Updated MLB Power Rankings: Upstart Washington Nationals Continue to Climb

As we enter the third full week of the MLB season, we begin to get a better look at where teams rank right now, and like every season there have been some surprises so far, both negative and positive.

The Dodgers and Nationals are off to torrid starts and look to be the real deal, at least at this early stage of the season.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox went winless this week and the Angels continue to struggle, as two teams expected to compete look to turn things around this coming week.

Here is a look at this week's MLB power rankings, and check back here each Monday morning for an updated look at where your favorite team stands.

*Note: Rosters taken from MLBDepthCharts, a fantastic website worth checking out if you've never visited it.

No. 30: Kansas City Royals (3-12, Previous: 25)

Current Lineup

LF Alex Gordon
2B Chris Getz
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
RF Jeff Francoeur
3B Mike Moustakas
CF Mitch Maier
C Humberto Quintero
SS Alcides Escobar

Current Rotation

SP Bruce Chen
SP Luke Hochevar
SP Jonathan Sanchez
SP Luis Mendoza
SP Danny Duffy
CP Jonathan Broxton

Team Outlook

Losers of 10 straight, the Royals are struggling to score runs (just 56 on the season), and that is a serious problem for a team with a thin and unproven rotation to being with.

Offensively, Eric Hosmer (.183 BA) and Alex Gordon (.190 BA) are off to slow starts and need to turn things around quickly for the Royals to right the ship.

No. 29: Chicago Cubs: (4-12, Previous: 27)

Current Lineup 

RF David DeJesus
2B Darwin Barney
SS Starlin Castro
LF Alfonso Soriano
3B Ian Stewart
1B Bryan LaHair
C Geovany Soto
CF Joe Mather
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Matt Garza
SP Jeff Samardzija
SP Chris Volstad
SP Paul Maholm
SP Randy Wells
CP Carlos Marmol

Team Outlook

A 1-5 week has left the Cubbies with the worst record in the National League, and things likely won't get any better with series against the Cardinals and Phillies coming up this week.

The team did manage to find a taker for struggling center fielder Marlon Byrd, who was shipped to the Red Sox for reliever Michael Bowden, so the week wasn't a total loss. How long before first base prospect Anthony Rizzo (.368 BA, 7 HR, 19 RBI at Triple-A) gets the call-up?

No. 28: San Diego Padres (5-12, Previous: 30)

Current Lineup

RF Will Venable
LF Mark Kotsay
3B Chase Headley
1B Yonder Alonso
CF Cameron Maybin
C Nick Hundley
SS Jason Bartlett
2B Orlando Hudson
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Edinson Volquez
SP Cory Luebke
SP Clayton Richard
SP Anthony Bass
SP Joe Wieland
CP Huston Street

Team Outlook

Splitting a four-game series with the Phillies helped the Padres to a 3-4 week, but they are still struggling offensively with a .214 team average, which has nullified some solid pitching.

If someone else could step up alongside Chase Headley (.432 OBP, 4 HR, 13 RBI) and the pitching continues to perform, they could surprise some people, but for now their lack of punch keeps them near the bottom of the pack.

No. 27: Minnesota Twins (5-11, Previous: 29)

Current Lineup

CF Denard Span
SS Jamey Carroll
C Joe Mauer
DH Justin Morneau
LF Josh Willingham
RF Ryan Doumit
3B Danny Valencia
1B Chris Parmelee
2B Alexi Casilla

Current Rotation

SP Carl Pavano
SP Francisco Liriano
SP Anthony Swarzak
SP Nick Blackburn
SP Liam Hendriks 
CP Matt Capps 

Team Outlook

The Twins held their own this week as they went 3-4 while facing the Yankees and Rays on the road, as they bounced back from being swept by the Rangers to close out last week.

Josh Willingham (.328 BA, 5 HR, 12 RBI) has been a pleasant surprise hitting in the middle of the order, and joined by a resurgent Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer the Twins offense should continue to score runs. However, their pitching is going to hold them back for the foreseeable future.

