A MONTH LATER THE SOX ARE STILL AT IT
Something has to change in Houston. The complete Power Rankings through May 23:
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD class=bg0 colSpan=3>POWER RANKINGS</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=middle><TD>Current</TD><TD>Team</TD><TD>Previous</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD align=middle>
Chicago White Sox</TD><TD align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>First step to ruling the world: ruling Chicago. Check.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>2</TD><TD align=middle>
St. Louis Cardinals</TD><TD align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Well, the prediction they would take over No. 1 this week didn't hold, but they are closing the gap -- by widening their league-best division lead to seven games on the sub-.500 NL Central.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>3</TD><TD align=middle>
Baltimore Orioles</TD><TD align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Going 3-3 vs. the Royals and Phillies might be a precursor to a hard lesson for the 'new-money' O's. You have to dominate the cellar-dwellers, because needing to go .500-plus vs. contenders is much tougher down the stretch.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>4</TD><TD align=middle>
Boston Red Sox</TD><TD align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Their next 10 games come against their three top challengers in the AL East, including the next six on the road. The Sox should find out in this stretch whether they're up for their title defense.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>5</TD><TD align=middle>
Florida Marlins</TD><TD align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Have won first games on homestand after a West Coast trip. Facing Phillies and Mets at home should be a great way to build a cushion in the NL East on the injury-hit Braves.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>