Now that we’re two months into the 2025 MLB season — and previous Memorial Day, when baseball followers historically say you may lastly verify the standings — the highest of our rankings have began to change into extra constant.
Every week, you’ll find the standard powerhouses atop our checklist — however what does change from week to week is which one sits at No. 1, with the Philadelphia Phillies taking that honor for the primary time this season in Week 9. They’re the fifth crew to take the highest spot up to now in 2025, regardless of the preseason expectation that the Los Angeles Dodgers would rule it spot for almost all of the season.
How does the remainder of the highest 5 play out? And the place do different golf equipment stand in our remaining Could version?
Our knowledgeable panel has mixed to rank each crew primarily based on a mix of what we have seen up to now and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that could be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB specialists Buster Olney, Jesse Rogers and Alden Gonzalez to weigh in with an remark for all 30 groups.
Week 8 | Preseason rankings
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Document: 35-19
Earlier rating: 3
The Phillies are who we thought they have been coming into the season, led by their beginning pitching. Because the Dodgers proceed to attempt to discover sufficient pitching till their stars are activated off the injured checklist across the All-Star break, a case may be made for the Phillies as the very best crew within the majors due to their rotation. Since April 26, the Phillies are 21-6 and getting contributions from throughout their employees. Zack Wheeler has a 1.08 ERA in his previous 5 begins, as he, Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes vie for the title of finest pitcher on the planet. — Olney
Document: 37-20
Earlier rating: 1
Tarik Skubal put collectively a masterpiece Sunday, shutting out the Guardians with a two-hit, no-walk, 13-strikeout efficiency that went down as top-of-the-line pitched video games in franchise historical past. Skubal gained the American League’s Cy Younger Award unanimously final yr, and he seems to be simply as dominant — if no more so — this yr. However we knew Skubal was good. And this Tigers season has additionally been outlined by what we did not know. Particularly, that Spencer Torkelson (.864 OPS, 13 residence runs) and Javier Baez (.276/.313/.456 slash line whereas transitioning to middle discipline) can be integral components to a championship contender. — Gonzalez
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Document: 34-22
Earlier rating: 2
Three key members of their beginning rotation reside on the injured checklist, as do 5 (5!) high-leverage relievers. Shohei Ohtani, in the meantime, is navigating by his pitching development methodically. The Dodgers maintain profitable nonetheless — largely as a result of their offense is simply that deep. Ohtani has been each bit as impactful as he was whereas changing into the primary full-time designated hitter to win MVP final yr; Freddie Freeman is off to top-of-the-line begins of his illustrious profession, and the likes of Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Andy Pages and Hyeseong Kim have been main contributors. Solely the Yankees boast the next OPS than the Dodgers. Solely the Cubs have scored extra runs. — Gonzalez
Document: 35-20
Earlier rating: 4
Name them the Plan B Guys — the group of gamers the Yankees pivoted to after Juan Soto took the Mets’ $765 million-plus-perks provide over the Yankees’ $760 million deal. Max Fried, signed to a record-setting $218 million contract, is within the dialog for AL Cy Younger. Paul Goldschmidt has had a wonderful bounce-back season. Cody Bellinger has performed successfully, each defensively and offensively. The Yankees aren’t as dynamic with out Soto, however they may have extra depth — and are higher suited to the postseason. — Olney
Document: 35-21
Earlier rating: 6
A relentless offense has outlined the Cubs’ first two months because the crew has averaged six runs. That may be probably the most over the course of a season for the reason that 2007 Yankees. Chicago ranks as a top-three crew in nearly each offensive class, together with batting common, OBP, slugging, triples, doubles and stolen bases. In actual fact, the Cubs’ stolen-base proportion can also be the very best in baseball. They have been nice at each leaping on opponents and coming from behind — and it has led to top-of-the-line data within the recreation as Could involves an in depth. — Rogers
Document: 34-22
Earlier rating: 5
The Mets’ defining attribute is their pitching, however Juan Soto’s sluggish begin is getting probably the most consideration. With Soto drawing monumental scrutiny — particularly in New York — others within the group are working to offer some layer of safety for him. On Saturday, supervisor Carlos Mendoza seemingly hijacked an in-game interview to cowl for the truth that Soto made it solely a 3rd of the best way up the first-base line earlier than peeling off to the dugout. Then on Sunday, de facto captain Francisco Lindor advised ESPN earlier than the sport that he wished to speak about Soto when he wore the microphone in-game for “Sunday Evening Baseball.” And Lindor did simply that, lauding his new teammate. — Olney
