MLB Power Rankings: Team-by-Team Breakdown and Analysis

We are now roughly one month from the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, with two-and-a-half months of the 2013 season now in the books.

As the weeks pass, there is more and more separation between the contenders and the non-contenders, but this past week showed that things are still far from decided. 

The San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays checked in at 18-20 in last week's power rankings and went a combined 16-3 last week. Meanwhile, the Rangers and Yankees stood at No. 5 and No. 6, and they went a combined 2-11. 

Those were not the only surprises this past week, and needless to say, there was plenty of shakeup in the rankings as a result.

So here is a look at this week's updated MLB power rankings, with the focus this week being on who each team's five most valuable players are right now, according to WAR. Be sure to check back here each Monday morning for an updated look at where your favorite team stands.

*Note: All WAR statistics courtesy of FanGraphs.com and current through June 15. All other statistics current through June 16.

30. Miami Marlins (21-47, Previous: 30)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

vs. Milwaukee Brewers (1-2)
vs. St. Louis Cardinals (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Jose Fernandez (1.5 WAR)
2t. RF Marcell Ozuna (1.3 WAR)
2t. CF Justin Ruggiano (1.3 WAR)
4. SP Ricky Nolasco (1.2 WAR)
5. SP Kevin Slowey (1.0 WAR)

The fact that the Marlins' two most valuable players in Fernandez and Ozuna are a combined 42 years old and both in their first seasons in the league speaks volumes to the current state of the organization.

As poorly as the Marlins have played, their pitching staff's combined 4.15 ERA is not all that bad. The trio of Fernandez, Nolasco and Slowey is at least respectable atop the staff, and the latter two could wind up as decent trade chips.

Offensively, they're the league's worst team, and while the returns of Logan Morrison and Giancarlo Stanton will help, they'll likely remain at the bottom for the duration. A series win against the Cardinals this past weekend may be one of the highlights of their season when all is said and done.

This Week's Opponents

at Arizona Diamondbacks (3)
at San Francisco Giants (4)

29. New York Mets (25-39, Previous: 28)

Last Week's Results: 2-4

vs. St. Louis Cardinals (1-2)
vs. Chicago Cubs (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Matt Harvey (3.3 WAR)
2. 3B David Wright (3.1 WAR)
3. 2B Daniel Murphy (1.9 WAR)
4. SP Shaun Marcum (1.4 WAR)
5. OF Marlon Byrd (1.3 WAR)

It's no surprise to see Harvey and Wright head and shoulders above the rest of the pack here, as they are not only the two best players on their team by a long shot, but also two of the best in the game at their respective positions.

Veteran Marlon Byrd (.816 OPS, 11 HR) has helped what was a disastrous outfield situation and played his way into an everyday role after signing a minor league deal in the spring.

On the mound, Marcum has not been nearly as good as the team hoped when they signed him in the outfield, and the rotation as a whole has been wildly inconsistent behind breakout star Harvey.

This Week's Opponents

at Atlanta Braves (5)
at Philadelphia Phillies (3) 

28. Chicago White Sox (28-38, Previous: 25)

Last Week's Results: 1-4

vs. Toronto Blue Jays (1-1)
at Houston Astros (0-3)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Chris Sale (2.4 WAR)
2. CF Alex Rios (2.2 WAR)
3. RP Jesse Crain (1.7 WAR)
4. SP Jake Peavy (1.3 WAR)
5. SP Jose Quintana (1.2 WAR)

After a season of surprise contention in 2012, the White Sox have crashed back to earth this year, and it appears as though an aggressive rebuild is in their near future.

Chris Sale has continued to build off of his breakout season last year, and Alex Rios is once again the team's best all-around hitter. However, the rest of the offense has been a major disappointment.

The biggest surprise here is just how good Crain has been in a setup role. A solid reliever throughout his career, the right-hander has a 0.60 ERA 11.7 K/9 and a .198 BAA in 32 appearances this season.

