MLB Power Rankings as Mets, Phillies, Yankees All Join Conversation for No. 1 Spot
With the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies each logging a pair of series wins last week, the top-tier of MLB teams has become increasingly crowded with no clear-cut No. 1 team in baseball right now.
Further down the rankings, the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals both went 6-0 last week to climb significantly, while the Athletics, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds each tumbled after a pair of series losses.
All of that to say, these rankings remain an extremely fluid process, especially this early in the season when sample sizes are still small enough for one week's worth of games to have a major impact on the MLB landscape.
If a team is winning, it will climb; if a team is losing, it will fall. It's as simple as that.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Colorado Rockies (7-33)
Previous Rank: 30
Last Week: 0-3 vs. DET, 1-2 vs. SD
Even an organization as horribly mismanaged as the Rockies had to do something amid one of the worst starts in MLB history, and a day after suffering a 21-0 loss at the hands of the Padres, manager Bud Black was fired. He ends his nine-year run in Colorado with a 544-690 record, and hitting coach Clint Hurdle now takes over as the interim manager of a team on pace for a 134-loss season.
29. Miami Marlins (15-24)
Previous Rank: 28
Last Week: 1-2 @ LAD, 1-2 @ CWS
The Marlins have gone a dismal 4-12 since starting the year with a respectable 11-12 record through their first 23 games, and they have dropped five straight series following Sunday's loss to the White Sox. On a positive note, rookie Agustín Ramírez continues to rake, posting an .873 OPS with eight doubles and four home runs through his first 17 games.
28. Chicago White Sox (12-29)
Previous Rank: 26
Last Week: 0-4 @ KC, 2-1 vs. MIA
The White Sox scored 12 total runs in seven games last week, and six of them came in Friday's victory over the Marlins. They rank last in the majors in team batting average (.214) and team OPS (.612), and they have used nine different players in the No. 3 spot in the batting order. There might not be a single hitter on their roster who would start for a contending team.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Los Angeles Angels (16-23)
Previous Rank: 27
Last Week: 2-1 vs. TOR, 1-2 vs. BAL
A walk-off win against the Blue Jays on Wednesday helped the Angels avoid what would have been their fifth straight series loss, but that was followed immediately by dropping two of three to a struggling Orioles team. Injured star Mike Trout was eligible to return from the injured list on Sunday, but he has not yet started running again on his injured knee and will need additional time on the sidelines.
26. Baltimore Orioles (15-24)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: 0-3 @ MIN, 2-1 @ LAA
A year after winning 91 games and reaching the postseason for the second season in a row, the Orioles have yet to record a winning streak of more than two games. Starting pitching continues to be a glaring issue, though a healthy Zach Eflin will help as he made his first start since April 7 on Sunday and picked up the win with five innings of five-hit, two-run ball.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates (14-27)
Previous Rank: 29
Last Week: 0-3 @ STL, 2-1 vs. ATL
The Pirates became the first team to fire its manager this season when Derek Shelton was shown the door on Thursday in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. They responded by taking two of three from the Braves over the weekend under new manager Don Kelly, snapping a skid of four straight series losses. A tough week awaits as they take on the Mets and Phillies on the road.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Washington Nationals (17-24)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CLE, 0-3 vs. STL
The Nationals offense has been limited to two or fewer runs five different times through their first 10 games in May, and Sunday's loss to the Cardinals knocked them to a season-worst seven games below .500. There have been some standout individual performances, but this group is still a long way from serious contention in the NL East.
23. Cincinnati Reds (20-22)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: 1-3 @ ATL, 1-2 @ HOU
The Reds have gone 2-7 over their last nine games and tumbled from second to fourth in the NL Central standings in the process, while also losing NL Cy Young candidate Hunter Greene to a groin strain. Six of their next nine games are against the White Sox and Pirates, so they should have a good opportunity to get back on track.
22. Atlanta Braves (19-21)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: 3-1 vs. CIN, 1-2 @ PIT
The Braves are now 7-15 on the road this season after dropping two of three to the Pirates at PNC Park over the weekend. On the plus side, AJ Smith-Shawver (2 GS, 0.66 ERA, 13.2 IP), Chris Sale (2 GS, 1.46 ERA, 12.1 IP) and Spencer Schwellenbach (1 GS, 1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP) all threw the ball well last week, and the rotation has rounded into form even with Spencer Strider on the sidelines.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Tampa Bay Rays (18-22)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: 0-3 vs. PHI, 2-1 vs. MIL
A five-game winning streak on the road against the D-backs and Padres briefly vaulted the Rays to the No. 11 spot near the end of April, but a 4-8 record in their last 12 games has sent their stock tumbling. First baseman Yandy Diaz, second baseman Brandon Lowe, starter Zack Littell and closer Pete Fairbanks are all obvious trade candidates if they don't turn things around.
20. Houston Astros (20-19)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIL, 2-1 vs. CIN
The Astros have lost five straight series on the road after dropping two of three against the Brewers at the start of last week, and they have yet to climb more than three games above the .500 mark this year. Shortstop Jeremy Peña is hitting .327/.369/.471 over the past month, and he moved into the leadoff spot at the end of April.
