres can get some PT love.

I just want to see the Royals and the Pirates square off in interleague play...who would win? Would anyone? Is it possible for both teams to get swept in a series?

[Denver_Bronco]

Seeing Cincy at #2 just makes me feel dirty. Prepare for the inevitable fold by them. And holy s**t, a Colorado Rockies sighting ! Right now the NL looks like a 2 horse race to me in the long run. Mets or Cards.

The White Sox are going to win their division by 20 games. I hope they do too. That way maybe someone will be able to sneak up on them in the ALDS.

[bsfins]

I'm curious to see a Maine's...bottom 5...right now...I'd put my cubbies there...

I have to admit,I like seeing different teams doing well...

[Sunstroke]

Seeing Cincy at #2 just makes me feel dirty. Prepare for the inevitable fold by them.

I've been thinking the same thing, but I think this year they might actually have enough pitching to keep them from folding too hard. Some of their young hitters like Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, Brandon Phillips and Eddie Encarnacion look like they are ready to be consistent offensive players at this level as well. Sure, I still see St Louis as the cream of that division, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Cinci make it into a wild card slot.

The White Sox are going to win their division by 20 games. I hope they do too. That way maybe someone will be able to sneak up on them in the ALDS.

The only way Chicago wins that division by 20+ games is if the league decides to send the Cleveland Indians into the AL West during the season, and replaces them with Seattle.

[Brian Fein]

Go Royals!

this has been my contribution to the weekly MLB Power Ten

[EDGECRUSHER]

Even though it's not the Mets fault, their opponets are terrible. I think only the Pads and Giants had winning records and maybe that's not true now if you check the standings today. Just something to note.

[Sunstroke]

Go Royals!

this has been my contribution to the weekly MLB Power Ten

LOL...watch KC suddenly go off on a long winning streak now that they actually have a fan.

[MaineDolFan]

Even though it's not the Mets fault, their opponets are terrible. I think only the Pads and Giants had winning records and maybe that's not true now if you check the standings today. Just something to note.

The Braves did as well.

[Denver_Bronco]

Get ready for Sox/Yankees tonight Maine. Nice pitching matchups for these 3 games also. We must protect this house !

[MaineDolFan]

Should be a good series.  Did you see the article in the Post?

[Denver_Bronco]

Should be a good series.  Did you see the article in the Post?

Yeah, i am reading it right now at my desk. If anyone is brushing back Ortiz it better be Johnson. He does need to be moved off the plate. Instead he will be 3-4 with 4 RBI....LOL

[MaineDolFan]

Haven't had a good Sox / Yanks brawl in a while.  With Beckett going tonight, if Unit buzzes Ortiz it's going to be ON.  You know damn well that Beckett will put one on Jeter's forehead.

I hate situations like this - the only thing that comes out of them are suspensions and injury.

[Denver_Bronco]

Haven't had a good Sox / Yanks brawl in a while.  With Beckett going tonight, if Unit buzzes Ortiz it's going to be ON.  You know damn well that Beckett will put one on Jeter's forehead.

I hate situations like this - the only thing that comes out of them are suspensions and injury.

Don't worry, Johnny Damon will break it up.....

[Brian Fein]

Beckett will put one on Jeter's forehead...

Kinda gives that MLB2k6 commercial a whole new light, eh?