This week Inside the AL brings you its own version of the power rankings. Intense mathematical calculations went into these rankings, so try to pay attention. They are based on a combination of how strong the teams have started and how good the team should be in the long run.
1. Boston Red Sox: So far Boston has suffered injuries to shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, outfielder Trot Nixon, and pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim. Yet Boston's strong pitching staff has kept it winning games. Pitchers Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez are still two of the best pitchers in the game. Tim Wakefield and Derek Lowe are more than solid, and the bullpen has been dominant so far.
2. Oakland A's: Billy Beane's Moneyball formula is working yet again. Pitchers Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder have been excellent. Barry Zito's struggles are cause for concern as his strikeout rates have fallen each of the last three seasons. But other than Zito, things are clicking for Oakland as outfielder Jermaine Dye has finally come back strong from a broken leg and the bullpen has been fine despite the loss of closer Keith Foulke.
3. New York Yankees: The Yankees have struggled thus far, but they are too talented not to win over 90 games. Their rotation has some questions, but their bullpen is fantastic and their lineup will score an incredible amount of runs in time.
4. Anaheim Angels: This team can certainly hit, but does it have the pitching? Bartolo Colon has been his usual steady self, and the bullpen is one of the best, but the rest of the rotation is mediocre. The Angels will either need to make a trade deadline move to acquire a starter or hope that Jarrod Washburn and Ramon Ortiz improve tremendously.
5. Baltimore Orioles: See Anaheim. Their lineup is great, but they have the same problems as Anaheim except to a larger degree. Their bullpen isn't quite as good, and their starters are quite a bit worse. They won't stay this high for long.
6. Chicago White Sox: First baseman Paul Konerko has come back somewhat from his apocalyptic 2003 season and the rest of the offense seems strong as well. Esteban Loaiza has built on his exceptional 2003 season, and the rest of the rotation is fine by AL Central standards (which are low).
7. Minnesota Twins: Whatever manager Ron Gardenhire does each year, it works. Who knows how this team wins. Their defense is great, their bullpen is pretty good, but their rotation is nothing special and their offense is awful, despite the fact that they currently lead the league in runs. Who knows why prospect Justin Morneau is being left to tear up the minors while Jose Offerman is allowed to DH.
8. Detroit Tigers: This team has catcher Ivan Rodriguez and almost no one else. They are bad. They will not stay here.
9. Texas Rangers: A slightly crappier version of the Orioles. Slightly crappier lineup, slightly crappier starting staff, and slightly crappier bullpen.
10. Kansas City Royals: They have a lot of young talent. A lineup with first baseman Mike Sweeney and outfielders Carlos Beltran and Juan Gonzalez is intimidating. If some of their young pitchers can turn it around, this team could be dangerous. Watch out for minor league phenom Zack Grienke who may come up by June. If this team can tread water until he arrives, they could be dangerous in the second half.
11. Seattle Mariners: In time Seattle should move up. Pitcher Freddy Garcia looks like he's starting to put things together but Joel Pineiro and Jamie Moyer have struggled. The offense is solid but this team has a fair amount of old players who have a history of fading in the second half.
12. Toronto Blue Jays: This has been one of the biggest surprises. Toronto made a number of off-season pitching upgrades, but they have not hit at all. They won't make the playoffs, but they should move up in time.
13. Tampa Bay Devil Rays: The fact that they have already won seven games is a tribute to manager Lou Pineilla. They are quick and have some decent defenders, but they have no pitching or hitting, which equals a lot of losing.
14. Cleveland Indians: They have a stocked farm system and a lot of other young players on the roster which could lead to some upward movement in the second half.
