This week’s MLB power rankings feature plenty of movement with some clubs struggling and others clawing their way back into contention.
1. Atlanta Braves (32-15) | Last week: 1
The Braves have kept a large division lead (8.0 games) despite the Phillies surging, and they have seven NL East games this week with a trip to Miami followed by the Nationals visiting Atlanta. On the year, the Braves are the only team in the majors to have 16 wins at home and on the road.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (30-15) | Last week: 2
Speaking of home records, the Rays have surely been happy to be back at Tropicana Field this year, and they are an AL-best 16-5 at home (41-40 last year when forced to play at Steinbrenner Field). The Memorial Day weekend series versus the Yankees in the Bronx is a big one.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-18) | Last week: 5 (+2)
The Dodgers are back in the top three of the power rankings after a 5-2 week, capped off by a weekend domination of the Angels—who they outscored 31-3. Los Angeles could force themselves back into the No. 1 spot depending on how this week goes with road series versus the Padres and Brewers.
4. San Diego Padres (28-18) | Last week: 6 (+2)
The season is still young, but San Diego is in the all-too-familiar position of being within striking distance of the Dodgers—sitting 0.5 games behind in the NL West. If this is the year where the Padres can finally take the divisional crown, it could start with a series win to begin this week.
5. Chicago Cubs (29-18) | Last week: 3 (-2)
Everyone in the NL Central continues to hover above .500, so the Cubs need to get back on track with a 2-6 record over their past eight games. Yesterday in particular was a tough one with a ninth-inning comeback not being enough to avoid a loss in extra innings to the crosstown White Sox.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (26-18) | Last week: 7 (+1)
A case could be made for Milwaukee being ranked over the Cubs following series wins over the Yankees, Padres, and Twins—but things will be settled on the field as they meet starting tonight. On the season, the Brewers have the fourth-best run differential in baseball (+61).
7. Philadelphia Phillies (24-23) | Last week: 9 (+2)
The Phillies didn’t have as much room to run up the power rankings after another excellent week because they were already in the top 10—but the weekend series over Pittsburgh was about as encouraging as you can get with a Christopher Sánchez complete-game shutout on Saturday followed by getting to Paul Skenes for five earned runs on Sunday.
8. St. Louis Cardinals (27-19) | Last week: 8
It sort of feels like many are waiting for the Cardinals to fall off because they are such a young club, but they are coming off a 4-2 week and will only become more dangerous the longer they remain in contention. The rest of the month will be key with a rare trip around the division (v PIT, @ CIN, @ MIL, v CHC).
9. New York Yankees (28-19) | Last week: 4 (-5)
The Yankees could rank higher than this, but others are simply outplaying them recently with a 2-7 record over their past nine games—including a Subway Series loss to the Mets. Playing host to divisional foes in the Blue Jays and Rays this week might be what’s needed to right the ship.
10. Cleveland Guardians (26-22) | Last week: 13 (+3)
The Guardians and White Sox have begun to separate themselves in the AL Central, and the bats exploded for Cleveland with six home runs yesterday to beat Cincinnati. One of the bombs came from José Ramírez, who went six-for-11 with a couple of stolen bases versus the Reds.
11. Pittsburgh Pirates (24-23) | Last week: 10 (-1)
12. Cincinnati Reds (24-23) | Last week: 11 (-1)
13. Athletics (23-23) | Last week: 12 (-1)
14. Texas Rangers (22-24) | Last week: 14
15. Chicago White Sox (24-22) | Last week: 20 (+5)
16. Toronto Blue Jays (21-25) | Last week: 15 (-1)
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (22-23) | Last week: 18 (+1)
18. Seattle Mariners (22-26) | Last week: 17 (-1)
19. Washington Nationals (23-24) | Last week: 22 (+3)
20. Detroit Tigers (20-27) | Last week: 16 (-4)
21. Miami Marlins (21-26) | Last week: 19 (-2)
22. Minnesota Twins (21-26) | Last week: 24 (+2)
23. Baltimore Orioles (21-26) | Last week: 23
24. New York Mets (20-26) | Last week: 30 (+6)
25. San Francisco Giants (20-27) | Last week: 26 (+1)
26. Kansas City Royals (20-27) | Last week: 21 (-5)
27. Boston Red Sox (19-27) | Last week: 25 (-2)
28. Houston Astros (19-29) | Last week: 27 (-1)
29. Colorado Rockies (18-29) | Last week: 29
30. Los Angeles Angels (16-31) | Last week: 28 (-2)