Fresh MLB Power Rankings: How Do Things Shape Up Entering Season's Final Week?

We've reached the final week of the 2012 MLB regular season, and there are still a number of postseason spots and scenarios that will be sorted out over the final three games.

The AL East title could come down to the final day, the AL Central has yet to be decided and the second wild-card spot in each league remains up for grabs.

With that, here are this week's MLB power rankings. Seeing as it is the final week of the season, I have also named my top pitcher and hitter on the season for all 30 teams.

Be sure to check back here each Monday morning for an updated look at where your favorite team stands.

*Note: Rosters taken from MLBDepthCharts.com.

30. Houston Astros (53-106, Previous: 30)

Last Week's Record

3-3

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 2B Jose Altuve (.291/.341/.402, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 80 R)

The only player on the Astros roster with over 100 hits on the season, Altuve has cooled a bit after an All-Star first half. But he still looks like he will be a key building block moving forward.

Top Pitcher: SP Lucas Harrell (31 GS, 10-11, 3.88 ERA, 133 Ks, 187.2 IP)

The 27-year-old Harrell was selected off waivers from the White Sox last July, and he's been by far the Astros' best pitcher this season, stepping into the role of staff ace following the trade of Wandy Rodriguez.

Current Lineup

2B Jose Altuve

RF Scott Moore

SS Jed Lowrie

CF Justin Maxwell

1B Brett Wallace

C Jason Castro

LF Fernando Martinez

3B Brandon Laird

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Lucas Harrell

SP Jordan Lyles

SP Bud Norris

SP Fernando Abad

SP Edgar Gonzalez

SP Dallas Keuchel

CL Wilton Lopez

29. Chicago Cubs (60-99, Previous: 28)

Last Week's Record

1-5

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: LF Alfonso Soriano (.263/.322/.503, 32 HR, 108 RBI, 68 R)

This year, Soriano posted his best numbers in years. As a result, the team no doubt has a better chance at moving the two years and $36 million remaining on his contract this offseason. He's been a valuable veteran leader for the team as well and has finally earned some of his hefty salary.

Top Pitcher: SP Jeff Samardzija (28 GS, 9-13, 3.81 ERA, 180 Ks, 174.2 IP)

While he's been shut down since September 8 after reaching what the team felt was a realistic innings limit, Samardzija remains the Cubs' best pitcher of 2012. After bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, as well as the majors and minors, he has shown that he has the stuff and ceiling to be a staff ace.

Current Lineup 

RF David DeJesus

2B Darwin Barney

1B Anthony Rizzo

LF Alfonso Soriano

SS Starlin Castro

3B Luis Valbuena

C Welington Castillo

CF Brett Jackson

Pitcher 

Current Rotation

SP Travis Wood

SP Justin Germano

SP Chris Volstad

SP Chris Rusin

SP Jason Berken 

CL Carlos Marmol

28. Colorado Rockies (62-97, Previous: 29)

Last Week's Record

4-3

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: LF Carlos Gonzalez (.303/.371/.510, 22 HR, 85 RBI, 89 R)

After a down 2011 season, CarGo came back strong this year, and the seven-year, $80 million deal he signed prior to last season now looks to be a relative bargain.

Top Pitcher: RP Rafael Betancourt (58 G, 31-of-36 SV, 2.25 ERA, 9.0 K/9)

Long one of the league's best setup men, Betancourt has pitched well in his first season as a closer. The 37-year-old has been one of the lone bright spots on a staff that has posted an MLB-worst 5.26 ERA.

Current Lineup

SS Josh Rutledge 

RF Charlie Blackmon

LF Carlos Gonzalez

C Wilin Rosario

CF Tyler Colvin

1B Jordan Pacheco

3B Chris Nelson

2B DJ LeMahieu

Pitcher

Current Rotation 

SP Jeff Francis

SP Drew Pomeranz

SP Tyler Chatwood

SP Jhoulys Chacin

SP Jorge De La Rosa

CL Rafael Betancourt

27. Miami Marlins (67-92, Previous: 25)

Last Week's Record

1-5

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.290/.361/.610, 36 HR, 85 RBI, 74 R)

Injury has limited him to just 438 at-bats on the season, but Stanton has already hit two more home runs than last year in 78 fewer at-bats this season. His .610 slugging percentage would be tops in the National League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify, and he remains the best pure power hitter in all of baseball.

Top Pitcher: SP Mark Buehrle (31 GS, 13-13, 3.74 ERA, 125 Ks, 202.1 IP)

After spending big this past offseason, the Marlins have fallen well short of expectations. But the signing of Buehrle to a four-year, $58 million deal has proven to be a good one, as he has been as durable and consistent as any starter in baseball the past decade-plus.

