Hello everyone. I’d like to introduce you to the inaugural version of Power Alley. This piece will analyze the best and worst teams in baseball and order them based on results and my own opinion. Debate all you want and use this as a tool to decide what pitchers will have the best support, what hitters will have the toughest or easiest series and what free agent pitchers to stream based on opposition.

The All-Star break is upon us and now is the time that the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. Over the past years we've seen strong starts from teams that ended up falling from grace shortly after the break. So, unsurprisingly, this year shouldn't be, and won't be, and different.

The American League has been the more stable of the two leagues of the MLB. Since 2000, there have been only 9 different teams in the AL playoff brackets, 5 of which have had at least 4 appearances in that time frame. Oakland, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Minnesota always seem to field a contending team each year. From a fantasy perspective, it's hard to pass up players on those rosters when it's obvious that they know what it takes to perform and to win.

This addition of the Power Alley will feature the strength of the American League teams as they wrap up the first half of the 2008 season. 
 

1. Tampa Bay Rays - Thanks, guys, for completely ruining my theory that the American League post-season is more of a membership organization then an open-door policy. This team is for real; they are exciting to watch and the American League East is theirs for the taking despite recent losing streak. Most of the players are too young to realize that they are going against everything baseball fans have come to expect which makes Tampa Bay that much more dangerous. The scary part is that there is more to come; the farm system is still chock-full of talent.

2. Boston Red Sox - This is more familiar territory. The Red Sox aren't going to go away and the Rays need to understand that. David Ortiz will be back to destroying the ball soon. The middle relief is a little shaky despite but don't expect that to continue because they know what it takes to win ballgames. The Red Sox have continued to blend in a lot of young talent as well which goes to show that they plan on sitting pretty near the top long after this season is over.

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - When you want to see the epitome of a good, solid starting rotation, look no further than this team. They have quietly put together a rotation with a combined record of 45-24. Pitching is the key aspect to a successful playoff run and right now the Angels are looking pretty good in that department. Rumor has it that they will be trying to find a big bat at the trade deadline, and while they may need it now, the rest of their power hitters aren't stupid; they know they've got a job to do and they'll get it done.

4. Chicago White Sox - This team is the biggest underachieving team in the majors. They are in first place at the moment and have played like a first place team MOST of the time. Once again, a starter in the 5th spot of the rotation is holding up his end of the bargain; Gavin Floyd, just like Joe Saunders in LA, is a young pitcher who is playing like there is no tomorrow.

5. Minnesota Twins - The nemesis of Ozzie's Sox have once again made their move on the division lead. The bats are heating up, despite the continuing lack of power, and it's being noticed; Morneau’s performance in the Home Run Derby over the All-Star break does give hope in that department. And so much can be said on their new centerfielder, Carlos Gomez. He filled Tori Hunter's shoes quite nicely. It's hard to look past the starting pitching but so far, so good.

6. New York Yankees - We all knew it would only be a matter of time before the Yanks entered the picture. With a little security in the starting rotation that they'll probably find via the trade deadline, the Yankees are never short on offense. Rumor has it they are looking to sign Richie Sexon once he clears waivers. And if you think arguing that they're all too old to play much longer, take a long look at the farm system which has been rebuilt nicely since early 2000's. 26 world championships has to mean something.

7. Oakland Athletics - Every year they trade away strong talent and it seems like every year people question if it is a good move to do so. But when you've made the playoffs 5 out of the past 8 years, there shouldn't be much question. With their pitching, they always know when to pull the plug. They were dead-on with Mulder and Zito, and Harden is the next to falter with his history. The A's have once again found a way to contend with a young pitching staff and a group of players that know how to win. It's unfortunate the majority of them will eventually end their careers in other cities.

8. Detroit Tigers - An unpleasant beginning for the fans and the team alike has turned into a sense of accomplishment as the Tigers have used the past 2 months to dig themselves out of the bottom of the AL Central. Despite Verlander's struggles, he is still eating innings and returning to form. The offense, led by Marcus Thames of all people, is starting to show signs of life. Don't count the Tigers, or their players, out just yet. Needless to say, however, that the Tigers are one of those weird teams in the AL; they are hard to get a read on whether or not they will be for real over the next several years.

9. Texas Rangers - For a team that has almost two starting rotations worth of pitchers on the DL, the Rangers are hanging in there. Their outfield is tops in the league and Ian Kinsler is having an awesome year. With a healthy rotation, this team could be one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

10. Baltimore Orioles - Lately the surprising pitching has been doing exactly what everyone expected them to do-make mistakes. With a rotation that claims Daniel Cabrera as the most experienced major league starter, the O's pitching has become suspect lately. On a good note though, Adam Jones is very quickly developing into the player the team had hoped he would become.

11. Toronto Blue Jays - The machine that Roy Halladay is keeps rolling through innings and picking up wins. His complete games have been a fantasy oasis. It's unfortunate the rest of the team can't really seem to get on track with him. They are fast but don't have much power and in order to contend in the AL East you've got to score runs with the long ball.

12. Cleveland Indians - Another team that has run into some bad luck with the injury bug. It's a shame to see a team with so much raw talent sitting at the bottom of the division. Maybe with the return of some of their key components after the break, the Tribe will make a 2nd half push. LaPorta could be at the center of that in no time.

13. Kansas City Royals - No offense to Royals fans but this team won't find their way out of the basement unless they can get some pitching help. Offensively, they are headed in the right direction with rising stars like Alex Gordon, Joey Gathright, Billy Butler and even Aviles as potentially the biggest value of the bunch considering his position. But the pitching consistently struggles even with Greinke finally making returns on his immense talent. Still, they need a few more studs to solidify on the mound before this will change.

14. Seattle Mariners - Erik Bedard has struggled staying healthy, the offense has struggled hitting for power, and the team has struggled, well, with everything. With superstar J.J. Putz on the shelf, Brandon Morrow leads the team with 8 saves (which is good and bad). Richie Sexson has been given his plane ticket out of town, and the Mariners can't seem to catch a break. 20 games out of first as we hit the All-Star break is not something to be real proud of; but hey, there is always Ichiro.

One of the best things about the game of baseball is how fickle it can be. One minute, a team can be struggling with no end in sight, and the next minute they have found themselves back in the thick of things. The American League is no different this year; there are 9 teams in the league that are .500 or better, and two more that will be above that mark with a 2 or 3 game winning streak. Winning is the priority of every single player on every single team; it's just a matter of who wants it more. As a fantasy player, that's your job to figure out. And if the past is any example, it's not hard to figure out the teams that go out there year after year and have found a way to come out on top consistently.

Next week's Power Alley: National League