Now that we are exactly halfway through the 2008 regular season, we’re starting to get a clear picture of the contenders and pretenders in baseball this year. After a the Defending Champions had a tough week in Houston, the American League power struggle is once again up in the air.

This is a day we never thought we would see. Pigs are flying, hell is frozen, ect.

The Tampa Bay Rays, the runt of the American League litter throughout the past 10 years, are now the best team in Major League Baseball.

1) Tampa Bay Rays
Remember how every year we would take a peek at the Rays’ minor league system and say to ourselves “Man, someday this team is going to be pretty good”? Well, “someday” sneaked up on us. “Someday” has kicked in our back door at 3 AM, crept into our kitchen, killed our dog, stolen the cash out of our safe, and kidnapped our children.

2) Chicago Cubs
One of the toughest 1-8 lineups in baseball continues to hit, as Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome battle for Rookie of the Year honors. If not for suffering a sweep at the hands of the team mentioned above, America’s most lovable losers would be #1.

3) St. Louis Cardinals
Just as we thought Albert Pujols was starting to come down to Earth in 2007, he answers by embarking on a career year in 2008. (.356/.483/.640, and a career-high 197 OPS+)

4) Boston Red Sox
Interleague Play was not kind to the World Champions. But, hey, I won’t complain. *cough cough* Bad idea from the beginning *cough cough* Selig you donkey, end it now *cough cough*. In all seriousness, when we watch our morbidly obese pitcher hurt himself on a swing, it’s pretty clear that the National League teams have a slight advantage in terms of training and familiarity.

5) Philadelphia Phillies
Despite holding a mere 1 game lead in the NL East, the Phillies have one of the best Pythagorean records in the league, and their bullpen has been the best in baseball thus far. Brad Lidge has his career completely turned around after a rough couple of years in Houston, and the Phillies’ relievers have a total ERA of 2.67, holding batters to .238/.322/.344.

6) Chicago White Sox
Say what you want about GM Kenny Williams, the man absolutely fleeced Texas for pitcher John Danks, currently the White Sox best performing starter of 2008. To be fair, the Rangers have always had a certain blind spot when it comes to evaluating pitching talent, but credit goes to Williams for spotting this and attacking like a hawk on a baby rabbit.

7) New York Yankees
Their record isn’t terribly impressive, but at this point NY is the sleeping giant of the league. Robinson Cano has to be expected to hit at some point this year, and Joba Chamberlain is answering the skeptics with a 1.80 ERA during his brief time as a starter.

8) Los Angeles Angels
They’ve been outperforming their Pythagorean record all season long, but they’ve created a little cushion for themselves in doing this. This team is probably better than their Pythag, and should continue to win now that their offense is heating up. Vladimir Guerrero (remember him?) is hitting .395/.447/.671 in June.

9) Minnesota Twins
There have been a few Cinderella stories in the league so far. This is the one nobody is talking about. Their starting rotation could use a boost, after opposing hitters have spanked them to the tune of .296/.334/.460. Unfortunately, that boost may not come from Francisco Liriano as hoped; he is getting destroyed in the minor leagues.

10) Oakland A’s
Earlier this year, I commented that Oakland’s rotation was possibly the worst in baseball, and especially lamented the fact that they would be relying on Justin Duchscherer, a career relief pitcher, to start 30 games this year. Of course, I was absolutely horribly wrong. “Duke” currently leads the league in ERA+ and WHIP. We’ll see if it lasts, but for now, I’ll sit here quietly with my dunce cap firmly fastened on my thick skull.
.