After going 4-6 on their 10-game California road trip, the Texas Rangers dropped like a rock in the ESPN MLB Power Rankings, but let's be honest, this has been coming for quite some time, not just the past 10 games.
The Rangers certainly haven't been helped by injuries, but if you're a Rangers fan don't feel sorry for yourself after the team had an unthinkably easy year in 2011 in regards to injuries when not a single starting pitcher went on the DL. Now, Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland are both on the DL and Alexi Ogando is likely to join them on Tuesday.
All of that resulted in in the Rangers dropping from the top spot in the ESPN Power Rankings to No. 4 as they now sit behind No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers, No. 2 Washington Nationals and No. 3 Tampa Bay Rays, as the Atlanta Braves round out the top 5.
The surging Los Angeles Angels, who opened a three-game series with the Dodgers on Monday night with a win, have now won 15 of their last 19 games since ace pitcher Jered Weaver hit the DL. Mike Trout has basically already locked up AL Rookie of the Year honors and could have a series argument for MVP honors if he keeps this up. The Angels are currently No. 11 on the list, while Seattle and Oakland sit at Nos. 23 and 25, respectively.
