If you’re feeling down as a fan of the White Sox or Rockies right now, take a page from the Detroit Tigers’ playbook. Just six years ago, in 2019, they stumbled their way to an eye-watering 114 losses. Fast forward to 2023, and they’re not just out of the basement—they’re sitting atop our Power Rankings, ahead of perennial contenders like the Dodgers and Yankees. The message is clear: there’s always a glimmer of hope, even in the darkest times.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s rankings, backed by the insights of our MLB.com contributors, showcasing how the landscape of baseball is evolving.
- Tigers (previously 3rd)
Tarik Skubal had a rough couple of outings recently, giving up five runs against the Red Sox in mid-May and three runs to the Cardinals shortly after that. But rather than let that affect him, Skubal came back with a vengeance. He delivered an unbelievable performance, tossing 16 consecutive scoreless innings against the Guardians and Royals. His game against Cleveland was historic—he racked up 13 strikeouts, setting a record for the most K’s in a complete-game shutout that was completed in under 100 pitches. It was truly a masterclass from the young lefty. - Dodgers (previously 2nd)
Mookie Betts is the heartbeat of this team, and it’s testament to his resilience that he’s on track for a swift return. Just after breaking his toe at home, he managed to wear closed-toed shoes over the weekend, hinting that he’s close to rejoining the lineup. Given how quickly he’s bounced back, it certainly seems like he’s on the fast track back to the field—faster than most of us would be, let’s be honest! - Cubs (previously 5th)
Ben Brown’s recent struggles had him pulled from the rotation, but the Cubs’ strategy to use him in relief on Saturday proved wise. He delivered six brilliant innings with nine strikeouts, reminding everyone why he was once a top prospect. If he can channel that energy back into a starting role soon, the Cubs may find themselves rising even higher in the rankings. - Phillies (previously 1st)
Bryce Harper will be back after missing five games due to an elbow issue. His return couldn’t come at a better time, as the Phillies just dropped out of first place following a tough series against the Brewers. Harper’s presence in the lineup is crucial, especially as they look to regain momentum in a competitive NL East. - Mets (previously 6th)
If you haven’t caught a game at Citi Field this season, you’re missing out on an electric environment. The fans are a massive part of that energy, as evidenced by the Mets achieving a remarkable 23-7 record at home. This start ties them with the legendary 1986 Mets for the best home start ever. - Yankees (previously 4th)
The Yankees managed to avoid a sweep against the Dodgers, extending their longest-in-baseball streak of dodging sweeps since last July. This consistency is a testament to their resilience, as they stand alongside only two other teams this season that haven’t experienced any series sweeps. - Padres (previously 9th)
Fernando Tatis Jr. had been building an MVP case this season, but a recent slump—batting just .188 over his last 23 games—has dimmed that chatter. Yet, his defensive prowess remains crucial, and his late-inning heroics in right field are a testament to his impact on the team’s success. - Cardinals (previously 12th)
Brendan Donovan is having a breakout season worthy of attention. Currently sitting third in the NL batting average race and leading in hits and doubles, he’s proving to be a phenomenal asset for a Cardinals team that’s defied expectations thus far. An All-Star spot seems highly likely for the electric young player. - Mariners (previously 8th)
As the Mariners look to reclaim the AL West crown, May 30 could be a pivotal date for them. That’s when they fell out of first place and also when they decided to call up Cole Young, a standout from Triple A. With his impressive average, he could be the spark needed to reignite the team’s recent form. - Giants (previously 7th)
The Giants faced a tough sweep at the hands of the Tigers recently, and certain hitters are in need of turnaround—most notably Willy Adames, Patrick Bailey, and Lamonte Wade Jr. Coach Pat Burrell’s insights on these players highlight the team’s strategy to get these slumping hitters back on track in a tough division. - Guardians (previously 11th)
Steven Kwan has been steadily hitting over .300 this season, a feat he’s aiming to achieve for the first time in his career. He’s back up to .313 recently, offering a bright spot for the Guardians as they navigate their ups and downs. - Twins (previously 10th)
Byron Buxton’s return following a concussion is a welcome sight for the Twins, who finally have their star trio of Correa, Buxton, and Royce Lewis back. However, it’s worth noting that Lewis is currently in a rough patch, and the team will need him to get right soon if they plan to make a difference in the standings. - Astros (previously 13th)
