Risers
Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners: Nelson Cruz is currently the hottest player in the MLB, and he has proved it this past week, hitting six home runs in the six games he played with 10 RBI, including a pair of two-home run games as well as a walk-off single tonight to top the week off.
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: After being suspended all last season, people didn't know how Alex Rodriguez would perform in 2015, PED-less. He has given them an answer, giong 6-18 with three home runs in this past week, bringing him two home runs away from Willy Mayes' 660 for 4th on the all-time home run list.
Jacob deGrom, New York Mets: Jacob deGrom was stellar this week, pitching 13 1/3 scoreless innings over two starts, allowing 13 hits with 11 strikeouts. deGrom was Rookie of the Year last season, and has proved his dominance in this past week.
Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres: Cashner is the only other pitcher aside from deGrom to pitch two scoreless starts this past week. He allowed 12 hits in 12 innings with 14 strikeouts. Cashner, however, managed to allow six runs, although none of them were earned.
New York Mets: The New York Mets are currently on an eight-game win streak, seven of which came in the past week, consisting of a three-game sweep of Philadelphia and a four-game sweep of Miami. New York is defying odds with injury after injury, but we will see how they will hold up after losing Jerry Blevins and Travis d'Arnaud to fractures today.
Fallers
Ross Detwiler, Texas Rangers: Detwiler was one of the worst pitchers this past week, posting an 11.25 ERA while allowing a lead-leading five home runs in eight innings with 15 hits, five walks, and just three strikeouts. Detwiler made two starts this past week, and only lasted 2 1/3 innings today against the Mariners. The Rangers need Detwiler to step his performance up, as they are already without ace Yu Darvish and Derek Holland.
Chris Carter, Houston Astros: Carter, almost following in the footsteps of teammate Evan Gattis' Opening Week performance, went just 2-17 with eight strikeouts this past week. If he hopes to keep his spot in the lineup, he needs to get back to his 30+ home run self. (Sidenote: Gattis went 5-25 with a homerun, coming out of his 0-20 slump in Opening Week).
Toronto Blue Jays' pitching: Toronto had the second-worst ERA this past week, collecting a 5.13 ERA, along with issuing the most walks in the league, with 35. To make matters worse, there is talk of veteran pitcher Mark Buehrle retiring, which would leave a hole in the starting rotation.
San Francisco Giants' offense: The Giants went 1-5 this past week, being shut out twice and scoring only one run in two games. The Giants had the second-lowest runs scored, with 18 (compared to the Yankees' 46). San Francisco also had the lowest batting average (.207), along with the second-lowest OPS (.592). If the reigning World Series champions have any hopes at postseason baseball, they need to start stepping their game up and getting the bats going.
Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers were underwhelming this past week, winning Monday's game but losing their next five. Milwaukee also scored only 20 runs, worst to just the Reds and Giants, along with collecting a league-worst .567 OPS. In addition to their struggles, Milwaukee lost star outfielder Carlos Gomez to the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.