10. Baltimore Orioles: 32-24 record; 4.4 runs scored, 4.3 runs scored*—Hard to believe that a team leading baseball’s toughest division, the AL East, is ranked this low but the numbers suggest Baltimore will soon return to earth—or the division basement in this case. They’ve outscored their opponents by a total of three runs in 2012 and are somehow 19-9 in games decided by two runs or less. Previous: 8
9. St. Louis Cardinals: 29-28 record; 5.1 runs scored, 4.2 runs scored*—The Cardinals are the anti-Orioles thus far with the second-best run-scoring differential in all of baseball (plus-48) but a mediocre record to go along with it. Previous: 6
8. Atlanta Braves: 31-25 record; 4.8 runs scored, 4.3 runs allowed*—The young Braves have all the pieces to be a contender—a formidable lineup, several good starting pitchers, and a top closer in the bullpen. Their road-heavy schedule thus far (33 road games compared to 23 at home), will soon even out and should be an advantage. Previous: NR
7. Tampa Bay Rays: 31-25 record; 4.1 runs scored, 4.0 runs allowed*—The Rays, who are 27th in batting average and 19th in runs scored are clearly missing the bat of Evan Longoria, who has been out since the end of April. First baseman Carlos Pena has been unable to pick up the slack, hitting just .135 since that time. Previous: 3
6. Chicago White Sox: 31-25 record; 4.7 runs scored, 4.2 runs allowed*—Almost as big of a surprise as the Orioles run, the unpredictable White Sox are at the top of punchless AL Central and have the fifth-best run-scoring differential in all of baseball. Paul Konerko is hitting .366 and is one of four White Sox with 10 or more home runs. Previous: 7
5. Cincinnati Reds: 31-24 record; 4.2 runs scored, 3.8 runs allowed*—With Joey Votto still hitting at a torrid pace this year (.348 batting average, .610 slugging percentage) the Reds have moved into first in the NL Central. As soon as pitcher Mat Latos (4-2 record, 4.91 ERA) gets going they'll be a World Series contender. Previous: 5
4. New York Yankees: 31-24 record; 4.7 runs scored, 4.1 runs allowed*—With Andy Pettitte suddenly rolling along (3-2 record, 2.78 ERA) and Hiroki Kuroda (4-6 record, 3.82 ERA) a steady starter, the Yankees are making their annual run to the top of the AL East. Previous: 10
3. Washington Nationals...
