Griff's Power Rankings, Week 4
(Last week’s power rankings in parentheses)
| Come back to this space tomorrow afternoon for Rich's live blog of the Jays-Indians game, which is also the major league debut of starting pitcher Brett Cecil. It's a 12:30 p.m. start. |
1-Dodgers (2)
Dodgers dominate at home under Joe Torre.
2-Blue Jays (4)
In the words of Evil Roy Slade: “Makes you want to spit, don’t it?
3-Red Sox (1)
Sox sorting out starting pitching. Smoltz, Dice-K on horizon.
4-Cardinals (8)
Top four managers, Torre, Cito, Francona, LaRussa own 10 WS rings.
5-Cubs (5)
Denise Richards performs worst Take Me Out since Jeff Gordon.
6-Mariners (7)
M’s bullpen still surprisingly deep.
7-Yankees (6)
Difference-makers may be last year’s phenoms Hughes and Joba.
8-Royals (14)
Jays’ only series loss of year was in rain at Kauffman.
9-Phillies (12)
Getting over World Series hangover and loss of Harry Kalas.
10-Marlins (3)
Young team will have many ups and downs. The arms rule.
11-Reds (18)
Not quite Big Red Machine, but interesting to watch.
12-Tigers (11)
Return of hard-throwing Zumaya as setup man helps.
13-Rays (20)
Have played rugged schedule that Jays have avoided thus far.
14-Pirates (16)
Bucs have not finished at .500 since Jays’ first World Series in ‘92.
15-Brewers (26)
Surging Brew Crew sorting out starting pitching.
16-White Sox (10)
Chisox still looking for offensive consistency after stormy April.
17-Mets (9)
You look at this roster and go “what the heck’s wrong with these guys?”
18-Twins (15)
Young starting pitching will determine if they’re good Twins or bad Twins.
19-Braves (13)
Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune – minus the arrows.
20-Angels (17)
Bullpen needs to step up otherwise division is wide open.
21-Rangers (22)
Even without Josh Hamilton Rangers can still tattoo you.
22-Giants (24)
Giants starting to stand tall Zito shows Cy form.
23-Diamondbacks (23)
Snakes need talented young hitters to step up to plate.
24-A’s (27)
A’s not moving up as much as others are moving down.
25-Padres (19)
If 25 Pads are in freefall, Peavy made sure he has a chute.
26-Indians (25)
Lee wins ’08 Cy out of nowhere. If he’s not careful oblivion awaits.
27-Astros (28)
May be cursed by playing in stadium built by Cheney’s Halliburton Industries.
28-Orioles (21)
Rate O’s pitching? In the words of Bobby Mattick, “Somebody hand me a bat.”
29-Rockies (29)
Only reliable closer in Denver is Carmelo.
30-Nationals (30)
Solutions? Sens of ‘60s imported Ted Williams to manage. Cooler heads prevail.

Richard,
Please we are all not 60 years old, I have no idea who Evil Roy Slade is. For us kids who grew up watching the 92-93 Jays try to keep things somewhat current.
Posted by: DT | May 04, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Hey DT,
I'm also not 60 years old, but how about instead of being completely ignorant to an era you didn't grow up in, why don't you use the convenience of the era you are currently in and spend 30 seconds to google the damn thing rather than spend 30 seconds to hate on a Griff for 1 out his 30 rankings.
Posted by: Marino | May 04, 2009 at 01:25 PM
DT, shuttit! If you don't know it, google it. If you don't care, ignore it. It's the sentiment that counts. And if you don't understand that, shrug your shoulders and move on.
Go Jays.
Posted by: Al | May 04, 2009 at 03:26 PM
haha, who cares, it's a great quote!
Jays Jays Jays !!
Posted by: Lockstock93 | May 04, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Evil Roy Slade is a cult classic that is timeless not to one particular generation. It's like The Rocky Horror Picture Show only not as widely cult-ified. The quote is actually very clever on several levels and one of which I am quite proud. Next time I'll look for one from High School Musical II.
R-Griff
Posted by: R-Griff | May 04, 2009 at 05:28 PM