No. 26: Houston Astros (6-10, Previous: 26)

Current Lineup

CF Jordan Schafer
SS Jed Lowrie
LF J.D. Martinez
1B Carlos Lee
RF Brian Bogusevic
3B Chris Johnson
C Jason Castro
2B Jose Altuve
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Wandy Rodriguez
SP Lucas Harrell
SP Bud Norris
SP J.A. Happ
SP Kyle Weiland
CP Brett Myers

Team Outlook

The Astros managed to take a game from the surging Dodgers on Sunday to finish the week at 2-5, and while their 6-10 record isn't good, it's likely much better than most people thought they would be at this point.

Wandy Rodriguez (1.42 ERA, 25.1 IP) is keeping his trade stock high with a nice start, and J.D. Martinez (.309 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI) continues to show signs of being a franchise building block.

No. 25: Seattle Mariners (7-10, Previous: 22)

Current Lineup

LF Chone Figgins
2B Dustin Ackley
RF Ichiro Suzuki
1B Justin Smoak
DH Jesus Montero
3B Kyle Seager
C Miguel Olivo
CF Michael Saunders
SS Brendan Ryan

Current Rotation

SP Felix Hernandez
SP Jason Vargas
SP Hector Noesi
SP Blake Beavan
SP Kevin Millwood
CP Brandon League

Team Outlook

The Mariners are riding a four-game losing streak and are coming off a sweep at the hands of the White Sox, as they finished out the week 1-5.

While their offense is undoubtedly improved from last season, it is still among the worst in the league, and with their pitching staff performing below average their chances of winning more than a game or two per week seem slim.

No. 24: Pittsburgh Pirates (6-9, Previous: 28)

Current Lineup

LF Alex Presley
RF Jose Tabata
CF Andrew McCutchen
2B Neil Walker
1B Garrett Jones
C Rod Barajas
3B Pedro Alvarez
SS Clint Barmes
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Erik Bedard
SP James McDonald
SP Kevin Correia
SP Charlie Morton
SP A.J. Burnett
CP Joel Hanrahan 

Team Outlook

A 3-3 week was highlighted by the team taking a series against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, as the team bounced back nicely from a rough 1-5 showing the previous week.

A.J. Burnett made his Pirates debut on Saturday and pitched seven scoreless innings; he should give the pitching staff a needed boost.

No. 23: Boston Red Sox (4-10, Previous: 12)

Current Lineup

SS Mike Aviles
RF Ryan Sweeney
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Adrian Gonzalez
DH David Ortiz
3B Kevin Youkilis
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
LF Cody Ross
CF Marlon Byrd

Current Rotation

SP Jon Lester
SP Josh Beckett
SP Clay Buchholz
SP Felix Doubront
SP Daniel Bard
CP Alfredo Aceves

Team Outlook

I gave the Red Sox the benefit of the doubt the first two weeks, but an 0-5 week is impossible to ignore, and while the season is still young it may be time for Red Sox Nation to start inching their hand closer to the panic button.

The team dealt for Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd (3-for-43) with Jacoby Ellsbury set to miss significant time, but he is hardly the answer the way he is hitting this season. Maybe getting back Carl Crawford will give the team a spark, because they need something, anything, to jump-start them at this point.

No. 22: Miami Marlins (7-8, Previous: 19)

Current Lineup

SS Jose Reyes
CF Emilio Bonifacio
3B Hanley Ramirez
RF Giancarlo Stanton
LF Logan Morrison
1B Gaby Sanchez
2B Omar Infante
C John Buck
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Josh Johnson
SP Mark Buehrle
SP Ricky Nolasco
SP Carlos Zambrano
SP Anibal Sanchez
CP Heath Bell

Team Outlook

The Marlins' 3-2 record this week is explained by the fact that they swept a terrible Cubs team to open the week and were then swept themselves by the Nationals.

Hanley Ramirez (4 HR, 12 RBI) is carrying the offense right now, and the fact that Giancarlo Stanton is still without a home run through 51 at-bats may be one of the biggest surprises of the season.