This Week's Opponents

at Houston Astros (1)
at Minnesota Twins (3)
at Kansas City Royals (3) 

27. Houston Astros (26-44, Previous: 29)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

at Seattle Mariners (1-2)
vs. Chicago White Sox (3-0)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. C Jason Castro (1.7 WAR)
2. SP Bud Norris (1.3 WAR)
3. OF Brandon Barnes (1.1 WAR)
4. C Carlos Corporan (1.0 WAR)
5. 2B Jose Altuve (0.9 WAR) 

Count me among those who did not expect the Astros to climb any higher than 29th in these rankings at any point this season, but they have played solid baseball of late. They have a record of 12-8 over their last 20 games.

Catcher Jason Castro (.270 BA, .814 OPS, 10 HR) has finally begun to flash the talent that made him the No. 10 overall pick in the 2008 draft. At just 25 years old, he looks like he could be a building block for the future.

Starter Bud Norris (5-6, 3.47 ERA) has also been solid, though as a veteran, he could be on the move at the deadline and may wind up being among the top arms available if he can keep it up.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Chicago White Sox (1)
vs. Milwaukee Brewers (3)
at Chicago Cubs (3) 

26. Milwaukee Brewers (28-40, Previous: 27)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

at Miami Marlins (2-1)
at Cincinnati Reds (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. CF Carlos Gomez (4.1 WAR)
2. SS Jean Segura (2.9 WAR)
3. LF Ryan Braun (1.8 WAR)
4t. RF Norichika Aoki (1.0 WAR)
4t. C Jonathan Lucroy (1.0 WAR)

Gomez, who enjoyed a breakout season last year and earned a three-year extension as a result, currently leads all of baseball with a 4.1 WAR. He's hitting .317 with a .943 OPS and 36 extra-base hits while playing fantastic defense once again in center field.

Joining Gomez as a surprise star so far this season is Segura, who was acquired from the Angels at the deadline last year in the Zack Greinke deal. He's hitting .330 with 10 home runs and 19 steals and looks as though he'll lock down the shortstop position for the foreseeable future.

The telling thing here is that no Brewers pitchers appear in the top five, as Yovani Gallardo (0.9 WAR) tops the list and is just 6-6 with a 4.41 ERA on the season.

This Week's Opponents

at Houston Astros (3)
vs. Atlanta Braves (3) 

25. Chicago Cubs (28-39, Previous: 24)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

vs. Cincinnati Reds (1-3)
at New York Mets (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Jeff Samardzija (2.1 WAR)
2t. SP Travis Wood (1.6 WAR)
2t. 3B Luis Valbuena (1.6 WAR)
4. SP Edwin Jackson (1.3 WAR) 
5. RF Nate Schierholtz (1.4 WAR) 

Youngsters Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro were hailed as "core" players entering the season, but it's journeyman veterans Valbuena and Schierholtz who have been statistically the team's most valuable position players.

On a more promising note, Samardzija (3.46 ERA, 10.3 K/9) has pitched like the ace the team hoped he'd be, and Wood (5-5, 2.65 ERA) looks like he'll be a key part of the team's future as well.

However, getting Castro (-0.5 WAR) on track after signing him to a seven-year, $60 million extension last season is the biggest concern in Chicago right now.

This Week's Opponents

at St. Louis Cardinals (4)
vs. Houston Astros (3) 

24. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-39, Previous: 21)

Last Week's Results: 2-4

vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (1-2)
at Pittsburgh Pirates (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Clayton Kershaw (2.8 WAR)
2. LF Carl Crawford (2.0 WAR)
3. SP Hyun-Jin Ryu (1.7 WAR)
4. C A.J. Ellis (1.4 WAR)
5. SS Juan Uribe (1.2 WAR)

Entering the season, I think it's safe to say no one would have guessed Uribe would crack this list ahead of Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez and Zack Greinke, among others. Then again, not much has gone according to plans for the Dodgers so far.

With a sky-high payroll and expectations to match, the Dodgers have been among the biggest disappointments in all of baseball this season. Injuries have certainly played a role, but they're far from 100 percent to blame.

On the plus side, Kershaw (5-4, 1.84 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) has been phenomenal once again, and Ryu (6-2, 2.85 ERA) has been the No. 2 starter the team thought it was getting in Greinke.