The Astros reclaimed the top spot temporarily, but they are anxiously waiting for Yordan Alvarez to return to the lineup after discovering a “very small fracture” in his right hand. If they want to stay competitive in the tight AL West race, they’ll need their slugger back sooner rather than later. - Brewers (previously 22nd)
Christian Yelich seems to have found his groove, and his recent hot streak helped lift the Brewers out of a slump. Posting impressive numbers during his seven-game hit streak, Yelich is reminding everyone why he’s been a force in this league. Fortunately, his wrist X-ray results were negative after a hit by pitch, so fans can keep celebrating his return to form. - Royals (previously 16th)
The Royals have found themselves struggling offensively, which is particularly frustrating as division rivals have capitalized on their poor play. With the call-up of top prospect Jac Caglianone, there’s a glimmer of hope that they can turn things around. - Rays (previously 21st)
The Rays pulled a surprising move by sending down Chandler Simpson, who’s been impressive on the basepaths, in favor of bringing back Jake Mangum. While this decision may raise eyebrows, it seems the Rays simply ran out of roster space. - Blue Jays (previously 20th)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to impress, extending his on-base streak to 32 games—his longest since his debut. He’s just one game shy of matching his father’s career-high streak, underscoring his potential to leave a lasting legacy in the sport. - Diamondbacks (previously 15th)
Corbin Burnes’ injury concerns are looming large for the Diamondbacks. Any extended absence could drastically alter both their divisional and Wild Card aspirations, making every outing crucial as they look to climb back into contention. - Reds (previously 18th)
The Reds are an embodiment of mediocrity right now, sitting firmly at .500. Heading into the weekend, they matched every record and performance metric perfectly. Now, that balance has been tipped with back-to-back losses to the Cubs, causing them to fall back as they try to navigate their path forward. - Braves (previously 17th)
It’s worth noting that Braves fans are starting to feel the heat. They have a history of second-half surges, but with a significant gap between them and the current NL East leaders, combined with a drop to fourth place, it’s a precarious time for the defending champs. - Red Sox (previously 14th)
The Red Sox offense is on the upswing, led by Rafael Devers, who’s thriving as a designated hitter this season with a league-high in RBIs. However, they need to solve their issues on the mound to rise back up in the AL East standings. - Rangers (previously 19th)
Manager Bruce Bochy is no stranger to adversity, and he’s coined a term for the current struggles of the Rangers’ offense—”torture baseball.” Thankfully, things looked slightly brighter against the Cardinals, but consistency is the name of the game. - Nationals (previously 25th)
James Wood’s recent stellar play is helping the Nationals stay competitive. Positioned among the league’s leaders in WAR, he’s emerging as a dark horse MVP candidate, driving hope for a franchise in transition. - Angels (previously 23rd)
Mike Trout made his return this past Friday with enthusiasm for the game. While his early-season numbers are lower than usual, he’s got plenty of time to turn things around and help guide the Angels toward a better season. - A’s (previously 24th)
May was a month to forget for the A’s, as their pitching staff posted a staggering 6.88 ERA. The bullpen has particularly struggled, with multiple relievers unable to keep runs off the board. It’s hard to find positives in that kind of performance. - Marlins (previously 26th)
First base has been a major headache for the Marlins for years, and things haven’t improved with the release of Matt Mervis due to struggles. The team continues to search for stability at a position that’s been a revolving door. - Orioles (previously 27th)
The Orioles may find some much-needed reinforcements on the way with the return of top prospects Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg. With some players hitting the injured list, their return could potentially shake things up in Baltimore. - Pirates (previously 28th)
Under the new leadership of Don Kelly, the Pirates have shown some improvement, going slightly better since the managerial change. Still, there’s a lot of work to do to climb out of the bottom tier of the standings. - White Sox (previously 29th)
Frustrated fans are questioning the progress of the White Sox, but manager Will Venable emphasizes the importance of growth over immediate results. He insists that improvement is a continuous process, regardless of the hardships they’re facing right now. - Rockies (previously 30th)
The Rockies have officially set an all-time record for consecutive series losses at 22. The outlook may improve slightly with a series against the Marlins next, but the path ahead remains daunting—with a notably tough schedule to follow soon after.
As always, stay tuned as the baseball landscape continues to shift, filled with excitement, unexpected turns, and the ever-present hope that keeps fans coming back for more.
