(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.
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