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MLB Power Rankings as Mariners, Blue Jays Heat Up and Phillies Hit Rock Bottom
This April in Major League Baseball has largely been spent talking about preseason World Series contenders that have failed to live up to the hype. That chatter is going to continue at least into May for the likes of the Phillies, Mets and Red Sox under new management.
For the Mariners and Blue Jays, however, that narrative might be shifting in a hurry.
Each of those 2025 ALCS squads went 4-2 over the past seven days, finding ways to win the types of contests they had been consistently losing through the first 25 games of the season.
And in an American League where no one other than the Yankees has particularly looked the part thus far this season, they are both already right back in the thick of things, soaring in our latest edition of MLB power rankings.
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. Philadelphia Phillies (9-19)
Previous Rank: No. 27
Last Week: 0-4 @ CHC, 1-2 @ ATL
The 10-game losing streak mercifully came to an end via a 10-inning victory in Atlanta on Saturday—in Zack Wheeler's first appearance since last August, no less. But those good vibes didn't last long, with Aaron Nola getting tattooed yet again in a 6-2 loss on Sunday. It's still early, but it also might be time to start thinking about what the Phillies might be willing and able to sell at the trade deadline.
29. New York Mets (9-19)
Previous Rank: No. 30
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN, 0-3 vs. COL
Hosting the Twins and the Rockies with Juan Soto returning from the IL really ought to have been the one-two punch that jump-started the Mets' return from the dead. Instead, Francisco Lindor took Soto's place on the shelf while the Mets inexplicably lost in Nolan McLean's turn through the rotation for both the third and fourth consecutive times en route to getting swept. At home. By Colorado. Yikes. This super expensive battle for last place in the NL East sure is something.
28. Boston Red Sox (11-17)
Previous Rank: No. 23
Last Week: 1-0 vs. DET, 0-3 vs. NYY, 2-1 @ BAL
Boston fired most of its coaching staff on Saturday, which cemented its spot in our bottom three. It was bizarre timing, coming a few hours after a 17-1 victory over the Orioles. But maybe Craig Breslow and Co. just needed a couple of days to dot the i's and cross the various contractual t's after the embarrassment of that three-game sweep at home against the Yankees. Red Sox hitters went 13-for-92 (.141 AVG) with three total runs in that series.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Chicago White Sox (11-17)
Previous Rank: No. 25
Last Week: 2-1 @ ARI, 1-2 vs. WAS
The South Siders shocked the Diamondbacks with eight home runs and 22 total runs scored in that series victory in the desert. However, those bats were much quieter for the return home against the Nationals, with both of those losses coming in extra innings. Munetaka Murakami did hit three more home runs this week, though, bringing his total to 11. Could he wind up with more home runs than Chicago's win total?
26. Los Angeles Angels (12-17)
Previous Rank: No. 18
Last Week: 1-2 vs. TOR, 0-3 vs. KCR
Time will tell whether this week was more about the Blue Jays and Royals starting to figure things out or the Angels simply bottoming out. But it very well could be both. They've now lost seven of their last eight, allowing 29 runs in that trio of losses to Kansas City. They designated Jordan Romano for assignment on Sunday afternoon after his latest nightmare of an outing, and then two relievers not named Romano blew saves on Sunday evening. Whatever the opposite of the Midas Touch is, that's what this pitching staff has at the moment.
25. Kansas City Royals (11-17)
Previous Rank: No. 29
Last Week: 1-2 vs. BAL, 3-0 vs. LAA
Maybe, just maybe, the Royals found something this week. After averaging 3.2 runs during their 7-15 start, they exploded for 7.7 runs over the past six contests, including storming back from an early 6-0 deficit for that wild walk-off in the Sunday night game against the Angels—in which Bobby Witt Jr. finally hit his first home run (and first triple) of the season. Jac Caglianone also hit his first two homers this week. The seal might be broken. And the AL Central is as winnable as they come.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Houston Astros (11-18)
Previous Rank: No. 26
Last Week: 2-1 @ CLE, 1-2 vs. NYY
The Astros have now lost 15 of their last 20, but credit where it's due: They went .500 this week and Spencer Arrighetti is back, doing all he can to shoulder the load. After winning his season debut against Colorado last week, he won the opener in Cleveland as well as the series finale against the Yankees. He went seven innings on Sunday, the lone blemish against him a birthday blast by Aaron Judge.
