MLB Power Rankings: Huge Shakeup as Dodgers Rise, Braves Fall, Surprise Teams Vault Up
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 27: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates the win with Mookie Betts #50 following a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 27, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts are leading the Dodgers to the top of the rankings.
This week’s MLB Power Rankings feature its biggest shakeup yet.
Twelve teams moved at least three spots, while six teams shifted at least five spots after a wild week of baseball.
The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the top spot for the first time since Week 1, while a new team has entered the top five for the first time this season.
Here are Newsweek’s full rankings as the MLB season chugs along.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (25-13)
2. Philadelphia Phillies (26-11)
3. Baltimore Orioles (23-12)
4. Atlanta Braves (21-12)
5. New York Yankees (24-13)
6. Cleveland Guardians (23-13)
7. Milwaukee Brewers (21-14)
8. Kansas City Royals (21-16)
9. Chicago Cubs (22-15)
10. Texas Rangers (21-16)
11. Boston Red Sox (19-17)
12. Minnesota Twins (20-15)
13. Seattle Mariners (20-16)
14. Detroit Tigers (19-17)
15. San Diego Padres (19-20)
16. New York Mets (18-18)
17. Cincinnati Reds (16-19)
18. Tampa Bay Rays (19-18)
19. Washington Nationals (18-17)
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (16-20)
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (17-20)
22. Toronto Blue Jays (16-20)
23. Oakland Athletics (17-20)
24. St. Louis Cardinals (15-21)
25. San Francisco Giants (16-21)
26. Houston Astros (12-23)
27. Los Angeles Angels (13-23)
28. Miami Marlins (10-28)
29. Colorado Rockies (8-27)
30. Chicago White Sox (8-28)
Biggest Risers
San Diego Padres (+6):
The Padres made the first surprise of the 2024 season, trading for back-to-back batting champion Luis Arraez to add a certified elite hitter at the top of their lineup. That, along with a 5-2 week, has the Padres climbing the rankings again.
Philadelphia Phillies (+5):
The Phillies are playing like the best team in baseball, winners of seven straight games and 11 of their last 12. Zach Wheeler is looking like an early Cy Young favorite, leading the National League with a 1.64 ERA in eight starts. His 63 strikeouts are tied with Dodgers ace Tyler Glasnow for the MLB lead. Bryce Harper has three straight games with a home run, as everything seems to be going right in Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Rays (+5):
The Rays are starting to play the baseball we’re all used to seeing, and are above .500 for the first time since April 21. They’re off to a 5-1 start in May, just swept the Mets, and are a Wednesday win away from sweeping the White Sox, too.
Biggest Fallers
San Francisco Giants (-7):
The Giants had one of baseball’s best offseasons, but for some reason it just hasn’t translated to on-field success. Their biggest free agent signing, Blake Snell, is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA, and is on the injured list with an adductor strain. Matt Chapman, another one of their big signings, is hitting .204 with a .595 OPS.
Cincinnati Reds (-6):
The Reds have lost six straight games and seem to be hitting a skid after their strong start to the year. They haven’t won a game in May.
Toronto Blue Jays (-5):
The Blue Jays have underperformed all year long, and things aren’t getting better. They’ve lost five straight series, and got blown out in the first game of a quick two-game series against the Phillies by a score of 10-1.
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