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MLB Power Ranking For All 30 Teams After 2025 Opening Weekend
Deciding how to handle the first update of the season to what will be our weekly MLB power rankings after just one series worth of games has been played is always a challenge.
Do we wipe the slate clean and focus solely on those three or four games? Do we still place significant importance on preseason perception and expectations going forward? What is the middle ground between those two extremes?
This year, that middle ground will be limiting movement up or down to no more than seven spots for this initial update, so as to reflect what is happening now that the games matter without completely overreacting and erasing an offseason's worth of analysis.
Eight teams ended up moving the maximum seven spots, with the Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers climbing, while the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets all tumbled.
If your favorite team is not as high as you would like, take a deep breath, relax and remember that none of this actually matters. It is a fun exercise meant to spark some good leaguewide debate across Major League Baseball each week.
These rankings will be updated each and every Monday morning for the next six months. If a team is winning, it will climb. If a team is losing, it will fall.
After a few weeks, the line between contender and non-contenders will start to better take shape. For now, sit back and enjoy the chaos that is the first few weeks of a new season.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Chicago White Sox (1-2)
Previous Rank: 30
Young starters Sean Burke (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER), Jonathan Cannon (5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER) and Davis Martin (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER) all threw the ball well enough to win in the White Sox opening series against the Angels. After starting the season 3-22 a year ago, just avoiding a sweep out of the gates has to be considered a small victory.
29. Colorado Rockies (1-2)
Previous Rank: 28
The Rockies should have a more competitive pitching staff this season, and getting a gem from Kyle Freeland (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 K) in his first start of the year was a nice way for him to kick off the 2025 campaign. Late-spring addition Mickey Moniak has hit the team's only home run so far.
28. Washington Nationals (1-2)
Previous Rank: 26
The good news: MacKenzie Gore turned in arguably the best start of his career on Opening Day when he racked up 13 strikeouts over six scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Phillies. The bad news: He ended up taking a no-decision when the bullpen allowed seven runs. It could be that kind of year for the Nationals, with solid individual takeaways but inconsistent results.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Pittsburgh Pirates (1-3)
Previous Rank: 25
The Pirates hit just .184 with a .596 OPS in four games against the Marlins to start the year, and all four games in that series were decided by one run. On a positive note, the team's four starting pitchers allowed only six combined runs in 22.1 innings of work, and the rotation could be a real strength this year.
26. Miami Marlins (3-1)
Previous Rank: 29
A Marlins offense that looked like it might be the worst in baseball on paper entering the year hit .250 and plated 16 runs in four games against a good Pirates pitching staff. The fact that they did it without Jesús Sánchez and Connor Norby—arguably the two best bats on the roster—made it even more surprising, but they will need to keep it up before climbing any higher.
25. Cincinnati Reds (1-2)
Previous Rank: 22
Despite the series loss to the Giants, it was still a welcome sight for Reds fans to see Christian Encarnacion-Strand (4-for-12, 2B, HR) and Matt McLain (3-for-13, 2B, 2 HR) both get off to strong starts at the plate following injury-plagued 2024 seasons. Those two could make a real difference for a lineup that was lacking in impact bats a year ago.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Los Angeles Angels (2-1)
Previous Rank: 27
The Angels kicked off the season with three straight quality starts from Yusei Kikuchi (6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER), José Soriano (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) and Jack Kochanowicz (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER). They ranked 20th in the majors in that category with 51 total during the 2024 season.
23. Minnesota Twins (0-3)
Previous Rank: 19
In the small sample size of three games, the Twins offense ranks near the bottom of the majors in batting average (.167, 28th) and OPS (.489, 29th) as they managed just six runs in three games while getting swept by the Cardinals. The White Sox are up next as they look to get in the win column.
22. Kansas City Royals (1-2)
Previous Rank: 17
The Royals went 8-5 against the Guardians last season, but dropped two of three to the division rivals out of the gates this year. On a positive note, it was a welcome sign to see Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez take care of business protecting a one-run lead in their lone victory after all the issues they had at the back of the bullpen a year ago.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Athletics (2-2)
Previous Rank: 23
One of the hottest starts of the year offensively belongs to Tyler Soderstrom, who went 7-for-15 with one double and three home runs in four games against a really good Mariners pitching staff. The 23-year-old is a former top prospect with the upside to emerge as a key piece of an already promising young offensive core.
