The JQ Baseball Power Rankings- NL Top 5

While carousing the internet this morning during the show, I saw a few of MLB power rankings, and thought I might give my own a shot- take the best of the best if you will.  I'm not a huge fan of interleague play, at least not in it's current form (maybe a topic for tomorrow), so I'll keep the leagues separate.  The NL gets center-stage today, and the AL will come later.

We'll stick to the top 5 for now.

1. Philadelphia Phillies
I just don't think there's any substitute for good pitching, and the Phillies have it.  Roy Halladay is the guy I'd want to send to the mound if I have to win one game for all the marbles- there is still no one in the NL that can deal like the Doc.  Oh, and their 2-3-4 punch of Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt isn't bad either. 

Offensively, the Phils still have a few question marks- can Chase Utley stay healthy?  Can Ryan Howard keep his strikeout total under his weight?  Will Jimmy Rollins start to hit like an MVP again?  I think the Phils will realize just how much Jason Werth meant to them at some point this season. 

2. Atlanta Braves

Jair Jurrjens

Sure, call me a homer if you want, but this team is good.  In fact, I'd say it's the best Braves squad since the turn of the millennium (sounds more impressive than what its actually is).  Like the Phils, the Braves have pitching, and the staff is actually deeper than their division rival. 

While Philly gets all the name recognition, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson, and Brandon Beachy have been just as good- a team ERA of 3.08 (just .03 points higher than Philly), and a better BA and OPS against. 

Plus, with all due respect to Roy Hallady and Tim Lincecum, Jair Jurrjens is making a case for why he's the best pitcher in the NL.  Despite a trip to the DL, he was the first in the NL to 10 wins, an ERA of 2.08, and just 24 runs allowed through 95.2 IP.  Jurrjens doesn't have Doc's strikeout totals or big game persona, so I'll keep him as runner up for the Cy Young Award for now. 

The Braves problems also come with their offense.  They're getting very old at a few key spots- Chipper Jones is never a sure-bet to be in the lineup at #3, and they've had injury problems- Jason Heyward and Martin Prado have both been on the DL.  Plus, is there anyone in the system that can play a decent center field and hit above .220?  Maybe Jordan Schafer is finally the answer. 

3. San Francisco Giants
Pitching wins titles.  Just ask San Franscisco.  No coincidence that I have them right up with the Braves and Phillies.  With Lincecum, Cain, and Bumgarner (yes, I know he gave up 8 runs and recorded just 1 out last week- but did you see the line from last night?), the Giants will be ready for another post-season run. 

Once again, offense is what's lacking, and Giants may be worse off than most after losing Buster Posey for the season.  To steal a quote from "Major League," I've never heard of most of these guys and the ones I have are way past their prime... If San Fran wants to repeat, it might be time to add a bat to the lineup.  The rank 30th in runs scored, 25th in batting average, and 27th in on-base percentage. 

4. Milwaukee Brewers
The pitching is good, the offense is better.  Everyone knows that Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder can hit.  What people are finding out is that Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, and Jonathan Lucroy can be tough outs as well. 

On the pitching end, Zack Grienke needs to really get it going.  He's been hit and miss since returning from injury, and needs to be the ace of the staff. 

I'd rank the Brewers higher, but I'm not sure the the team chemistry is where it needs to be.  Its a foregone conclusion that Prince Fielder will be picking up some change of address forms after this season, and I'm still not sold the Brewers won't try to trade him before the deadline.  That kind of uncertainty can kill a ballclub down the stretch. 

5. Arizona Diamondbacks
3 words- up and coming.  A young team with a ton of upside- Justin Upton has had a red-hot week, Kelly Johnson is proving why he was once thought of as a top-notch prospect, Chris Young has had a good season so far, and the list goes on. 

Pitching wise, Ian Kennedy has been good at the top of the rotation.  A 2.90 ERA so far with 8 wins.  Do you remember a few years ago when Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Joba Chamberlain were the "young arms" for the Yankees, and they refused to trade Joba?  Hughes panned out alright as a #3 starter in NY, Kennedy is on fire, and Joba is...well, a middle reliever. 

Biggest mover up: Washington Nationals
Yes, that's right, the Washington Nationals.  Riggleman walking out in the midst of a nine game winning streak is unusual, but these guys will be dangerous in the coming years.  Imagine adding Steven Strausburg and Bryce Harper to the lineup next season to compliment Werth, Zimmerman, and Michael Morse. 

Biggest mover down: St. Louis Cardinals
No Adam Wainwright and now no Albert Pujols until August.  You don't take your two best players off the field and expect not to be put on the "massive collapse" watch list.  They are still in it- but I won't be placing any bets on the Cards anytime soon.