MLB POWER RANKINGS

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

One month in there have been many surprises, good and bad. It's too early to back off my pre-season picks, so don't be surprised when I rank a team with 9 less wins over a team off to a hot start in my personal Power Rankings.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (18-9) - In the offense's darkest days the Phils still support the best record in baseball. The hitting can only get better and the aces are going to get better too.

2. Colorado Rockies (17-9) - They needed pitching to show up to contend and they have done that. Huston Street and the bullpen has been great and Jhoulys Chacin and Jorge de la Rosa have made their rotation deadly.

3. Texas Rangers (16-13) - They lost steamed when they lost Josh Hamilton was lost. The offense is going to hit, but I still have my concerns about the rotation come playoff time. Look for them to be trade deadline buyers.

4. New York Yankees (16-9) - The Yanks too will by at the deadline in hopes to block Texas and Boston, but they need the help too. How long can they rely on the three-run homer?

5. Milwaukee Brewers (13-15) - I know they are in 3rd place in their own division right now, but I think the addition of Zack Greinke will take some pressure off Yovani Gallardo and the Brew Crew will take off.

6. Cincinnati Reds (14-14) - The offense is legit and scary, but the NL version of the Rangers needed to find some reliable starting position. The have multiple serviceable guys in Volquez, Arroyo, Cueto, Bailey, Leake, Wood and LeCure, but no true ace.

7. Boston Red Sox (12-15) - The slow start does not worry one bit. I still say they make push to represent the AL in the World Series when its all said and done. Guys like Carl Crawford and Kevin Youkilis will eventually hit.

8. Florida Marlins (17-9) - The Marlins are legit as I though they would be. It may over for Javier Vazquez, but the offense has taken off even without Hanley Ramirez being on fire and the bullpen has been lights out. Josh Johnson looks to have an early lead on the N.L. Cy Young award.

9. Los Angeles Angels (16-12) - What a treat Jered Weaver and Dan Haren have been. Of the offense can wake up a little bit they could become deadly down the stretch.

10. Oakland A's (15-14) - The offense has done just enough to support some of the greatest starting pitchers no one knows about. Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez are three guys I'd pay to watch right now.

11. Tampa Bay Rays (15-13) - After a brutal start the emergence of Sam Fuld and the re-emergence of Johnny Damon has put the Rays right back into the race. Not sure if the make-shift offense can keep together all season, but Longoria is on his way back to stabilize it somewhat.

12.St. Louis Cardinals (16-12) - Dave Duncan is at again and though they lost Adam Wainwright, the Kyles (Lohse and McClellan) have been terrific. While Pujols has not been his traditional self, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday have the Redbirds in first place.

13. Cleveland Indians (19-8) - The surprise of the first month. I'm not sold that the pitching can keep this pace up, but the offense with a healthy Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera is legit. They are the Padres of 2010. They'll be in the hunt until the end, only to just miss the playoffs.

14. San Francisco Giants (13-15) - The lack of offense is being exposed this season. The defending champs pitching has not been as good as advertised and their record has reflected that. Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner are two that need to pick it up in a hurry.

15. Atlanta Braves (15-15) - The inconsistent performance has bit the Bravos to this points and I'm not sold they will ever turn it all, despite what others think. A lot see them as a playoff team, while I think 15-15 is about what you will get all season long.

16. Kansas City Royals (15-13) - Finally Alex Gordon has been the middle of the order bat they have expected him to be. No, he's not George Brett, but along with Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francouer the Royals are in the midst of it all.

17.Detroit Tigers (12-16) -There is not one aspect that has lived up to its expectations to this point. While I think they can still catch the Tribe and Royals in the weak AL Central, they have a lot of work to do if they want to make the playoffs.

18.Los Angeles Dodgers (14-15) - While Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have been supernatural, the rest of the lineup resembles a AAA squad. The back of the bullpen is in shambles and it's going to be tough to keep pace with the Rockies and Giants.

19.Chicago White Sox (10-19) - The mighty offense has fallen to ugly times. Adam Dunn has not adjusted to the American League and DH'ing and Alex Rios looks like the guy that was put on waivers by the Blue Jays. They too can turn it around, but alot of tinkering needs to be done.

20.Toronto Blue Jays (13-15) - They young and talented buy Kyle Drabek, Brandon Morrow are not made for the long haul in the tough AL East. Jose Bautista is proving last year was not a fluke, but I'm not sure he has enough help to be higher in the MLB ranks.

21. Chicago Cubs (12-15) - The Cubs have displayed some of the worst starting pitching in years. Ryan Dempster has been brutal and the run producers have not produced. There is some talent, but I'm not convinced Mike Quade is the guy to get that talent to talk with actions.

22. Minnesota Twins (9-18) - They own the worst record in baseball and Ron Gardenhire's face is now permanently flushed red. I believe they can still turn it all the way around and win the Central, but Joe Mauer and Delmon Young need to return the lineup healthy and Francisco Liriano needs to find his slider.

23. Baltimore Orioles (13-13) - Whether people want to admit it or not I see the holes to a full-on collapse. The middle of the order has been brutal and the back of the bullpen has been shaky. They are playing .500 ball now, but I'm not sure Buck Showalter can keep getting these innings from young Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman,

24. New York Mets (12-16) - Jason Bay inserted some life into the offense, but that short win streak is history and they look miserable again. The Mets are not built to win now and maybe not for a while.

25. Washington Nationals (14-14) - I think another team playing over their heads. Some may see an injured Ryan Zimmerman and expect better days and contention, but I see a year or two away still.

26. Houston Astros (11-17) - They could be the worst team in baseball by years' end, but they have a lot of pieces I like. I think the rotation of Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris will keep them in games, but that just might not be enough.

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (12-15) - Justin Upton still looks a year or two away from becoming the complete package I know he will be and the rotation is too young and too rocky to be any threat to compete in the N.L. West.

28. Pittsburgh Pirates (13-15) - The Bucs have been bad, but I still think the pieces they have on offense can carry them to a year the consider a step in the right direction. They still are short in pitching, but McCutchen and company could be legit.

29. Seattle Mariners (13-16) - Justin Smoak and Michael Pineda have been pleasant surprises, but the recent win streak is just a facade. The M's are still a ways away from competing.

30. San Diego Padres (11-17) - Adrian may be a poisonous word in San Diego these days. At least with the first basemen they had enough offense to compete and let their strong bullpen go to work. Now they cannot even get a lead when they allow one or two runs.