We’re approaching the one-month mark of the 2025 MLB season, and while it’s still a bit early to hold too tightly to standing implications, there are definitely some surprises that have caught our attention. Let’s dive into the early dynamics of this season and see where each team stands.
In the NL West, just 2.5 games separate four teams, with three of them boasting winning percentages north of .600. This division is shaping up to be quite the battleground, with top-caliber squads vying for playoff positioning. And speaking of surprises, who would’ve guessed that the Atlanta Braves would currently find themselves at the bottom of the NL East, trailing teams like the Marlins and Nationals?
Meanwhile, over in the American League, the Yankees are living up to expectations so far, but a few teams are hovering around the .500 mark. The Orioles are facing some struggles, and the once-promising Twins are sitting with one of the league’s weakest records.
As we turn the page into May, the question becomes: will these teams be able to carry their momentum forward or will we see some pivotal changes in fortunes?
Taking all of this into account, our expert panel has come together to rank each team based on early-season performances yet to be fully formed in this lengthy 162-game marathon. We’ve also gathered perspectives from respected MLB insiders to bring you observations on all 30 teams.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers entered this season with a roster fortified to withstand the attrition that often plagues teams throughout the year. Despite some setbacks—Tony Gonsolin, Blake Snell, Blake Treinen, and Michael Kopech have all faced injuries—the Dodgers have managed to remain competitive. Their ability to win, albeit not at the expected pace, keeps them firmly among the elite.
2. San Diego Padres
If anyone thought the Padres would falter after last year’s disappointing playoffs and a subdued offseason, they were mistaken. The team kicked off 2025 with the second-best record in the league, winning their first seven games and five out of six series. The emergence of Nick Pivetta as a reliable pitcher and a more patient Fernando Tatis Jr. have energized this team, especially at their home park, where they have an impressive 12-1 record.
3. New York Mets
Citi Field has become a haven for excited Mets fans, and with good reason. The team is on fire, leveraging a starting rotation that has transformed from a perceived weakness into one of the most formidable in the game. Their rotation’s impressive ERA is leading the majors, and there’s a palpable energy surrounding this team.
4. New York Yankees
Aaron Judge is making a strong case for his title as the best hitter in baseball once again. As of now, he leads in several key batting categories, and his performance is echoing the historical dominance he showcased last season. The Yankees are capitalizing on Judge’s prowess as they strive to maintain their competitive edge.
5. San Francisco Giants
With Buster Posey at the helm as president of baseball operations, the Giants are focused on building a team defined by pitching and defense. Rookie Jung Hoo Lee, who battled injuries last season, is stepping up impressively, providing much-needed offensive production.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Carroll has been the catalyst for the D-backs’ offense, but it’s been Pavin Smith’s emergence that has been particularly rewarding. With Smith batting almost .400 in the opening month, he has shown that the team can effectively fill the gaps resulting from other departures.
7. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have embraced an identity that favors slugging, showing resilience in their recent high-scoring games. While injuries to key players like Justin Steele pose challenges, the offensive talents of Kyle Tucker and others are helping the Cubs hold their own in the NL Central.
8. Philadelphia Phillies
Dombrowski has assembled bullpens with varying success, and early signs suggest some growing pains this season. While their core contributors have performed adequately, the inconsistent play from relievers is a worry moving forward.
9. Detroit Tigers
Backed by the impressive performances of Casey Mize and Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers are seeing their top prospects realize their potential. Mize’s resurgence, paired with Torkelson’s impressive start, is driving optimism for the season ahead.
10. Texas Rangers
Early pitching prowess has helped the Rangers take a lead in the AL West, but there are concerns about their offensive consistency. They’ll need to adapt and find ways to generate runs beyond their reliance on the long ball.
11. Boston Red Sox
Rafael Devers seems to have found his groove after a rocky start, but there remains an issue with the overall offensive output, particularly given the talent in their lineup. The inconsistency needs addressing to keep pace in a competitive league.
12. Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians continue to defy expectations, maintaining a winning record despite some glaring discrepancies in their run differential. Key hitters like Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez are putting in the work, and while their closer is struggling, the bullpen has featured some bright spots.
13. Milwaukee Brewers
After a rough start, the Brewers rebounded impressively, reflecting their reputation for resilience. Even with injuries affecting their pitching staff, they have stabilized, which speaks to the strength of their pitching depth.
14. Houston Astros
Hunter Brown has emerged as the new ace for the Astros, providing stability with stellar performance on the mound. His rapid development and improved velocity are vital as the team looks to solidify its standings.
15. Atlanta Braves
The Braves are working through some early-season challenges, including injuries to star players like Spencer Strider. While they’ve bounced back from a rough start, consistent momentum has been elusive.
16. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners’ home and road discrepancies are becoming absurd, with their road offense thriving while struggling at home. A recent strong performance from Dylan Moore illustrates the importance of finding offensive balance.
17. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are making strides compared to last season, and the decision to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a lucrative deal is a bold move that could define their future. They’re hoping for a successful run to remain competitive.
18. Cincinnati Reds
While the Reds’ offense has underwhelmed besides a standout performance against the Orioles, their young pitchers are showing promise. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo are taking steps forward, showcasing their potential.
19. Tampa Bay Rays
Playing without a true home has hampered the Rays as they navigate early-season challenges. They’ll need to find comfort in the unfamiliar and convert that into wins to remain competitive in the AL East.
20. Baltimore Orioles
Struggles in starting pitching have surfaced for the Orioles, placing them in a precarious position. With a high ERA among their starters and injuries affecting key players, they’ll need to make adjustments quickly to climb out of the standings’ depths.
21. Kansas City Royals
Suffering from offensive woes, the Royals are searching for a spark. While Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia are shining, the broader lineup needs to perform better, leading to calls for top prospect Jac Caglianone to get the nod.
22. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals started strong but are now grappling with inconsistency. They have bright spots in their lineup, yet the up-and-down performances are a hurdle to finding any rhythm.
23. Los Angeles Angels
After a promising beginning, the Angels have helter-skeltered back to the .500 mark, with their bullpen’s shortcomings becoming a glaring issue. Emerging talents within the pen might offer a glimmer of hope moving forward.
24. Oakland Athletics
The Athletics’ home-field struggles have compounded early season frustrations. They’ve struggled significantly at home compared to on the road, indicating that they need to adapt quickly to address issues in their lineup.
25. Miami Marlins
The Marlins continue to navigate a tough season both in terms of wins and run differential. With Sandy Alcantara’s trade value on the radar, they’ll need him to return to form quickly to remain viable.
26. Minnesota Twins
Injuries are proving a significant hurdle for the Twins, impacting their season outlook. A daunting position at the bottom of the AL Central highlights the urgent need for key players like Royce Lewis to return.
27. Washington Nationals
There’s reassurance to be found in MacKenzie Gore’s impressive starts, raising excitement about his potential future. While the early strikeout pace is promising, the overall team still has room to grow.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates’ opening month has been overshadowed by distractions off the field. Despite the strong showing from Paul Skenes, the surrounding issues are fracturing the atmosphere as the team struggles to correlate on-field performance with the surrounding drama.
29. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are mired in a tough start, compounded by below-par performances from promising players. The lack of offensive firepower is dimming prospects as they navigate this difficult chapter.
30. Colorado Rockies
After a disappointing start, the Rockies have initiated significant changes in their coaching staff, but the results are yet to show significant improvement. They remain at the bottom of the standings and must find a way to turn things around.
As we step into May, the narratives around each team are shifting, and the anticipation of the coming month is palpable. Will momentum carry forward, or will we see the tides turn in this marathon of a season? Only time will tell.
