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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 6: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Alec Bohm #28 after hitting a three run home run against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park on May 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 6: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Alec Bohm #28 after hitting a three run home run against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park on May 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers vs. Phillies for No. 1 Spot, Padres Enter Top 10

Joel ReuterMay 13, 2024

With most teams sitting at around 40 games played, we have reached roughly the quarter mark of the 2024 MLB season. And while there is a clear top tier of teams, no one has sprinted away from the pack just yet.

The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies look like the cream of the crop in the National League, while the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees are jockeying for the top spot in the AL East and for American League supremacy.

A bit further down the rankings, three AL Central teams are currently slotted inside the Top 10, and what has long been baseball's weakest division is suddenly on the upswing.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals have all slipped outside the Top 20, leaving the NL Central looking like a two-team race, but there is still a lot of baseball left to be played.

For now, here's where all 30 teams stand across Major League Baseball.

Nos. 30-281 of 14
Cal Quantrill

30. Miami Marlins (11-31)

Previous Rank: 28

Last Week: 0-3 @ LAD, 1-2 vs. PHI

In the wake of Luis Arraez being traded to the Padres, rumors have begun to swirl about the availability of 26-year-old center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. despite club control through the 2026 season. The Marlins are going nowhere fast this year, so it's safe to assume more players will be on the move.

29. Colorado Rockies (12-28)

Previous Rank: 30

Last Week: 1-2 vs. SF, 3-0 vs. TEX

The Rockies improved to 9-12 at home with their weekend series sweep of the Rangers, but now they hit the road for nine in a row away from Coors Field. Right-hander Cal Quantrill has five quality starts in his last six outings, and with a modest $6.6 million salary and another year of club control in 2025, he could be a sneaky trade chip.

28. Chicago White Sox (12-29)

Previous Rank: 29

Last Week: 1-2 @ TB, 3-1 vs. CLE

After going 6-24 in March and April, the White Sox have doubled their win total since the calendar flipped to May. This is still one of the worst teams in baseball, but there have been a few bright spots, including a terrific stateside return for starter Erick Fedde and a strong debut for third baseman Bryan Ramos.

Nos. 27-252 of 14
Kyle Tucker

27. St. Louis Cardinals (16-24)

Previous Rank: 22

Last Week: 0-2 vs. NYM, 1-3 @ MIL

The Cardinals snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Brewers on Sunday, and they spent all of last week in the NL Central cellar. After trying to put a Band-Aid on the roster with the additions of Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson in free agency, they could be headed for a larger scale rebuild that kicks off with a busy trade deadline.

26. Los Angeles Angels (15-26)

Previous Rank: 27

Last Week: 2-1 @ PIT, 1-3 vs. KC

With Luis Rengifo, Brandon Drury and Ehire Adrianza all landing on the injured list this month, the Angels swung a deal to acquire infielder Luis Guillorme from the Braves on Thursday. The lineup on Sunday featured Willie Calhoun hitting cleanup, Niko Goodrum hitting sixth and Guillorme in the leadoff spot. Who's ready for another long season of mediocrity?

25. Houston Astros (15-25)

Previous Rank: 26

Last Week: 1-2 @ NYY, 2-1 @ DET

The win-loss record might not be pretty, but Kyle Tucker (.987 OPS, 20 XBH, 13 HR), Jose Altuve (.882, 16 XBH, 7 HR) and Jeremy Peña (.855 OPS, .340 BA, 11 XBH) are all having terrific seasons at the plate. But that offensive firepower has not been enough to offset a pitching staff that has a 4.96 ERA that ranks 28th in the majors, ahead of only the Rockies (5.24) and Marlins (5.27).

Nos. 24-223 of 14
Paul Skenes

24. Toronto Blue Jays (18-22)

Previous Rank: 25

Last Week: 1-1 @ PHI, 1-2 vs. MIN

The Blue Jays have not won a series since they picked up back-to-back victories against the Padres on April 19 and 20, and only once this season have they won more than two consecutive games. If that trend continues, guys such as Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner, Danny Jansen and Kevin Kiermaier could become sought-after trade chips. Slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .417/.475/.528 in May.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23)

Previous Rank: 23

Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAA, 1-2 vs. CHC

The Paul Skenes era has officially begun in Pittsburgh after last year's No. 1 overall pick made his MLB debut against the Cubs on Saturday. After posting a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 27.1 innings to open the year at Triple-A, he surrendered six hits and three earned runs while striking out seven over four innings in his debut while consistently touching triple digits on the radar gun. The future is bright in Pittsburgh, even if last week didn't go great.