Current Lineup

LF Bryan Petersen

CF Gorkys Hernandez

SS Jose Reyes

RF Giancarlo Stanton

1B Carlos Lee

3B Greg Dobbs

2B Donovan Solano

C Rob Brantly

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Josh Johnson

SP Mark Buehrle

SP Ricky Nolasco

SP Nathan Eovaldi

SP Jacob Turner

SP Wade LeBlanc

CL Steven Cishek

26. Boston Red Sox (69-90, Previous: 22)

Last Week's Record

0-5

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: RF Cody Ross (.269/.330/.488, 22 HR, 79 RBI, 70 R)

Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal last offseason, Ross has been the Red Sox's most consistent hitter all season long and has set himself up for a multi-year deal this coming winter. David Ortiz (.318 BA, 23 HR, 60 RBI) was having a terrific season when an Achilles injury cut things short on July 16.

Top Pitcher: SP Clay Buchholz (28 GS, 11-7, 4.22 ERA, 127 Ks, 187.2 IP)

The Red Sox starting rotation has been a mess all season long and is certainly among the biggest reasons for the team's massive underperformance this season. Buchholz has turned things around with a good second half, going 3-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 13 starts to post passable numbers across the board.

Current Lineup

3B Pedro Ciriaco

CF Jacoby Ellsbury

2B Dustin Pedroia

RF Cody Ross

1B James Loney

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

DH Ryan Lavarnway

LF Daniel Nava

SS Jose Iglesias

Current Rotation

SP Jon Lester

SP Clay Buchholz

SP Felix Doubront

SP Aaron Cook

SP Daisuke Matsuzaka

SP Zach Stewart

CL Andrew Bailey

25. Minnesota Twins (66-93, Previous: 24)

Last Week's Record

2-4

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: LF Josh Willingham (.260/.366/.524, 35 HR, 110 RBI, 85 R)

Signed to a three-year, $27 million deal in the offseason to replace the departed Michael Cuddyer, Willingham has proven to be perhaps the biggest steal of the free-agent class. Catcher Joe Mauer (.323/.418/.452) deserves mention for his bounce-back season as well.

Top Pitcher: SP Scott Diamond (26 GS, 12-8, 3.54 ERA, 87 Ks, 168 IP)

After making his big league debut last season and posting a 5.08 ERA over seven starts, no one expected much, if anything, from Diamond this season. Instead, he's been one of the biggest out-of-nowhere breakout players of the year. At 26, he looks like he'll a starting point around which the Twins will rebuild their rotation.

Current Lineup

CF Denard Span

LF Ben Revere

C Joe Mauer

1B Justin Morneau

DH Ryan Doumit

RF Chris Parmelee

3B Trevor Plouffe 

2B Jamey Carroll

SS Pedro Florimon Jr.

Current Rotation

SP Scott Diamond

SP Liam Hendriks 

SP P.J. Walters

SP Esmerling Vasquez

SP TBD

CL Glen Perkins

24. Cleveland Indians (67-92, Previous: 27)

Last Week's Record

4-2

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: RF Shin-Soo Choo (.283/.375/.440, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 87 R, 21 SB)

The Indians have gotten sporadic contributions from a number of players this season, but Choo has remained a consistent threat, and he's once again approaching 20/20 this season. He's been asked to hit leadoff for much of the season and has put up a solid OBP while doing so.

Top Pitcher: RP Chris Perez (60 G, 39-of-43 SV, 3.34 ERA, 9.4 K/9)

The Indians starting rotation has been a mess from top to bottom this season. But when it has managed to carry a lead into the late innings, All-Star closer Perez has slammed the door more times than not. He could wind up on the trading block this offseason, and he should draw a ton of interest if he does.

Current Lineup

RF Shin-Soo Choo

2B Jason Kipnis

SS Asdrubal Cabrera

C Carlos Santana

CF Michael Brantley

DH Travis Hafner

3B Lonnie Chisenhall

1B Casey Kotchman

LF Ezequiel Carrera

Current Rotation

SP Justin Masterson

SP Zach McAllister

SP Corey Kluber

SP David Huff

SP Jeanmar Gomez

CL Chris Perez

23. Kansas City Royals (71-88, Previous: 20)

Last Week's Record

1-6

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: DH Billy Butler (.312/.370/.511, 29 HR, 107 RBI, 71 R)

Butler has always hit for a high average since he broke into the league as a 21-year-old back in 2007, but he entered the season with career highs of just 21 HR and 95 RBI. At 26, he's enjoyed a breakout season and has given the Royals a legitimate top-tier run producer in the middle of their lineup for the first time since Mike Sweeney.

