By Larry Stone, The Seattle Times –
Larry Stone’s MLB power rankings
Last week’s rankings in parentheses
Team
1 Nationals (1) Do Nats’ really deserve the top spot? That’s a clown question, bro
2 Dodgers (2) For an um-Kemp-t team, Dodgers are still cleaning up
3 Yankees (9) Girardi gets 500th win, but all that matters to fans are his 4 vs. Phils in October, 2009
4 Orioles (11) Orioles keep defying odds: Brian Roberts and Nick Johnson both on active roster
5 Rangers (3) Can Josh Hamilton pull it off? That’s a Triple Crown question, bro
6 Reds (8) All Baker-Lowe feud needs is Pacquiao-Bradley judges to pick a winner
7 Giants (7) Not sure what it means, but Giants have Christian and Pagan in their lineup
8 Rays (6) Carlos Pena hitting .187 with a .347 on-base percentage
9 Mets (10) Dickey misses retroactive no-hitter. M’s would like some of his retroactive wins
10 White Sox (4) Where’s Dan Pasqua when you really need him?
11 Angels (15) RHP Trevor Bell is grandson of original Bozo (true). Who cares? Clown question, bro
12 Braves (5) Braves would have gotten away with it, if not for that Medlen pitcher
13 Indians (12) Lowe exacts revenge by hiding Dusty’s toothpicks
14 Pirates (14) Plucky Pirates are the Stony Brook of MLB
15 Cardinals (18) Cardinals missing that huge presence in lineup but enough about Ryan Theriot
16 Marlins (13) Mariners need to acquire Logan Morrison so they can promote SoDo LoMo
17 Diamondbacks (20) J.D. Drew might play again before little brother Stephen — and he’s retired
18 Tigers (22) Love for Tigers receiver Bryan Holaday to catch Roy Halladay vs. Matt Holliday
19 Red Sox (17) Who would have guessed that Scott Podsednik (.382) would be Sox savior?
20 Blue Jays (16) Rasmus played good defense in St. Louis, plays good defence in Toronto
21 A’s (23) Brandon’s the little Inge that could: 30 RBI in 27 games for A’s
22 Phillies (19) Flailing Phillies might offer up Cole Hamels at the trade deadline
23 Royals (26) Vin Mazzaro (3-1, 2.57) has come long way since 14-run, 21/3-IP game last year
24 Brewers (24) Bud Selig has never gaffed as badly as David Stern on the Jim Rome Show
25 Twins (25) Key to Twins’ surge: The Plouffe, the whole Plouffe, and nothing but The Plouffe
26 Mariners (21) No traffic issue for Mariners in the 90 feet between third base and home plate
27 Astros (28) Astros prepare for switch to AL West by having perfect game thrown against them
28 Padres (30) Will woeful Padres EVER win a title? That’s a crown question, bro
29 Rockies (27) Nik Wallenda crosses Niagara Falls on high wire — but let’s see him pitch at Coors
30 Cubs (29) Cubs sign Cuban Jorge Soler, followed moments later by 1st “Soler power” headline