23. Minnesota Twins (12-16)
Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 1-2 @ NYM, 0-3 @ TBR
The Twins snapped a four-game losing skid with a come-from-behind victory over the Mets on Tuesday. But they turned around and began an even worse schneid that sits at five losses and counting. Not only were they swept in Tampa Bay, but they never led in any of those three games, really squandering an eight-hit, two-homer week from Brooks Lee. The upcoming homestand against suddenly hot Seattle and Toronto could drop the Twins to the point of no return.
22. Washington Nationals (13-16)
Previous Rank: No. 21
Last Week: 1-3 vs. ATL, 2-1 @ CHW
When the Nationals hold their opponent to four runs or fewer, they are 10-2 this season, including all three of their wins this past week. Of course, that also means they're 3-14 when allowing at least five runs, and they had no answer for Atlanta's bats while losing that home series. They salvaged the week a bit, though, with back-to-back 10-inning wins in Chicago, punctuated by José Tena pinch-hitting his first home run of the season on Sunday.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Miami Marlins (13-15)
Previous Rank: No. 22
Last Week: 2-1 vs. STL, 1-2 @ SFG
With Kyle Stowers back and Christopher Morel nearing his Marlins debut, the idea of Miami actually hanging around as at least the second-best team in a woeful NL East becomes more realistic by the day. In their three wins this week, Stowers went 6-for-11 and scored four runs, with Sandy Alcantara tossing another quality start along the way. Let's see if they sink or swim in this upcoming road series against the Dodgers.
20. Toronto Blue Jays (12-15)
Previous Rank: No. 28
Last Week: 2-1 @ LAA, 2-1 vs. CLE
There has been a changing of the ninth-inning guard north of the border, with Louis Varland replacing Jeff Hoffman as the Blue Jays closer. And so far, so good, as Varland reeled off three consecutive saves while Toronto snapped its skid of losing six consecutive series by winning two straight. Better yet, they should be getting all of George Springer, Trey Yesavage and Addison Barger back in the next few days, with José Berríos close behind, too. Might be your last chance to buy low-ish on the reigning AL champs.
19. San Francisco Giants (13-15)
Previous Rank: No. 24
Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAD, 2-1 vs. MIA
Had the Giants let the Dodgers waltz into Oracle Park and sweep that series, San Francisco would have fallen a full 10 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West. Instead, the G-Men took two out of three pitching duels in which a combined total of just 10 runs were scored, getting a much-needed gem from Tyler Mahle. The Giants proceeded to take two out of three from Miami, as well. Jung Hoo Lee had himself a week, going 12-for-21 at the dish, including a leadoff triple on Sunday.
Nos. 18-16
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18. St. Louis Cardinals (14-13)
Previous Rank: No. 11
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIA, 0-3 vs. SEA
Three cheers to rookie outfielder Nathan Church, who belted four home runs this week. He entered Tuesday's game against the Marlins with just two round-trippers in 118 career trips to the plate, but he got into quite the groove. Unfortunately, the rest of the Cardinals offense accomplished little in the process of losing five out of six games. And that once pristine bullpen really imploded in the 11-9 loss to Seattle on Saturday.
17. Colorado Rockies (13-16)
Previous Rank: No. 20
Last Week: 0-1 vs. LAD, 1-2 vs. SDP, 3-0 @ NYM
Not only did the Rockies sweep the Mets, but they did it with pitching. Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana and Chase Dollander went a combined 19.1 innings against the extremely well-compensated Mets lineup and held them to just two runs. Who knows where this story goes from here, but 13-16 through 29 games is quite the improvement from sitting at 4-25 at this juncture one year ago.