Top Pitcher: RP Greg Holland (66 G, 7-4, 15-of-19 SV, 3.00 ERA, 12.3 K/9)

Holland opened the season as the Royals' primary setup man but slid into the closer's role after Jonathan Broxton was traded at the deadline. He's gone 15-of-17 on save chances since moving to the ninth inning, and he continues to post some of the best strikeout rates in all of baseball.

Current Lineup

CF David Lough

SS Alcides Escobar 

LF Alex Gordon

DH Billy Butler

C Salvador Perez

3B Mike Moustakas

RF Jeff Francoeur

1B Eric Hosmer

2B Johnny Giavotella

Current Rotation

SP Bruce Chen

SP Luke Hochevar

SP Luis Mendoza

SP Jeremy Guthrie

SP Will Smith

SP Jake Odorizzi

CL Greg Holland

22. Toronto Blue Jays (70-89, Previous: 26)

Last Week's Record

4-4

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion (.280/.384/.557, 42 HR, 110 RBI, 93 R)

Once a top prospect of the Reds, Encarnacion has finally tapped into his vast potential this season, as he ranks as the breakout offensive star of 2012. The three-year, $27 million extension the Blue Jays signed him to midseason now looks like an absolute steal.

Top Pitcher: SP Brandon Morrow (20 GS, 9-7, 3.09 ERA, 97 Ks, 116.2 IP)

Morrow was enjoying a breakout season when he, like most players on the Blue Jays' roster this season, was shelved with an injury. He's returned strong and has put up solid numbers across the board in 20 starts. With Ricky Romero struggling, Morrow should be viewed as the ace of the staff moving forward.

Current Lineup

3B Brett Lawrie

CF Colby Rasmus

1B Edwin Encarnacion

SS Yunel Escobar

DH Adam Lind

C J.P. Arencibia

2B Kelly Johnson

RF Moises Sierra

LF Anthony Gose

Current Rotation

SP Ricky Romero

SP Brandon Morrow

SP Carlos Villanueva

SP Henderson Alvarez

SP Aaron Laffey

SP Chad Jenkins

CL Casey Janssen

21. Seattle Mariners (73-86, Previous: 21)

Last Week's Record

1-5

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 3B Kyle Seager (.258/.315/.417, 19 HR, 84 RBI, 58 R)

It's been a rough year for the Mariners offense. Kyle Seager is the only player on the roster with more than 60 RBI, and he's one of just three starters with an on-base percentage over .300. The M's best hitter has actually been catcher John Jaso (.275/.393/.456), but it took them a while to realize that, and he has just 287 at-bats on the season.

Top Pitcher: SP Felix Hernandez (32 GS, 13-8, 2.86 ERA, 216 Ks, 226.2 IP)

Another season, another fantastic year across the board for Hernandez, who continues to rank among the best pitchers in baseball despite a less-than-stellar supporting cast. Still only 26 years old, he should continue to pitch at a top-tier level for the next several years, and he will be in the middle of what should be an impressive youth movement in Seattle very soon.

Current Lineup

2B Dustin Ackley

CF Franklin Gutierrez

3B Kyle Seager

DH Jesus Montero

C John Jaso

1B Justin Smoak

LF Michael Saunders

RF Eric Thames

SS Brendan Ryan

Current Rotation

SP Felix Hernandez

SP Jason Vargas

SP Kevin Millwood

SP Hisashi Iwakuma

SP Blake Beavan

SP Erasmo Ramirez

CL Tom Wilhelmsen

20. New York Mets (73-86, Previous: 23)

Last Week's Record

4-3

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 3B David Wright (.306/.391/.496, 21 HR, 91 RBI, 90 R)

Wright was arguably the best hitter in the National League in the first half (.351 BA, 11 HR, 59 RBI). While has has fallen off in the second half, really, who hasn't on the Mets after they played way over their heads in the first half? Re-signing him should be priority No. 1 for the team moving forward.

Top Pitcher: SP R.A. Dickey (32 GS, 20-6, 2.69 ERA, 222 Ks, 227.2 IP)

One of the best stories of the 2012 season, Dickey has gone from failed prospect to solid comeback story to Cy Young candidate in a matter of four years. He is the first knuckleballer to win 20 games since Joe Niekro did so back in 1980.