This Week's Opponents

at New York Yankees (2)
at San Diego Padres (4) 

23. Los Angeles Angels (30-39, Previous: 23)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

at Baltimore Orioles (1-2)
vs. New York Yankees (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. CF Mike Trout (3.6 WAR)
2. 2B Howie Kendrick (2.3 WAR)
3. LF Mark Trumbo (1.8 WAR)
4. SP C.J. Wilson (1.1 WAR)
5. C Chris Iannetta (0.9 WAR)
5. SP Jason Vargas (0.9 WAR) 

Only fractionally less disappointing than the Dodgers to this point, the Angels also entered the season with title aspirations and have fallen similarly flat.

Trout (.933 OPS, 12 HR, 15 SB) remains one of the most dynamic players in all of baseball, and he's managed to avoid the sophomore slump. Meanwhile, Kendrick (.335 BA, .860 OPS) might be having the best season no one is talking about.

The disappointing play of stars Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols, coupled with the new-look starting rotation's struggles, has been too much for the Angels to overcome to this point, though the talent is certainly still there.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Seattle Mariners (4)
vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (3) 

22. Philadelphia Phillies (33-37, Previous: 16)

Last Week's Results: 2-4

at Minnesota Twins (1-2)
at Colorado Rockies (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Cliff Lee (3.0 WAR)
2. 2B Chase Utley (1.5 WAR)
3. LF Domonic Brown (1.3 WAR) 
4. SS Jimmy Rollins (1.2 WAR)
5. SP Cole Hamels (1.1 WAR)

Philadelphia's core of high-priced superstars that made it a perennial contender just a couple years ago has aged quickly, and the team has been left in a state of limbo between contending and rebuilding as a result.

The emergence of former top prospect Domonic Brown (.876 OPS, 19 HR) has been a bright spot, and while they've declined significantly, the duo of Utley and Rollins up the middle is still above average.

On the mound, Lee (8-2, 2.55 ERA) remains an elite arm, but the rest of the staff has struggled. Hamels was expected to be the man after signing a $144 million extension last season, but he currently leads the NL with 10 losses to go along with a 4.40 ERA.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Washington Nationals (3)
vs. New York Mets (3) 

21. Minnesota Twins (30-36, Previous: 22)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2-1)
vs. Detroit Tigers (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. C Joe Mauer (2.9 WAR)
2. SS Pedro Florimon (1.3 WAR)
3. RP Glen Perkins (1.0 WAR)
4t. SP Mike Pelfrey (0.7 WAR)
4t. 1B Justin Morneau (0.7 WAR)
4t. RP Brian Duensing (0.7 WAR)

The Twins focused on improving their pitching staff in the offseason, but it remains a major hole, as their starting rotation's 5.14 ERA ranks last in the American League.

Perkins (16-of-18 SV, 2.45 ERA) has led a solid bullpen, but a good bullpen doesn't do much good if the starting rotation isn't turning leads over to it.

Offensively, Mauer (.321 BA, .883 OPS) remains one of the best in the business, but there's been little else in the way of consistent production from anyone in the lineup.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Chicago White Sox (3)
at Cleveland Indians (3)

20. Seattle Mariners (31-39, Previous: 26)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

vs. Houston Astros (2-1)
at Oakland A's (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Felix Hernandez (3.2 WAR)
2. 3B Kyle Seager (2.3 WAR)
3. SP Hisashi Iwakuma (2.0 WAR)
4. DH Kendrys Morales (1.1 WAR)
5. SS Nick Franklin (0.8 WAR)

The Mariners aren't off to the best start this season, but they're on the rise, and they have an outside chance at putting together a little run in the second half if their young talent can make an immediate impact.

For now, the duo of Hernandez (8-4, 2.32 ERA) and Iwakuma (7-2, 2.06 ERA) at the top of the rotation has been a lot of fun to watch. The rest of the rotation is shaky at best, but the M's have some high-end talent in the high minors to hopefully improve that situation.

Offensively, the fact that Franklin (.302 BA, .881 OPS) cracks this list with just 19 games under his belt should tell you something.

Seager led the team with 20 HR and 86 RBI last season, and he's off to a nice start this year with a .798 OPS and eight home runs.

This Week's Opponents

at Los Angeles Angels (4)
vs. Oakland A's (3) 

19. Toronto Blue Jays (32-36, Previous: 20)

Last Week's Results: 5-1

at Chicago White Sox (1-1)
at Texas Rangers (4-0)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. RF Jose Bautista (2.5 WAR)
2. CF Colby Rasmus (1.9 WAR)
3. 1B Edwin Encarnacion (1.7 WAR)
4. DH Adam Lind (1.6 WAR)
5. RP Brett Cecil (0.9 WAR)

The Blue Jays are coming off of a successful week, sweeping the Rangers to close things out, and they're now 8-3 over the past two weeks. However, they are still a long way from where most people expected them to be at this point.