Document: 31-23
Earlier rating: 7
The Padres will face the Dodgers for the primary time in every week and a half, once they host them for what needs to be a fascinating sequence at Petco Park. Within the meantime, they’ve regularly utilized stress to the crew many anticipated to run away with the Nationwide League West. They’ve accomplished so principally behind their finest gamers. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill have mixed to slash .301/.363/.501. Robert Suarez has regarded like top-of-the-line closers in baseball, main the NL with 17 saves. Within the rotation, Nick Pivetta and Michael King dominated in April, Dylan Stop began to spherical into type in Could and Yu Darvish is anticipated again in June. — Gonzalez
Document: 30-24
Earlier rating: 8
Seattle has been outlined by an unexpectedly productive offense led by early MVP candidate Cal Raleigh and out-of-nowhere thumper Jorge Polanco. Polanco’s work from home is especially spectacular. T-Cell Park has been generally known as a troublesome hitters’ park lately — however that has not been the case for Polanco. He has an OPS over 1.000, together with eight residence runs in solely 19 video games. Raleigh additionally has eight residence runs at residence. Supervisor Dan Wilson has pushed the fitting buttons, offering confidence for a gaggle of hitters who seemingly lacked it when acting at residence in earlier years. — Rogers
Document: 31-25
Earlier rating: 9
The primary iteration of Buster Posey’s Giants have confirmed to be a persevering bunch, already stringing collectively 14 come-from-behind wins. And their bullpen has positive helped that trigger. Giants relievers boast the bottom ERA within the majors to date. A handful of tough outings have inflated Ryan Walker’s ERA, forcing him out as nearer. However the bridge to him had been completely dominant. Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers, Erik Miller and Randy Rodriguez have mixed for a 1.28 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP in 95 appearances. Opposing hitters are slashing simply .167/.237/219 towards them. — Gonzalez
Document: 32-24
Earlier rating: 12
Resiliency may be the defining character trait of the Cardinals this season, as they have been behind the eight ball from the get-go when St. Louis mentioned it may be taking a step again this season to reassess and reimagine the crew. Early on, it regarded as if the standings would dictate as a lot — St. Louis completed April three video games beneath .500 and in fourth place within the division. However the veterans seemingly would not give in to this narrative and the Cardinals started a climb up the standings highlighted by a nine-game win streak in Could. It vaulted them into the playoff race. — Rogers
Document: 23-20
Earlier rating: 10
The 2025 Twins have been outlined by two distinctly completely different chapters. They sat at simply 13-18 on the finish of April, however since then they’ve gained 17 of 24 video games to surge again into the playoff combine in a wide-open American League. Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa are again and wholesome however have but to completely click on offensively. Within the meantime, the Twins’ pitching employees has carried the crew of late, boasting the third-lowest ERA within the majors for the reason that begin of Could. Jhoan Duran is dominating the ninth inning, and Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack, Bailey Ober and Pablo Lopez are holding it down within the rotation. — Gonzalez
Document: 30-25
Earlier rating: 15
Whereas mainstays corresponding to Jose Altuve, Framber Valdez and Yordan Alvarez (although injured) are nonetheless main the best way in Houston, new faces have emerged to maintain the Astros within the hunt. On the high of the rotation is Hunter Brown, who provides up solely 5.8 hits per 9 innings pitched and has a 2.00 ERA and 0.916 WHIP over the primary two months. On the plate, newcomer Isaac Paredes has proved that his pull-side tendencies work effectively at Daikin Park, the place he has hit seven of his team-leading 11 residence runs. — Rogers
Document: 27-29
Earlier rating: 11
The D-backs can hit, however (considerably surprisingly) they’ve actually struggled on the mound to date. Their pitchers rank twenty fourth in ERA, forward of solely the Rockies, Orioles, A’s, Marlins, Nationals and Angels — the kinds of groups with which they actually do not need to maintain firm. Most stunning of all is that their rotation — a deep and proficient group that was additional bolstered by the shock signing of Corbin Burnes this offseason — ranks twenty fourth. Zac Gallen is off to a brutal begin, posting a 5.54 ERA in his first 66⅔ innings. And Eduardo Rodriguez had a 7.09 ERA by his first 9 begins earlier than happening due to shoulder irritation. — Gonzalez
Document: 30-25
Earlier rating: 18
Lately, the Guardians regularly remained aggressive regardless of a good price range due to their capability to develop beginning pitching. However that hasn’t essentially been the case these days. Guardians starters rank twenty third in ERA this season, on tempo to complete within the backside 10 for the third time prior to now 5 years. In addition they have the game’s highest stroll price**. Ben Full of life, the crew’s Opening Day starter, lately underwent season-ending Tommy John surgical procedure. And the homegrown trio of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and Logan Allen hasn’t been as impactful as many would have hoped. — Gonzalez
