TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings

Cardinals starters have a 2.38 ERA, more than three-quarters of a run better than the second-best rotation, Washington (3.14 ERA), to this point in the season.
Key Injuries: RHP Jason Motte (elbow), RHP Jake Westbrook (elbow).

The Tigers' worst starter this month has been RHP Justin Verlander, seriously. The real positive to take out of that is that RHP Rick Porcello has made some progress, with a 3.72 ERA over his last three starts.
Key Injuries: CF Austin Jackson (hamstring).

While some Red Sox bats are cooling off (looking at you, CF Jacoby Ellsbury and DH David Ortiz), SS Stephen Drew has come alive, hitting three homers, driving in 12 and putting up a .946 OPS in 14 games this month.
Key Injuries: RHP Joel Hanrahan (hamstring), RHP Andrew Bailey (biceps).

1B Joey Votto and CF Shin-Soo Choo have walked 64 times. The second best tandem in the majors in that category, the Mets' David Wright and Lucas Duda, have accrued 50 walks.
Key Injuries: LF Ryan Ludwick (shoulder), RHP Johnny Cueto (lat), C Ryan Hanigan (oblique).

1B Mitch Moreland has gone on a tear after a slow start, slugging five home runs and driving in 10 runs in the last nine games.
Key Injuries: RHP Neftali Feliz (elbow), RHP Colby Lewis (elbow), LHP Matt Harrison (back), RHP Alexi Ogando (biceps), C A.J. Pierzynski (oblique).

Pitching has been a major surprise for the Tribe, perhaps none more than LHP Scott Kazmir, whose average fastball is up to 91.8 MPH, his best since 2007, and he's striking batters out -- 9.95 per nine innings -- as a result.
Key Injuries: RHP Brett Myers (elbow).

It's only been two starts, but LHP Francisco Liriano is teasing again, striking out 16 in 11 innings and posting a 1.64 ERA. Can he maintain his command enough and stay healthy enough to be a season-long contributor for the Bucs?
Key Injuries: RHP Jeff Karstens (shoulder).

RHP Ryan Vogelsong's feel-good story could be coming to and end, at least the part that includes being part of the Giants' starting rotation. Allowing a major-league-worst 2.40 HR/9, his mistakes are big ones and he's paid the price, to the tune of an 8.27 ERA.
Key Injuries: None.

Amidst all the injuries, the Yankees have found their way to the top of the AL East again, thanks in part to stellar pitching. RHP Hiroki Kuroda has quietly delivered a 2.31 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through eight starts, both easily the best marks of his career.
Key Injuries: RHP Michael Pineda (shoulder), 1B Mark Teixeira (wrist), 3B Alex Rodriguez (hip), SS Derek Jeter (ankle), 3B Kevin Youkilis (back), C Francisco Cervelli (hand), RHP Ivan Nova (triceps), SS Eduardo Nunez (ribs).

Even before running face-first into the outfield wall, LF Bryce Harper had slumped this month so, even with Thursday's home run, he's hitting .161 with a .644 OPS in May. No big deal, but we'll see if that home run helps him bust out.
Key Injuries: RF Jayson Werth (hamstring), C Wilson Ramos (hamstring).

Elliot Johnson is getting a chance to play at second base, hit .302 average and .729 OPS more appealing than what the Royals have been getting from Chris Getz (.193 and .522).
Key Injuries: None.

Remember, Brian McCann? He was the guy on the sidelines while Evan Gattis wrote a remarkable story in the first month, but now McCann is healthy and has three homers, 10 RBI and a 1.005 OPS in his first eight games.
Key Injuries: RHP Brandon Beachy (elbow), RF Jason Heyward (appendix).

Look at 3B Eric Chavez, still alive and hitting in the desert! He hasn't had 400 at-bats in a season since 2006, but the 35-year-old is hitting .310 with a .912 OPS (4 HR, 16 RBI) in 84 at-bats this season.
Key Injuries: CF Adam Eaton (elbow), 2B Aaron Hill (hand), RHP J.J. Putz (elbow).

The Orioles could really use 2B Brian Roberts returning sometime soon. His primary replacement, Ryan Flaherty, is hitting .133 with a .461 OPS in 90 at-bats.
Key Injuries: 2B Brian Roberts (knee), DH Wilson Betemit (knee), LHP Wei-Yin Chen (oblique), RHP Miguel Gonzalez (thumb).