Despite all their offseason additions, their five highest WAR totals currently come from players who were on the team last season.

Bautista (.866 OPS, 15 HR) and Encarnacion (.865 OPS, 18 HR) have been terrific in the middle of the lineup, and the offense as a whole has been good. The pitching, on the other hand, has struggled, and the fact that their top pitcher is a setup man tells the story there.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Colorado Rockies (3)
vs. Baltimore Orioles (3) 

18. Washington Nationals (34-34, Previous: 15)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

at Colorado Rockies (2-1)
at Cleveland Indians (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Jordan Zimmermann (2.0 WAR)
2. SS Ian Desmond (1.9 WAR)
3. LF Bryce Harper (1.7 WAR) 
4. SP Stephen Strasburg (1.4 WAR)
5. SP Gio Gonzalez (1.1 WAR)

While they have enjoyed more success than the aforementioned disappointing trio of the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Angels, the Nationals were a popular pick to win it all as well, and a .500 record is quite short of where most expected them to be.

Zimmermann (9-3, 2.44 ERA) has been fantastic, out-pitching more highly regarded teammates Strasburg and Gonzalez to this point. 

Offensively, Harper (.973 OPS, 12 HR) has been dinged up, but remains as bright a star as any in the game. The rest of the lineup has been disappointing, though, as the Nationals are hitting just .233 as a team and averaging just 3.5 runs per game.

This Week's Opponents

at Philadelphia Phillies (3)
vs. Colorado Rockies (4) 

17. Colorado Rockies (37-33, Previous: 14)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

vs. Washington Nationals (1-2)
vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SS Troy Tulowitzki (3.9 WAR)
2. LF Carlos Gonzalez (3.6 WAR)
3. CF Dexter Fowler (2.6 WAR)
4. SP Jhoulys Chacin (1.8 WAR)
5. SP Jorge De La Rosa (1.6 WAR)

While their pitching has come back to earth after their phenomenal start to the season as a team, the Rockies remain in the thick of things thanks to one of the best offenses in the game.

Tulowitzki (.347 BA, 1.048 OPS, 16 HR) has been a legitimate MVP candidate so far, but was recently lost for four to six weeks with a broken rib, and that bumps the team down a few spots in the rankings here.

Gonzalez (.316 BA, 1.041 OPS, 20 HR) is having a fantastic season as well, but there's no question the offense was dealt a serious blow with the loss of Tulowitzki.

If a third starter could step up alongside De La Rosa (7-4, 3.49 ERA) and Chacin (5-3, 4.26 ERA), it would be a major help.

This Week's Opponents

at Toronto Blue Jays (3)
at Washington Nationals (4)

16. Cleveland Indians (34-34, Previous: 17)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

at Texas Rangers (2-1)
vs. Washington Nationals (2-1) 

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. C Carlos Santana (2.0 WAR)
2. 2B Jason Kipnis (1.9 WAR)
3. SP Justin Masterson (1.7 WAR)
4. OF Ryan Raburn (1.5 WAR)
5. C Yan Gomes (1.1 WAR) 

The Indians had a busy offseason of additions, especially on the offensive side of things, but as it stands now, a minor league free agent (Raburn) and an under-the-radar trade pickup (Gomes) rank as their two best moves.

Expected to be a star since his first season in the majors, Santana (.284/.387/.486, 9 HR) looks to have finally turned a corner. Meanwhile, Kipnis (.808 OPS, 9 HR, 15 SB) has bounced back from a rough second half last year to resume his ascent to the second-base elite.

The starting pitching has been hit and miss to this point, with Masterson (8-5, 3.52 ERA) pitching like an ace in the early going and maintaining that strong play to this point.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Kansas City Royals (3)
vs. Minnesota Twins (3) 

15. San Francisco Giants (35-33, Previous: 13)

Last Week's Results: 2-4

at Pittsburgh Pirates (1-2)
at Atlanta Braves (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. RF Hunter Pence (3.0 WAR)
2. C Buster Posey (2.5 WAR)
3t. SS Brandon Crawford (2.0 WAR)
3t. 2B Marco Scutaro (2.0 WAR)
5. SP Madison Bumgarner (1.8 WAR)

Last season, both Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong ranked among the team's top five in WAR by the end of the year, but this year, both pitchers have struggled, and the Giants have relied more on their offense than in the past.