20. Detroit Tigers (0-3)
Previous Rank: 13
Are the Tigers off to a bad start, or are the Dodgers just that good? It's a fair question to ask after Detroit was outscored 20-12 in a three-game sweep at the hands of the defending champs. Spencer Torkelson is 5-for-9 with one double, one home run and five walks in 14 plate appearances as he looks to turn a corner following a terrific spring.
19. Toronto Blue Jays (2-2)
Previous Rank: 18
Bo Bichette went 7-for-15 with two doubles in the Blue Jays opening four-game series against the Orioles as he looks to rebuild his stock in a contract year. Cleanup hitter Andrés Giménez—yep, you read that right—hit a pair of home runs to kick off his Blue Jays tenure with a bang.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Boston Red Sox (1-3)
Previous Rank: 11
The Red Sox starters went 0-3 with a 5.57 ERA in their four-game series with the Rangers, while the bullpen tossed 12 scoreless innings and nailed down the first save opportunity of the season, so it was a mixed bag from the pitching staff. Rafael Devers is 0-for-16 with 12 strikeouts.
17. St. Louis Cardinals (3-0)
Previous Rank: 24
This was expected to be something of a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, but when they failed to offload their veterans on the trade market, they were left in a confusing gray area between contention and retooling. After outscoring the Twins by 13 runs in a three-game sweep to open the year, their stock is up as much as any team in baseball after the opening weekend.
16. Milwaukee Brewers (0-3)
Previous Rank: 10
The Brewers pitching staff allowed 34 hits, 16 walks and 36 runs in three games against the Yankees for an MLB-worst 12.75 ERA to start the year. They were outscored 36-14 in a three-game sweep, allowing a staggering 20 runs on Friday. They have nowhere to go from here but up.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Tampa Bay Rays (2-1)
Previous Rank: 21
The Rays are looking like a team that might once again be carried by a standout pitching staff after Ryan Pepiot (6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER), Taj Bradley (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) and Zack Littell (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) each turned in quality starts against the Rockies to open the year. So far, so good as they settle into their temporary home at Steinbrenner Field.
14. San Francisco Giants (2-1)
Previous Rank: 20
The veteran trio of Logan Webb, Justin Verlander and Robbie Ray all threw the ball well enough to win in the Giants opening series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, and with some question marks at the back of the staff, that trio will be leaned on heavily. Offensively, Heliot Ramos and Wilmer Flores each homered twice in the series.
13. Chicago Cubs (2-4)
Previous Rank: 12
After dropping both games of the Tokyo Series, the Cubs split four games with the D-backs to begin their season stateside. With the bullpen allowing 33 hits and 21 earned runs in 22.2 innings of work, they were lucky to come away with two wins. The sooner they realize Porter Hodge is their best reliever, the better.
Nos. 12-10
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12. New York Mets (1-2)
Previous Rank: 5
For all that has been made of the lackluster rotation the Mets have assembled, it was the offense that laid an egg in their series loss to the Astros. Their .136 batting average and .476 OPS both rank dead last in the majors, and they plated just five runs in three games. Juan Soto went 3-for-9 with a double, a home run and four walks.
11. Atlanta Braves (0-4)
Previous Rank: 4
Here's where I remind you of how teams were limited to moving no more than seven spots in any direction in these opening rankings, otherwise the Braves might have slipped even further after losing four in a row to the Padres. The offense hit .148 with a .484 OPS, and the bullpen served up a 6.75 ERA with three losses and one blown save.
10. Seattle Mariners (2-2)
Previous Rank: 9
Logan Gilbert (7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) is rarely mentioned among the game's truly elite starting pitchers, but after leading the AL in WHIP (0.89) a year ago and tossing a gem on Opening Day he belongs in that conversation. Just eight runs in four games on the offensive side of things looks alarmingly similar to 2024.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Texas Rangers (3-1)
Previous Rank: 16
It was difficult to decide what to make of the Rangers heading into the season with a banged up starting rotation set to lean heavily on young arms and a largely unproven bullpen. That pitching staff had a 2.50 ERA and allowed a .194 opponents' batting average while taking three of four against the Red Sox, so it might be time to start buying stock now.
8. Houston Astros (2-1)
Previous Rank: 15
The Astros are one of three teams with only one home run so far this season, but they managed to take two of three from the Mets while scoring just six total runs in the series. Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 K) is a breakout candidate to keep a close eye on in the early going this season.
