AL SN Rankings, 11/26/07
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:50 pmHere is the second edition of the American League SN Rankings, as of November 26, 2007.
Detroit and California remain ranked as the top two American League ballclubs... Baltimore and Kansas City are still the lowest ranked teams in the AL... Toronto, Chicago, Minnesota and Seattle moved up in the rankings... New York, Boston, Texas and Oakland moved down in the rankings... Milwaukee held their previous ranking.
[b:0c47f1487c]1.) Detroit Tigers (13-5)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #1 ranking... The Tigers won series against the Red Sox and White Sox this past week, maintaining a hold on their #1 AL ranking. Detroit has been defined by their solid pitching (3.02 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) and consistent hitting (103 runs, 2nd in AL). Jack Morris (4-0) and Lance Parrish (6 HR's, 18 RBI's) have led the early season charge for the Tigers.
[b:0c47f1487c]2.) California Angels (13-6)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #2 ranking... the Angels continued their dominant pitching, as their team ERA dropped to 2.79 (WHIP of only 1.01). California's bullpen is 5-0 with 9 saves. Wally Joyner is an early season MVP candidate (.368, 8 HR's, 23 RBI's). Gary Pettis has more stolen bases (14) than 10 different American League teams.
[b:0c47f1487c]3.) Toronto Blue Jays (11-7)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up 2 positions from previous #5 ranking... The Blue Jays have fought valiantly in every contest to achieve their current 11-7. Toronto's record reflects balanced pitching (8 different pitchers have a win) and Ernie Whitt's offensive leadership (.307, 16 RBI's). Amazingly, Mark Eichhorn still has not surrendered a run in 20 innings pitched, and leads the entire team with 24 strikeouts. The JAZZ system has again awarded the Blue Jays "bonus points" in the rankings based on a systematic attraction the staff has developed for The Ladies... and yet the independent organization that runs the JAZZ system has denied a linkage between the Blue Jays higher than expected ranking and any affection for the Ladies. A spokesperson for the organization explained, "Sure we received the thank-you package sent by The Ladies after last week's rankings were unveiled. The signed photographs were very much appreciated, and the lipstick-embossed envelope was a special touch, but this in no way influenced our rankings any more than the prior rankings were influenced by the exotic orchids and chocolate macadamia cookies The Ladies sent to our staff. There's absolutely no connection."
[b:0c47f1487c]4.) New York Yankees (11-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down one position from previous #3 ranking... Contrary to prior reports, New York's team ranking can in fact be lower than third, which it is this week as the Yankees lost a series to the Royals and managed a split at home in their series against the Indians. Dennis Rasmussen (4-0) is an early Cy Young candidate and Mike Easler (.525, 21 RBI's) and Dave Winfield (19 RBI's) continue to torch all pitches their opponents throw at them.
[b:0c47f1487c]5.) Boston Red Sox (10-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down one position from previous #4 ranking... Roger Clemens and Bruce Hurst have combined for a 6-2 record, and each has less than a 1.00 WHIP. Calvin Schiraldi has 3 blown saves and 2 losses so far, which helps account for the lower Red Sox ranking this week (The Jazz system places a high level of importance on being able to close out close games). Dwight Evans and Jim Rice lead the team with 5 HR's, and Wade Boggs (.380, 14 RBI's) continues a torrid opening season pace.
[b:0c47f1487c]6.) Chicago White Sox (9-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up two positions from previous #8 ranking... The White Sox moved up in the rankings despite a .500 week, simply because of the "wow factor" that the Jazz rating system assigns to events such as Joe Cowley's no hitter this week against Detroit. Five or six more no hitters in the coming week and the White Sox could find themselves with the league's top ranking.
[b:0c47f1487c]7.) Cleveland Indians (9-10)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up two positions from previous #9 ranking...