Pence (.854 OPS, 11 HR, 13 SB) has been the second impact bat the team has needed alongside reigning MVP Posey, while the middle-infield duo of Scutaro and Crawford has quietly been one of baseball's best.

Getting the once-dominant starting-pitching staff back on track remains a necessity, though, if the team hopes to make a run at defending its title. Bumgarner (6-4, 3.30 ERA) has pitched well, but he can't do it alone.

This Week's Opponents

vs. San Diego Padres (3)
vs. Miami Marlins (4) 

14. Kansas City Royals (33-34, Previous: 19)

Last Week's Results: 5-2

vs. Detroit Tigers (2-1)
at Tampa Bay Rays (3-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP James Shields (2.3 WAR)
2. LF Alex Gordon (1.7 WAR)
3t. CF Lorenzo Cain (1.6 WAR)
3t. C Salvador Perez (1.6 WAR)
5. SP Ervin Santana (1.2 WAR) 

The Royals' offseason focus was improving their starting pitching, and there is little doubt that the additions of Shields (2-6, 2.79 ERA) and Santana (5-5, 2.74 ERA) as well as the re-signing of Jeremy Guthrie (7-4, 3.72 ERA) have led to a vast improvement.

However, the offense and its homegrown core have not lived up to their end of the bargain, with corner men Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas in particular struggling.

Perez (.310 BA, .760 OPS) remains a star in progress at the catcher's position, and Gordon is once again one of the most productive all-around outfielders in the game, but the team has to get contributions from the entire lineup if it hopes to make a serious run at the postseason.

This Week's Opponents

at Cleveland Indians (3)
vs. Chicago White Sox (3) 

13. Tampa Bay Rays (36-33, Previous: 11)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

vs. Boston Red Sox (1-2)
vs. Kansas City Royals (1-3)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. 3B Evan Longoria (3.8 WAR)
2. 1B James Loney (1.8 WAR)
3. CF Desmond Jennings (1.6 WAR)
4t. 2B Ben Zobrist (1.5 WAR)
4t. RF Matt Joyce (1.5 WAR) 

It was a tough week for the Rays, as they continue an up-and-down season that has seen them look like a top-10 team at times but a middling non-contender seemingly as often.

Pitching has been the calling card of this franchise since it first started experiencing success, so to not have a pitcher in the top five here is strange, to say the least. Add the fact that their best arm, Alex Cobb (6-2, 3.01 ERA), will likely miss some time after taking a liner to the head, and things aren't exactly looking up.

Offensively, however, the team has been vastly improved from a year ago. A healthy Evan Longoria (.306 BA, .917 OPS, 14 HR) ranks as one of the game's true stars, and the lineup should get a boost from the call-up of top prospect Wil Myers, who will make his debut in Boston on Tuesday.

This Week's Opponents

at Boston Red Sox (3)
at New York Yankees (4)

12. Arizona Diamondbacks (37-32, Previous: 10)

Last Week's Results: 2-4

at Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)
at San Diego Padres (0-3)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (2.7 WAR)
2. OF Gerardo Parra (2.3 WAR)
3. SP Patrick Corbin (2.1 WAR)
4t. OF A.J. Pollock (1.5 WAR)
4t. SS Didi Gregorius (1.5 WAR)

After winning the NL West in 2011, the Diamondback took a step back last season, and they had a busy offseason as a result, highlighted by the trades of Chris Young and Justin Upton.

With them gone, Goldschmidt (.924 OPS, 15 HR) has emerged as the star of the offense. The 25-year-old looks like he'll anchor the lineup for the foreseeable future.

In what has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, Corbin (9-0, 2.28 ERA) has been one of the best pitchers in the game after entering spring training without a guaranteed roster spot.

