The Guardians are rising and the Cubs are falling as we update our MLB power rankings ahead of Memorial Day action.
1. Atlanta Braves (36-18) | Last week: 1
There is a stronger case for the Rays to move up in the top spot this week, but the Braves will stick here with a more commanding lead in their division (9.0 games) despite a weekend series loss to the Nationals. Atlanta is one of four teams not playing on Memorial Day, which seems like a missed opportunity by the MLB.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (34-16) | Last week: 2
We didn’t get a winner in the Rays-Yankees series due to a rainout on Saturday, so it was a split between the AL East contenders. The postponement will now lead to a double header in late September—which could end up deciding things in the division.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (33-20) | Last week: 3
The Dodgers earned two series wins on the road versus fellow NL contenders in the Padres and Brewers last week, and they’ll get a shot to take down the Phillies this weekend. Andy Pages emerging with a .282 average and MLB-leading 45 RBI helps make LA even more dangerous in their quest for a three-peat.
4. Cleveland Guardians (32-23) | Last week: 10 (+6)
Someone finally pulled away in an underperforming AL Central, and it was the Guardians with a 6-1 week that included a low-scoring series win in Philadelphia where Cleveland had just four total runs. Stephen Vogt’s club will finish out the month win a homestand versus the Nationals and Red Sox.
5. Milwaukee Brewers (30-20) | Last week: 6 (+1)
Although the Brewers dropped their series against the Dodgers over the weekend, they still move into the top five due to a sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The NL Central figures to be extremely competitive all season, but Milwaukee is playing the best baseball right now.
6. San Diego Padres (31-21) | Last week: 4 (-2)
The Padres were able to bounce back by taking two-of-three games versus the Athletics, but a 1-0 win over the Dodgers on Monday night was followed by two losses to their NL West rival. It’s difficult to see San Diego rising into the top three if they can’t overcome LA at some point.
7. New York Yankees (31-22) | Last week: 9 (+2)
New York didn’t have the best week at 3-3 with splits versus the Jays and Rays, but they still rise after getting over 30 wins while other clubs have struggled. Maybe a home run by Aaron Judge yesterday will snap him out of recent struggles.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (26-27) | Last week: 7 (-1)
The Phillies continue to be the most hot-and-cold team in baseball, and the weekend series versus the Guardians saw the bats completely cool off—particularly with runners in scoring position. On the bright side, Bryson Stott has turned it on in May with 20 RBI thus far.
9. St. Louis Cardinals (29-22) | Last week: 8 (-1)
The Cardinals have a huge series beginning today with a chance to overtake Milwaukee in the NL Central, and they’re coming off a unique stretch due to rain with a doubleheader on Saturday being the only action since last Thursday. The highlight of the weekend was Bryan Torres shining in his MLB debut after 11 years in the Minors.
10. Chicago Cubs (29-24) | Last week: 5 (-5)
The Cubs entered the week with a 2-6 record in their previous eight games, and the cold stretch snowballed in the worst way with an 0-6 week—with all the losses coming at home. Chicago will try to get on track starting this afternoon in Pittsburgh.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks (28-24) | Last week: 17 (+6)
12. Athletics (27-26) | Last week: 13 (+1)
13. Cincinnati Reds (27-25) | Last week: 12 (-1)
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (27-26) | Last week: 11 (-3)
15. Washington Nationals (27-27) | Last week: 19 (+4)
16. Chicago White Sox (26-26) | Last week: 15 (-2)
17. Toronto Blue Jays (25-28) | Last week: 16 (-1)
18. Seattle Mariners (25-29) | Last week: 18
19. Minnesota Twins (26-27) | Last week: 22 (+3)
20. Texas Rangers (24-28) | Last week: 14 (-6)
21. Miami Marlins (25-29) | Last week: 21
22. Houston Astros (23-31) | Last week: 28 (+6)
23. Baltimore Orioles (23-30) | Last week: 23
24. Boston Red Sox (22-30) | Last week: 27 (+3)
25. San Francisco Giants (22-31) | Last week: 25
26. New York Mets (22-31) | Last week: 24 (-2)
27. Kansas City Royals (22-31) | Last week: 26 (-1)
28. Detroit Tigers (21-33) | Last week: 20 (-8)
29. Los Angeles Angels (20-34) | Last week: 30 (+1)
30. Colorado Rockies (20-34) | Last week: 29 (-1)