Document: 25-28
Earlier rating: 14
As they proceed to dig themselves out of that season-opening streak of seven straight losses, the Braves have made main modifications to their roster. It is fairly uncommon {that a} pennant-contending crew makes modifications at shortstop and catcher throughout a season, however that is what they’ve accomplished, putting in Nick Allen at brief and Drake Baldwin as a part of their catching platoon. Now Atlanta wants extra from the gamers signed to long-term offers, together with Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider. — Olney
Document: 28-27
Earlier rating: 22
The AL is a mud lavatory, with 11 groups carrying at the very least a 20% probability of reaching the playoffs (in keeping with Fangraphs), which means that a whole lot of golf equipment are nonetheless largely undefined. Rely the Rays amongst these — we can’t actually know what they’re able to till they get ace Shane McClanahan again, maybe someday in July or August. Jonathan Aranda is hitting over .300 and may be a number one candidate to characterize Tampa Bay on the All-Star Recreation. — Olney
Document: 30-27
Earlier rating: 13
The Royals have stayed within the combine regardless of struggling to do what just about each contender should on this period: hit the ball over the fence. Royals hitters have gathered solely 33 residence runs this season, worst within the majors**. Bobby Witt Jr. has totaled solely 5, however he has additionally slashed .290/.349/.480 whereas stealing 20 bases and accumulating a serious league-leading 21 doubles. He’s not the issue; the issue is that Royals outfielders have totaled solely seven residence runs. And that outdoors of Vinnie Pasquantino, no particular person Royals hitter has produced even six. Solely 5 groups have a decrease slugging proportion than the Royals. — Gonzalez
Document: 27-31
Earlier rating: 16
Honest or not, the Rafael Devers scenario is defining Boston’s season up to now. The best-paid participant within the group’s historical past, moved to designated hitter towards his will, has declined to take floor balls and construct extra flexibility into the roster. As an alternative, everybody else is anticipated to maneuver — extra particularly, rookie Kristian Campbell, who’s studying to play a nook infield place on the fly and taking grounders earlier than video games. Devers, in the meantime, has performed a nook spot his complete profession. Is it surprising that Campbell may be overwhelmed as he tries to hit as a rookie? He is batting .120 in Could. — Olney
Document: 28-29
Earlier rating: 19
Cincinnati has been led by beginning pitching that has saved the crew afloat within the NL Central and wild-card race. The Reds’ rotation ranks within the high half of the NL in ERA and has each energy and finesse all through. Hunter Greene is the unquestioned ace of the employees, however his supporting forged has been fairly good. Andrew Abbott is sneakily good, although he is restricted to dealing with hitters solely two occasions by the order. Nick Lodolo and Nick Martinez each have an ERA beneath 3.50, and newcomer Brady Singer had one actually unhealthy outing however has saved the Reds in video games most of the time. So has the entire rotation, actually. — Rogers
Document: 29-28
Earlier rating: 20
Pitching accidents and an underachieving offense have outlined the Brewers up to now. After exhibiting some pop throughout spring coaching — OK, it is spring coaching, in any case — they’ve accomplished something however on the plate. The crew ranks within the backside 5 in residence runs and has been shut out in back-to-back video games three completely different occasions in Could. Struggling people embody catcher William Contreras, who completed fifth in MVP voting final season. He has solely 5 residence runs and a .695 OPS. However Milwaukee nonetheless runs effectively, and that has helped the crew keep afloat within the wild-card race. — Rogers
Document: 27-30
Earlier rating: 17
Shedding Corey Seager undoubtedly damage, however even with that, Texas is performing so much like final yr on the plate — and it already has price the crew a hitting coach. The Rangers rank twenty seventh in OPS, which is definitely worse than their 2024 mark (twenty third). The checklist of underperformers is prolonged: Marcus Semien, Jake Burger and Adolis Garcia come to thoughts whereas others, corresponding to Wyatt Langford, have been OK — however none have an OPS over .800. The return of Seager this week might be monumental for the Rangers shifting ahead. — Rogers
Document: 27-28
Earlier rating: 21
Even with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. locked down with a long-term deal price $500 million, the Jays’ offense has been shockingly poor, rating within the backside third of the large leagues in runs and residential runs. In his stroll yr, Bo Bichette has an on-base proportion somewhat over .300 and a slugging proportion somewhat beneath .400. If he continues to slog alongside on this method, the Jays’ most suitable choice within the offseason may be to increase him a qualifying provide, which is able to most likely be within the vary of $21 million, creating the likelihood he might be again for 2026. — Olney
