It's tough to judge fantasy squads in April. It is also tough to judge MLB teams. However, some teams might be ready for a change of pace in their record in which you, the fantasy GM, should take note for some of your players. Here is a fun version of power rankings organizing teams, 1st through 30th, on their likelihood of winning going forward.
1)
Los Angeles Angels (6-10) - Expect the wins to come along in a big way Mr. Pujols.
2)
Detroit Tigers (10-6) - This team has been a preseason favorite for MLB and fantasy GMs alike. They are in 1st place by just a half game, but will keep up the pace thanks to MVP and Cy Young candidates.
3)
Texas Rangers (13-3) - All the fantasy power is in the AL, and the Rangers will always hit. They aren't going to keep up this pace, but should stick as one of the top teams going foward thanks to Hamilton, Young, and company.
4)
New York Yankees (9-6) - Bronx Bombers are tied with a bunch of other AL East teams early (not the Red Sox). They have A-Rod, Teixeira, Granderson, and Sabathia - all fantasy MVPs in the making.
5)
Boston Red Sox (4-10) - They are going to win games, but the players they rely on will change. Ryan Sweeney will not continue that .390 average of his, and neither will David Ortiz hit at a .439 clip. Ortiz' power should pick up from the 24 HR pace that he has now.
6)
Philadelphia Phillies (7-9) - The Phillies can move up higher as we gear closer to the end of their players' DL stints. Howard, Utley, and now Lee are the key cogs out of this lineup/rotation. Halladay and Hamels hold down the fort while no position player hits over .300 this early in the season.
7)
Chicago White Sox (9-6) - This team has underperformed in the past year or two and is showign what it can do this year. They won't keep up with the Tigers, but plenty of opportunities exist. Scope the FA wire for people who have dropped Ramirez or Dunn.
8)
Cincinnati Reds (7-9) - My placement of the Reds here is an advertisement to buy... they have key players that are waiting to produce.
9)
Los Angeles Dodgers (12-4) - I like the Dodgers. They have Kershaw and Kemp, but the production of the supporting lineup will not continue for Magic's new team.
10)
San Francisco Giants (7-7) - Lincecum hasn't started that hot, and their bats will put together a streak if past is any indication. Watch out for key Giants on the waiver wire.
11) :MIA-MLB: Miami Marlins (7-8) - All eyes are on the left side of that infield.
12)
Tampa Bay Rays (9-7) - The pitching staff is phenominal... expect great returns from them for the 2012 season.
13)
Arizona Diamondbacks (8-8) - Could expect some improvement in their pitching.
14)
Milwaukee Brewers (7-9) - I am not as high on the Brewers as others are... just wait and see.
15)
Colorado Rockies (8-7) - Playing right where they are expected with that pitching staff.
16)
Washington Nationals (12-4) - I am a believer in the Nats. Their pitching can almost keep up with the Phillies, but they can out-hit them and everyone else in the NL East when all is going well. However, these wins won't continue, and many of the young guys are due for a bad streak putting this team in the lower 15.
17)
St. Louis Cardianls (11-5) - They capitalize on other teams' mistakes and are playing great right now, but they're going to regress.
18)
Atlanta Braves (10-6) - They have gone 8-2 in their past 10... the 2-8 streak is coming. Start the stars and that's it.
19)
Cleveland Indians (8-6) - Indians played well early on last season relying on a rag-tag group. Their placement in these rankings depends on the likes of Hannahan... how is that going to work out?
20)
New York Mets (8-6) - We have seen David Wright produce in the past, but will his .439/.510/.610 line continue? Nope.
21)
Pittsburgh Pirates (6-9) - The pitching has been there once again this season giving away to plenty of FA pickups in fantasy leagues. The problem is the offense, and that is unlikely to improve outside of McCutchen (0 HR, 2 RBI).
22)
Kansas City Royals (3-12) - Wins are coming which means improved production for Gordon, Jonathan Sanchez, and other big contracts.
23)
Toronto Blue Jays (9-6) - Toronto will fall.
24)
Seattle Mariners (7-10) - Seattle is likely to do a bit worse than .412 ball and 3rd in the division. Hoping Ackley will heat up... otherwise this team should be closer to the bottom.
25)
Oakland Athletics (8-9) - Cespedes could turn out to be the real deal, but I am selling here.
26)
Minnesota Twins (5-11) - What worries me is that the Twinkies are hitting very well, but their record is only 5-11. Sell, sell, sell.
27)
San Diego Padres (5-12) - There is some small-ball production and great home-field pitching in San Diego.
28)
Baltimore Orioles (9-7) - Winning record in April. We have seen that before... Andino and Jones #'s will regress a bit.
29)
Chicago Cubs (4-12) - The Cubs' real-life and fantasy production will do slightly better than worst in the league.
30)
Houston Astros (6-10) - They already have too many wins. This team doesn't have enough veteran talent to produce with the rest of the bigs.