Meanwhile, the trade of Trevor Bauer for shortstop Gregorius (.817 OPS, 28 R) is looking better and better after receiving criticism on first glance.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Miami Marlins (3)
vs. Cincinnati Reds (3)

11. San Diego Padres (35-34, Previous: 18)

Last Week's Results: 6-0

vs. Atlanta Braves (3-0)
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (3-0)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SS Everth Cabrera (3.4 WAR)
2. 2B Jedd Gyorko (1. 8 WAR)
3. OF Chris Denorfia (1.6 WAR)
4t. 3B Chase Headley (1.4 WAR)
4t. SP Eric Stults (1.4 WAR)

I'll admit that moving the Padres up this high is aggressive, but they're playing baseball as well as anyone in the league right now, sweeping a pair of quality teams last week to pull their record over .500.

Cabrera (.305 BA, 31 SB) has been a force on the basepaths, as he's tied with Jacoby Ellsbury for the MLB lead in steals. 

Rookie Gyorko (.802 OPS, 8 HR) has been the best hitter in a deep NL rookie class. Headley has slowly rounded into form after missing time early, as he looks to return to the level he was at in a dominant second half last season.

Starting pitching is the biggest concern for the team moving forward, as it lacks a true ace and has gotten inconsistent production from nearly everyone. Stults (6-5, 3.28 ERA) has been the team's best starter, and he gave the bullpen a day off on Friday when he allowed just two hits and one run in a complete game effort against the Diamondbacks.

This Week's Opponents

at San Francisco Giants (3)
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (4)

10. New York Yankees (38-31, Previous: 6)

Last Week's Results: 1-5

at Oakland Athletics (0-3)
at Los Angeles Angels (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. LF Brett Gardner (2.3 WAR)
2. 2B Robinson Cano (2.0 WAR)
3. SP Hiroki Kuroda (1.9 WAR)
4. SP CC Sabathia (1.4 WAR)
5. SP Andy Pettitte (1.3 WAR) 

The Yankees' patchwork roster, which performed so well for the first two months of the season, finally looks to be coming back to earth, and they need their ailing stars to get healthy and step up now more than ever.

Gardner (.806 OPS, 39 R), a defensive wizard with speed to burn, remains somehow underrated despite playing in New York, while Cano is one of the few superstars who is actually living up to his salary.

The trio of Pettitte (41), Kuroda (38) and Sabathia (32) certainly fits the bill of veteran, and they need one of their young arms to step up and solidify the back end of their rotation. As good as those three have been, expecting them to carry the staff for an entire season is asking for trouble.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2)
vs. Tampa Bay Rays (4) 

9. Texas Rangers (38-31, Previous: 5)

Last Week's Results: 1-6

vs. Cleveland Indians (1-2)
vs. Toronto Blue Jays (0-4)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Yu Darvish (2.9 WAR)
2. SP Derek Holland (2.8 WAR)
3. 3B Adrian Beltre (1.9 WAR)
4. 1B Mitch Moreland (1.4 WAR)
5t. RP Robbie Ross (1.0 WAR)
5t. 2B Ian Kinsler (1.0 WAR)
5t. OF Craig Gentry (1.0 WAR) 

After a fantastic start to the season, the Rangers have scuffled a bit of late, as they're just 4-11 in the month of June after a 34-20 start to the season.

The team should get a boost as its pitching gets progressively healthier in the weeks ahead, as well as from the return of breakout offensive star Moreland (.899 OPS, 12 HR). Injuries have been a thorn in their side since before the season started.

Still, the Rangers have exceeded expectations to this point and look to be for real. The pitching duo of Darvish (7-2, 2.64 ERA, 127 K) and Holland (5-4, 3.30 ERA, 86 K) atop the rotation should make it hard for them to have another 1-6 week moving forward.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Oakland Athletics (4)
at St. Louis Cardinals (3) 

8. Detroit Tigers (38-29, Previous: 8)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

at Kansas City Royals (1-2)
at Minnesota Twins (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. 3B Miguel Cabrera (4.0 WAR)
2. SP Anibal Sanchez (3.1 WAR)
3. SP Justin Verlander (3.0 WAR)
4. SP Max Scherzer (2.9 WAR)
5. SP Doug Fister (2.8 WAR)

The Tigers have yet to pull away from the pack as many expected them to, not only in the AL Central, but in the American League as a whole. That said, on a player-for-player basis, there may be no more dominant a group in all of baseball right now.