Current Lineup

SS Ruben Tejada

2B Daniel Murphy

3B David Wright

1B Ike Davis

LF Lucas Duda

RF Mike Baxter

C Josh Thole

CF Andres Torres

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP R.A. Dickey

SP Jon Niese

SP Chris Young

SP Jenrry Mejia

SP Collin McHugh

SP Jeremy Hefner 

SP Jeurys Familia

CL Bobby Parnell3

19. San Diego Padres (75-84, Previous: 19)

Last Week's Record

2-4

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 3B Chase Headley (.285/.372/.495, 31 HR, 113 RBI, 92 R)

The Padres received considerable interest in Headley at the trade deadline, but instead, they opted to hold on to the 28-year-old budding star. He's led all of baseball with 71 RBI in the second half, and he leads the NL with 23 home runs since the break. His 113 RBI on the season are also tops in the NL. He's legitimately emerged as one of baseball's premier third basemen.

Top Pitcher: SP Clayton Richard (32 GS, 14-13, 3.91 ERA, 104 Ks, 211.2 IP)

Richard has quietly been one of the NL's most consistent starters since coming to the Padres, going 38-33 with a 3.87 ERA in 95 starts in San Diego. He's posted identical 3.91 ERAs in the first and second half but has had much better luck in recording nine wins since the break.

Current Lineup

SS Everth Cabrera

2B Logan Forsythe

3B Chase Headley

C Yasmani Grandal

1B Yonder Alonso

RF Will Venable

LF Jesus Guzman

CF Cameron Maybin

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Edinson Volquez

SP Clayton Richard

SP Eric Stults

SP Andrew Werner

SP Casey Kelly

CL Huston Street

18. Pittsburgh Pirates 77-82, Previous: 18)

Last Week's Record

2-5

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Andrew McCutchen (.329/.402/.557, 31 HR, 95 RBI, 107 R)

The best player in the NL during the first half of the season (.362 BA, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 1.039 OPS), McCutchen has come back down to earth a bit in the second half. But he remains the best hitter on the Pirates and one of the most exciting young players in all of baseball.

Top Pitcher: SP A.J. Burnett (30 GS, 16-9, 3.43 ERA, 177 Ks, 196.2 IP)

With Burnett coming off a terrible 2011 season and due $33 million over the next two years, the Yankees cut their losses and dealt him to the Pirates, along with $20 million, for essentially nothing. A return to the NL has been exactly what the former Marlin needed, as he's fronted the Pirates staff all season and is a steal at the $5 million the team is actually paying him this season.

Current Lineup

LF Starling Marte

2B Josh Harrison

CF Andrew McCutchen

1B Garrett Jones

3B Pedro Alvarez

RF Travis Snider

SS Clint Barmes

C Rod Barajas

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP A.J. Burnett

SP Wandy Rodriguez

SP Jeff Locke

SP Kevin Correia

SP Kyle McPherson

CL Joel Hanrahan

17. Arizona Diamondbacks (80-79, Previous: 17)

Last Week's Record

3-4

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: C Miguel Montero (.288/.394/.444, 15 HR, 88 RBI, 65 R)

The Diamondbacks re-upped Montero on a five-year, $60 million deal, and he has once again ranked among the best offensive catchers in all of baseball this season. Second baseman Aaron Hill (.304 BA, 24 HR, 81 RBI) is certainly deserving of a mention as well.

Top Pitcher: SP Wade Miley (31 G, 28 GS, 16-11, 3.32 ERA, 134 Ks, 187 IP)

Miley opened the season in the Diamondbacks bullpen, moving to the rotation after Josh Collmenter struggled mightily through his first three seasons. From there, he managed to make the All-Star team and has to be viewed as the front-runner for NL Rookie of the Year, as the 25-year-old has anchored the Diamondbacks staff.

Current Lineup

CF Adam Eaton

2B Aaron Hill

RF Justin Upton

C Miguel Montero 

1B Paul Goldschmidt

LF Jason Kubel

3B Chris Johnson

SS John McDonald

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Ian Kennedy

SP Trevor Cahill

SP Wade Miley

SP Patrick Corbin

SP Josh Collmenter

CL J.J. Putz

16. Philadelphia Phillies (80-79, Previous: 16)

Last Week's Record

3-3

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: C Carlos Ruiz (.330/.398/.547, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 54 R)

With Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both sidelined to begin the season, Ruiz emerged as the team's top offensive threat in the first half (.350 BA, 14 HR, 36 RBI). His power has tailed off in the second half, but he's still had the best offensive season of his career by far and has been the team's most consistent threat.

Top Pitcher: SP Cole Hamels (31 GS, 17-6, 3.05 ERA, 216 Ks, 215.1 IP)

Hamels was due to hit free agency at season's end, but the Phillies opened up their wallets to keep him around with a six-year, $144 million extension. He's been the team's best starter all season and one of the few things that have gone right for the team this year.

Current Lineup

SS Jimmy Rollins

LF Juan Pierre

2B Chase Utley

C Carlos Ruiz

RF Domonic Brown

CF John Mayberry Jr.