Phil Niekro (3-1) and Greg Swindell (2-0) are the pitching bright spots for the Indians, while their offense has been led by a fearsome foursome of Pat Tabler (11 RBI's), Joe Carter (12 RBI's), Cory Snyder (12 RBI's) and Mel Hall (11 RBI's). Snyder continued impressive play at SS, with no errors despite his 4e44 rating. Fearing the worst, however, the Indians recently traded to acquire a more reasonable 4e12 shortstop in the form of former California Angel Rick Burleson.
[b:0c47f1487c]8.) Oakland A’s (11-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down two positions from previous #6 ranking... The A's are coming off a poor series at home against the Mariners, where they won only 1 of 4... Mike Davis (7 HR, 18 RBI's) and Carney Lansford (6 HR's) continue to pace the offense, while Moose Haas (3-0) and Joaquin Andujar (3-1) have provided strong starting pitching. The A's have played better on the road (7-2) than they have at home (4-6).
[b:0c47f1487c]9.) Texas Rangers (7-11)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down two positions from previous #7 ranking...
The Rangers pitching got a dose of reality in the last week (ERA increased from 3.24 to 3.80), as they surrendered 5 or more runs in five games. Texas was swept in their 3 game series with Toronto. Larry Parrish and Ruben Sierra lead the team with 12 RBI's.
[b:0c47f1487c]10.) Milwaukee Brewers (8-9)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #10 ranking... The bullpen is 4-2, Teddy Higuera is 3-1, but the other starting pitchers are 1-6... the team could be dangerous in a short playoff series, but unfortunately they have to play 162 games before any such reality. Rob Deer leads the team with 4 HR's. Brewers fans hope that Cecil Cooper's recent benching will invigorate the Milwaukee clubhouse and if so, the Brewers would move up higher in the rankings to a level more consistent with their 8-9 record. Until then, they remain ranked #10 in the AL.
[b:0c47f1487c]11.) Seattle Mariners (6-13)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up one position from previous #12 ranking... After suffering through a nine game losing streak, the Mariners took their frustrations out on the A's, winning 3 of 4 in Oakland. Ken Phelps shares the league lead with 8 home runs (16 RBI's), but the offense is still struggling along (league worst .309 on base, 150 K's). If the offense can get started, the Mariners could move up fast in the west division race and in these rankings.
[b:0c47f1487c]12.) Minnesota Twins (8-11)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down one position from previous #11 ranking... The pitching remains unreliably volatile (5.52 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) - team ace Bert Blyleven has surrendered 13 HR's in just 34 innings, almost as many as the rest of the staff (17). Tom Brunansky is among the league leaders in RBI's, with 20, while Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Greg Gagne and Roy Smalley Jr. have contributed home run power.
[b:0c47f1487c]13.) Kansas City Royals (7-11)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #13 ranking... The Royals improved their team ERA (now 5.16), as only the Twins' pitching performance has spared the Royals staff from the "worst in the league" label. Team RBI leaders George Brett (14) and Lonnie Smith (11) are trying to offset the poor pitching. Amongst Royals starting pitchers, perhaps only Bret Saberhagen (2-1, 4.07 ERA) has lived up to preseason expectation.
[b:0c47f1487c]73.) Baltimore Orioles (5-13)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up 26 positions from previous #99 ranking... Baltimore broke their double digit losing streak, and actually won consecutive games two different times in the past week. In the process, they leap frogged all the way up to the #73 ranking, and now stake claim to a ranking higher than than several men's Division 1 collegiate teams, most AA minor league affiliate teams, and all but two of the girls 11-12 year old slow pitch softball teams. The O's offense is still ranked last in the AL, but thanks to Cal Ripken Jr's contribution (.328, 5 HR, 14 RBI's, 12 runs) the Orioles have increased their scoring enough that they now average 3.3 runs per game. It's a start.
As a reminder, the SN Rankings use the “Janssen Analytical Zoning Z-Score” (JAZZ) System. JAZZ is a powerful computerized ranking system that utilizes a large array of statistical data (both from the 1986 real season and the 1986 Take Two replay), inputs from baseball management and media experts around the world, and an award-winning, patented team ranking algorithm that was developed by some of the top programmers in the commercial computer sciences industry.
