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Power Rankings: The rise of the American League

The first thing you'll notice about the opening 2012 power rankings is the top six teams hail from the American League. The second thing is, they'll probably look nothing like this come September.

The rankings (Records from 2011, rankings from final regular season):

Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay

1.Tampa Bay Rays (91-71; Previous: 7) – Rays shave off hair for good cause, discover Joe Maddon's head looks suspiciously like The Trop.


Los Angeles
Los Angeles

2.Los Angeles Angels (86-76; Previous: 11) – C.J. Wilson explains he tweeted his ERA from past two postseasons, not his fault it looks like Mike Napoli's phone number.


New York
New York

3.New York Yankees (97-65; Previous: 2) – On the bright side, Joba Chamberlain did get his bag of party favors before boarding the trampoline.


Texas
Texas

4.Texas Rangers (96-66; Previous: 3) – Upon further investigation, Rangers find Jairo Beras is a 32-year-old school teacher from Plano.


Detroit
Detroit

5.Detroit Tigers (95-67; Previous: 4) – Sunglasses save Miguel Cabrera's season. Also gave him that sweet P. Diddy look.


Boston
Boston

6.Boston Red Sox (90-72; Previous: 9) – In a perfect world, Bobby Jenks and Matt Bush would have slammed into each other, then fled the scene in one of those old baseball-with-the-giant-cap-on-it bullpen cars.


Philadelphia
Philadelphia

7.Philadelphia Phillies (102-60; Previous: 1) – Ryan Howard finally relieved of walking boot. In solemn on-field ceremony, passes it to Chase Utley.


Milwaukee
Milwaukee

8.Milwaukee Brewers (96-66; Previous: 5) – Nyjer Morgan beaned in exhibition game, wakes up with three more personalities.


Toronto
Toronto

9.Toronto Blue Jays (81-81; Previous: 13) – After late-March start, Ricky Romero declares he's "right where I want to be." Next morning, sure enough, clubbies find him in yesterday's uniform, still standing in front of locker.


Florida
Florida

10.Miami Marlins (72-90; Previous: 22) – Debate rages over who benefits most at new ballpark: Hitters or pitchers. Prevalent opinion: Jeffrey Loria.


Arizona
Arizona

11.Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68; Previous: 6) – Bees attack D-backs exhibition game. When neither smoke nor repellent works, groundskeeper asks Kirk Gibson to glare them away.


San Francisco
San Francisco

12.San Francisco Giants (86-76; Previous: 12) – Giants try to vary routine by holding workouts on different fields each morning. Only problem: Barry Zito keeps finding them.


Cincinnati
Cincinnati

13.Cincinnati Reds (79-83; Previous: 18) – Robert Castellini completely misunderstands national drawing, thought it was "Votto" Mega Millions.


Washington
Washington

14.Washington Nationals (80-81; Previous: 16) – John Lannan gets good news, bad news. Told he'd be opening-day starter for third time. This time, however, for Syracuse.


Atlanta
Atlanta

15.Atlanta Braves (89-73; Previous: 10) – Reliever Cristhian Martinez has great spring on field, suffers from velocity and command issues off it.


St. Louis
St. Louis

16.St. Louis Cardinals (90-72; Previous: 8) – Tony La Russa gets new job in commissioner's office. First task: Test the phone lines.


Los Angeles
Los Angeles

17.Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79; Previous: 14) – Tommy Lasorda learns Magic Johnson will be new owner over dinner, still won't give up the dribble.


Cleveland
Cleveland

18.Cleveland Indians (80-82; Previous: 15) – So, Ubaldo Jimenez is still mad at Rockies over contract, hits Troy Tulowitzki, is suspended for five games and loses more salary as a result. This seems somewhat counterproductive.


Colorado
Colorado

19.Colorado Rockies (73-89; Previous: 23) – Cool that Jamie Moyer will pitch for Rockies, as he remembers their inception so well. Not the team, the mountain range.


Kansas City
Kansas City

20.Kansas City Royals (71-91; Previous: 24) – As season approaches, Royals remind selves not to stand too close to bubbly Jeff Francoeur during nightly Kiss Cam.


Oakland
Oakland

21.Oakland Athletics (74-88; Previous: 20) – Pitchers must have figured him out; Yoenis Cespedes hasn't homered in a week.


Minnesota
Minnesota

22.Minnesota Twins (63-99; Previous: 29) – Alleged extortionist wants something from Carl Pavano for no apparent reason. Yankees' reaction: Shoe, meet other foot.


San Diego
San Diego

23.San Diego Padres (71-91; Previous: 27) – Coach Dave Roberts caught driving 83 on return from spring training. Complained to officer that it clearly was a balk move.


New York
New York

24.New York Mets (77-85; Previous: 19) – Fred Wilpon tells team to get him 60 wins; has a friend who can turn that into 90.


Chicago
Chicago

25.Chicago White Sox (79-83; Previous: 17) – Kosuke Fukudome gives Adam Dunn a belt. White Sox fans believe they'll have a few themselves.


Seattle
Seattle

26.Seattle Mariners (67-95; Previous: 28) – Mariners thought it was inspiring to go to Ichiro's homeland, learn his history and discover the roots of his Day-Glo shoes.


Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh

27.Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90; Previous: 21) – Team president and former MLB whip Frank Coonelly charged with DUI this winter after blowing .16. Isn't that way over slot?


Chicago
Chicago

28.Chicago Cubs (71-91; Previous: 25) – Cognizant of untidy relationship between Chicago night life and Chicago day games, Theo installs batting cages in most popular watering holes.


Baltimore
Baltimore

29.Baltimore Orioles (69-93; Previous: 26) – Camden Yards turns 20. Maybe it's time it gets up off the couch and makes something of itself.


Houston
Houston

30.Houston Astros (56-106; Previous: 30) – GM Luhnow wondering where he can get one of those Mitt Romney Etch A Sketches by opening day.


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