Carter's MLB Power Rankings: Rays No. 1 For Fifth Straight Week

Carter’s MLB Power Rankings-Teams:
NOTE: Team and Player Statistics updated through 11:00 AM CT, May 23

1. Tampa Bay Rays (31-12)
For the fifth straight week, the Rays (aka-the Road Warriors) are in the top spot. They deserve to be number one.

2. New York Yankees (26-17)
Despite only going 4-6 in their last ten games, the Yankees are still the MLB’s second-best team in my book. If they keep it up offensively, they might not have much to worry about going forward.

3. Philadelphia Phillies (26-16)
The Phillies currently hold the National League’s best road record at 13-7.

4. Minnesota Twins (26-17)
The Twins seem to be liking their new ballpark. A lot. Along with the Tigers, they own the MLB’s best home record at 14-6.

5. San Diego Padres (25-18)
To all the Padres fans out there: I’m sorry for picking your team to finish in last place this year. I don’t know what I was thinking. This team can pitch!!!

6. St. Louis Cardinals (25-19)
Despite Brad Penny being put on the shelf, and the Reds holding the first place spot (for now), I still see the Cardinals winning this division.

7. Toronto Blue Jays (25-20)
With a little more pitching, they could be in the playoff race in September. The Jays certainly have the high-powered offense down.

8. San Francisco Giants (22-20)
I would have them a little higher, but the only thing that’s keeping them afloat is their pitching staff. If they can’t score runs, they won’t be playing in October.

9. Atlanta Braves (23-20)

I think it's already safe to say that Jason Heyward is already the NL Rookie of the Year Award winner.

10. Los Angeles Dodgers (25-18)
They were at my number 21 spot two weeks ago, then the 13th spot last week. I picked them to win the West when the season started. My pick is looking better and better by the week, with or without Andre Ethier.

11. Colorado Rockies (21-22)
I picked the Rockies to finish second in the division when the season started. They are a little better than their record indicates. But, based on what I’ve seen so far, they might not even contend for a playoff spot in September.

12. Texas Rangers (25-19)
The Rangers should start getting comfortable while sitting in the AL West’s top spot. They could be stay there for the rest of the year. The Rangers lead the majors with 18 home wins.

13. Florida Marlins (22-22)
I picked this team to finish 4th in the NL East. The Marlins are making me look like a genius.

14. New York Mets (21-23)
If the Mets can score a few more runs here and there, they could make some noise in the NL East. Right now, the Phillies and Braves are still the top contenders.

15. Cincinnati Reds (25-18)
Some might expect this team to be higher. Cincy has been the surprise of the National League, but they also lead the majors in one-run wins. That's great and all, but this also tells me that they are barely squeezing by in some of their wins.

16. Detroit Tigers (24-19)
They, and the Rays, hold the MLB’s top home record at 14-6. If they can play better on the road (where they are only 10-13), they could be contenders for the American League. Right now, that’s not the case.

17. Boston Red Sox (23-21)
I hope the rest of the Red Sox pitching staff was watching Diasuke Matsuzaka, and taking notes, on Saturday.

18. Chicago Cubs (20-24)
If your projected top two hitters in April (Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez) are only hitting .216 and .160 through late-May, that could cause a few issues for the team’s success. They are two reasons why this team is four games under .500.

19. Oakland Athletics (22-22)
If the Athletics want to get back in contention, they have to get the job done on the road, which they have not been doing. They have an ML-worst five road wins this year.

20. Chicago White Sox (18-24)
Even if A.J. Pierzynski does get traded somewhere, I don’t know if he can do any better at his new location. His .220 average, 2 HRS, and 13 RBIS aren’t very exciting at this point.

21. Washington Nationals (22-22)
I’m officially ready for June. Can anybody guess why?? HINT: It starts with Stephen and ends with Strasburg.

22. Seattle Mariners (16-27)
I still don’t understand why the Mariners were picked by many to win the AL West at the beginning of the season. They have absolutely no offense except for Ichiro. I’m starting to feel bad for him.

23. Arizona Diamondbacks (20-24)
They certainly have the hitting down. If they had a pitching staff, they might have a decent record.

24. Kansas City Royals (18-26)
Even though they might not be very good, they’ve played reasonably well recently. Only four other teams have won at least seven of their last ten games.

25. Milwaukee Brewers (16-27)
Brewers’ season ticket holders should regret buying their seats. The Brew-Crew hold the MLB’s worst home record at 4-14.

26. Los Angeles Angels (21-24)
The Angels hold the current award for most disappointing team in 2010. Who agrees?

27. Cleveland Indians (15-26)
It’s kinda sad when your leading hitter is only batting .304.

28. Baltimore Orioles (14-30)
As expected, the Orioles are having a very poor season. Especially on the road, where they hold an ML-worst 6-18 record.