Detroit and California remain ranked as the top two American League ballclubs... Baltimore and Kansas City are still the lowest ranked teams in the AL... Toronto, Chicago, Minnesota and Seattle moved up in the rankings... New York, Boston, Texas and Oakland moved down in the rankings... Milwaukee held their previous ranking.
[b:0c47f1487c]1.) Detroit Tigers (13-5)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #1 ranking... The Tigers won series against the Red Sox and White Sox this past week, maintaining a hold on their #1 AL ranking. Detroit has been defined by their solid pitching (3.02 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) and consistent hitting (103 runs, 2nd in AL). Jack Morris (4-0) and Lance Parrish (6 HR's, 18 RBI's) have led the early season charge for the Tigers.
[b:0c47f1487c]2.) California Angels (13-6)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #2 ranking... the Angels continued their dominant pitching, as their team ERA dropped to 2.79 (WHIP of only 1.01). California's bullpen is 5-0 with 9 saves. Wally Joyner is an early season MVP candidate (.368, 8 HR's, 23 RBI's). Gary Pettis has more stolen bases (14) than 10 different American League teams.
[b:0c47f1487c]3.) Toronto Blue Jays (11-7)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up 2 positions from previous #5 ranking... The Blue Jays have fought valiantly in every contest to achieve their current 11-7. Toronto's record reflects balanced pitching (8 different pitchers have a win) and Ernie Whitt's offensive leadership (.307, 16 RBI's). Amazingly, Mark Eichhorn still has not surrendered a run in 20 innings pitched, and leads the entire team with 24 strikeouts. The JAZZ system has again awarded the Blue Jays "bonus points" in the rankings based on a systematic attraction the staff has developed for The Ladies... and yet the independent organization that runs the JAZZ system has denied a linkage between the Blue Jays higher than expected ranking and any affection for the Ladies. A spokesperson for the organization explained, "Sure we received the thank-you package sent by The Ladies after last week's rankings were unveiled. The signed photographs were very much appreciated, and the lipstick-embossed envelope was a special touch, but this in no way influenced our rankings any more than the prior rankings were influenced by the exotic orchids and chocolate macadamia cookies The Ladies sent to our staff. There's absolutely no connection."
[b:0c47f1487c]4.) New York Yankees (11-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down one position from previous #3 ranking... Contrary to prior reports, New York's team ranking can in fact be lower than third, which it is this week as the Yankees lost a series to the Royals and managed a split at home in their series against the Indians. Dennis Rasmussen (4-0) is an early Cy Young candidate and Mike Easler (.525, 21 RBI's) and Dave Winfield (19 RBI's) continue to torch all pitches their opponents throw at them.
[b:0c47f1487c]5.) Boston Red Sox (10-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down one position from previous #4 ranking... Roger Clemens and Bruce Hurst have combined for a 6-2 record, and each has less than a 1.00 WHIP. Calvin Schiraldi has 3 blown saves and 2 losses so far, which helps account for the lower Red Sox ranking this week (The Jazz system places a high level of importance on being able to close out close games). Dwight Evans and Jim Rice lead the team with 5 HR's, and Wade Boggs (.380, 14 RBI's) continues a torrid opening season pace.
[b:0c47f1487c]6.) Chicago White Sox (9-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up two positions from previous #8 ranking... The White Sox moved up in the rankings despite a .500 week, simply because of the "wow factor" that the Jazz rating system assigns to events such as Joe Cowley's no hitter this week against Detroit. Five or six more no hitters in the coming week and the White Sox could find themselves with the league's top ranking.
[b:0c47f1487c]7.) Cleveland Indians (9-10)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up two positions from previous #9 ranking...
Phil Niekro (3-1) and Greg Swindell (2-0) are the pitching bright spots for the Indians, while their offense has been led by a fearsome foursome of Pat Tabler (11 RBI's), Joe Carter (12 RBI's), Cory Snyder (12 RBI's) and Mel Hall (11 RBI's). Snyder continued impressive play at SS, with no errors despite his 4e44 rating. Fearing the worst, however, the Indians recently traded to acquire a more reasonable 4e12 shortstop in the form of former California Angel Rick Burleson.
