Maine's MLB Power Ten, 6/6

[MaineDolFan]

Greetings from New York!  Wow, am I hung over!  Josh drinks a lot after he loses...

#1.  Detroit Tigers 37-20
Yes, I understand that they "big dogs" from the AL East came in and showed the Tigers a thing or two.  But I also know this-of the four combined losses to the Yankees and Red Sox, two of those were games that they could (should) have won.  The Tigers pitching staff is nails, from soup to nuts.  Starting pitching, middle relief, closer.  Wow - the best arms I've seen this season so far.

#2.  St. Louis Cardinals 35-22
Oh boy, they've lost Albert Pujols for up to six weeks.  That is really going to sting.  Let me tell one one thing that doesn't worry me anymore:  Jason Isringhausen.  This guy is flat out sick.  After blowing two saves early in the season, he's now 17 for 17 in save chances and - by the way - pitching two innings at a time.  The 3.91 ERA continues to drop and should be in the 2.00 range by July.

#3.  New York Yankees 34-22
People jumped up and down the past few years talking about the Yankees farm system and how it's bare - "tumble weed in the desert" is how ESPN's Kevin Kennedy put it.  I have written the flip of that.  Bare?  Really?  Cano?  Wang?  Cabrera?  Phillips?  Bare?  Yeah, bare this.  The Yankees have more talent in their system than they want the world to know about - high rankings don't mean everything.  Yankee players are dropping like flies, and yet...they keep winning. 

#4.  Boston Red Sox 33-22
They avoided a sweep in Toronto, took two of three at the Tigers and wow...stunk up the joint last night in New York.  And, happy happy joy joy...David Pauley gets the nod tonight in the Bronx.  Help is on the way, the world is going to be introduced to Jon Lester this weekend.  I watched tape of his last three starts last night with Mike Timlin and Wakey - and you should have seen their faces.  That's enough to excite me.

#5.  Chicago White Sox 34-22
This team is very streaky, they need to get that under control and fast.  Losers of 7 of their last 10, they haven't had a three game winning streak since early May.  Just when the offense starts to click, the defense starts to slide.  The starting pitching comes around and the bullpen falters.  And, I'm telling you - they don't have the arms to hang with Detroit this season.  They need to take advantage when the Tigers lose.  Ask Houston - arms can mean everything.

#6.  New York Mets 34-22
Edge of my seat.  Every pitch.  Webb-Pedro.  Holy GOD, what a game.  If you enjoy a chess match game, one where the pitchers and defense means everything, you loved that game as much as I did.  Both pitchers taking a 0-0 tie into the 9th.  WOW.  I've watched that gem 10 times and it's not getting erased from my DVR any time soon.  That game will be on ESPN classics soon.  At least it should be!

#7.  Toronto Blue Jays 31-25
There are a handful of teams with better records than the Jays, I'll explain why I am slotting them here:  Toronto is keeping their head above water while missing starts from every one of their starting five pitchers.  Not one other team in the majors has lost one start from all starting five.  The Jays have.  Halladay (1), Burnett (a lot), Chacin (4), Lilly (1), Towers (3 prior to send down).  They are battling injuries in the worst areas and still winning.  If AJ can come back and give them 120 innings and 10 wins...watch out.

#8.  Cincinnati Reds 33-24
Bronson Arroyo is 6-2 with an ERA well under 2.30 and yet...not one quality start.  Not one.  Weird, right?  Well - it gets weirder.  Last season with Boston - Bronson led the MAJORS in quality starts.  In his first 7 starts he had 3 wins, and ERA over 4.10 and...7 quality starts.  So...what's the deal?  Makes one think of the term "smoke and mirrors."

#9.  Arizona Diamondbacks 34-23
Talk about smoke and mirrors.  Do I believe in the Dbacks?  No.  Do they deserve to be here this week?  Yes.

#10.  L.A. Dodgers 32-26
Name two pitchers in the top five in the NL with the lowest ERA?  If you picked Brad Penney and Derek Lowe, you picked right.  Both are pitching very well.  Nooo-MAH has rediscovered his stroke and is mashing the ball.  And there is the little matter of Eric Gagne being back and hitting ninety freaking eight MPH on the gun during his first trip back to the mound for Big Blue.

There it is, folks!  Get to it!

[Brian Fein]

I'm afraid the Cardinals will be falling like a cinderblock in the ocean without Pujols.

Still waiting for the Marlins to debut on the list.  Winners of 9 of 12 - don't even get a look?

[Fau Teixeira]

the marlins have been playing well .. but top 10 ? .. maybe if it was top 10 over the past 2 weeks

[Brian Fein]

the marlins have been playing well .. but top 10 ? .. maybe if it was top 10 over the past 2 weeks

I was only half serious.  Maine tends to give special consideration to teams on hot streaks.

See Padres three weeks ago

[bsfins]

Jason Isringhausen blew two more saves...one over the weekend against the Cubs...( not his fault...Error on Scott Rolen...Ball went through his legs).

Last night he gave up a 3 Run HR.in the 9th...2 walks a HR in .1 inning

I know this well,because He's on my fantasy team.....

Sorry,I had to update the info....

[MaineDolFan]

I was too buried in a bottle of vodka last night to know what went on...haven't looked at any of my rags.  Thanks for the update!

[Denver_Bronco]

New york, new york

Start spreading the news, Im leaving today
I want to be a part of it - new york, new york
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it - new york, new york

I wanna wake up in a city, that doesnt sleep
And find Im king of the hill - top of the heap

These little town blues, are melting away
Ill make a brand new start of it - in old new york
If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere
Its up to you - new york, new york

New york, new york
I want to wake up in a city, that never sleeps
And find Im a number one top of the list, king of the hill
A number one

These little town blues, are melting away
Im gonna make a brand new start of it - in old new york
And if I can make it there, Im gonna make it anywhere

It up to you - new york new york

New york

[MaineDolFan]

Um, dude?  It's one game.

[Denver_Bronco]

Um, dude?  It's one game.

Of all people you should know that i am just busting your chops. When this series started i was praying for a split. And i still am.

[MaineDolFan]

I know!  C'mon...I spent a night drink stoli/vodka.  Cut me some slack.

[TonyB0D]

stoli = vodka


or were you drinking stoli & house vodka :-D

[MaineDolFan]

I know stoli = vodka...you'll notice that i didn't say stoli & vodka...

[Denver_Bronco]

I know stoli = vodka...you'll notice that i didn't say stoli & vodka...

That stuff will cripple you.

[Sunstroke]

That Brandon Webb vs Pedro Martinez game was one helluva pitching duel. I watched damned near every pitch, and it just backed up what I've said all season...Brandon Webb is a serious mound monster.

I can't wait to watch Jon Lester pitch...and wish I had access to the same game film that Maine watched with wake and timlin. :-(

I'm not so sure that AZ is smoke and mirrors...they do have some good offensive players, and Eric Byrnes is really starting to back up the hype he brought from Oakland. Chad Tracy is a legitimate bopper as well. Not sure they'll be able to beat out the Dodgers in our division..>Dodgers just look damned tough...but I'd bet they give LA a run for their money down the stretch.

St Louis is going to shock everyone and not slow their pace at all while Pujols is out.

[Denver_Bronco]

Andy Phillips is only 751 homers from tying Hank Aaron. ESPN has begun tracking his every at-bat.