.png?w=1280 "MLB Power Rankings")
MLB Power Rankings as Padres, Twins, Orioles, Athletics All Climb in Sweep-Filled Week
So. Many. Sweeps.
Five different teams across baseball wrapped up series sweeps with victories on Sunday, while there were four other sweeps during the first half of the week. All of that made for another turbulent week of MLB power rankings.
Things should start to stabilize in the coming weeks as sample sizes get larger and one week's worth of results carries less weight.
For now, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
In case you missed it, B/R's MLB Power Rankings from last week and every fresh power rankings throughout the season can be found at the new MLB Power Rankings hub.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Houston Astros (6-10)
Previous Rank: No. 10, Tier 3
Last Week: 0-3 @ COL, 0-3 @ SEA
The Astros lead the majors with 93 runs scored, but their pitching staff has also served up an MLB-high 101 runs while pitching to a 6.49 ERA and 1.70 WHIP through 16 games. They have lost seven straight, and with Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier both nursing shoulder injuries, things could get worse before they get better on the mound.
29. Chicago White Sox (6-10)
Previous Rank: No. 21, Tier 5
Last Week: 0-3 vs. BAL, 2-2 @ KC
The White Sox are hitting a paltry .193/.278/.306 as a team and averaging just 3.1 runs per game. Colson Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami are the only regulars with an OPS above .700, and that duo has accounted for seven of the team's 12 home runs.
28. Toronto Blue Jays (6-9)
Previous Rank: No. 25, Tier 6
Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAD, 1-2 vs. MIN
The Blue Jays have four straight series losses since sweeping a three-game series from the Athletics to open the year, and they are now 2-8 in their last 10 games. An already banged up roster has seen Addison Barger, Alejandro Kirk, George Springer and Cody Ponce all land on the injured list since the start of April.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Philadelphia Phillies (7-8)
Previous Rank: No. 8, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 @ SF, 1-2 vs. ARI
Only the White Sox (-30), Blue Jays (-25) and Giants (-21) have a worse run differential than the negative-16 mark the Phillies have logged this season, and they just dropped two of three to that Giants team while getting shut out twice. Bryce Harper (.902 OPS, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Kyle Schwarber (.879 OPS, 4 HR, 9 RBI) are hitting, but the rest of the lineup is ice cold.
26. San Francisco Giants (6-10)
Previous Rank: No. 28, Tier 6
Last Week: 2-1 vs. PHI, 1-2 @ BAL
The Giants have plated three or fewer runs in 10 of their 16 games this season, but they managed to outscore the Phillies by a 15-6 margin to pick up their second series win of the year. Veteran Robbie Ray (3 GS, 2.08 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 18 K, 17.1 IP) could be one of the prizes of the summer trade market if they don't get back on a contention track.
25. Colorado Rockies (6-10)
Previous Rank: No. 24, Tier 5
Last Week: 3-0 vs. HOU, 0-4 @ SD
It took the Rockies until their 31st game last season to pick up victory No. 6, so they have nearly doubled last year's pace. They also swept the Astros for the first time in 14 years last week, only to turn around and get swept in a four-game series at Petco Park. After a quietly productive 2025 season, Mickey Moniak (.984 OPS, 5 HR) is off to a hot start.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Washington Nationals (7-8)
Previous Rank: No. 29, Tier 6
Last Week: 1-2 vs. STL, 3-0 @ MIL
Nothing says small sample size like a hitter raising his OPS from .572 to 1.005 in the span of six games, and that's what James Wood did for the Nationals last week, going 12-for-22 with three doubles, three home runs and eight RBI. If nothing else, this Nationals team is not going to be the doormat it was in 2025.
23. Kansas City Royals (7-9)
Previous Rank: No. 20, Tier 5
Last Week: 1-2 @ CLE, 2-2 vs. CWS
The Royals starting pitching has once again been a clear strength, with a 2.92 ERA that ranks fifth in the majors and eight quality starts to tie for the MLB lead. Left-hander Kris Bubic (3 GS, 2.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 23 K, 18.0 IP) has picked up right where he left off after his 2025 All-Star campaign was shortened by injury.
22. New York Mets (7-9)
Previous Rank: No. 4, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ARI, 0-3 vs. ATH
The Mets have lost five straight, and they were outscored 30-9 in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Athletics over the weekend. If there's a positive takeaway, it was another strong start from rookie Nolan McLean, who has a 2.70 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 16.2 innings over his first three starts.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Miami Marlins (8-8)
Previous Rank: No. 11, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-2 vs. CIN, 0-3 @ DET
The Marlins were swept in lopsided fashion over the weekend, as they were outscored 16-3 across three games against the Tigers. After a fantastic second half last season left him looking like a star on the rise, outfielder Jakob Marsee is hitting .145/.250/.226 with 19 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances.