[b:0c47f1487c]8.) Oakland A’s (11-8)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down two positions from previous #6 ranking... The A's are coming off a poor series at home against the Mariners, where they won only 1 of 4... Mike Davis (7 HR, 18 RBI's) and Carney Lansford (6 HR's) continue to pace the offense, while Moose Haas (3-0) and Joaquin Andujar (3-1) have provided strong starting pitching. The A's have played better on the road (7-2) than they have at home (4-6).
[b:0c47f1487c]9.) Texas Rangers (7-11)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down two positions from previous #7 ranking...
The Rangers pitching got a dose of reality in the last week (ERA increased from 3.24 to 3.80), as they surrendered 5 or more runs in five games. Texas was swept in their 3 game series with Toronto. Larry Parrish and Ruben Sierra lead the team with 12 RBI's.
[b:0c47f1487c]10.) Milwaukee Brewers (8-9)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #10 ranking... The bullpen is 4-2, Teddy Higuera is 3-1, but the other starting pitchers are 1-6... the team could be dangerous in a short playoff series, but unfortunately they have to play 162 games before any such reality. Rob Deer leads the team with 4 HR's. Brewers fans hope that Cecil Cooper's recent benching will invigorate the Milwaukee clubhouse and if so, the Brewers would move up higher in the rankings to a level more consistent with their 8-9 record. Until then, they remain ranked #10 in the AL.
[b:0c47f1487c]11.) Seattle Mariners (6-13)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up one position from previous #12 ranking... After suffering through a nine game losing streak, the Mariners took their frustrations out on the A's, winning 3 of 4 in Oakland. Ken Phelps shares the league lead with 8 home runs (16 RBI's), but the offense is still struggling along (league worst .309 on base, 150 K's). If the offense can get started, the Mariners could move up fast in the west division race and in these rankings.
[b:0c47f1487c]12.) Minnesota Twins (8-11)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Down one position from previous #11 ranking... The pitching remains unreliably volatile (5.52 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) - team ace Bert Blyleven has surrendered 13 HR's in just 34 innings, almost as many as the rest of the staff (17). Tom Brunansky is among the league leaders in RBI's, with 20, while Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Greg Gagne and Roy Smalley Jr. have contributed home run power.
[b:0c47f1487c]13.) Kansas City Royals (7-11)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Unchanged from previous #13 ranking... The Royals improved their team ERA (now 5.16), as only the Twins' pitching performance has spared the Royals staff from the "worst in the league" label. Team RBI leaders George Brett (14) and Lonnie Smith (11) are trying to offset the poor pitching. Amongst Royals starting pitchers, perhaps only Bret Saberhagen (2-1, 4.07 ERA) has lived up to preseason expectation.
[b:0c47f1487c]73.) Baltimore Orioles (5-13)[/b:0c47f1487c] - Up 26 positions from previous #99 ranking... Baltimore broke their double digit losing streak, and actually won consecutive games two different times in the past week. In the process, they leap frogged all the way up to the #73 ranking, and now stake claim to a ranking higher than than several men's Division 1 collegiate teams, most AA minor league affiliate teams, and all but two of the girls 11-12 year old slow pitch softball teams. The O's offense is still ranked last in the AL, but thanks to Cal Ripken Jr's contribution (.328, 5 HR, 14 RBI's, 12 runs) the Orioles have increased their scoring enough that they now average 3.3 runs per game. It's a start.
As a reminder, the SN Rankings use the “Janssen Analytical Zoning Z-Score” (JAZZ) System. JAZZ is a powerful computerized ranking system that utilizes a large array of statistical data (both from the 1986 real season and the 1986 Take Two replay), inputs from baseball management and media experts around the world, and an award-winning, patented team ranking algorithm that was developed by some of the top programmers in the commercial computer sciences industry.