No. 21: Oakland Athletics (8-9, Previous: 24)

Current Lineup

2B Jemile Weeks
LF Coco Crisp
RF Josh Reddick
CF Yoenis Cespedes
DH Seth Smith
C Kurt Suzuki
1B Daric Barton
3B Eric Sogard
SS Cliff Pennington 

Current Rotation

SP Brandon McCarthy
SP Bartolo Colon
SP Tom Milone
SP Tyson Ross
SP Jarrod Parker
CP Grant Balfour

Team Outlook

The Athletics took three of four from the struggling Angels to open the week before avoiding a sweep at home against the Indians with a win Sunday, putting them at 4-3 on the week.

The starting pitching has been terrific thus far, led by Bartolo Colon (3-1, 2.63 ERA), and they will look to shore up their fifth starter situation by handing the ball to top prospect Jarrod Parker this Wednesday against the White Sox in what will be his Athletics debut.

No. 20: Cincinnati Reds (7-9, Previous: 15)

Current Lineup

2B Brandon Phillips
SS Zack Cozart
1B Joey Votto
3B Scott Rolen
RF Jay Bruce
LF Ryan Ludwick
CF Drew Stubbs
C Ryan Hanigan
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Johnny Cueto
SP Mat Latos
SP Bronson Arroyo
SP Homer Bailey
SP Mike Leake
CP Sean Marshall 

Team Outlook

A Sunday win kept the Reds from dropping a series in Chicago against the struggling Cubs, as the Reds wrapped up the week 3-3.

Their once-potent offense continues to struggle, ranking 26th in runs and 27th in batting average, but that should come around as the season continues. The real concern is starters Mat Latos (0-2, 8.22 ERA) and Mike Leake (0-2, 6.50 ERA), who will be counted on to aid Johnny Cueto atop the rotation this season.

No. 19: Colorado Rockies (8-7, Previous: 21)

Current Lineup

2B Marco Scutaro
CF Dexter Fowler
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
1B Todd Helton
RF Michael Cuddyer
C Ramon Hernandez
3B Chris Nelson
Pitcher

Current Rotation 

SP Jeremy Guthrie
SP Jamie Moyer
SP Juan Nicasio
SP Jhoulys Chacin
SP Drew Pomeranz
CP Rafael Betancourt

Team Outlook

The Rockies wrapped up a 4-2 week with a win on Sunday, as they took two of three from the Padres and Brewers, moving them into second place in the NL West.

The 49-year-old Jamie Moyer (2.55 ERA, 17.2 IP) has been one of the best stories of the season thus far, but he is currently the only Rockies starter with an ERA under 4.80. That needs to change if the Rockies want to make a run at the NL West crown.

No. 18: Cleveland Indians (8-6, Previous: 20)

Current Lineup

CF Michael Brantley
2B Jason Kipnis
RF Shin-Soo Choo
C Carlos Santana
DH Travis Hafner
LF Shelley Duncan
1B Casey Kotchman
3B Jack Hannahan
SS Jason Donald 

Current Rotation

SP Justin Masterson
SP Ubaldo Jimenez
SP Derek Lowe
SP Josh Tomlin
SP Jeanmar Gomez
CP Chris Perez

Team Outlook

The Indians took care of business against some lesser opponents this past week, taking two of three from both the Mariners and the Athletics on the road.

They have won seven of their last nine, and much like last season no one is having a spectacular season—but they are finding ways to win on a game-to-game basis.

No. 17: Chicago White Sox (9-6, Previous: 18)

Current Lineup

CF Alejandro De Aza
3B Brent Morel
DH Adam Dunn
1B Paul Konerko
C A.J. Pierzynski
RF Alex Rios
SS Alexei Ramirez
LF Dayan Viciedo
2B Gordon Beckham

Current Rotation

SP John Danks
SP Jake Peavy
SP Gavin Floyd
SP Chris Sale
SP Phil Humber
CP Hector Santiago

Team Outlook

Coming off a 4-1 week in which they took two of three from the Tigers, the White Sox struggled against the Orioles, dropping three of four, before sweeping the Mariners to close out the week.

Phil Humber turned in the performance of the week, tossing a perfect game against the Mariners on Saturday. The team also continues to get big contributions offensively from veterans Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski.

