Each week during the season Athlon Sports looks at the best and worst baseball teams [20] in the league. Here's our MLB Power Rankings for July 9, 2012.
1. Rangers—Scored fewest runs so far in July.
2. Yankees—Largest lead in the majors — and growing.
3. Nationals—Success seems to follow Davey Johnson everywhere.
4. Angels—Lead majors with 13 shutouts.
5. White Sox—Robin Ventura deserves tremendous credit for team’s success.
6. Braves—Finished first half with sweep at Philadelphia.
7. Dodgers—Last in majors with 107 fewer extra-base hits than Red Sox.
8. Giants—Given up 55 runs in nine games since four straight shutouts.
9. Pirates—Won six of last seven series to end first half.
10. Reds—6-9 vs. St. Louis and Pittsburgh so far this season.
11. Rays—Tampa Bay is 37-7 when scoring four runs or more.
12. Orioles—Terrific managing job by Buck Showalter.
13. Mets—R.A. Dickey should be starting the All-Star Game.
14. Cardinals—World champs had identical 46-40 mark last year.
15. Tigers—Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera in top four in RBIs in AL.
16. Blue Jays—Only team with two teammates combined for 50 homers.
17. Indians—Forgotten team in AL Central race.
18. A’s—Bad time for All-Star break, won 17 of last 25.
19. Diamondbacks—Trevor Bauer could be huge boost in second half.
20. Red Sox—Lead majors with 314 extra-base hits.
21. Marlins—How much can Carlos Lee boost offense?
22. Brewers—Trade bait Zack Greinke will make three consecutive starts.
23. Twins—6-13 vs. division leaders; 30-36 against all other teams.
24. Mariners—Only team in AL with as many as 50 losses (51).
25. Royals—All-Star Game hosts are 34-33 after horrific start.
26. Phillies—Entering the break in disarray.
27. Rockies—Rox are 9-22 since early June.
28. Padres—Ended first half with downer thanks to Cincinnati.
29. Cubs—Finally, a break from the cellar, thanks to the Astros.
30. Astros—Rebuilding continues; growing pains may intensify.