22. Cincinnati Reds (17-23)

Previous Rank: 19

Last Week: 0-3 vs. ARI, 1-2 @ SF

An eight-game losing streak dropped the Reds below .500 last week, and while they finally snapped that skid with a win over the Giants on Saturday, this is still a team trending in the wrong direction. Cincinnati is averaging only 2.3 runs per game in May while hitting .197 with a .576 OPS as a team.

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Nos. 21-194 of 14
Christian Scott

21. Oakland Athletics (19-23)

Previous Rank: 16

Last Week: 1-3 vs. TEX, 1-2 @ SEA

The Athletics dropped both series last week, but they continue to hover around the .500 mark, which is no small accomplishment for a team that lost 112 games a year ago. Offensively, Abraham Toro (.811 OPS, 13 XBH, 17 RBI) and JJ Bleday (.769 OPS, 16 XBH, 17 RBI) have quietly put together strong seasons, and they are averaging 3.98 runs per game, up from an MLB-worst 3.61 a year ago.

20. New York Mets (19-20)

Previous Rank: 20

Last Week: 2-0 @ STL, 1-2 vs. ATL

Brandon Nimmo hit a walk-off, two-run homer to beat the Braves on Sunday Night Baseball, avoiding a series sweep in the process. That win also moved the team's run differential to plus-one on the year, though they still enter the week below the .500 mark. With a pair of quality starts to begin his big league career, rookie Christian Scott looks like the real deal in the starting rotation.

19. Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22)

Previous Rank: 24

Last Week: 3-0 @ CIN, 1-2 @ BAL

The D-backs need someone other than Ketel Marte, Christian Walker and Joc Pederson to find some level of consistency in the lineup, though they did find enough offense last week to pick up their first series sweep of the year in a three-game set against the Reds in Cincinnati. Left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez resumed his throwing program over the weekend as he inches closer to making his D-backs debut, and he is eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list on May 24.

Nos. 18-165 of 14
Trevor Williams

18. Washington Nationals (19-20)

Previous Rank: 18

Last Week: 1-1 vs. BAL, 1-2 @ BOS

The Nationals have not lost consecutive games since April 25, and while they might still be another year or two away from legitimate contention, this is a significantly improved roster. The unheralded trio of Trevor Williams (7 GS, 1.96 ERA, 36.2 IP), Jake Irvin (8 GS, 3.55 ERA, 45.2 IP) and rookie Mitchell Parker (5 GS, 2.67 ERA, 27.0 IP) has helped lead the starting rotation to a 4.01 ERA that ranks 15th in the majors.

17. Tampa Bay Rays (20-21)

Previous Rank: 17

Last Week: 2-1 vs. CWS, 1-2 vs. NYY

With closer Pete Fairbanks back healthy and the pieces starting to fall into place in the starting rotation, the Rays could start to climb these rankings in the coming weeks. Outfielder Jonny DeLuca might be the latest diamond-in-the-rough find for the Tampa Bay front office, as he has a .930 OPS with four extra-base hits, 10 RBI and two steals in his first nine games since coming over from the Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow deal.

16. San Francisco Giants (19-23)

Previous Rank: 21

Last Week: 0-1 @ PHI, 2-1 @ COL, 2-1 vs. CIN

After the Phillies finished off a four-game sweep on Monday, the Giants picked up back-to-back series wins. And, on Tuesday, they snapped a streak of 11 straight games scoring four or fewer runs. Losing Michael Conforto to a strained hamstring while he was swinging a hot bat is a blow for the offense, especially with fellow outfielders Austin Slater and Jorge Soler also sidelined.

Nos. 15-136 of 14
Spencer Torkelson

15. Detroit Tigers (20-20)

Previous Rank: 14

Last Week: 1-2 @ CLE, 1-2 vs. HOU

After an 18-13 start to the year, the Tigers have suffered three straight series losses, though they did score a combined 19 runs in the two games they won last week.

On a positive note, Spencer Torkelson finally hit his first home runs of the season on Sunday.

The 24-year-old finished eighth in the AL with 31 long balls a year ago.

14. Boston Red Sox (21-19)

Previous Rank: 13

Last Week: 0-2 @ ATL, 2-1 vs. WAS

The Red Sox starting rotation continues to be one of baseball's biggest surprises, with a 2.45 ERA that leads the majors by a comfortable margin over the Phillies (2.70) and Dodgers (3.18). They have gone just 4-6 over their first 10 games in May, and the offense was held to two or fewer runs in all six of those losses.

13. Texas Rangers (22-20)

Previous Rank: 11

Last Week: 3-1 @ OAK, 0-3 @ COL

In the Rangers defense, the Rockies are a much tougher draw at Coors Field than they are on the road, but getting swept by one of baseball's worst teams still cost them a few spots in the rankings. The offense is starting to hit its stride and the patchwork rotation is holding its own, but the bullpen suffered three blown saves and two losses last week. Where would they be without the offseason addition of Kirby Yates?