No. 16: Baltimore Orioles (9-7, Previous: 23)

Current Lineup

LF Nolan Reimold
SS J.J. Hardy
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones 
C Matt Wieters
DH Wilson Betemit
3B Mark Reynolds
1B Chris Davis
2B Robert Andino

Current Rotation 

SP Jake Arrieta
SP Tommy Hunter
SP Jason Hammel
SP Brian Matusz
SP Wei-Yin Chen
CP Jim Johnson 

Team Outlook

The Orioles continued their steady play with a 4-3 week, taking three of four from the White Sox before avoiding being swept by the Angels with a win on Sunday.

Nolan Reimold (.370 BA, 5 HR, 10 RBI), Adam Jones (.303 BA, 5 HR, 8 RBI) and Matt Wieters (.292 BA, 5 HR, 12 RBI) have been fantastic so far, and the pitching has been better than expected.

No. 15: Milwaukee Brewers (7-9, Previous: 17)

Current Lineup

2B Rickie Weeks
CF Nyjer Morgan
LF Ryan Braun
3B Aramis Ramirez
RF Corey Hart
1B Mat Gamel
SS Alex Gonzalez
C Jonathan Lucroy
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Yovani Gallardo
SP Zack Greinke
SP Randy Wolf
SP Shaun Marcum
SP Marco Estrada
CP John Axford

Team Outlook

The Brewers went 3-3 this past week, highlighted by a walk-off win in the bottom of the 10th on Wednesday against the Dodgers that allowed them to take two of three from the NL West leaders.

Assuming Rickie Weeks (.197 BA) and Aramis Ramirez (.158 BA) can get things going and the starting pitching can improve on a combined 5.06 ERA, the Brewers should be in good shape moving forward.

No. 14: New York Mets (8-6, Previous: 16)

Current Lineup

CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Ike Davis
LF Jason Bay
RF Lucas Duda
C Josh Thole
SS Ruben Tejada
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Johan Santana
SP R.A. Dickey
SP Jon Niese
SP Mike Pelfrey
SP Dillon Gee
CP Frank Francisco

Team Outlook

The Mets dropped two of three against the Braves to open the week before splitting two with the Giants, as they kept pace in the deep NL East with a 2-3 week.

Rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis (.325 BA, .400 OBP) was moved to the leadoff spot this week, and the starting pitching outside of R.A. Dickey has continued to impress as the other four starters all have ERAs under 4.00.

No. 13: Los Angeles Angels (6-10, Previous: 11)

Current Lineup

SS Erick Aybar
2B Howie Kendrick
1B Albert Pujols
DH Kendrys Morales
RF Torii Hunter
LF Vernon Wells
C Chris Iannetta
3B Alberto Callaspo
CF Peter Bourjos

Current Rotation

SP Jered Weaver
SP Dan Haren
SP Ervin Santana
SP C.J. Wilson
SP Jerome Williams
CP Jordan Walden 

Team Outlook

A 3-4 week kept the Angels in last place in the AL West, but unlike the Red Sox it's still not enough to push them too far down the list here.

With Albert Pujols (.246 BA, 0 HR, 4 RBI) struggling at the plate and Dan Haren and Ervin Santana not pitching particularly well, there is plenty of room for the Angels to improve. They still have the talent to be AL contenders once they hit their stride.

No. 12: San Francisco Giants (7-7, Previous: 14)

Current Lineup 

CF Angel Pagan
LF Melky Cabrera
3B Pablo Sandoval
C Buster Posey
1B Aubrey Huff
RF Nate Schierholtz
SS Brandon Crawford
2B Emmanuel Burriss
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Tim Lincecum
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Matt Cain
SP Barry Zito
SP Ryan Vogelsong
CP Santiago Casilla

Team Outlook

The Giants used a 3-2 week to get their record back to .500, as they took two of three from the Phillies and split two with the Mets.

Losing closer Brian Wilson for the season is a blow, but Santiago Casilla should be able to fill the role in his absence. With the offense hitting well and the starting rotation outside of Tim Lincecum pitching fantastic baseball, the Giants are looking good.