19. Milwaukee Brewers (20-21)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: 2-1 vs. HOU, 1-2 @ TB
The Brewers have scored more than four runs in a game just once during the month of May, posting a 4-6 record over 10 games. Starter Brandon Woodruff is expected to make his long-awaited return from shoulder surgery during the club's upcoming weekend series against the Twins, and when he does it will be his first MLB outing since Sept. 23, 2023.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Texas Rangers (20-21)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: 1-2 @ BOS, 2-1 @ DET
There was no shortage of question marks on the Rangers pitching staff entering the season, but it's their offense that has been the biggest issue so far this season, averaging just 3.41 runs per game. Marcus Semien (164 PA, .510 OPS) and Joc Pederson (115 PA, .467 OPS) have been two of the least productive hitters in baseball while making a combined $43.5 million.
17. Toronto Blue Jays (20-20)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: 1-2 @ LAA, 3-0 @ SEA
With a sweep of the Mariners and a four-game winning streak to match a season-high, the Blue Jays finally have some positive momentum. Addison Barger is hitting .303/.378/.515 with five extra-base hits over the last two weeks, and he has taken over as the team's primary third baseman with Ernie Clement sliding to second base in place of the injured Andrés Giménez.
16. Athletics (21-20)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SEA, 1-2 vs. NYY
Despite their winning record, the Athletics are just 6-13 against teams that are above .500 and have a minus-38 run differential on the year. Only Aaron Judge (.409) and Paul Goldschmidt (.349) have a higher batting average among qualified hitters than rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson, who is hitting .348/.377/.465 over 163 plate appearances.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Arizona Diamondbacks (21-20)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: 1-2 vs. NYM, 2-2 vs. LAD
The D-backs have played the Mets, Phillies, Mets again and Dodgers over their last 13 games, going 6-7 during that difficult stretch of games against some of the NL's top contenders. Ketel Marte went 5-for-20 with three home runs last week, and he has a .937 OPS since returning from the injured list earlier this month.
14. Minnesota Twins (21-20)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: 3-0 vs. BAL, 3-0 vs. SF
The Twins bottomed out at No. 28 in these rankings just three weeks ago, but an eight-game winning streak and three straight series wins made them this week's biggest climber. A healthy Byron Buxton is once again producing at a high level with an .824 OPS and nine home runs on the year, though his 33.5 percent strikeout rate overall is less-than-ideal.
13. St. Louis Cardinals (22-19)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 3-0 vs. PIT, 3-0 @ WAS
The Cardinals are 12-4 over their last 16 games and enter play on Monday riding an eight-game winning streak as they have gone from likely seller to potential contender in just a few short weeks. Erick Fedde (1 GS, 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER), Sonny Gray (1 GS, 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER), Matthew Liberatore (1 GS, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) and Andre Pallante (1 GS, 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) all tossed gems on the mound.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Kansas City Royals (24-18)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: 4-0 vs. CWS, 1-2 vs. BOS
The Royals ran their winning streak to seven games before losing back-to-back games to the Red Sox over the weekend. With a starting rotation that leads the AL with a 2.97 ERA and a bullpen that has converted 13 of 17 save chances with a 3.02 ERA, the pitching staff has been a major strength. Left-hander Kris Bubic tossed seven shutout innings on Thursday to continue his breakout campaign.
11. Boston Red Sox (22-20)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: 2-1 vs. TEX, 2-1 @ KC
The Red Sox briefly slipped below the .500 mark when they lost to the Rangers on Tuesday, but a 4-1 record to close out the week has them within two games of the Yankees in the AL East standings. With Romy González joining Triston Casas on the injured list, they have turned to Nick Sogard to platoon with Abraham Toro at first base after Rafael Devers refused to try his hand at the position.
10. Seattle Mariners (22-17)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: 2-1 @ ATH, 0-3 vs. TOR
The Mariners were outscored 21-7 while getting swept by the Blue Jays over the weekend, and the bullpen suffered a pair of losses and a pair of blown saves during a 2-4 week overall. Outfielder Leody Taveras was claimed off waivers from the Rangers on Tuesday in a move similar to the team's addition of Victor Robles that paid major dividends a year ago.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Chicago Cubs (23-18)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SF, 1-2 @ NYM
The Cubs logged their longest losing streak of the season when they dropped three in a row last week, though they did manage to avoid getting swept by the Mets thanks to a strong start from top prospect Cade Horton in his MLB debut. The No. 49 prospect on the B/R Top 100 list to start the year, Horton allowed three runs and tallied five strikeouts over four innings behind opener Brad Keller.
8. Cleveland Guardians (23-17)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: 2-1 @ WAS, 1-2 vs. PHI
If the season ended today, the Guardians would be the No. 1 AL wild card, and they won three straight series before losing two of three to the Phillies over the weekend. Versatile Daniel Schneemann has played his way into a larger role with an .888 OPS over 88 plate appearances, and he is seeing the bulk of the playing time at second base with Gabriel Arias shifting to shortstop and light-hitting Brayan Rocchio starting to lose playing time.