1B Darin Ruf

3B Kevin Frandsen

Pitcher 

Current Rotation

SP Roy Halladay

SP Cliff Lee

SP Cole Hamels

SP Kyle Kendrick

SP TBD

CL Jonathan Papelbon

15. Chicago White Sox (83-76, Previous: 13)

Last Week's Record

2-5

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Alex Rios (.303/.334/.517, 25 HR, 90 RBI, 92 R, 23 SB)

Rios was among the worst everyday players in baseball last season (.227 BA, 13 HR, 44 RBI, 537 AB), but he has bounced back in a big way this season. The team's offense has been solid from top to bottom, but catcher A.J. Pierzynski also deserves a mention, as he's hit a career high with 27 HR at the age of 35.

Top Pitcher: SP Chris Sale (29 GS, 17-8, 3.05 ERA, 192 Ks, 192 IP)

Sale has made the transition from setup man to staff ace look easy this season, emerging as the present and future ace of the White Sox staff at the age of 23. Comeback Player of the Year candidate Jake Peavy (11-12, 3.37 ERA, 186 Ks) has earned a mention here as well.

Current Lineup

CF Alejandro De Aza

3B Kevin Youkilis

DH Adam Dunn

1B Paul Konerko

RF Alex Rios

C A.J. Pierzynski

LF Dayan Viciedo

SS Alexei Ramirez

2B Gordon Beckham 

Current Rotation

SP Jake Peavy

SP Chris Sale

SP Jose Quintana

SP Gavin Floyd

SP Francisco Liriano

SP Hector Santiago

CL Addison Reed

14. Milwaukee Brewers (81-78, Previous: 12)

Last Week's Record

2-4

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: LF Ryan Braun (.320/.392/.600, 41 HR, 112 RBI, 105 R, 30 SB)

Braun registered his second straight 30/30 season and set a new career high with 41 HR to lead the NL. Even following the offseason controversy of his overturned PED suspension and without Prince Fielder hitting behind him in the lineup, he's thrived.

Top Pitcher: SP Yovani Gallardo (33 GS, 16-9, 3.66 ERA, 204 Ks, 204 IP)

Gallardo got off to a rough start to the 2012 season, going 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA through his first five starts. But he's turned things around since. With Zack Greinke gone, he is once again the staff ace. Signed through 2015, he'll be in that role for the foreseeable future.

Current Lineup

RF Norichika Aoki

2B Rickie Weeks

LF Ryan Braun

3B Aramis Ramirez

1B Corey Hart

C Jonathan Lucroy

CF Carlos Gomez

SS Jean Segura 

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Yovani Gallardo

SP Michael Fiers

SP Marco Estrada

SP Shaun Marcum

SP Tyler Thornburg

CL John Axford

13. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-75, Previous: 15)

Last Week's Record

5-1

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Matt Kemp (.310/.376/.552, 23 HR, 69 RBI, 74 R)

Kemp entered the season with MVP aspirations and got off to as good a start as anyone in baseball. But injuries have limited him to just 393 at-bats on the season, and as a result, he's fallen well short of expectations. Still, when healthy, he's been without a doubt the best hitter the Dodgers have.

Top Pitcher: SP Clayton Kershaw (32 GS, 13-9, 2.58 ERA, 221 Ks, 219.2 IP)

The reigning NL Cy Young winner, Kershaw has been dominant once again this season atop the Dodgers rotation. It's scary to realize that he is only 24 years old and could conceivably get better. For the Dodgers' sake, he'll at least need to maintain his current level of play, as they don't have much they can rely on behind him in the rotation.

Current Lineup

2B Mark Ellis

RF Andre Ethier

1B Adrian Gonzalez

CF Matt Kemp

SS Hanley Ramirez

LF Shane Victorino

3B Luis Cruz

C A.J. Ellis

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Clayton Kershaw

SP Aaron Harang

SP Chris Capuano

SP Josh Beckett

SP Joe Blanton

SP Stephen Fife

CL Kenley Jansen

12. Detroit Tigers (86-73, Previous: 14)

Last Week's Record

6-1

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 3B Miguel Cabrera (.325/.390/.601, 43 HR, 136 RBI, 108 R)

Cabrera is currently in position to win baseball's first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski did it back in 1967. He is tied with Josh Hamilton for the AL lead in home runs and is currently .002 ahead of Joe Mauer for the batting title.

Top Pitcher: SP Justin Verlander (33 GS, 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 239 Ks, 238.1 IP)

Verlander set the bar incredibly high with his MVP performance last season. While his numbers aren't quite as eye-popping this season, they may very well be good enough to earn him a second straight Cy Young. The 29-year-old has to be considered the consensus best pitcher in baseball right now.