The trio of Verlander, Scherzer and Sanchez not only rank in the top five in WAR on the team, but are all in the top 10 among all pitchers this season, with Fister just missing out at 11th.

Offensively, Cabrera (.352 BA, 1.072 OPS, 18 HR) remains the best hitter in the world, while veterans Torii Hunter, Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta are all enjoying solid seasons.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Baltimore Orioles (3)
vs. Boston Red Sox (4) 

7. Atlanta Braves (41-28, Previous: 2)

Last Week's Results: 2-4

at San Diego Padres (0-3)
vs. San Francisco Giants (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1t. C Evan Gattis (1.9 WAR)
1t. SP Mike Minor (1.9 WAR)
3. LF Justin Upton (1.7 WAR) 
4t. C Brian McCann (1.0 WAR)
4t. SP Tim Hudson (1.0 WAR) 

What to do with Gattis now that McCann has returned to the lineup is a great problem to have for the Braves, and what to do with starter Brandon Beachy once he returns to the roster will be another terrific problem for a deep and talented Braves staff.

Slumping stars Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton have both started to turn things around over the past couple weeks, and while they are going to keep striking out at an alarming rate, the offense looks to be a strength nonetheless.

On the mound, Minor (8-2, 2.68 ERA) has continued his rise to the top of the staff after going 6-4 with a 2.16 ERA in the second half last season. Shoring up the back end of the bullpen remains a concern, and it could wind up being solved with Kris Medlen moving to the 'pen once Beachy returns.

This Week's Opponents

vs. New York Mets (5)
at Milwaukee Brewers (3) 

6. Boston Red Sox (42-29, Previous: 3)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

at Tampa Bay Rays (2-1)
at Baltimore Orioles (1-3)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Clay Buchholz (2.9 WAR)
2. 2B Dustin Pedroia (2.7 WAR)
3. CF Jacoby Ellsbury (2.0 WAR)
4. DH David Ortiz (1.8 WAR)
5. 1B Mike Napoli (1.6 WAR)

The Red Sox have wasted little time getting back on track after a 93-loss season last year, and they look like serious contenders for the AL East title this year.

While their numerous offseason additions have certainly been integral in their success, Buchholz's rebound performance (9-0, 1.71 ERA) has been huge. He currently leads all of baseball in ERA and looks like a serious Cy Young candidate.

It's nice to see the offense's three biggest contributors be incumbents from last year's team, as they as much as anyone appreciate the success the team is enjoying so far this season.

Ortiz in particular has been impressive, with 14 HR and 49 RBI in 52 games.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Tampa Bay Rays (3)
at Detroit Tigers (4)

5. Baltimore Orioles (40-30, Previous: 12)

Last Week's Results: 5-2

vs. Los Angeles Angels (2-1)
vs. Boston Red Sox (3-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. 1B Chris Davis (3.5 WAR)
2. 3B Manny Machado (3.4 WAR)
3. SS J.J. Hardy (2.0 WAR)
4. CF Adam Jones (1.6 WAR)
5. LF Nate McLouth (1.4 WAR)

The battle for AL East supremacy rages on, with the Orioles taking the top spot here despite currently sitting in second place in the standings, thanks to winning three out of four games against the Red Sox to close out last week.

Starting pitching is once again a major question mark, and the team has already seen 11 different pitchers make starts this season. Chris Tillman (7-2, 3.61 ERA) and Miguel Gonzalez (5-2, 3.75 ERA) have been steady, but a couple other arms will need to step up in the weeks ahead.

Luckily, the team has as much offensive firepower as any in baseball, ranking second in the AL with 341 runs scored and hitting .273 as a team. Davis (.335 BA, 1.111 OPS, 22 2B, 23 HR) has been the most productive hitter in baseball, and 20-year-old Machado (.327 BA, 99 H, 32 2B) has progressed faster than anyone could have hoped.

This Week's Opponents

at Detroit Tigers (3)
at Toronto Blue Jays (3)

4. Pittsburgh Pirates (41-28, Previous: 9)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

vs. San Francisco Giants (2-1)
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. CF Andrew McCutchen (2.8 WAR)
2. LF Starling Marte (2.3 WAR)
3. C Russell Martin (2.0 WAR)
4. RP Jason Grilli (1.8 WAR)
5t. SP Francisco Liriano (1.4 WAR)
5t. SP A.J. Burnett (1.4 WAR) 

After late-season collapses each of the past two years, the Pirates once again look to be in a great position to post their first winning season since 1992 here in the first half.