LHP Jorge De La Rosa isn't the same strikeout threat that he was pre-Tommy John surgery, when he was nudging up against a strikeout per inning, but hit 2.98 ERA and 1.21 WHIP are positive indicators.
Key Injuries: LHP Jeff Francis (groin), RF Michael Cuddyer (neck).

For a guy that doesn't throw very hard (90.0 MPH average fastball), RHP Alex Cobb gets a lot of strikeouts (8.83/9 IP). There's something to be said for knowing how to pitch.
Key Injuries: LHP David Price (triceps).

He's been very effective (1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP), but is there reason to be concerned about closer Jonathan Papelbon, whose K/9 rate is down to 6.48. His velocity is down 1.5-2 MPH, but his previous low strikeout rate was 9.00 as a rookie, in 2005.
Key Injuries: LHP John Lannan (quad), RHP Roy Halladay (shoulder).

Mariners shortstops Brendan Ryan and Robert Andino have hit .133 with a .338 OPS, yet the Mariners have yet to call up SS Nick Franklin, who has a .966 OPS at Triple-A Tacoma.
Key Injuries: CF Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring).

The three A's relievers that are trusted at the end of games (for holds and saves) -- Ryan Cook, Sean Doolittle and Grant Balfour -- have been great, combining for a 1.59 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in 51 innings.
Key Injuries: LHP Brett Anderson (ankle), RF Josh Reddick (wrist), CF Chris Young (quad).

1B Anthony Rizzo is the celebrated slugger in the Cubs' lineup, but the regular with the best OPS this year has been veteran David DeJesus, whose .878 is the best of his career.
Key Injuries: RHP Matt Garza (elbow).

Good for the Dodgers that LF Carl Crawford has picked up his game and is once again an offensive force, but not great that Crawford's five home runs leads the team. CF Matt Kemp sitting on one bomb through 149 at-bats is more than a little surprising.
Key Injuries: RHP Josh Beckett (groin), RHP Chad Billingsley (elbow), SS Hanley Ramirez (hamstring), 2B Mark Ellis (quad), LHP Ted Lilly (ribs).

Veteran Canadian reliever Jesse Crain has been outstanding for the White Sox this season, leading the AL with 11 holds, 0.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 25 K in 19 IP.
Key Injuries: LHP John Danks (shoulder), 2B Gordon Beckham (wrist), RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow).

It says something about how poorly the Brewers are pitching when they are gettin breakthrough offensive performances from CF Carlos Gomez and SS Jean Segura and they've still lost 12 of their last 14 to fall off the pace in the NL Central.
Key Injuries: 1B Corey Hart (knee).

1B Ike Davis has 46 strikeouts and 20 hits in 128 at-bats. The only hitters with worse ratios are Braves CF B.J. Upton (49:19) and new Mets teammate Rick Ankiel (38:15).
Key Injuries: RHP Frank Francisco (elbow).

Can RHP Andrew Cashner stay healthy enough to remain in the rotation? He's been effective (2.51 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) through his first five starts this season.
Key Injuries: CF Cameron Maybin (wrist), LHP Cory Luebke (elbow), C Yasmani Grandal (suspension), LHP Clayton Richard (virus).

C Joe Mauer can sure swing the bat. He's hitting .349 this year and the lowest average of his career was .287 a couple of years ago when he went through that leg issue (ie. bilateral leg weakness).
Key Injuries: None.

They aren't vaulting up the rankings, yet, but there are signs of life in Toronto. The Jays are 7-3 in their last 10 and they aren't beating up cream puffs with wins over San Francisco, Boston and Tampa Bay.
Key Injuries: SS Jose Reyes (ankle), RHP Josh Johnson (triceps).

After a slow start, LF Mike Trout has a 1.165 OPS in May. Get ready for more greatness because his current .900 OPS is climbing and he had a .963 OPS last season, when he should have won the American League MVP.
Key Injuries: RHP Jered Weaver (elbow), CF Peter Bourjos (hamstring).

Has there been a pitcher to post a strong WHIP, yet subpar ERA as often as RHP Ricky Nolasco? This season, his 4.39 ERA seems high for a 1.22 WHIP. A's RHP Bartolo Colon and Giants RHP Matt Cain are the only starters with a higher ERA with a WHIP of 1.24 or lower.
Key Injuries: 1B Logan Morrison (knee), RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder), RHP Nate Eovaldi (shoulder), RF Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring).

LF Chris Carter has nine home runs to lead the Astros. With Rick Ankiel gone, the next most on the team is a three-way tie between 1B Carlos Pena and catchers Jason Castro and Carlos Corporan, with three.
Key Injuries: CF Justin Maxwell (hand).