The 2013 Major League Baseball season is comfortably underway.
While each season brings about new excitement and fresh storylines to follow, many players and teams expected to have big campaigns in 2013 have followed through to form early on.
2012 Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera currently leads the majors with a .385 batting average and 36 RBIs, Atlanta Braves stud outfielder Justin Upton is pacing the National League with 12 home runs and to no surprise, future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera is tied for the American League lead in saves with 11.
Each team around the majors boasts their own level of individual talent and this season has certainly provided fans with plenty of action.
Over a month into what is shaping up to be another fantastic season for America's Pastime, here's a look at the Top 5 teams in Major League Baseball right now.
5. New York Yankees, 18-12 overall, 2nd American League East
The Yankees have consistently been one of the top teams in the American League the past few decades and this season is no different. Expected by most to struggle early on due to injuries to starters Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira, the Bronx Bombers have been able to win with balance across the board. New additions Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, Kevin Youkilis and the powerful Travis Hafner have provided the Yankees with timely scoring, efficient defense and the ability to pop home runs when needed. Just 1 ½ games behind the Red Sox for first place in the American League East, the Yankees should only get stronger once their everyday centerpieces return to the starting lineup.
4. Atlanta Braves, 18-12 overall, 1st National League East
Atlanta is once again off to a hot start in 2013, winning 18 of their first 30 while currently pacing the National League East division. Justin Upton is tearing the cover off the ball early on, hitting a solid .278 with 12 homeruns and 21 RBIs. Paired with his brother B.J., who is struggling to start the 2013 campaign, the Upton duo will surely provide the Braves with speed and power as the season progresses. The brothers are also extremely gifted defensive players. Along with a stout lineup, pitching sensations Tim Hudson, Paul Maholm and Craig Kimbrel provide the Braves with leadership, consistency and closing strength on a game-by-game basis.
RELATED: Justin Upton Traded To Braves; Joins Older Brother B.J. In Atlanta
3. St. Louis Cardinals, 20-11 overall, 1st National League Central
The N.L. Central division is certainly one of the best in the game with teams like the Cardinals, Reds and Brewers all competing at a high level. Through 31 games this season, St. Louis has looked like the class of the division. Allen Craig leads the Red Birds with 25 RBIs while the always-reliable duo of Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran have combined for 13 home runs. Lance Lynn paces a Cardinals staff with 5 wins and a sub-3.00 ERA while Edward Mujica has collected 8 saves to start the season. If this team stays healthy, don't be surprised if St. Louis carries their early-season success deep into the month of October.
2. Boston Red Sox, 20-11, 1st American League East
Not thought of as a serious contender when the season started, since their lineup didn't feature some of the well-known players seen in recent years, the Boston Red Sox have played phenomenal baseball since clobbering the Yankees 8-2 on Opening Day. First baseman Mike Napoli has been superb early on, hitting .268 while driving in 31 runs and clubbing 6 home runs. A healthy Jacoby Ellsbury provides the Sox with a defensive wizard in the outfield and speed along the base paths as Ellsbury leads the team with 12 stolen bases. Clay Buchholz is having a career-year to this point, posting a 6-0 record with a miniscule ERA of 1.01. While Buchholz is in the early season Cy Young talks, his Red Sox are definitely in the discussion when it comes to World Series contenders, even if it is only May.
1. Texas Rangers, 20-11, 1st American League West
With two appearances in the World Series the last three seasons, the Texas Rangers look poised for another run at the title. The departure of star outfielder and power hitter Josh Hamilton was supposed to hamper the potent lineup. Even though Hamilton now plays for the rival Angels, the Ranger lineup hasn't skipped a beat, totaling 36 home runs as a team through 31 games. Nelson Cruz leads the way in home runs and RBIs with 7 and 23 respectively while Adrian Beltre and Ian Kinsler provide great support in the batting order. Yu Darvish has been superb on the mound this season as well. In seven appearances, Darvish is 5-1 with a 2.56 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. With tremendous balance on both sides of the ball, the Texas Rangers have positioned themselves early in 2013 to be a serious threat moving forward.
RELATED: Josh Hamilton Disses Texas: Former Ranger Outfielder Shocks Fans With Vicious Message [REPORT]
With well over 125 games remaining for each team this season, feel free to tell us who you think is worthy of having a Top 5 ranking early on in 2013.
Check out some of the best plays from the early part of 2013:
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