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Terrific trio

Upstart Reds, Tigers, Rockies make the top 10

Posted: Monday May 8, 2006 2:04PM; Updated: Monday May 8, 2006 3:13PM
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MLB Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 1
Chicago White Sox
When a team's going as well as the Sox are, there's not much not to like. So, hmmm, let's see. Oh, what about Mark Buehrle? In his first four starts, he was 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA. After a no-decision on Sunday, he's 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA in his last three starts. A struggling starter? On the White Sox? Get Gil Grissom on the scene!
2 3
New York Mets
A good week ended horribly with starter Victor Zambrano blowing out his elbow (he's gone for the season) and the Braves blowing out the Mets. But the big Gotham news? Closer Billy Wagner says former Phillies teammate Pat Burrell called him a "rat" last year. Unwritten Rule No. 212: Never call guys who throw 100 mph names.
3 5
Cincinnati Reds
I don't know how the Reds weaseled their way all the way up here in the PRs. Ken Griffey Jr.'s still limping. Bronson Arroyo gave up 11 hits the other day and actually lost a game. Adam Dunn plays like he gets paid to strike out. Yeah, OK, so the Reds can hit. And they're winning. But are the Reds for real, or are they just playing 2004 all over again?
4 2
St. Louis Cardinals
If you ever wondered who runs this team -- silly, silly person -- ask local TV reporter Jim Hayes. When he called the rival Brewers "overrated" on a spot that made it onto the Busch Stadium video board, manager Tony La Russa complained and Hayes was promptly yanked off a recent road trip. A "mutual decision," his bosses said. Tony Soprano has nothing on this Tony.
5 4
Houston Astros
Another reason for the rising cost of stadium hot dogs: If the Astros sign Roger Clemens to a $20 million contract and prorate the deal based on Clemens' pitching the last three months of the season (so he'll make $10 million), if he makes 15 starts, he'll pull down $666,666.67 an outing. That's a lot of hot dogs to sell.
6 7
Boston Red Sox
Two examples of "Only in Boston": No. 1, the video featuring the "friendship" of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and newcomer Johnny Damon -- "Chokeback Mountain." Fairly funny. And disturbing No. 2: the report that the private plane that brought Doug Mirabelli in to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield last Monday was given landing clearance in front of at least 20 commercial flights.
7 6
Detroit Tigers
At least a couple of Tigers, Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, are trying out the new red-coated contact lenses that the Orioles' Brian Roberts used last season to cut down on glare. "If I can get an upper hand, I'm going to do it," Inge told a Detroit newspaper. Not to start anything, but that sure sounds to me like a performance-enhancer.
8 9
New York Yankees
The New York Times points out the relative free pass that fans are giving Jason Giambi. They've evidently either forgotten or forgiven (maybe both) his BALCO past. Plus, teammates Johnny Damon and Randy Johnson take the heat when the Yanks are on the road. "You slowly go down the ladder as far as the hated guys go," Giambi explained.
9 10
Colorado Rockies
The Rocks are looking more and more like a force in the National League West. If, that is, there is a force in the NL West. "I know a lot of people are waiting for us to fail," starter Jason Jennings told the Denver Post. "We know our past." On Friday the Rockies pulled off their fifth walkoff win of the season. They had six in all of 2005.
10 13
Cleveland Indians
After his shutout of the Mariners on Sunday (should that count?), C.C. Sabathia is 2-0 with an 0.69 ERA in his two starts since coming off the disabled list. All I can say is that C.C. had better keep that up or those Cleveland fans will break out the Thome Treatment on him. What, are the Tribe fans going for the Philly fans' crown?

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