However, this team looks to have a better chance of making it the duration, as it is more balanced offensively and more experienced on the mound than it has been the past two seasons.

McCutchen remains the star of the offense, but he is no longer doing it alone like he essentially did in the first half last year. On the mound, Burnett (4-6, 3.12 ERA) has once again been the ace of the staff, but the performances of Liriano (5-2, 2.36 ERA) and rookie Jeff Locke (6-1, 2.19 ERA) have been a terrific surprise, while top prospect Gerrit Cole (2-0, 3.75 ERA) looks as though he could make an impact as well.

This Week's Opponents

at Cincinnati Reds (4)
at Los Angeles Angels (3) 

3. Cincinnati Reds (42-28, Previous: 7)

Last Week's Results: 5-2

at Chicago Cubs (3-1)
vs. Milwaukee Brewers (2-1)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. 1B Joey Votto (2.9 WAR)
2t. CF Shin-Soo Choo (2.4 WAR)
2t. SP Homer Bailey (2.4 WAR)
4. 3B Todd Frazier (2.0 WAR) 
5. 2B Brandon Phillips (1.8 WAR) 

The Reds were expected to be even better this season than they were in 2012, when they ran away with the NL Central title, and that was due in large part to adding Choo atop the lineup.

So far, he's given the team exactly what it hoped he would, posting a .428 OBP while showing a good mix of power (18 2B, 10 HR) and speed (7 SB, 49 R).

The rest of the team has continued to perform up to the level it did last season, as the Reds have managed to overcome injuries to Ryan Ludwick and Johnny Cueto, among others.

That said, they still have their work cut out for them, battling the Cardinals and Pirates for the division.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (4)
at Arizona Diamondbacks (3) 

2. Oakland Athletics (42-29, Previous: 4)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

vs. New York Yankees (3-0)
vs. Seattle Mariners (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. 3B Josh Donaldson (2.6 WAR)
2. CF Coco Crisp (2.4 WAR)
3t. LF Yoenis Cespedes (1.6 WAR)
3t. SP Bartolo Colon (1.6 WAR)
5. SP Daniel Straily (1.4 WAR)

They may not be the most complete team in baseball on paper, and whether or not they have the horses to keep playing like this all season remains to be seen, but there is no ignoring the fact that the A's are 22-7 in their last 29 games.

With only two players hitting over .300 and only three with double-digit home runs, the offense has been far from dominant, but the A's continue to shuffle the lineup brilliantly to make the most of what they have. Donaldson (.307 BA, .878 OPS, 43 RBI) has been the star so far, building off of a strong stretch run last season.

On the mound, the starting rotation has been sketchy at times, but better of late, especially now that Jarrod Parker has gotten on track with seven straight quality starts after going 1-5 with a 7.34 ERA in his first seven.

The bullpen is fantastic once again, and top to bottom, this is just a team that seems to know how to win games.

This Week's Opponents

at Texas Rangers (4)
at Seattle Mariners (3) 

1. St. Louis Cardinals (44-25, Previous: 1)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

at New York Mets (2-1)
at Miami Marlins (1-2)

5 Most Valuable Players (according to FanGraphs' WAR)

1. SP Adam Wainwright (4.0 WAR)
2. 2B Matt Carpenter (3.5 WAR)
3. C Yadier Molina (2.8 WAR) 
4. SP Shelby Miller (2.3 WAR)
5. SP Lance Lynn (1.9 WAR) 

The Cardinals' pitching has been great this season, so it's no surprise to see three of their starters among their five most valuable players.

Wainwright currently has the highest WAR among pitchers and trails only Carlos Gomez (4.1 WAR) for the top spot in all of baseball. He's currently 10-3 with a 2.18 ERA in his first 14 starts, and he's averaging an impressive 7.4 innings per start.

Carpenter has been as big a surprise as any, as he's shored up the leadoff spot, while Molina currently leads the National League with a .352 average, along with his usual stellar defense.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Chicago Cubs (4)
vs. Texas Ranger (3)