7. San Francisco Giants (24-17)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ CHC, 0-3 @ MIN
Even after getting swept by the Twins, the Giants still have a plus-35 run differential on the year, and those three losses were preceded by a series win over a Cubs team that was No. 4 in the rankings a week ago. Veteran Robbie Ray has recorded three straight quality starts, and he has a 2.84 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 44.1 innings over his first eight starts.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Philadelphia Phillies (24-16)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: 3-0 @ TB, 2-1 @ CLE
A five-game losing streak dropped the Phillies to 13-13 on the year in late April, but they have gone 11-3 over their last 14 games, wrapping up their fifth straight series win with a 3-0 victory over the Guardians on Sunday Night Baseball. Slugger Kyle Schwarber went 10-for-25 with three home runs last week, and he has a .997 OPS with 14 home runs in the final season of a four-year, $79 million deal.
5. San Diego Padres (25-14)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: 1-2 @ NYY, 2-1 @ COL
The Padres scored a staggering 34 runs during the first two games of their weekend series with the Rockies, including a 21-0 victory on Saturday. The lineup is finally at full strength after Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth were both activated from the injured list, and they went a combined 14-for-29 last week in their return to action.
4. New York Yankees (23-17)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 2-1 vs. SD, 2-1 @ ATH
Has there been a more impactful offseason addition than Max Fried? With another quality start last week, he now sports a 1.05 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 51.2 innings. He has effectively stepped into the staff ace role and replaced the injured Gerrit Cole atop the rotation. After a shaky performance two weeks ago knocked them out of the top 10, the Yankees are back inside the top five.
Nos. 3-1
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3. New York Mets (26-15)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: 2-1 @ ARI, 2-1 vs. CHC
The Mets continue to dominate at Citi Field, improving to 15-4 with a plus-35 run differential following Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Cubs. Since he was recalled from the minors on May 5, former top prospect Brett Baty is 4-for-12 with three home runs, and he has started three of the past four games at third base.
2. Detroit Tigers (26-15)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: 3-0 @ COL, 1-2 vs. TEX
The Tigers made a strong case for the top spot in these rankings with an 8-1 stretch of games before losing back-to-back games to the Rangers on Saturday and Sunday. With Casey Mize suffering a hamstring injury, a spot starter will be needed on Tuesday, and Keider Montero is the leading candidate. A scheduled off-day on Thursday could also open the door for a bullpen game.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (27-14)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIA, 2-2 @ ARI
The Dodgers have not separated themselves from the rest of the MLB field as many expected heading into the season, but with a 15-3 record at home, a 9-8 record against teams with a winning record and a plus-58 run differential they have still staked their claim to the No. 1 spot. If the season ended today, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani might finish 1-2 in NL MVP voting.
Complete Rankings
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Complete Rankings
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Detroit Tigers
3. New York Mets
4. New York Yankees
5. San Diego Padres
6. Philadelphia Phillies
7. San Francisco Giants
8. Cleveland Guardians
9. Chicago Cubs
10. Seattle Mariners
11. Boston Red Sox
12. Kansas City Royals
13. St. Louis Cardinals
14. Minnesota Twins
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
16. Athletics
17. Toronto Blue Jays
18. Texas Rangers
19. Milwaukee Brewers
20. Houston Astros
21. Tampa Bay Rays
22. Atlanta Braves
23. Cincinnati Reds
24. Washington Nationals
25. Pittsburgh Pirates
26. Baltimore Orioles
27. Los Angeles Angels
28. Chicago White Sox
29. Miami Marlins
30. Colorado Rockies
Stars of the Week
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Hitter of the Week: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Stats: 14-for-28, 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R
Following his stellar showing at the plate last week against the Marlins and D-backs pitching staffs, Freeman is now hitting .376/.437/.734 with 41 hits and 13 walks in 30 games. He enters play on Monday sitting 19 at-bats short of the qualifying threshold, otherwise he would lead the NL in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
Pitcher of the Week: Erick Fedde, St. Louis Cardinals
Stats: 1 GS, W, SHO, 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Fedde had a few clunkers in April en route to logging a 4.68 ERA over his first six starts, but he tossed his first shutout in his 127th career start on Friday against the Nationals. The Cardinals have caught fire and suddenly look like a potential contender, but if they stumble he is an obvious trade candidate in the second season of his two-year, $15 million deal.
Rookie of the Week: AJ Smith-Shawver, Atlanta Braves
Stats: 2 GS, W, ND, 13.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 12 K
After logging a 4.26 ERA and 1.68 ERA through his first four starts of the 2025 season while surrendering a .303/.377/.487 line to opposing hitters, Smith-Shawver tossed a gem last Monday with eight scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Reds. He followed that up with five hits and one run allowed over 5.2 innings on the road against the Pirates on Saturday, taking a no decision in a 3-2 victory for the Braves.