20. Los Angeles Angels (8-8)
Previous Rank: No. 16, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ATL, 2-1 @ CIN
A resurgent Jorge Soler leads the AL with 16 RBI after slugging three home runs last week, and the Angels' offense is quietly averaging 4.6 runs per game. The pitching staff has been middle-of-the-road, but Opening Day starter José Soriano (4 GS, 0.33 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 31 K, 27.0 IP) is looking like a budding ace.
19. Seattle Mariners (7-9)
Previous Rank: No. 18, Tier 4
Last Week: 0-3 @ TEX, 3-0 vs. HOU
The Mariners' stagnant offense finally came to life against the Astros' struggling pitching staff, scoring 23 runs over the first three games of a four-game series, and they will look to finish off the sweep on Monday. Right-hander Emerson Hancock (3 GS, 2.04 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 19 K, 17.2 IP) is making a strong case to stick around in the rotation while filling in for the injured Bryce Miller.
Nos. 18-16
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18. St. Louis Cardinals (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 17, Tier 4
Last Week: 2-1 @ WAS, 1-2 vs. BOS
With a negative-14 run differential and a 6-9 expected win-loss record, the Cardinals are off to a better-than-expected start that could prove unsustainable. An offensive breakthrough from Jordan Walker (.327/.393/.745, 7 HR, 14 RBI) has been one of the biggest surprises of the season's opening weeks, and he's backing it up with elite batted-ball metrics.
17. Detroit Tigers (7-9)
Previous Rank: No. 14, Tier 4
Last Week: 0-4 @ MIN, 3-0 vs. MIA
The Tigers were one of three teams to both sweep and get swept last week, finishing off a three-game series against the Marlins on Sunday with Tarik Skubal outdueling Sandy Alcantara. They have gone 5-1 at home this year, compared to 2-8 on the road, and they will look to reverse that trend this weekend with a four-game series at Fenway Park.
16. Texas Rangers (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 22, Tier 5
Last Week: 3-0 vs. SEA, 1-2 @ LAD
The bullpen was a major question mark for the Rangers entering the season, but the relief corps has been one of the best in baseball with a 2.35 ERA that ranks third in the majors. The offense still hasn't hit its stride while scoring just 3.9 runs per game, but the pieces falling into place in the bullpen is a significant development.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Chicago Cubs (7-8)
Previous Rank: No. 13, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ TB, 1-2 vs. PIT
The Cubs needed a late rally to avoid getting swept by the Pirates at home, but their first comeback victory of the season could provide a nice shot in the arm. Losing Cade Horton for the year was a major blow last week, but the club does have an in-house replacement in former All-Star Justin Steele who is expected to return from his own Tommy John surgery at some point in the first half.
14. Milwaukee Brewers (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 3, Tier 1
Last Week: 1-2 @ BOS, 0-3 vs. WAS
After an 8-2 start to the season, the Brewers have lost five in a row after getting swept at home by the Nationals. After leading the NL with a 3.58 ERA last season, they have fallen to 19th in the majors with a 4.16 ERA this year. A quality start from Brandon Woodruff on Sunday was undercut by an ugly day for their relievers, and they still seem to be sorting out roles in the bullpen.
13. Boston Red Sox (6-9)
Previous Rank: No. 30, Tier 6
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIL, 2-1 @ STL
The Red Sox were 2-7 and sitting dead last in these rankings last week, but after back-to-back series wins they are once again trending up. Willson Contreras (11-for-22, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI) and Ceddanne Rafaela (7-for-18, 2B, 2 RBI) both swung it well last week after the entire offense outside of Wilyer Abreu got off to a dreadful start.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Cincinnati Reds (9-7)
Previous Rank: No. 9, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-2 @ MIA, 1-2 vs. LAA
The Reds put together a five-game road winning streak before dropping three of their next four to close out last week, and now they get an off day on Monday to reset. With two more long balls last week, rookie Sal Stewart is now hitting .309/.435/.600 with four doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI.
11. New York Yankees (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 2, Tier 1
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ATH, 0-3 @ TB
Even after a 1-5 week, the Yankees still rank second in the majors with a 2.78 ERA, though a shaky week from closer David Bednar raises some questions about the bullpen's stability. After a 7-2 start to the year where they looked like the AL's best team, it was a humbling week, and now they need to prove they belong in baseball's upper echelon of teams.