Nos. 12-107 of 14
Robert Gasser

12. Seattle Mariners (22-19)

Previous Rank: 7

Last Week: 1-3 @ MIN, 2-1 vs. OAK

The Mariners vaulted into the top 10 in these rankings with six straight series wins heading into last week, but the offense went silent last week as they scored a combined six runs in their four losses. Julio Rodríguez is still trying to snap out of his early funk, as he is hitting .255/.310/.323 with only two home runs and 50 strikeouts in 174 plate appearances.

11. Milwaukee Brewers (24-16)

Previous Rank: 9

Last Week: 1-2 @ KC, 3-1 vs. STL

Thanks to a breakout season from Brice Turang, the offseason addition of Rhys Hoskins and continued production from William Contreras and Willy Adames, the Brewers offense is the most potent it has been in years. The starting rotation got a nice boost from Robert Gasser in his MLB debut last week, but the bullpen remains a work-in-progress while Devin Williams works his way back from a back injury.

10. Chicago Cubs (24-17)

Previous Rank: 8

Last Week: 1-2 vs. SD, 2-1 @ PIT

The Cubs welcomed Kyle Hendricks (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K) back from the injured list on Sunday, bumping Hayden Wesneski to the bullpen despite three solid turns in the rotation. That's a good problem to have, and lengthening a relief corps that has been an issue in the early going could also help in the long run. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki also returned from the injured list on Saturday.

Nos. 9-78 of 14
Seth Lugo

9. San Diego Padres (22-21)

Previous Rank: 15

Last Week: 2-1 @ CHC, 2-1 vs. LAD

Since getting swept by the Phillies in a three-game set from April 26-28, the Padres have rattled off four straight series wins, including taking two of three from the NL West rival Dodgers over the weekend. Yu Darvish and Dylan Cease combined for 19 scoreless innings in their three starts last week, while Joe Musgrove is on the mend from elbow inflammation and could return soon.

8. Cleveland Guardians (25-16)

Previous Rank: 5

Last Week: 2-1 vs. DET, 1-3 @ CWS

Losing three of four to a White Sox team that is already 17 games below .500 and sitting on a minus-90 run differential is a tough look, but the Guardians still belong comfortably in the top 10 for the time being. Someone not named José Ramírez or Josh Naylor has to step up offensively or they will continue to slide down the rankings in the coming weeks, especially with Steven Kwan sidelined.

7. Kansas City Royals (25-17)

Previous Rank: 12

Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIL, 3-1 @ LAA

The Royals are tied for second in the AL with a plus-49 run differential, and a stingy starting rotation that ranks fourth in the majors with a 3.18 ERA is largely to thank. Seth Lugo (9 GS, 1.66 ERA, 59.2 IP) and Brady Singer (8 GS, 2.36 ERA, 45.2 IP) have been as good a one-two punch as any in baseball, and with Alec Marsh back from a stint on the injured list, the rotation is back to full strength.

Nos. 6-49 of 14
Marcell Ozuna

6. Minnesota Twins (24-16)

Previous Rank: 10

Last Week: 3-1 vs. SEA, 2-1 @ TOR

The Twins improved to 8-3 in May with Sunday's victory over the Blue Jays, and they are now 17-3 in their last 20 games dating back to their nine-game winning streak to close out April. After a rocky start to the year, Chris Paddack has a 1.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 23.1 innings over his last four outings.

5. Atlanta Braves (24-13)

Previous Rank: 6

Last Week: 2-0 vs. BOS, 2-1 @ NYM

With a 3.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP through 37 games, the starting rotation is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for the Braves right now while several of their high-profile sluggers are off to slow starts at the plate. One player who is swinging it well is Marcell Ozuna, and he has a .326/.404/.638 line with 12 home runs and an MLB-leading 40 RBI.

4. New York Yankees (27-15)

Previous Rank: 4

Last Week: 2-1 vs. HOU, 2-1 @ TB

If you told me a month ago that Luis Gil (8 GS, 4-1, 2.51 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 48 K, 43.0 IP) and Luke Weaver (15 G, 3-0, 5 HLD, 2.42 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, 9.4 K/9) would be two of the Yankees' best pitchers, I would have guessed they were in serious trouble. Instead, those two have helped offset injuries to Gerrit Cole and Jonathan Loáisiga, and the club ranks second in the majors with a 3.10 ERA even without those guys.

Nos. 3-110 of 14
Gunnar Henderson

3. Baltimore Orioles (26-13)

Previous Rank: 2

Last Week: 1-1 @ WAS, 2-1 vs. ARI

The Orioles have not lost consecutive games since April 13, and a pitching staff that ranks fifth in the majors with a 3.34 ERA has been the catalyst for their ability to avoid stringing together losses. Rookie standout Colton Cowser will need to prove he can make the necessary adjustments, as the league has seemingly adjusted to him and he is 4-for-29 with 10 strikeouts in May.