7. Cleveland Guardians (2-1)
Previous Rank: 14
Steven Kwan (6-for-12, 2B, HR) and Kyle Manzardo (5-for-11, 2B, 3B, 2 HR) led the way offensively for a Guardians team that scored 16 runs in three games on the road against the Royals. Ace Tanner Bibee inked a five-year, $48 million extension just a few days before the season started, then tossed 5.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win in his first start of 2025.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Baltimore Orioles (2-2)
Previous Rank: 7
The Orioles hit six home runs in a 12-2 victory on Opening Day, and they should be one of the highest scoring offenses in baseball this year. On the pitching side, the rotation looked shaky beyond ace Zach Eflin, but the bullpen allowed just four earned runs and struck out 20 batters in 15.1 innings.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (2-2)
Previous Rank: 3
The D-backs had the highest-scoring offense in baseball a year ago, and it was more of the same to start the 2025 season as they hit .329 and scored 27 runs in four games against the Cubs. New ace Corbin Burnes will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (2-1)
Previous Rank: 2
The Phillies hit .275 with an .851 OPS in their three-game series against the Nationals, with Kyle Schwarber hitting his first two home runs of the season. Left-hander Jesús Luzardo (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K) threw the ball well in his Phillies debut, and once Ranger Suárez is healthy this rotation might rival the Mariners for the best in baseball.
Nos. 3-1
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3. New York Yankees (3-0)
Previous Rank: 8
The Yankees crushed 15 home runs and tallied 36 runs total in three games at Yankee Stadium against the Brewers. Aaron Judge (6-for-11, 2 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI) and Jazz Chisholm Jr. (5-for-12, 3 HR, 6 RBI) are both off to red-hot starts at the plate, and if they are going to hit like this, it won't matter who is starting for them on the mound.
2. San Diego Padres (4-0)
Previous Rank: 6
A four-game sweep of a Braves team that was projected for 92 wins sends the Padres soaring to No. 2 in the rankings. They scored 17 runs in four games, despite hitting only three home runs in the series, and Fernando Tatis Jr. (7-for-15, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB) filled up the stat sheet. They welcome the Guardians to town as they look to stay undefeated.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (5-0)
Previous Rank: 1
The Braves are 0-4 and the Dodgers are 5-0, so something has to give when the two teams square off for a three-game series starting on Monday. The Dodgers scored 20 runs in their three-game sweep of the Tigers, and Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman all have multiple home runs already on the year.
For the record, the 2023 Rays went 13-0 to open the year, tying the 1982 Braves and 1987 Brewers for the longest streak to start a new season in MLB history.
Complete Rankings
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Complete Rankings
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Diego Padres
3. New York Yankees
4. Philadelphia Phillies
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
6. Baltimore Orioles
7. Cleveland Guardians
8. Houston Astros
9. Texas Rangers
10. Seattle Mariners
11. Atlanta Braves
12. New York Mets
13. Chicago Cubs
14. San Francisco Giants
15. Tampa Bay Rays
16. Milwaukee Brewers
17. St. Louis Cardinals
18. Boston Red Sox
19. Toronto Blue Jays
20. Detroit Tigers
21. Athletics
22. Kansas City Royals
23. Minnesota Twins
24. Los Angeles Angels
25. Cincinnati Reds
26. Miami Marlins
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
28. Washington Nationals
29. Colorado Rockies
30. Chicago White Sox
Stars of the Week
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Hitter of the Week: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Stats: 3 G, 6-for-11, 2 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R
It took Aaron Judge a whopping 25 games to hit his fourth home run of the season a year ago, but all he needed was three games against the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff to reach that total here at the onset of the 2025 campaign. Could he be on his way to another 60-homer season?
Pitcher of the Week: MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals
Stats: 1 GS, ND, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K
According to Jessica Camerato of MLB.com, Gore joined Lon Warneke (1934) as the only pitchers in MLB history to record a scoreless Opening Day start with double-digit strikeouts and no more than one hit allowed. The 26-year-old taking another step forward would be a major boon to the Nationals outlook.
Rookie of the Week: Kristian Campbell, Boston Red Sox
Stats: 4 G, 6-for-14, 2 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R
The Red Sox decision on whether or not to include Campbell on the Opening Day roster was one of the most scrutinized of the spring, and it looks like they made the right decision. The 22-year-old had a hit in each of the Red Sox first four games, including going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run on Saturday.
