By Dale “Skip” Lalonde for Betonline.com
MLB Power Rankings – Dodgers still top of the pile, Yankees coming on strong
Posted on 7/8/2009 11:19:08 AM

After a week off, the power rankings return to give you some tips before you head to your offshore sportsbook. The Los Angeles Dodgers are still kings of the online betting landscape, but the New York Yankees are making a run at the No.1 spot as we head into MLB All-Star betting time.

(Last week’s rankings in brackets)

1. (1) Los Angeles Dodgers (53-30): The Dodgers have won three of four with Manny Ramirez back, and he’s homered and been ejected in that time. Life is always interesting in La-La Land.

2. (7) New York Yankees (49-34): The Yankees have won eight of their last 10, and they’ll heading out west for a big series against the Angels before the break. Mariano Rivera could play a major role in MLB All-Star game betting as well, as he makes his 10th All-Star appearance.

3. (10) Los Angeles Angels (46-36): If it wasn’t for their ailing pitching staff, the Angels would be running away with the AL West once again.

4. (2) Boston Red Sox (50-33): Losing two of three at home to Seattle last weekend drops them beneath the hated Yankees. Props to Tim Wakefield for making his first All-Star game at 42 years young.

5. (8) San Francisco Giants (46-37): They’ve won four of their last five, and they have five more games at home before the break, including four against the dismal Padres. Hands up if you had them as one of your baseball picks this year. That’s what I thought.

6. (14) Texas Rangers (46-36): The Rangers are holding their own in the AL West, but at least Josh Hamilton is back, and he should be ready for a big second half.

7. (5) Tampa Bay Rays (45-39): The Rays could be the most well-rounded team in the majors with their combination of speed, strength and pitching. I would have them as the MLB betting favorite for the AL wild card.

8. (6) St. Louis Cardinals (46-39): If Albert Pujols has a bad second half to the season, I’ll finally believe there is a Home-Run Derby jinx. That said, his first-half numbers would be a career year for 80-85% of the big leagues.

9. (11) Philadelphia Phillies (43-38): See previous comments about the Angels. Apparently they’re coming in for Pedro Martinez, though. I’m sure Mets fans are thrilled about that.

10. (4) Detroit Tigers (45-38): The Tigers are limping a bit into the All-Star break, but how about the re-emergence of Justin Verlander as an ace? Betting software should have him as one of the favorites to start in St. Louis.

11. (22) Chicago White Sox (43-40): The White Sox have surged to second in the AL Central by winning eight of their last 10. If the offense can be more consistent, it’ll be a fun second-half battle between the White Sox, Tigers and Twins.

12. (3) Colorado Rockies (44-39): They’ve only cooled off slightly, but I expect a second-half slide. The Rockies’ starting pitching is just too shaky, which isn’t a good thing in a division loaded with great starting pitchers.

13. (16) Seattle Mariners (43-30): The Mariners keep sneaking into my sports picks, and they’re doing it with pitching: Seattle is first in the AL in ERA, WHIP, saves and opposing average, even with an injured Erik Bedard.

14. (20) Minnesota Twins (43-41): Online sports betting players would hard-pressed to find an offensive duo better than Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. The Twins are like the Jim Furyk of baseball: they keep grinding away and are usually there around the end.

15. (9) Chicago Cubs (41-40): As bad as the bats have been, the Cubs are still right there. A massive series against the Cardinals at home this weekend could give them something to build on for the second half of the campaign.

16. (12) Milwaukee Brewers (43-40)

17. (19) Cincinnati Reds (41-41)

18. (18) Atlanta Braves (40-43)

19. (15) Florida Marlins (43-42)

20. (23) Houston Astros (40-42)

21. (28) Arizona Diamondbacks (35-49)

22. (26) Kansas City Royals (36-47)

23. (13) Toronto Blue Jays (43-42)

24. (21) New York Mets (39-43)

25. (24) Pittsburgh Pirates (38-46)

26. (17) Baltimore Orioles (37-47)

27. (25) Oakland Athletics (35-47)

28. (27) San Diego Padres (35-48)

29. (30) Cleveland Indians (33-51)

30. (29) Washington Nationals (24-57)

Injuries are destroying the Blue Jays and Mets, but I’d bet on the MLB lines for the team from the “Big Apple” before the team who will probably trade their ace pitcher by the end of the season. And of course, Washington is back where they belong.

For more MLB betting analysis and picks, keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.

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