29. Houston Astros (15-28)
The ‘Stros have more home losses (17) than any other team in the majors.

30. Pittsburgh Pirates (18-25)
Only the Astros have scored less runs than the Pirates have this year.

 Carter’s AL Most Valuable Player Award Race:
1. Justin Morneau (MIN): .377 avg., 57 hits, 11 HRS, 33 RBIS
2. Vladimir Guerrero (TEX): .341 avg., 47 hits, 10 HRS, 37 RBIS
3. Miguel Cabrera (DET): .333 avg., 55 hits, 9 HRS, 38 RBIS
4. Vernon Wells (TOR): .302 avg., 52 hits, 11 HRS, 32 RBIS
5. Ty Wigginton (BAL): .300 avg., 45 hits, 13 HRS, 31 RBIS
6. Robinson Cano (NYY): .337 avg., 57 hits, 9 HRS, 28 RBIS
7. Jose Bautista (TOR): .238 avg., 38 hits, 13 HRS, 34 RBIS
8. Paul Konerko (CHW): .268 avg., 37 hits, 14 HRS, 31 RBIS
9. Alex Gonzalez (TOR): .275 avg., 49 hits, 10 HRS, 30 RBIS
10. Jose Guillen (KC): .268 avg., 45 hits, 11 HRS, 31 RBIS

Carter’s NL Most Valuable Player Award Race:
1. Andre Ethier (LAD): .392 avg., 49 hits, 11 HRS, 38 RBIS
2. Casey McGehee (MIL): .317 avg., 51 hits, 9 HRS, 38 RBIS
3. Joey Votto (CIN): .313 avg., 50 hits, 10 HRS, 32 RBIS
4. Jayson Werth (PHI): .322 avg., 48 hits, 9 HRS, 33 RBIS
5. Dan Uggla (FLA): .280 avg., 44 hits, 11 HRS, 28 RBIS
6. Matt Kemp (LAD): .286 avg., 50 hits, 9 HRS, 26 RBIS
7. Kelly Johnson (ARZ): .257 avg., 39 hits, 12 HRS, 25 RBIS
8. Mark Reynolds (ARZ): .229 avg., 35 hits, 11 HRS, 36 RBIS
9. Chase Utley (PHI): .299 avg., 44 hits, 10 HRS, 23 RBIS
10. Rod Barajas (NYM): .260 avg., 32 hits, 10 HRS, 24 RBIS

Carter’s AL Cy Young Award Race:
1. David Price (TB): 6-1, 1.81 ERA, 44 strikeouts
2. Matt Garza (TB): 5-2, 2.37 ERA, 54 strikeouts
3. Jeff Niemann (TB): 4-0, 2.54 ERA, 36 strikeouts
4. Ricky Romero (TOR): 4-1, 2.71 ERA, 64 strikeouts
5. John Danks (CHW): 3-3, 2.26 ERA, 45 strikeouts
6. C.J. Wilson (TEX): 3-1, 2.55 ERA, 39 strikeouts
7. Shaun Marcum (TOR): 3-1, 2.61 ERA, 45 strikeouts
8. Doug Fister (SEA): 32, 1.96 ERA, 25 strikeouts
9. Andy Pettitte (NYY): 5-1, 2.68 ERA, 32 strikeouts
10. Zack Greinke (KC): 1-4, 2.72 ERA, 50 strikeouts

Carter’s NL Cy Young Award Race:
1. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL): 8-1, 0.99 ERA, 58 strikeouts
2. Tim Lincecum (SF): 5-0, 2.35 ERA, 75 strikeouts
3. Roy Halladay (PHI): 6-2, 1.64 ERA, 58 strikeouts
4. Josh Johnson (FLA): 4-1, 2.68 ERA, 63 strikeouts
5. Jaime Garcia (STL): 4-2, 1.28 ERA, 42 strikeouts
6. Tim Hudson (ATL): 5-1, 2.09 ERA, 26 strikeouts
7. Adam Wainwright (STL): 6-2, 2.49 ERA, 57 strikeouts
8. Livan Hernandez (WSH): 4-2, 1.62 ERA, 19 strikeouts
9. Jon Garland (SD): 5-2, 2.38 ERA, 31 strikeouts
10. Roy Oswalt (HOU): 2-6, 2.66 ERA, 60 strikeouts

AL Gold Glove Team
1B-Kevin Youkilis (BOS)
2B-Adam Rosales (OAK)
3B-Nick Punto (MIN)
SS-Derek Jeter (NYY)
LF-Carl Crawford (TB)
CF-Franklin Gutierrez (SEA)
RF-Nick Markakis (BAL)
C-John Buck (TOR)
P-Joe Saunders (LAA)

NL Gold Glove Team
1B-Albert Pujols (STL)
2B-David Eckstein (SD)
3B-Wes Helms (FLA)
SS-Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
LF-Matt Holliday (STL)
CF-Shane Victorino (PHI)
RF-Ryan Ludwick (STL)
C-Geovany Soto (CHC)
P-Chris Carpenter (STL)