Current Lineup

CF Austin Jackson

LF Quintin Berry

3B Miguel Cabrera

1B Prince Fielder

DH Delmon Young

RF Andy Dirks

SS Jhonny Peralta 

C Alex Avila 

2B Omar Infante 

Current Rotation

SP Justin Verlander

SP Doug Fister

SP Rick Porcello

SP Anibal Sanchez

SP Drew Smyly

CL Jose Valverde

11. St. Louis Cardinals (86-73, Previous: 10)

Last Week's Record

4-2

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: C Yadier Molina (.317/.377/.506, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 64 R)

It was not all that long ago that Molina was an elite defensive catcher whose offense was viewed as simply icing on the cake. In the past two years, he's emerged as the best all-around catcher in the game and a legitimate asset offensively, and he's set career highs across the board this season.

Top Pitcher: SP Kyle Lohse (33 GS, 16-3, 2.86 ERA, 143 Ks, 211 IP)

With Chris Carpenter shelved to start the season and Adam Wainwright returning from injury, Lohse was forced into the role of staff ace to open the year. But he's certainly looked the part with the best season of his career. In the final year of a four-year, $41 million deal, he's in for a big payday this offseason.

Current Lineup

CF Jon Jay

RF Carlos Beltran

LF Matt Holliday

1B Allen Craig

C Yadier Molina

3B David Freese

2B Daniel Descalso 

SS Pete Kozma 

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Kyle Lohse

SP Adam Wainwright

SP Jaime Garcia

SP Chris Carpenter

SP Lance Lynn

CL Jason Motte

10. Tampa Bay Rays (88-71, Previous: 11)

Last Week's Record

5-1

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: UT Ben Zobrist (.271/.378/.471, 19 HR, 73 RBI, 87 R)

Once again, Zobrist has played all over the field—and once again, he has produced impressive numbers given the fact that he is constantly shuffled. With Evan Longoria hurt for a good chunk of the season, Zobrist has been the team's biggest offensive catalyst.

Top Pitcher: SP David Price (31 GS, 20-5, 2.56 ERA, 205 Ks, 211 IP)

With the best ERA in the majors and tied for the AL lead with 20 wins, Price has to be viewed as the Cy Young front-runner right now. He's officially established himself as the Rays' staff ace this season and is without question one of the best pitchers in the game today.

Current Lineup

LF Desmond Jennings

CF B.J. Upton

SS Ben Zobrist

3B Evan Longoria

DH Luke Scott

2B Jeff Keppinger

RF Matt Joyce

1B Carlos Pena

C Jose Molina

Current Rotation

SP David Price

SP James Shields

SP Alex Cobb

SP Matt Moore

SP Jeremy Hellickson

CL Fernando Rodney

9. Los Angeles Angels (88-71, Previous: 9)

Last Week's Record

4-1

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Mike Trout (.321/.395/.557, 30 HR, 80 RBI, 127 R, 48 SB)

Trout has turned in one of the best rookie seasons in baseball history, and the fact that his call-up coincided with the team getting its season on track was no coincidence. He should win Rookie of the Year honors unanimously and has a shot at the AL MVP if Miguel Cabrera doesn't win the Triple Crown.

Top Pitcher: SP Jered Weaver (29 GS, 20-4, 2.73 ERA, 141 Ks, 187.2 IP)

After finishing second in AL Cy Young voting last season, Weaver has continued to rank among the best starters in all of baseball this year. His 20 wins are tied for the most in the AL, and his 1.002 WHIP leads all of baseball.

Current Lineup

CF Mike Trout

RF Torii Hunter

1B Albert Pujols

DH Kendrys Morales

3B Alberto Callaspo

2B Howie Kendrick

SS Erick Aybar

LF Vernon Wells

C Chris Iannetta

Current Rotation

SP Jered Weaver

SP C.J. Wilson

SP Dan Haren

SP Zack Greinke

SP Ervin Santana

CL Ernesto Frieri

8. Oakland Athletics (91-68, Previous: 8)

Last Week's Record

5-2

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.291/.353/.509, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 69 R)

Though he dominated the Cuban League, there were questions as to how quickly Cespedes would be able to make the transition to the big leagues when the A's signed him to a four-year, $36 million contract this offseason. It's safe to say he's adjusted, with a .305 BA, 13 HR, 44 RBI second half.

Top Pitcher: SP Jarrod Parker (28 GS, 12-8, 3.44 ERA, 134 Ks, 175.1 IP)

If not for the fact that he plays in the same league as Mike Trout, Parker would have a real shot at Rookie of the Year with the season he's had. Acquired in the offseason from the Diamondbacks in the Trevor Cahill deal, the right-hander has gone 7-4 with a 3.89 ERA in the second half. With Bartolo Colon and Brandon McCarthy gone, he's the staff ace heading into the postseason.

