MLB American League Power Rankings

MLB American League Power Rankings – August 23

The 2010 Major League Baseball’s regular season is headed for the home stretch and with around 60 games left to play, some teams are making a statement they hope to carry right into the postseason while quite a few other teams are already making plans for next year.

Each of the American League’s 14 teams started the season dreaming of making it all the way to this year’s World Series, but in reality there are only a handful of teams that actually still have a chance. Here is a look at my top four teams in the AL after the third week of August with their updated odds to win the Pennant as well as the World Series.

New York Yankees Odds to Win the AL Pennant 3/2 World Series 12/5

New York continues to pace the Major Leagues with the best record in baseball. The Yankees have won five out of their last six games and are now 77-47 with a one game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL East. The Yankees are one of the more balanced teams in the league. Their 3.83 team ERA is third best in the AL. and their .268 team batting average is ranked fifth. New York leads the AL in runs scored with 663.

Tampa Bay Rays Odds to Win the AL Pennant 5/2 World Series 5/1

Tampa has won seven out of its last 10 games to stay right with New York in the East. The Rays are 76-48 overall and just a game back in the division. They lead Boston in the wildcard race by 5 ½ games. Tampa’s pitching has slipped a bit as of late but they still have the second best ERA in the AL at 3.61. Their team batting average of .251 is ranked 11^th in the league but their 620 runs scored are third best.

Minnesota Twins Odds to Win the AL Pennant 10/1 World Series 22/1

With eight wins in its last 10 games, Minnesota is 72-52 and leads Chicago in the Central by a full five games. The Twins widened their lead by taking two out of three from the White Sox this past week. Minnesota is very balanced as well as it is ranked fifth in the AL with a team ERA of 3.93 and first in the league with a team batting average of .281. The Twins 609 total runs scored rank them fourth.

Texas Rangers Odds to Win the AL Pennant 5/2 World Series 5/1

Texas still leads Los Angeles and Oakland by eight games in the West despite losing six out of its last 10. The Rangers overall record is currently 69-54 and is the only division leader that has yet to win 70 games. Texas is probably the most balanced team in the league as its 3.92 team ERA is fourth best in the AL and its .275 team batting average is tied for second. The Rangers are ranked fifth in runs scored with 605.