MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees Continue To Climb

May 8, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman

(1), left fielder

(5), center fielder

(39) and right fielder

Jr. (20) congratulate each other after they beat the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Texas Rangers 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

12. San Francisco Giants (16-16) A series win over the Padres followed by a split with the Marlins has the Giants at .500 for the first time since the first week of the season. Tim Lincecum has looked like the Tim Lincecum of old, pitching to a clean 2.00 ERA. They are a scrappy bunch and will look to keep things going on the road this week against the Astros and Reds. Hunter Pence’s return is also right around the corner, which will only help them even more.

11. San Diego Padres (17-16) A series loss to the Giants to start the week was followed with a four-game split with the Diamondbacks, making it two losing weeks of the last three. Craig Kimbrel blew his first save of the season as well, as he is sporting an unsightly 5.68 ERA. The Padres have a tough week coming up, as they finish their road trip with two games in Seattle before hosting the surging Nationals. Can the Padres get back on track against some stiff competition?

10. Tampa Bay Rays (17-15) The Rays continue chugging right along. They took a series from AL East foe Red Sox, and then split with the Rangers over the weekend. Quietly the Rays have been getting outstanding production from their bullpen, and it could get even stronger with Jake McGee’s return coming soon.