MLB power rankings: Streaking Phillies take over NL East lead with baseball's best record
It's only Memorial Day, but the National League East race has already been a roller-coaster.
The New York Mets stormed out to a five-game lead by the end of April, but the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies have taken control in recent weeks, entering the holiday with a two-game advantage – and baseball's best record at 34-19.
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Philadelphia just had a nine-game winning streak snapped – with the first seven coming against the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies and lowly Pittsburgh Pirates – and will face a big test this week welcoming the Atlanta Braves to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game set.
The Braves, who started the season 0-8, battled back to .500 and are primed to take off with the return of Ronald Acuña Jr., back in the Atlanta lineup a year after suffering a season-ending injury.
Here's a look at this week's rankings:
Kyle Schwarber scores a run against the Athletics.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
Shohei Ohtani touches 97 mph in his first live batting practice.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (+2)
Zack Wheeler gave up just two earned runs (0.68 ERA) in four May starts.
3. Detroit Tigers (-1)
Dropped three of four vs. Cleveland and have a tough week ahead with series against Giants and Royals.
4. New York Mets (-1)
Brett Baty playing himself into an everyday role? Infielder had five homers with 11 RBIs through 40 at-bats in May.
5 Chicago Cubs (+2)
Drew Pomeranz, who hadn't pitched in the majors since 2021, yet to give up a run in 13 appearances.
6. New York Yankees (+2)
Devin Williams finding his footing in the Bronx with seven consecutive scoreless outings since May 7.
Let's talk about Robbie Ray being 7-0 with a 2.56 ERA.
Jake Cronenworth (.870 OPS in 83 AB) looking like the hitter he was back in 2020-21.
9. St. Louis Cardinals (+3)
Long Island native Steven Matz thriving in a hybrid role (1.99 ERA in 31⅔ innings) and could be a hot free agent commodity this winter – or summer if the Cardinals fall out of contention.
10. Cleveland Guardians (-)
Hunter Gaddis (0.86 ERA) tied for the MLB lead with 13 holds.
11. Seattle Mariners (-2)
George Kirby got hit hard in his first start of 2025.
12 Minnesota Twins (-1)
Cut loose by the Phillies after an 0-for-6 start, Kody Clemens has a 1.130 OPS in 47 at-bats for Minnesota.
Kansas City's 3.22 bullpen ERA ranks third in the American League.
14. Houston Astros (+1)
Jeremy Peña quietly off to a stellar start with career-bests in average, slugging and OPS.
15. Tampa Bay Rays (+7)
Riding a five-game win streak into Memorial Day, the Rays racked up 38 steals in the first 22 games of May.
Zac Gallen (5.25 ERA, NL-worst 29 walks) isn't doing himself any favors early in his contract year.
17 Cincinnati Reds (-)
Austin Hays just keeps hitting, now with a .951 OPS in 108 at-bats
18 Atlanta Braves (-)
Ronald Acuña Jr. back with a bang, homering in his first two games.
19. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)
Top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski has a 1.55 ERA in Class AAA and hit 103 mph in a start earlier in May.
20. Texas Rangers (-4)
Nathan Eovaldi lhas a 1.60 ERA in 11 starts and is on pace to set a career high for innings pitched.
21. Boston Red Sox (-2)
Alex Bregman will be out for a while with quad injury, opening the door for top prospect Marcelo Mayer.
22. Washington Nationals (+2)
Jackson Rutledge carving out a relief role with a 2.95 ERA in 16 appearances.
George Springer is in a 2-for-29 slump entering Memorial Day.
24. Athletics (+1)
Yolo County has been kind to Rookie of the Year favorite Jacob Wilson, batting .375 at Sutter Health Park.
25. Los Angeles Angels (-)
Mike Trout could see more time as the designated hitter upon his return.
26 Miami Marlins (+1)
Connor Norby turning it on, hitting .370 with 9 RBI in his last 13 games.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)
Jared Jones' elbow surgery will sideline him for the next year.
Things continue to get worse, losing six of their first nine after firing manager Brandon Hyde.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
Luis Robert, batting .190 with a .588 OPS, leads the majors with 20 steals.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
They won a game against the Yankees.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Red-hot Phillies top NL East standings
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43 minutes ago
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