2. Philadelphia Phillies (28-13)

Previous Rank: 3

Last Week: 1-0 vs. SF, 1-1 vs. TOR, 2-1 @ MIA

The Phillies are 8-2 with a plus-36 run differential in May, and they enter the week two games ahead of the rival Braves in the NL East standings. This team hasn't missed a beat since star shortstop Trea Turner landed on the injured list in early May with a strained hamstring, and the offseason addition of Whit Merrifield has already paid dividends.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15)

Previous Rank: 1

Last Week: 3-0 vs. MIA, 1-2 @ SD

Even with a weekend series loss to the Padres, the Dodgers still lead the majors with a plus-74 run differential, and they are doing it with several key arms still working their way back from the injured list. Shohei Ohtani missed Sunday's game after leaving on Saturday with back tightness, so that will be worth monitoring going forward.

Complete Rankings11 of 14
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 07: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his grand slam home run with Freddie Freeman #5 and Will Smith #16, to take a 4-3 lead over the Miami Marlins, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on May 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Complete Rankings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Baltimore Orioles
4. New York Yankees
5. Atlanta Braves
6. Minnesota Twins
7. Kansas City Royals
8. Cleveland Guardians
9. San Diego Padres
10. Chicago Cubs
11. Milwaukee Brewers
12. Seattle Mariners
13. Texas Rangers
14. Boston Red Sox
15. Detroit Tigers
16. San Francisco Giants
17. Tampa Bay Rays
18. Washington Nationals
19. Arizona Diamondbacks
20. New York Mets
21. Oakland Athletics
22. Cincinnati Reds
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
24. Toronto Blue Jays
25. Houston Astros
26. Los Angeles Angels
27. St. Louis Cardinals
28. Chicago White Sox
29. Colorado Rockies
30. Miami Marlins

Stars of the Week12 of 14
Dylan Cease

Hitter of the Week: Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers

Stats: 13-for-31, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R

Semien raised his 2024 batting average from .257 to .285 last week, setting the table for the Texas Rangers lineup out of the leadoff spot in the batting order. The 33-year-old has already racked up 2.3 WAR through 42 games this season, and he is showing no sign of slowing down three years into his seven-year, $175 million deal.

Pitcher of the Week: Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres

Stats: 1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K

Cease went seven innings and allowed just one hit against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, and that's already the second time this year he has completed seven innings with only one hit allowed. The 28-year-old has a 2.19 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 49.1 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .128 average.

Rookie of the Week: Robert Gasser, Milwaukee Brewers

Stats: 1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Gasser was acquired from the San Diego Padres at the 2022 deadline in the Josh Hader trade, and he established himself as one of baseball's top left-handed pitching prospects last year when he had a 3.79 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 135.1 innings at Triple-A. The 24-year-old started his MLB career with a bang, tossing six shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

AL Award Rankings13 of 14
Juan Soto

AL MVP

1. Juan Soto, NYY
2. Gunnar Henderson, BAL
3. Bobby Witt Jr., KC
4. Kyle Tucker, HOU
5. Josh Naylor, CLE
6. Ryan Jeffers, MIN
7. Marcus Semien, TEX
8. Salvador Pérez, KC
9. José Altuve, HOU
10. Tyler O'Neill, BOS

AL Cy Young

1. Tarik Skubal, DET
2. Seth Lugo, KC
3. Tanner Houck, BOS
4. Kutter Crawford, BOS
5. Bryce Miller, SEA

AL Rookie of the Year

1. Luis Gil, NYY
2. Wilyer Abreu, BOS
3. Colton Cowser, BAL

*Note: Until information is released to the contrary, I'm working under the assumption that Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller exceeded rookie eligibility limits in 2023. His status is listed as such on his Baseball Reference page, and he is also not included on the MLB.com stat pages for rookies.

NL Award Rankings14 of 14
Shohei Ohtani

NL MVP

1. Shohei Ohtani, LAD
2. Mookie Betts, LAD
3. Marcell Ozuna, ATL
4. Elly De La Cruz, CIN
5. William Contreras, MIL
6. Alec Bohm, PHI
7. Jurickson Profar, SD
8. Trea Turner, PHI
9. Ketel Marte, ARI
10. Freddie Freeman, LAD

NL Cy Young

1. Ranger Suárez, PHI
2. Shōta Imanaga, CHC
3. Dylan Cease, SD
4. Tyler Glasnow, LAD
5. Zack Wheeler, PHI

NL Rookie of the Year

1. Shōta Imanaga, CHC
2. Jared Jones, PIT
3. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LAD

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