10. Tampa Bay Rays (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 19, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CHC, 3-0 vs. NYY
A three-game sweep of the Yankees and a winning record on the year is enough to slot the Rays into the No. 10 spot. Speedy Chandler Simpson leads the AL with a .411 batting average and has seven steals and nine runs scored. They have done an enviable job navigating a bullpen that ranks 29th in the majors with a 6.35 ERA, and they are missing Pete Fairbanks in the early going.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Cleveland Guardians (9-7)
Previous Rank: No. 7, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC, 1-2 @ ATL
The Guardians have yet to lose consecutive games this season, and while their longest winning streak also stands at just two, there's something to be said for avoiding an extended skid early in the year. After going 2-for-2 with a double off Chris Sale on Sunday, rookie phenom Chase DeLauter is now hitting .300/.379/.680 with five home runs and 12 RBI.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (9-6)
Previous Rank: No. 6, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SD, 2-1 @ CHC
The Pirates rank third in the majors with a 2.75 ERA from their starting rotation, and that drops to an even more impressive 2.17 ERA when you remove Paul Skenes' dud on Opening Day. The retooled offense has already proven to be far more formidable than last year's group, though Marcell Ozuna (3-for-43, 0 XBH) might be cooked.
7. Minnesota Twins (9-7)
Previous Rank: No. 27, Tier 6
Last Week: 4-0 vs. DET, 2-1 @ TOR
From a 3-6 afterthought hovering near the bottom of the rankings to the top of the AL Central standings, the Twins were as impressive as any team in baseball last week. Josh Bell (.926 OPS, 4 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI) has been one of the best signings of the offseason so far, while Taj Bradley (4 GS, 1.25 ERA, 29 K, 21.2 IP) is pitching like an All-Star after entering spring training without a guaranteed rotation spot.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Baltimore Orioles (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 26, Tier 6
Last Week: 3-0 @ CWS, 2-1 vs. SF
The Orioles played two teams slotted outside the top 20 in last week's rankings, but a 5-1 week is a 5-1 week, and given the laundry list of players on the injured list a winning record overall is no small feat. Veteran Rico Garcia has tossed 6.2 hitless innings to open the year and quickly pitched himself into a high-leverage role, logging three holds in seven appearances.
5. Athletics (8-7)
Previous Rank: No. 23, Tier 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ NYY, 3-0 @ NYM
If the Athletics starting pitching performs the way it did last week, look out. Veterans Jeffrey Springs (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER) and Aaron Civale (2 GS, 10.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER) chewed through innings, while JT Ginn delivered four scoreless frames while replacing the demoted Luis Morales in the rotation. Losing Brent Rooker to an oblique strain is a major blow, but don't sleep on Carlos Cortes filling that void.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks (9-7)
Previous Rank: No. 12, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ NYM, 2-1 @ PHI
The D-backs are 9-4 since getting swept by the Dodgers to start the year, and the pitching staff is doing a lot of the heavy lifting with a 3.63 ERA that ranks 10th in the majors. The fact that they are playing this well with so many key pieces on the injured list bodes well for their chances of contending once guys start to get healthy.
Nos. 3-1
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3. San Diego Padres (10-6)
Previous Rank: No. 15, Tier 4
Last Week: 2-1 @ PIT, 4-0 vs. COL
Can Mason Miller win the NL Cy Young? It might be time to start having that conversation, as the Padres closer has struck out 19 of the 24 batters faced this season, allowing just one hit and one walk over 7.1 scoreless frames. Between their elite bullpen and an offense averaging 4.6 runs per game, their shaky rotation has not been a glaring issue.
2. Atlanta Braves (10-6)
Previous Rank: No. 5, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 @ LAA, 2-1 vs. CLE
After a 13-1 victory on Sunday Night Baseball, the Braves now lead the majors with a plus-46 run differential. Their injury-plagued starting rotation has arguably been their biggest strength, with a 2.70 ERA that ranks second in the majors, while the offense has slugged 21 home runs in 16 games. Their 13-3 expected win-loss record is actually the best in baseball.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (11-4)
Previous Rank: No. 1, Tier 1
Last Week: 2-1 @ TOR, 2-1 vs. TEX
The Dodgers have won four of five series on the year, including a 7-2 record since dropping two of three to the Guardians earlier this month. On a roster loaded with stars, Andy Pages (.429/.467/.714, 4 HR, 17 RBI) has been the clear standout, while Dalton Rushing (7-for-13, 3 HR) might be the best backup catcher in baseball. It's an embarrassment of riches for the defending champs, and they are in a tier of their own here in mid-April.
Complete Tier Rankings
11 of 11
Tier 1
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Tier 2
2. Atlanta Braves
3. San Diego Padres
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Athletics
6. Baltimore Orioles
7. Minnesota Twins
Tier 3
8. Pittsburgh Pirates
9. Cleveland Guardians
10. Tampa Bay Rays
11. New York Yankees
12. Cincinnati Reds
Tier 4
13. Boston Red Sox
14. Milwaukee Brewers
15. Chicago Cubs
16. Texas Rangers
17. Detroit Tigers
18. St. Louis Cardinals
19. Seattle Mariners
20. Los Angeles Angels
Tier 5
21. Miami Marlins
22. New York Mets
23. Kansas City Royals
24. Washington Nationals
25. Colorado Rockies
Tier 6
26. San Francisco Giants
27. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Toronto Blue Jays
29. Chicago White Sox
30. Houston Astros