16. Baltimore Orioles (13-15)
Previous Rank: No. 17
Last Week: 2-1 @ KCR, 1-2 vs. BOS
That 17-1 loss to Boston on Saturday sure was ugly, but the O's were able to tread water on the whole. And for the first time, we're really seeing why they signed Samuel Basallo to an eight-year, $67M extension one week into his MLB career last summer. He went 9-for-16 with a pair of homers this week—while Adley Rutschman returned from the IL and immediately clubbed three home runs of his own. They just need to get Pete Alonso (and the starting rotation) going now.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Texas Rangers (14-14)
Previous Rank: No. 15
Last Week: 2-1 vs. PIT, 1-2 vs. ATH
It's already feeling like Texas is destined to spend the entire season within four games of .500, forever hovering around 15th in the power rankings. One big development, however, is that Kumar Rocker tallied a pair of quality starts this week, holding Pittsburgh to one run on Tuesday before limiting the A's to two runs on Sunday. Prior to that, the former top prospect and No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft had just three quality starts in his MLB career. Could really change the trajectory for this team if he's going to start legitimately contributing.
14. Cleveland Guardians (15-14)
Previous Rank: No. 12
Last Week: 1-2 vs. HOU, 1-2 @ TOR
Angel Martínez hit three more home runs this week, continuing to build on his unexpected ascension to becoming one of Cleveland's most productive hitters. Unfortunately, everyone else on this roster combined to hit two home runs—both of them solo shots—resulting in a quartet of low-scoring losses to teams who are still trying to figure things out amid a rough start.
13. Seattle Mariners (14-15)
Previous Rank: No. 19
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ATH, 3-0 @ STL
Heading into the week, the M's trio of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor was a combined 44-for-256 (.172 AVG) with five home runs. This week, though? They went 28-for-70 (.400 AVG) with six home runs, four of those dingers courtesy of the Big Dumper. Between those stars waking up and the theatrics of their late-inning wins this week, it feels like the proverbial light bulb has finally turned on and Seattle is gearing up to take over the AL West, as was expected one month ago.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Milwaukee Brewers (14-13)
Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 1-2 @ DET, 1-2 vs. PIT
The Brewers didn't hit a single home run this week and now have just one four-bagger to show for their last 11 games played. It somehow did not slow them down during the week of April 13, but it was quite the hindrance this time around, losing back-to-back series. Granted, they did have the misfortune of playing back-to-back games against the reigning Cy Young winners, unable to muster much against Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes.
11. Athletics (15-13)
Previous Rank: No. 16
Last Week: 2-1 @ SEA, 2-1 @ TEX
When the A's won five of six on their road trip through New York earlier this season, pitching was a massive piece of the equation, tossing three shutouts and allowing a combined total of 13 runs. This week, no shutouts of the Mariners or Rangers, but the Athletics held those offenses to five runs or fewer in each of those six games. Meanwhile, Carlos Cortes went 13-for-24 with six extra-base hits, including a two-run triple on Sunday.
10. Detroit Tigers (15-14)
Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 0-1 @ BOS, 2-1 vs. MIL, 1-2 @ CIN
Welcome to the 2026 season, Spencer Torkelson. Detroit's primary first baseman had been homer-less through his first 86 trips to the plate, but he hit dingers in back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back games. The Tigers still lost four of seven, though, thanks in part to a pair of duds on the mound from Jack Flaherty. He is on pace to walk about 150 batters this season, although he would presumably lose his spot in the rotation before he gets anywhere close to that outlandish mark.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Pittsburgh Pirates (16-12)
Previous Rank: No. 9
Last Week: 1-2 @ TEX, 2-1 @ MIL
NL Rookie of the Year hopeful Konnor Griffin finally got on the board with the first home run of his big league career in Friday's win in Milwaukee. He also stole a base and racked up three hits in that one, showing signs of what Pittsburgh bet $140M would be coming in the years ahead. The Pirates split their road trip to remain four games above .500 ahead of a key NL Central homestand against the Cardinals and Reds.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks (15-12)
Previous Rank: No. 7
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CHW, 1-1 vs. SDP (in Mexico City)
Keeping pace with the Dodgers and Padres is going to be tough if Arizona is going to periodically lose home series against the White Sox. But at least the Diamondbacks were able to put together quite the rally against the Padres bullpen to avoid also getting swept south of the border. After trailing 6-0 through the top half of the fifth inning in that second game in Mexico City, Tim Tawa, Ildemaro Vargas and Co. went on a 12-1 run to score a key win over a division rival.
