2012 Major League Baseball Power Rankings: July 16

Each week during the season Athlon Sports looks at the best and worst baseball teams in the league. Here's our MLB Power Rankings for July 16, 2012.

  1. Rangers—All-Star Matt Harrison pitching like Cy Young Matt Harrison.

 2. Yankees—Odds-on favorite to be first team to clinch.

 3. Nationals—Pine tar flap with Ozzie didn’t faze Bryce Harper.

 4. Braves—Hottest team in the National League putting heat on Nats.

 5. White Sox—Two more one-run wins over the weekend.

 6. Angels—Continue tough stretch, four at Detroit, three vs. Texas.

 7. Giants—Will Giants trade for a hitter again this season?

 8. Reds—Fans enjoyed flashing the brooms over the weekend.

 9. Dodgers—Defense gave away a game — can’t afford many of those.

10. Pirates—Stay in first place was brief, but upcoming schedule is friendly.

11. Tigers—Beginning to look like a team deserving of division title.

12. Rays—Offense still nowhere to be found.

13. Orioles—Wheels beginning to come off at Camden Yards.

14. Blue Jays—Chance to make a statement this week at N.Y. and Boston.

15. Red Sox—Return of Jacoby Ellsbury should spark offense.

16. Cardinals—Bullpen wasn’t up to challenge at Cincinnati.

17. A’s—Creeping into the wild card discussion.

18. Mets—Falling out of contention fast.

19. Indians—Slipped into third in AL Central.

20. Brewers—Playing nine in a row vs. top three teams in NL Central.

21. Diamondbacks—Mustered only three runs over the weekend at Wrigley Field.

22. Marlins—Offense will struggle without Giancarlo Stanton.

23. Phillies—Time to see just how much pride this team has.

24. Royals—11 of next 14 games are against Twins and Mariners.

25. Twins—Trying to avoid worst record in the league two years in a row.

26. Mariners—Just can’t generate any offense.

27. Cubs—Hottest team in the majors over last three weeks.

28. Padres—Will San Diego begin the trading frenzy?

29. Rockies—Wasting away Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez primes.

30. Astros—Last season in National League turning into a disaster.