Minnesota continues to vault up the power rankings while the Tigers claim the top spot with the best record in baseball.
1. Detroit Tigers (31-16) | Last week: 2 (+1)
A 5-1 week that included two offensive explosions against the Red Sox makes Detroit the only team to reach 30 wins thus far. He cooled off some over the weekend, but Javier Báez has been a revelation in centerfield with a .291 average and 28 RBI in addition to highlight defensive plays.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-18) | Last week: 1 (-1)
The Angels stunned the Dodgers with a road sweep in the MLB’s inaugural Rivalry Weekend—which has San Diego and San Francisco sitting just 1.0 game back in the NL West. And the next two weekends won’t be easy for LA with matchups against the Mets and Yankees.
3. New York Mets (29-18) | Last week: 3
Speaking of the Mets, they also had a disappointing Rivalry Weekend by dropping two-of-three games versus the Yankees, and New York saw their lead in the division drop to 1.0 game as well. Juan Soto was limited to one hit in 10 at-bats versus his former team—though he did draw four walks.
4. New York Yankees (27-19) | Lasts week: 6 (+2)
The Yankees must feel great about the acquisitions made after Juan Soto left this offseason, as Cody Bellinger (7-of-11 with two home runs and seven RBI) destroyed the Mets, and Paul Goldschmidt (three RBI in the Subway Series) is now hitting .339 on the season. After hosting the Rangers starting tomorrow night, New York will get a good opportunity to build momentum versus the Rockies and Angeles before taking on the Dodgers.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (28-18) | Last week: 5
The Phillies could arguably move outside the top five with star reliver José Alvarado hit with an 80-game suspension for PEDs that will keep him out of the postseason. However, the bullpen could be bolstered by a couple of starters in October—including former No. 1 overall pick Mick Abel after he outdueled Paul Skenes yesterday in his debut with nine strikeouts in six shutout innings.
6. San Diego Padres (27-18) | Last week: 4 (-2)
The Padres were swept at home by the Mariners over the weekend, and it’s the kind of series that can’t happen if they want to take the NL West from the Dodgers this season. San Diego will try to rebound in Toronto and Atlanta this week.
7. San Francisco Giants (28-19) | Last week: 7
Despite not getting the best out of Justin Verlander (who is still seeking his first win with the team), the Giants have been steady in a tightening NL West. That said, it is certainly fair to wonder if Verlander will ever find his groove in San Francisco with a 5-9 record and 5.06 ERA over his past 27 starts.
8. Chicago Cubs (28-19) | Last week: 9 (+1)
The Cubs were able to sweep the struggling White Sox during Rivalry Weekend, and they are in prime position to continue moving up the power rankings with a soft stretch (@ MIA, @ CIN, v COL, v CIN, @ WAS) before taking on the Tigers and Phillies in early June.
9. Seattle Mariners (26-19) | Last week: 11 (+2)
Again, the Mariners were able to pick up a sweep over San Diego to close out the week, and they’d love to stay hot with three games versus the White Sox before a four-game trip to Houston. The impending returns of Logan Gilbert and George Kirby will boost the rotation in a big way.
10. Minnesota Twins (26-21) | Last week: 17 (+7)
Just two weeks ago, the Twins were down at No. 24 in the power rankings—but they won 13 consecutive games before losing yesterday in Milwaukee to force their way into the top 10. Minnesota now returns home for huge series versus the Guardians and Royals this week.
11. Atlanta Braves (24-23) | Last week: 12 (+1)
12. St. Louis Cardinals (26-21) | Last week: 13 (+1)
13. Cleveland Guardians (25-21) | Last week: 10 (-3)
14. Kansas City Royals (26-22) | Last week: 8 (-6)
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (25-22) | Last week: 14 (-1)
16. Houston Astros (24-22) | Last week: 16
17. Texas Rangers (25-23) | Last week: 19 (+2)
18. Cincinnati Reds (24-24) | Last week: 22 (+4)
19. Boston Red Sox (23-25) | Last week: 15 (-4)
20. Milwaukee Brewers (22-25) | Last week: 20
21. Toronto Blue Jays (22-24) | Last week: 21
22. Tampa Bay Rays (21-25) | Last week: 23 (+1)
23. Oakland Athletics (22-25) | Last week: 18 (-5)
24. Los Angeles Angels (20-25) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Washington Nationals (21-27) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Miami Marlins (18-27) | Last week: 27 (+1)
27. Baltimore Orioles (15-30) | Last week: 26 (-1)
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (15-32) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (14-33) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (8-38) | Last week: 30