No. 11: Philadelphia Phillies (7-9, Previous: 9)

Current Lineup

LF Juan Pierre
3B Placido Polanco
SS Jimmy Rollins
RF Hunter Pence
CF Shane Victorino
1B John Mayberry Jr.
C Carlos Ruiz
2B Freddy Galvis
Pitcher 

Current Rotation

SP Roy Halladay
SP Vance Worley
SP Cole Hamels
SP Joe Blanton
SP Kyle Kendrick
CP Jonathan Papelbon

Team Outlook

The Phillies dropped two of three against the Giants to open the week and then split a four-game series with the lowly Padres for a 3-4 week.

Their offense ranks ahead of only the Pirates in all of baseball with 43 runs scored, and while their pitching staff has the second-best ERA in baseball, they were dealt a blow when Cliff Lee hit the disabled list with a strained oblique. Their pitching will keep them in the upper half of these rankings, but their offense looks like it could keep them out of contention.

No. 10: Arizona Diamondbacks (8-8, Previous: 8)

Current Lineup

SS Willie Bloomquist
CF Gerardo Parra
RF Justin Upton
C Miguel Montero
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Jason Kubel
2B Aaron Hill
3B Ryan Roberts
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Ian Kennedy
SP Josh Collmenter
SP Trevor Cahill
SP Joe Saunders
SP Wade Miley
CP J.J. Putz

Team Outlook

A win on Sunday halted a five-game losing streak for the Diamondbacks, as a 2-5 week pushed their record to .500 on the season.

Beyond the win-loss record, the Diamondbacks also had a tough time health-wise, as starter Daniel Hudson and center fielder Chris Young both hit the disabled list. Enough to push them down a few places, but they should be fine in the long run.

No. 9: Toronto Blue Jays (9-6, Previous: 13)

Current Lineup

SS Yunel Escobar
2B Kelly Johnson
RF Jose Bautista
1B Adam Lind
DH Edwin Encarnacion
3B Brett Lawrie
LF Eric Thames
CF Colby Rasmus
C J.P. Arencibia

Current Rotation

SP Ricky Romero
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Henderson Alvarez
SP Kyle Drabek
SP Drew Hutchinson
CP Sergio Santos

Team Outlook

After dropping two of three at home against the Rays, the Blue Jays took care of business in sweeping the lowly Royals to pull into a tie with the Yankees for first in the AL East.

Considering Jose Bautista (.212 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI) has yet to get things going, there is plenty of reason to think the Blue Jays should only get better.

No. 8: Tampa Bay Rays (9-7, Previous: 10)

Current Lineup

LF Desmond Jennings
2B Ben Zobrist
1B Carlos Pena
3B Evan Longoria
DH Luke Scott
RF Matt Joyce
CF B.J. Upton
C Jose Molina
SS Sean Rodriguez

Current Rotation

SP James Shields
SP David Price
SP Jeremy Hellickson
SP Matt Moore
SP Jeff Niemann
CP Fernando Rodney

Team Outlook

The Rays bounced back from a tough 1-5 performance last week with a 5-2 record this week, as they took series from the Blue Jays and Twins.

Carlos Pena (.304 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI) has continued his productive start, while Evan Longoria (.339 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI) and Luke Scott (.275 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI) have joined him to give the Rays the sixth-highest-scoring offense in the league alongside their terrific starting staff.

No. 7: Atlanta Braves (10-6, Previous: 7)

Current Lineup

CF Michael Bourn
LF Martin Prado
3B Chipper Jones
C Brian McCann
2B Dan Uggla
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Jason Heyward
SS Tyler Pastornicky
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Tommy Hanson
SP Jair Jurrjens
SP Mike Minor
SP Brandon Beachy
SP Randall Delgado
CP Craig Kimbrel

Team Outlook

The Braves had their five-game winning streak snapped with a loss Sunday but wrapped up a 5-2 week that puts them just two games behind the upstart Nationals.

Brandon Beachy (2-1, 0.47 ERA, 19.1 IP) has been one of the biggest surprises of the season so far, and the offense has been firing on all cylinders to rank first in the NL in runs scored.

No. 6: Los Angeles Dodgers (12-4, Previous: 4)

Current Lineup

SS Dee Gordon
2B Mark Ellis
CF Matt Kemp
RF Andre Ethier
LF Juan Rivera
1B James Loney
C A.J. Ellis
3B Jerry Hairston Jr.
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Clayton Kershaw
SP Chad Billingsley
SP Chris Capuano
SP Aaron Harang
SP Ted Lilly
CP Javy Guerra

Team Outlook

Entering the week at 9-1 on the season, the Dodgers dropped two of three to the Brewers before taking two of three from the Astros for a 3-3 week.

