Onlinebetting players know that the American League East is the toughest divisionin all of baseball, and it’s proving that way again in 2010 as the AL East hasthree teams in the top five of this week’s Power Rankings as we head into theAll-Star break.

1. New York Yankees(54-31): The Yankees have won six in a row, including their opening game inSeattle on Thursday, meaning they could have a nine-game streak heading intothe break.

2. Tampa Bay (52-33): The Rays have also won six straight and are hanging with the Yankees, andthey have the Indians at home. It’s shaping up to be a very interesting secondhalf.

3. Atlanta (50-35): TheBraves just won two of three in Philadelphia, and will end the first halfagainst the Mets. Atlanta has played well above their weight this year, canthey keep it up?

4. San Diego (50-35): How long can the Padres go with no offense? Can they hold onto AdrianGonzalez throughout the second half? That’s the key to the Padres’ second-halfMLB betting chances.

5. Boston (49-36): Thatthe Red Sox are in this position despite all the injuries they’ve suffered,particularly to their pitchers, is a testament to their organization. They’llend their first half in Toronto.

6. Texas (50-35): TheRangers look like they’re ready to run away with the American League West, butstarting-pitching help would be nice.

7. Colorado (47-38): RoyHalladay has had a great season in Philly, and we’re big Doc fans over here,but if Ubaldo Jimenez isn’t starting in the All-Star game, we’re callingshenanigans.

8. Detroit (46-37): Enjoyit, Detroit fans, because you just know the Tigers are going to find a way tolose the lead in the American League Central. It won’t be right away either,it’ll be drawn out.

9. Cincinnati (49-38): The surprises of the season have been a great feelgood story, and MikeLeake is every bit as good as his former youth teammate, Stephen Strasburg. ScottRolen may be the MLB betting favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.

10. New York Mets(47-38): The Mets are right in the thick of things heading into the break,and they can’t ask for more than that. And that’s even with Jason Bay beingterrible for most of the year.

11. Chicago White Sox(46-38): The most confusing team in baseball. They could be the best orworst team in their division on any given day, and now Jake Peavy is hurt.

12. San Francisco(45-40): If you would have told MLBbetting players that Barry Zito would be the ace of the staff and not TimLincecum, you probably would have been run out of the room.

13. Los AngelesDodgers (47-38): The Dodgers have been up and down as of late, and theyhave the best chance of chasing down the Padres in the National League West,providing the pitching doesn’t collapse.

14. Philadelphia(44-40): They’ve been hurt, their offense has struggled mightily, and yetthe Phillies are still in the hunt. Don’t count them out over the second halfof the season.

15. St. Louis (45-40): The Cardinals have been ambushed by Cincinnati, but we’ll see theexperience of St. Louis pay off in the second half.

16. Toronto (43-43)

17. Minnesota (45-40)

18. Los AngelesAngels (46-42)

19. Kansas City(39-46)

20. Florida (40-45)

21. Oakland (41-45)

22. Chicago Cubs(38-48)

23. Washington(38-48)

24. Houston (35-51)

25. Arizona (33-53)

26. Milwaukee (37-49)<

27. Cleveland (33-52)

28. Seattle (34-51)

29. Pittsburgh(30-55)

30. Baltimore (26-59)

The bottom half of the league has some surprising teams downthere, like Minnesota and the Angels, and they’re going to have to pick it upto get through the second half of the season. In “Tank Wars”, the Orioles havea solid lead over the Pirates, but if the Mariners do indeed trade pitcherCliff Lee, they could be the new sports betting favorites for the No.1 pick in thedraft.