Current Lineup

CF Coco Crisp

DH Seth Smith

RF Josh Reddick

LF Yoenis Cespedes

1B Brandon Moss

3B Josh Donaldson

SS Stephen Drew

C Derek Norris

2B Cliff Pennington

Current Rotation

SP Jarrod Parker

SP Tom Milone

SP A.J. Griffin

SP Daniel Straily

SP Travis Blackley

CL Grant Balfour

7. New York Yankees (92-67, Previous: 6)

Last Week's Record

4-3

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 2B Robinson Cano (.306/.373/.531, 30 HR, 85 RBI, 100 R)

There is no question that Cano is the biggest offensive weapon at second base in all of baseball. With the Yankees' other stars starting to decline, he's the most dangerous hitter in their still-potent lineup. A nod to Derek Jeter as well, who leads all of baseball with 213 hits.

Top Pitcher: SP Hiroki Kuroda (32 GS, 15-11, 3.34 ERA, 163 Ks, 212.2 IP)

Signed to a one-year, $10 million contract this past winter, Kuroda has been a stabilizing force slotted behind CC Sabathia in an inconsistent Yankees rotation. He'll be as important as anyone come October, as the Yankees will need him to keep pitching like he has all season.

Current Lineup

SS Derek Jeter

RF Ichiro Suzuki

DH Alex Rodriguez

2B Robinson Cano

1B Nick Swisher

CF Curtis Granderson

LF Raul Ibanez

C Russell Martin

3B Eric Chavez

Current Rotation

SP CC Sabathia

SP Hiroki Kuroda

SP Phil Hughes

SP Ivan Nova

SP Andy Pettitte

CL Rafael Soriano

6. Baltimore Orioles (92-67, Previous: 7)

Last Week's Record

5-2

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Adam Jones (.288/.337/.509, 32 HR, 81 RBI, 103 R)

Jones has gotten better every year since joining the Orioles, and he has emerged as a bona fide star this season. He's proven clutch time and again, and while the Orioles have used contributions from up and down the lineup to get where they are, Jones has to be viewed as the team's MVP.

Top Pitcher: RP Jim Johnson (70 G, 50-of-53 SV, 2.53 ERA, 5.5 K/9)

The Orioles starting rotation has been in a state of flux all season long, but the bullpen has been there to back them all season, led by Jim Johnson. The 29-year-old entered the season with just 21 career saves, but he has been a rock at the back of a terrific 'pen all season.

Current Lineup

LF Nate McLouth

SS J.J. Hardy

RF Chris Davis

CF Adam Jones 

C Matt Wieters

DH Jim Thome

1B Mark Reynolds

3B Manny Machado

2B Robert Andino 

Current Rotation 

SP Wei-Yin Chen

SP Joe Saunders

SP Chris Tillman

SP Zach Britton

SP Steve Johnson

SP Miguel Gonzalez

CL Jim Johnson 

5. Texas Rangers (93-66, Previous: 3)

Last Week's Record

2-4

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: CF Josh Hamilton (.288/.358/.585, 43 HR, 127 RBI, 102 R)

If not for a midseason slump that saw him hit just .177 BA, 4 HR, 17 RBI in the month of July, it's scary to think what Hamilton's numbers might look like. He's been streaky this season, but he's put together enough positive streaks to have the numbers to be the Rangers' top hitter.

Top Pitcher: SP Matt Harrison (31 GS, 18-10, 3.26 ERA, 128 Ks, 207.1 IP)

While Japanese import Yu Darvish has been great (16-9, 3.90 ERA, 221 Ks), it is Matt Harrison who has been the team's most reliable starter this season. One of a handful of key players acquired from the Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade a few years back, he'll be relied upon to make some big starts this postseason.

Current Lineup

2B Ian Kinsler

SS Elvis Andrus

CF Josh Hamilton

3B Adrian Beltre

RF Nelson Cruz

DH Michael Young

LF David Murphy

C Mike Napoli

1B Mitch Moreland

Current Rotation

SP Derek Holland

SP Yu Darvish

SP Matt Harrison

SP Ryan Dempster

SP Martin Perez

CL Joe Nathan 

4. Atlanta Braves (93-66, Previous: 5)

Last Week's Record

5-1

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: RF Jason Heyward (.267/.334/.479, 27 HR, 81 RBI, 91 R, 20 SB)

The Braves haven't had a runaway top offensive player this season and have instead gotten by with getting contributions up and down the lineup. Heyward is my pick here, as he's bounced back from a dismal sophomore campaign and has shown the full range of his tools with a 20/20 season.