7. Tampa Bay Rays (16-11)
Previous Rank: No. 13
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CIN, 3-0 vs. MIN
Who would have guessed one month ago that Tampa Bay would have the second-best record in the American League at this point in the season? Following their sweep of the fading fast Twins, the Rays enter Monday tied with Seattle for the longest active winning streak at four games, allowing two or fewer runs in each of those wins. Nick Martinez allowing one run in eight innings of work against his former team (Cincinnati) was massive.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Chicago Cubs (17-11)
Previous Rank: No. 6
Last Week: 4-0 vs. PHI, 1-2 @ LAD
Prior to this past weekend against the Dodgers, Chicago had won 10 games in a row, playing a huge part in burying the Phillies and Mets at the bottom of the power rankings. They're still waiting on both Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch to figure things out at the dish after both hitting more than 30 home runs last season. But that's what was scary about that 10-game winning streak: They're still nowhere near their ceiling.
5. Cincinnati Reds (18-10)
Previous Rank: No. 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ TBR, 2-1 vs. DET
After taking care of both the Rays and Tigers, the Reds have now won four consecutive series, continuing to tread water atop MLB's most competitive division. The previous two series wins were largely predicated on pitching, but they scored a combined 36 runs in their four wins this week, hitting 16 home runs in total. It wasn't all Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz, either. Nathaniel Lowe hit four home runs just against the Tigers.
4. San Diego Padres (18-9)
Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ COL, 1-1 vs. ARI (in Mexico City)
Michael King and Randy Vásquez have become one of the best one-two punches in a starting rotation in all of baseball. This week, the former gave up two solo home runs in six otherwise flawless innings of work in Mexico City, that coming a few days after the latter held the Rockies scoreless for seven innings at Coors Field. And any time they're able to give the Padres a lead, there's a darn good chance Mason Miller will preserve it, now up to an MLB-best 10 saves without allowing a run.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Los Angeles Dodgers (19-9)
Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 1-0 @ COL, 1-2 @ SFG, 2-1 vs. CHC
Despite a starting rotation that delivered a quality start in six of seven games this week, the Dodgers showed a wee bit of mortality with just seven hits and one run scored across the two losses to the Giants. They also blew what was a 4-0 lead in the seventh inning of the opener against the Cubs, squandering a gem from Emmet Sheehan. The twice reigning champs are still the team to beat, though, even though they aren't presently in the top spot in the power rankings.
2. New York Yankees (18-10)
Previous Rank: No. 4
Last Week: 3-0 @ BOS, 2-1 @ HOU
Max Fried went eight scoreless innings in a shutout victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. The following night, Cam Schlittler allowed one run in eight innings of dominant work against that loathed rival. And on the same night, Gerrit Cole made his second rehab start as he nears a return from Tommy John surgery. And then on Friday, Will Warren added another quality start of his own. Lot of baseball left to be played until October, but this rotation is presently the clear favorite to represent the American League in the World Series.
1. Atlanta Braves (20-9)
Previous Rank: No. 1
Last Week: 3-1 @ WAS, 2-1 vs. PHI
Highly touted pitching prospect JR Ritchie made his MLB debut for Atlanta this week. James Wood took him deep on the first pitch of the game, but then he went seven strong innings for the win. Nice little boost for a team that has now won six consecutive series and that should be getting Spencer Strider back into its rotation within the next week. Is the NL East race already over?
Complete Tier Rankings
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Tier 1
1. Atlanta Braves
2. New York Yankees
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Tier 2
4. San Diego Padres
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Chicago Cubs
Tier 3
7. Tampa Bay Rays
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
10. Detroit Tigers
11. Milwaukee Brewers
12. Athletics
13. Seattle Mariners
Tier 4
14. Cleveland Guardians
15. Texas Rangers
16. Baltimore Orioles
17. Colorado Rockies
18. St. Louis Cardinals
19. San Francisco Giants
20. Toronto Blue Jays
Tier 5
21. Miami Marlins
22. Washington Nationals
23. Minnesota Twins
24. Houston Astros
25. Kansas City Royals
Tier 6
26. Los Angeles Angels
27. Chicago White Sox
28. Boston Red Sox
29. New York Mets
30. Philadelphia Phillies