Matt Kemp (.450 BA, 9 HR, 22 RBI) continues to put up otherworldly numbers, while ace Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 1.61 ERA, 22 Ks, 22.1 IP) looks to be in midseason form.

No. 5: New York Yankees (9-6, Previous: 5)

Current Lineup

SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
1B Mark Teixeira
RF Nick Swisher
DH Raul Ibanez
LF Andruw Jones
C Russell Martin

Current Rotation

SP CC Sabathia
SP Hiroki Kuroda
SP Phil Hughes
SP Ivan Nova
SP Freddy Garcia
CP Mariano Rivera 

Team Outlook

After splitting a four-game series with the Twins to open the week, the Yankees beat up on the rival Red Sox through the first two games of their series, outscoring them 21-11 before Sunday's game was postponed due to weather.

While the pitching has been subpar at best, the Yankees offense has been stellar, led by Derek Jeter (.382 BA, 4 HR, 12 RBI) and Nick Swisher (AL-high 20 RBI).

No. 4: Washington Nationals (12-4, Previous: 6)

Current Lineup

SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
LF Xavier Nady
CF Rick Ankiel
C Wilson Ramos
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Stephen Strasburg
SP Gio Gonzalez
SP Jordan Zimmermann
SP Edwin Jackson
SP Ross Detwiler
CP Brad Lidge

Team Outlook

A 5-1 week gave the Nationals a share of the best record in the NL with the Dodgers, as they took three of four from the Astros and the first two of a series with the Marlins before Sunday's game was postponed.

The pitching staff continues to dominate, allowing just 11 runs in six games this past week to lower their MLB-best team ERA to 2.34.

No. 3: Detroit Tigers (10-6, Previous: 3)

Current Lineup

CF Austin Jackson
RF Brennan Boesch
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Prince Fielder
LF Delmon Young
C Alex Avila
SS Jhonny Peralta
DH Andy Dirks
2B Ryan Raburn

Current Rotation

SP Justin Verlander
SP Drew Smyly
SP Max Scherzer
SP Rick Porcello
SP Adam Wilk
CP Jose Valverde 

Team Outlook

The Tigers swept the Royals to open the week before dropping three of four against the Rangers in a matchup of early-season AL favorites.

Rookie Drew Smyly (3 GS, 1.13 ERA) has given the team another frontline guy alongside ace Justin Verlander (1.72 ERA, 31.1 IP), while the offense has plenty of room to improve on a .246 team average.

No. 2: St. Louis Cardinals (11-5, Previous: 2)

Current Lineup

SS Rafael Furcal
RF Carlos Beltran
LF Matt Holliday
3B David Freese
1B Matt Carpenter
C Yadier Molina
CF Jon Jay
2B Daniel Descalso
Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Kyle Lohse
SP Jaime Garcia
SP Adam Wainwright
SP Lance Lynn
SP Jake Westbrook
CP Jason Motte

Team Outlook

A 4-2 week kept the Cardinals in first in the NL Central; they have a four-game lead over the Reds and Brewers, as they took two of three against those Reds and the Pirates.

Despite a bevy of early injuries, the Cardinals continue to find ways to win, and at the very least the team should have Lance Berkman back soon, although Matt Carpenter has played well in his absence.

No. 1: Texas Rangers (13-3, Previous: 1)

Current Lineup

2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
CF Josh Hamilton
3B Adrian Beltre
DH Michael Young
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
C Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland

Current Rotation

SP Colby Lewis
SP Derek Holland
SP Yu Darvish
SP Matt Harrison
SP Neftali Feliz
CP Joe Nathan 

Team Outlook

Another week, another pair of series wins for the Rangers, as they took two games from the Red Sox to open the week and then dominated the Tigers in Detroit to take three of four.

In the hot-and-cold season of Mike Napoli, last week could be considered a "hot" week as he hit .440 with five HR and 10 RBI over 25 at-bats.