Top Pitcher: SP Kris Medlen (50 G, 12 GS, 10-1, 1.57 ERA, 120 Ks, 138 IP)

A reliever to open the season, Medlen didn't make his first start of the year until July 31. Since joining the rotation, he's gone 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA in 12 starts. He's been the best pitcher in baseball over that span and will be counted on to keep it up in the postseason.

Current Lineup

CF Michael Bourn

LF Martin Prado

RF Jason Heyward

3B Chipper Jones

1B Freddie Freeman

C Brian McCann

2B Dan Uggla

SS Andrelton Simmons

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Tim Hudson

SP Mike Minor

SP Kris Medlen

SP Paul Maholm

SP Tommy Hanson

CL Craig Kimbrel

3. San Francisco Giants (93-66, Previous: 4)

Last Week's Record

4-2

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: C Buster Posey (.337/.410/.546, 23 HR, 100 RBI, 77 R)

The Giant have been a different team with Posey in the lineup after he missed the bulk of last season with a broken ankle. He's the front-runner for NL MVP and is in position to win the NL batting title after teammate Melky Cabrera asked to be made ineligible after testing positive for PEDs. 

Top Pitcher: SP Matt Cain (31 GS, 16-5, 2.77 ERA, 191 Ks, 214.1 IP)

With Tim Lincecum not himself this season, Matt Cain has emerged as the unquestioned ace of a great Giants rotation. He threw a perfect game earlier this season and got to start the 2012 All-Star Game for the NL. It's been a great season for the 28-year-old.

Current Lineup 

CF Angel Pagan

2B Marco Scutaro

3B Pablo Sandoval

C Buster Posey

RF Hunter Pence

1B Brandon Belt

LF Gregor Blanco

SS Brandon Crawford

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Tim Lincecum

SP Madison Bumgarner

SP Matt Cain

SP Barry Zito

SP Ryan Vogelsong

SP Yusmeiro Petit

CL Sergio Romo

2. Washington Nationals (96-63, Previous: 2)

Last Week's Record

3-3

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 3B Ryan Zimmerman (.284/.348/.476, 24 HR, 94 RBI, 92 R)

It was a Zimmerman injury that opened the door for uber-prospect Bryce Harper to be called up, but getting their star third baseman healthy has been a big plus for the Nationals. He's been great after the All-Star break, hitting .323 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI in a Nationals lineup that is often overshadowed by the pitching staff but is terrific in its own right.

Top Pitcher: SP Gio Gonzalez (32 GS, 21-8, 2.89 ERA, 207 Ks, 199.1 IP)

The Nationals paid a steep price to acquire Gonzalez from the A's this past offseason, but it has paid immediate dividends for them. The left-hander leads all of baseball with 21 wins, and he's made the shutting down of Stephen Strasburg easier to swallow, as he's essentially been the second staff ace.

Current Lineup

RF Jayson Werth

CF Bryce Harper

3B Ryan Zimmerman

1B Adam LaRoche

LF Michael Morse

SS Ian Desmond

2B Danny Espinosa

C Kurt Suzuki

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Gio Gonzalez

SP Jordan Zimmermann

SP Edwin Jackson

SP Ross Detwiler

SP John Lannan

SP Chien-Ming Wang

CL Tyler Clippard

1. Cincinnati Reds (96-63, Previous: 1)

Last Week's Record

4-2

End-of-Season Awards

Top Hitter: 1B Joey Votto (.342/.477/.575, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 58 R)

He's played just 108 games and has just 365 at-bats under his belt this season, but Votto was good enough in the time he was healthy to earn top honors here. He would have been a shoo-in to capture his second NL MVP award had he played the whole season, but he's healthy once again and should have a big impact on the Reds' postseason fortunes.

Top Pitcher: SP Johnny Cueto (33 GS, 19-9, 2.78 ERA, 170 Ks, 217 IP)

After a strong finish to the 2011 season, Cueto has established himself as the Reds' staff ace and has been one of the NL's top arms this season. The Reds rotation as a whole has been solid this season, due in large part to staying healthy, as their five guys have made all but one start for the team on the year. Of note, Aroldis Chapman (1.53 ERA, 37 SV, 15.4 K/9) is really good.

Current Lineup

2B Brandon Phillips

SS Zack Cozart

1B Joey Votto

LF Ryan Ludwick

RF Jay Bruce

3B Scott Rolen

CF Drew Stubbs

C Ryan Hanigan

Pitcher

Current Rotation

SP Johnny Cueto

SP Mat Latos

SP Bronson Arroyo

SP Homer Bailey

SP Mike Leake

CL Aroldis Chapman