One-third of the major league season is over. That’s insane to think about.
But as the season goes on, teams start to reveal who they are, whether that be regression, progression, or injury.
One of those teams has been the Diamondbacks. Injuries to their bullpen, along with poor performances from the rotation, has led to a 2-8 record in their last 10 games and 27-30 record. Another team, on the positive side, has been the Braves. After an 0-7 start, the team has gone 26-23 and put themselves back in the playoff hunt.
Memorial Day weekend is over. And now begins a pivotal month for every team that is holding on to playoff hopes. Either dominate in June and make yourself a buyer at the deadline, or falter and look to put players on the trade block. Let’s buckle in.
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
1. Phillies
Philadelphia continued their strong May last week, solidifying themselves at No. 1 overall for this week’s update. They had an argument to be here last week, but just fell short.
The record was juiced by playing bad teams, but the Phillies hosted the Atlanta Braves at full strength at home May 27 and 29, and took care of business by beating Spencer Strider and taking two of three games. In that game against Strider, the Phils got a strong performance from Ranger Suárez, who now holds a 2.97 ERA on the season. That rotation is elite, and dare I say, better than the early 2010s rotation that featured Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels.
2. Tigers
Detroit started their week in a rough spot. They hosted the Guardians for a four-game series, but lost three to give ground in the division. But, they saved themselves a serious demotion in the top-10 by sweeping the Giants behind some serious pitching performances.
Yet, despite the Tigers holding the Giants to five runs over three games, the most impressive pitching performance came Sunday against the Guardians. Tarik Skubal pitched a Maddux to salvage the final game, ending his shutout performance with a 103-mile-per-hour fastball to strike out Gabriel Arias. It was special. The lefty now holds a 2.49 ERA and 92 punchouts in only 68 2/3 innings.
3. Yankees
I try to finalize these rankings before Saturday morning, so there’s an argument to slot the Yankees down after their Friday night meltdown to the Dodgers. But, outside that game, the Yanks had a fantastic showing in their second West Coast trip of the season. They took a series against the Rockies, swept the Angels who were one of the hottest teams in baseball, and fell short in an 8-5 loss to the Dodgers, started by Max Fried.
Aaron Judge homered again, improving his total to 19 longballs on the season. Oh by the way, he’s also batting .392. Hitting isn’t supposed to be that easy. Fried was his counterpart on the pitching side, but allowed more than two earned runs in a start for the first time this season with a rare poor outing, highlighted by two homers from Shohei Ohtani.
4. Dodgers
The Dodgers at four? Sound the alarms!
Seriously, though, this could be the lowest I ever rank them. The Tigers are playing elite baseball, the Yanks are winning, the Phillies have the best record, plus they didn’t play great baseball last week. The Dodgers lost a series to the Mets on the road, being held to just two and one runs in the final two games.
Ohtani no-showed in that series, but bounced back in the next two series against the Guardians and Yankees. Ohtani clubbed a longball for the only Dodgers run against the Mets May 25, then two against the Guardians May 26 and 27, then another two Friday night against Fried. Woof, that’s a lot of home runs.
It’s starting to play out like last year in the MVP races. Just Judge and Ohtani at this point. And by the way, the man is pitching, and will be pitching soon.
5. Mets
The past week was great for Met land. They took two of three from the Dodgers, handled business with a series win against the White Sox, and secured a Game 1 win against the Rockies Friday.
So why are they five? Well, Juan Soto having a batting average below .230 doesn’t help. In fact, the offense being the third worst club in the majors with runners in scoring position doesn’t help either. Only the White Sox and Pirates were worse for most of May.
I only highlight this because it won’t last. It can’t last. Eventually, Brandon Nimmo and Soto’s numbers will reflect their hard-hit rates. Eventually, Jesse Winker and perhaps Ronny Mauricio will be on the roster healthy. I’m not too worried. Plus, once that happens, the Mets will be able to pair the best team ERA in the majors with it.
6. Cubs
The Cubs were beneficiaries of a light schedule the last week. They got the Reds on the road, the Rockies at home, and now play the Reds at Wrigley this weekend. Still, they took care of business and continue to score runs. 37 runs in six games secured a 5-1 stretch against those clubs before their Friday night loss.
The offense is elite. And Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to display the power not many believed was in the tank. Seiya Suzuki has also been a massive part of the lineup, and now leads the National League with 51 RBIs while maintaining a .900 OPS.
7. Padres
San Diego took care of some NL East foes the past week. They traveled to Atlanta to promptly take two of three from the Braves, then hosted the Marlins at home where they barely missed a sweep with a 10-8 loss Wednesday.
The Friars are getting a team effort so far to keep pace with the Dodgers. Tatis, Manny Machado, and Gavin Sheets have led the offense, while Nick Pivetta and Michael King have stabilized the rotation. The club is 5-5 in their last 10 games with a +19 run differential, but could really use a left fielder and fourth starter to soar.
8. Giants
Talk about a rough go-around for the Giants. They handled the young Nationals for a series win last weekend, but got knocked on their behinds by the AL-best Tigers. Not ideal when you only score five runs in three games.
Still, the club rebounded with a win over the Marlins Friday and continue to be MLB’s biggest surprise team in the majors. The rotation has been the horse of this team, with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray registering ERAs under three heading into June. They might be the best 1-2 pitching combo in the league.
Plus, the offense is being held up by the outfield and Matt Chapman in the infield. The only weak spot on this club has been first base. LaMonte Wade Jr. has a 60 OPS+. (Ryan O’Hearn has the second-best OPS in the AL, just saying.)
9. Twins
When Minnesota first got on the list, I didn’t know if they had the fire to stay. A 12 game win streak propolled them here, but solid baseball and roster construction has kept them here.
Last week was another success for them as well. A series win against division foe Kansas City was a plus, then they salvaged a game against the hot Rays before heading to Seattle. Pitching has helped this squad get to a 31-25 record, and it’s time to give Joe Ryan his flowers. The 29-year-old has a 2.57 ERA and 10.3 K/9. He might finish top-three in the Cy Young this year. The club, however, desperately needs infield help. No one in the dirt has an OPS+ of 100.
10. Cardinals
Like the Twins, the Cardinals also find themselves planted in the top-10 after a hot streak.
The offense has finally started clicking as constructed. Iván Herrera has been an excellent catching replacement for Willson Contreras, and has a 185 OPS+ at the plate to back up the glove. Lars Nootbaar has been productive with a 115 OPS+, and Brendan Donovan leads the NL in hits (70) and doubles (18).
The bullpen has also been elite for a solid overall rotation. Phil Maton and Kyle Leahy both have ERAs that start with two, and Ryan Helsley has performed much better after a poor start. The club could use another bat as the season goes on, but as constructed, this club probably makes the postseason with some aid from the mediocre NL Central.
Rest of the Field
11. Astros
12. Mariners
13. Guardians
14. Brewers
15. Rays
16. Diamondbacks
17. Braves
18. Royals
19. Rangers
20. Nationals
21. Red Sox
22. Blue Jays
23. Reds
24. Angels
25. Athletics
26. Orioles
27. Pirates
28. Marlins
29. White Sox
30. Rockies
