There have been some significant risers and fallers since our last MLB power rankings. While the standings are beginning to stabilize, there is still plenty of movement from week to week.
1. Braves
Sitting pretty 9.5 games clear atop the NL East, the Braves are having a season few predicted. Atlanta is one of a handful of teams in the top 10 in wRC+ and ERA since the start of May, and only one team has a better Pythagorean win-loss.
2. Brewers
Amid the Cubs’ demise, the Brewers are back at the top of the NL Central. The pitching staff (2.47 ERA since May 1) has been by far the best in baseball, and the offense has been doing just enough, despite the struggles of Joey Ortiz and Sal Frelick.
3. Rays
The Rays are outperforming their Pythagorean record by a wider margin than any other team in baseball. That does not diminish what Tampa Bay has accomplished this season, even after a brief stumble. The pitching staff has carried the Rays to a one-game lead in the AL East.
4. Pirates
Pittsburgh has powered the best offense since May 1. Offseason acquisition Marcell Ozuna is the only underperforming hitter and the rotation has been living up to expectations behind Paul Skenes. Bullpen additions are required before next month’s trade deadline.
5. Dodgers
Leading the majors in Pythagorean win-loss and cruising with a seven-game divisional lead, the Dodgers are excelling, even with Will Smith, Kyle Tucker, and Mookie Betts enduring disappointing seasons at the plate. Shohei Ohtani is pitching the best of his career.
6. Guardians
Yes, the Guardians are doing it again. Cleveland is 2.5 clear at the top of the AL Central and has a 14-6 record over its last 20 games. The offense has been more productive than usual, and even without big names, the rotation is dealing.
7. Phillies
After a poor start to the season, the Phillies have gone 13-7 over their last 20 games. While the offense continues to struggle, ranking in the bottom 10 over the past 35 days, the pitching staff has been excellent for the most part.
8. Mariners
In the top seven in wRC+ and ERA since May 1, the Mariners have one of the better Pythagorean records in the majors. Seattle has claimed top spot in the AL West since our last power rankings, and could vault further by the next edition.
9. Yankees
Sure, the Yankees would love to see more from Jazz Chisholm Jr. offensively. There’s not too much to complain about, though, with New York four wins off their Pythagorean record and very much within striking distance in the AL East.
10. Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks have climbed to within half a game of the Padres. Arizona can reasonably expect more production from the lineup beyond Corbin Carroll, while the rotation has been one of the team's strengths. Michael Soroka, in particular, has been especially impressive.
11. White Sox
Who envisaged the White Sox being four games above .500 on June 4? Chicago’s offense has been elite over the last few weeks. The front two in the rotation are as formidable as it gets, with Davis Martin and Sean Burke enjoying stellar seasons.
12. Astros
They’re still seven games below .500, but the Astros have won 12 of their last 20 games and look to finally be trending in the right direction. It’s a work in progress, and Houston won’t be winning the division this year, but a wild-card push is a remote possibility.
13. Cardinals
St. Louis' pitching staff continues to outperform its underlying metrics by a wide margin. It is fair to question how long that can continue, but the Cardinals have already built a foundation for a better-than-expected season.
14. Padres
San Diego has only won one of its last nine games. The gap to the Dodgers has grown, and the Padres are suddenly looking over their shoulders at the Diamondbacks. There’s been very little to be positive about offensively, and Nick Pivetta won’t return to the rotation until after the break.
15. Nationals
It seems like there’s a clear pattern to this Nationals season: Great offense, mediocre pitching. Only five teams have a better wRC+ since May 1.
16. Red Sox
This looks like a lost season for the Red Sox. It’s not impossible that Boston plays its way into the playoff picture, but Garrett Crochet is still on the shelf, and the lineup is a mess. Marcelo Mayer’s continued issues are a worry.
17. Rangers
Fifteenth in wRC+ and ERA over the last month, this Rangers team has been thoroughly mediocre. Joc Pederson is having a good year. Other than that, this team looks destined to land in the 78-84-win range.
18. Blue Jays
Toronto’s offense has been chasing more than last year and has been whiffing too much as a result. The lineup is among the worst in baseball. Dylan Cease’s injury list stint is expected to be short, and the Jays can’t afford to be without their big-money offseason acquisition.
19. Orioles
There’s not much to get excited about with these Orioles. The offense has been middling, with Gunnar Henderson off to a slow start. Only three teams have a higher ERA since May 1.
20. Twins
After blowing it up at the deadline last summer, the Twins are being more competitive than expected. They’re not going anywhere this year, though, and the duo of Joe Ryan and Taj Bradley could soon become trade pieces.
21. Cubs
The Cubs have won five of their last 23. This is the kind of demise that can lead to seismic changes. The rotation hasn’t been anywhere near good enough, and an expensive lineup shouldn’t be slumping so dramatically.
22. Reds
Only the Rockies and Tigers have a worse record than the Reds over the last 30 games. Cincinnati got off to a scorching start, but they’ve gone 8-16 against teams above .500 and rank 29th in ERA since May 1.
23. Athletics
Much like the Reds, the A’s have been through a prolonged slump after a good start. Brent Rooker, Jeff McNeil, and Lawrence Butler have all been disappointing. Gage Jump’s arrival at least brings some upside to the rotation.
24. Mets
Winning five of their last seven games has provided some much-needed hope for the Mets. There is still a long way to go, but the signs are encouraging. New York owns the eighth-best ERA in baseball since May 1.
25. Marlins
Injuries to the rotation have hampered another developmental year for the Marlins. Miami has also watched the majority of its lineup struggle, including Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, and Owen Caissie.
26. Tigers
Has any team disappointed as much as the 25-38 Tigers? With Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal on the injured list and Spencer Torkelson carrying a 99 OPS+, Detroit's first two months have been filled with frustration.
27. Royals
An 82 wRC+ over a month-long period isn’t going to get it done. Kansas City can be happy with the numbers its rotation has posted, but the lineup has been abysmal.
28. Angels
Despite winning seven of their last 12, the Angels are still tied for the overall worst record. At least Angels fans are getting treated to another great year from Mike Trout.
29. Giants
San Francisco rivals Detroit as MLB’s most disappointing team. The Giants’ offense has been better of late, but the pitching staff is in the bottom five. Tony Vitello’s job is under threat, and Buster Posey has some big decisions to make.
30. Rockies
Where else for the Rockies? Colorado is performing better than last year, but this still looks like a 100-loss team.
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