Document: 25-30
Earlier rating: 24
Defining these Angels is a bit tough: They’ve had moments once they’ve hit and pitched effectively however all the time appear to take a step backward after taking one ahead. Finally, they’ve hung round due to a few streaks, most notably a current eight-game profitable streak that included a formidable sweep of the Dodgers throughout rivalry weekend. Who the Angles are may not but be decided, however up to now there was a pleasant resiliency to Ron Washington’s squad. His management in his second yr as supervisor has proved to be a bit extra steadying. — Rogers
Document: 25-30
Earlier rating: 25
With this rebuilding franchise a member of certainly one of MLB’s hardest divisions, the Nationals’ season can be judged on the evolution of their youngest large leaguers — and, up to now, they’ve had a combined bag of performances. James Wooden is hitting effectively with a .950 OPS, and MacKenzie Gore has 93 strikeouts in 62⅓ innings. However Dylan Crews has struggled total, hitting beneath .200, and Mitchell Parker has given up 4 earned runs or extra in 5 of his previous six begins. — Olney
Document: 23-33
Earlier rating: 23
Solely the Orioles have a worse residence ERA than the Athletics, who vowed to make Sutter Well being Park in Sacramento a bonus for them. It has been something however because the A’s are 9-19 there, serving up 50 residence runs whereas hitting solely 31. Lower than a month in the past, their outlook was brilliant thanks partially to a strong street report that had them in each the division and wild-card hunt, however their lack of ability to pitch effectively at residence has change into their Achilles’ heel. To wit: Not one even semi-regular starter has a house ERA beneath 5.50. — Rogers
Document: 22-32
Earlier rating: 26
Miami shouldn’t be contending, so this should be a yr of small successes, just like the one the Marlins have skilled with outfielder Kyle Stowers. Acquired in a commerce with Baltimore final summer time, Stowers has change into maybe the front-runner to be their All-Star consultant this yr. The Orioles’ second-round decide in 2019, Stowers is hitting .291 — and .375 towards left-handed pitching — with a .362 on-base proportion and 10 homers. He’s precisely what the Orioles thought they have been getting once they signed Tyler O’Neill to a $49.5 million contract this previous offseason. — Olney
Document: 19-36
Earlier rating: 27
Baltimore is baseball’s most disappointing crew of 2025, and evaluators with different groups say that the Orioles’ pitching issues would possibly proceed into subsequent yr and past. Zach Eflin has been good for them when wholesome — save for a mid-Could outing wherein he gave up 4 homers and eight runs towards the Nationals — and would most likely fetch an honest commerce return. But it surely’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Baltimore tries to signal Eflin to an extension, at a time when it has to rebuild its pitching. — Olney
Document: 21-36
Earlier rating: 28
His strikeout totals aren’t as eye-popping as they have been final season, however nonetheless, Paul Skenes remains to be the must-watch attraction of the Pirates. He has made each flip within the rotation, has a masterful complete-game loss towards the Phillies and provides up solely 6.2 hits per 9 innings pitched. Skenes appears to be discovering his stride as he has gone at the very least six innings in every of his previous 4 begins, giving up solely a one run in every of the previous three. And keep in mind, he needs to be close to good as Pittsburgh is averaging an MLB-worst three runs per recreation. Skenes is the only real hope for a Pirates turnaround — although it will not come this season. — Rogers
Document: 18-38
Earlier rating: 29
The White Sox are nonetheless actually unhealthy, on tempo to complete with the AL’s worst report for the second straight yr. And their Most worthy commerce possibility, Luis Robert Jr., is off to a dreadful begin, making it unlikely that he’ll deliver again something near the kind of return they have been hoping for. However one main brilliant spot has emerged of late: Miguel Vargas, acquired from the Dodgers in final summer time’s Michael Kopech commerce, has lastly gotten going. The 25-year-old infielder was slashing simply .139/.236/.203 on April 21. Since then, it is .316/.382/.607. — Gonzalez
Document: 9-47
Earlier rating: 30
The 2024 White Sox — you understand, the crew that misplaced a modern-day report 121 occasions — gained their tenth recreation of the season on Could 9. It is Could 29 now, and the 2025 Rockies nonetheless have not gained their tenth recreation. By means of their first 56 video games, the Rockies sit at 9-47, six video games worse than the 2024 White Sox have been at that time of their season. That is how unhealthy the Rockies have been. Their run-differential is a whopping minus-175, and no different crew is even at minus-100 at this level. Their offense ranks twenty ninth in OPS, twenty ninth in strikeout price and thirtieth in runs per recreation. Their pitching employees has the worst ERA and the second-worst strikeout-to-walk ratio. — Gonzalez
