The Phillies are surging as a bunch of below-.500 clubs try to make a move up the standings in our latest MLB power rankings.
1. Atlanta Braves (28-13) | Last week: 1
Atlanta is coming off a series win over the Dodgers, and they’re the only division leader with a cushion of more than 5.0 games thus far—and it’s at 9.0 games. Matt Olson is one of the early MVP favorites by hitting .296 with 14 home runs and 36 RBI at essentially the season’s quarter mark.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (26-13) | Last week: 4 (+2)
The Rays have gone 14-2 over their past 16 games to overtake the Yankees in the AL East, and they’ll stay on the east coast—where they’ve been since the start of May—until June 12. Tampa Bay has been winning despite the fifth-fewest homers (32) in the MLB.
3. Chicago Cubs (27-14) | Last week: 5 (+2)
Back-to-back shutout losses to the Rangers isn’t a good way to end the week, but the Cubs still move up a couple of spots after a four-game sweep of the Reds. Chicago will be hoping the off day allows the bats to pick back up for a huge early-season showdown in Atlanta starting tomorrow night.
4. New York Yankees (26-15) | Last week: 2 (-2)
The Yankees also had a disappointing weekend by getting swept in Milwaukee, but this week can allow them to get on track by taking on Baltimore (who they swept to begin the month) before being the road team in the Subway Series versus the last-place Mets.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (24-16) | Last week: 3 (-2)
Los Angeles dropped their home series to Atlanta in a possible NL Championship preview, but we all know what happens in October is what really matters. The Dodgers will get Mookie Betts back from his oblique injury tonight.
6. San Diego Padres (24-16) | Last week: 6
While the Padres would have liked to do better than a split versus the Cardinals last week, they won two close games after falling behind 0-2 to begin the series. The Brewers—who are right behind them in the power rankings—will be another challenge this week.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (22-16) | Last week: 9 (+2)
Milwaukee has won four in a row including their sweep over the Yankees—which is the first time they’ve swept the Bronx Bombers this century. Only the Braves, Yankees, and Dodgers currently have a better team ERA than the Brewers (3.43).
8. St. Louis Cardinals (23-17) | Last week: 7 (-1)
Perhaps the most exciting play of last week was JJ Wetherholt hitting a “Little League grand slam” against the Padres on Friday night, but two losses over the weekend prevented St. Louis from making a jump with a 3-4 record across their past seven games. The Cardinals will now stay out west to face the A’s.
9. Philadelphia Phillies (19-22) | Last week: 15 (+6)
The Phillies have gone 10-3 under interim manager Don Mattingly, and their stars have heated up—particularly Kyle Schwarber with a home run in four consecutive games (including two yesterday). With the slow start behind them, Philadelphia is back among the NL contenders.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates (22-19) | Last week: 10
Pittsburgh’s lineup has put up some crooked numbers this month, and Oneil Cruz has unsurprisingly been a big part of it—becoming the second player in team history with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases through 41 games (joining Barry Bonds). The series versus Philadelphia on Memorial Day weekend should be a fun one.
11. Cincinnati Reds (22-19) | Last week: 8 (-3)
12. Athletics (21-19) | Last week: 11 (-1)
13. Cleveland Guardians (21-21) | Last week: 12 (-1)
14. Texas Rangers (19-21) | Last week: 17 (+3)
15. Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) | Last week: 14 (-1)
16. Detroit Tigers (19-22) | Last week: 13 (-3)
17. Seattle Mariners (19-22) | Last week: 16 (-1)
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (19-20) | Last week: 18
19. Miami Marlins (19-22) | Last week: 19
20. Chicago White Sox (19-21) | Last week: 20
21. Kansas City Royals (19-22) | Last week: 22 (+1)
22. Washington Nationals (19-22) | Last week: 23 (+1)
23. Baltimore Orioles (18-23) | Last week: 21 (-2)
24. Minnesota Twins (18-23) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Boston Red Sox (17-23) | Last week: 26 (+1)
26. San Francisco Giants (16-24) | Last week: 28 (+2)
27. Houston Astros (16-25) | Last week: 24 (-3)
28. Los Angeles Angels (16-25) | Last week: 29 (+1)
29. Colorado Rockies (16-25) | Last week: 27 (-2)
30. New York Mets (15-25) | Last week: 30