Every week, the California Post ranks MLB’s 30 teams and highlights an intriguing awards race. Here’s the latest update (current through Friday afternoon):
1.) Braves (39-19)
Chris Sale made an impressive return to Fenway Park, showcasing an enhanced fastball during the Braves’ victory over the Red Sox. This win helped them avoid two consecutive series losses, allowing them to maintain their top spot in the rankings. (Last week: 1st)
2.) Dodgers (37-20)
Despite some turmoil—like Shohei Ohtani’s outburst on the mound and injuries to Kike Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez—the Dodgers have been extending their lead in the NL West. (Last week: 2nd)
3.) Yankees (35-22)
With Gerrit Cole back in action after a Tommy John surgery hiatus, the Yankees have surged up the standings. He recently threw 12 2/3 scoreless innings across his first two games back. (Last week: 4th)
4.) Rays (35-19)
The Rays have regained attention, assessing their lineup’s efficiency through analytics. They’ve recently struggled, losing four straight games after a hot 22-4 start, raising questions about their sustainability. (Last week: 3rd)
5.) Brewers (34-20)
Manager Pat Murphy expressed embarrassment over Abner Uribe’s controversial celebration in their victory against the Cardinals, which, unsurprisingly, has stirred discussions. (Last week: 5th)
6.) Phillies (29-28)
While the Phillies’ offense has gained attention after a shaky start, their starting rotation has apparently remained subpar early on. Yet, they’ve shown improvement this month. Much credit goes to Christopher Sanchez for breaking a club record with 44 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. (Last week: 8th)
7.) Cubs (31-27)
The unpredictable Cubs have had a wild season, being the second team in history to experience both a 10-game winning streak and a 10-game losing streak within two months. I’m honestly not sure what they’ll do next. (Last week: 6th)
8.) Cardinals (30-25)
After a no-hitter performance from Dustin May until the eighth inning, the Cardinals unfortunately found a way to lose. Yet, they somehow continue to outpace expectations. (Last week: 7th)
9.) Guardians (34-25)
Sending condolences to Taylor Swift, who might be spending time in Cleveland due to her fiancé Travis Kelsey’s investment in the team. At least they’re managing wins on the field. (Last week: 9th)
10.) Diamondbacks (31-25)
The D-backs seized opportunities against the Rockies and Giants, winning 11 out of 13 games and revitalizing their season. Notably, Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll have both made it to the top 10 in OPS recently. (Last week: 15th)
11.) Padres (32-24)
After a stretch of poor performance, the Padres have slipped down the ranking. With a recent four-game losing streak, they found themselves significantly behind in the NL West standings. (Last week: 10th)
12.) Pirates (30-28)
Interestingly, the Pirates are currently in last place despite still being above .500. Their main headline featured their top prospect’s progress. (Last week: 11th)
13.) Reds (29-27)
A Reds reporter gave a less-than-favorable review of a local dish, Skyline Chili Egg Roll, calling it “below average.” But let’s be honest, Skyline Chili isn’t for everyone. (Last week: 12th)
14.) White Sox (30-27)
The Japanese slugger, who has hit 20 home runs, is likely facing time on the IL due to a hamstring injury, which is a tough blow for the team. (Last week: 14th)
15.) Mariners (29-29)
In the tightly contested AL West, no team has managed to secure a batting average above .500. Despite having strong pitching, it’s questionable how they’ll push ahead. (Last week: 16th)
16.) Blue Jays (29-29)
The Blue Jays are showing signs of recovery, winning two series this week and finding their footing. Their team ERA has been notably strong in recent times. (Last week: 19th)
17.) Athletics (27-30)
Highly-rated prospect Gage Jump has made his debut, though it’s unfortunate he’s now playing in a less favorable environment than Triple-A. (Last week: 13th)
18.) Nationals (29-29)
We were skeptical about the Nationals, but two months in, they are within striking distance of a wild card spot. They boast the best offensive stats in MLB. (Last week: 21st)
19.) Rangers (26-31)
The Rangers have struggled offensively, losing six of their last seven games. It’s tough when you’re often playing from behind, even if their first-inning ERA is the highest in baseball. (Last week: 17th)
20.) Astros (26-33)
Ironically, the team with the worst ERA in the American League achieved their first no-hitter since 2024, surprising many. They are now just three games from the top spot. (Last week: 26th)
21.) Mets (24-33)
Just when it seemed the Mets were on a positive trajectory, they faltered, suffering a sweep at the hands of Miami. Time is running out for this expensive roster. (Last week: 18th)
22.) Red Sox (23-33)
Similarly, the Red Sox have stumbled, dropping five out of six and facing a home sweep by the Twins. It appears this season may already be a lost cause. (Last week: 20th)
23.) Twins (27-31)
Given their recent matchups, the Twins should arguably have the edge over the Red Sox, but they still need to make significant improvements. (Last week: 22nd)
24.) Orioles (26-32)
Could the rise of rookie catcher Samuel Vassallo potentially lead to changes for former number one pick Adley Rutschman at the trade deadline? (Last week: 23rd)
25.) Marlins (26-32)
When will the Marlins acknowledge their mistakes and reconsider their previous management? (Last week: 25th)
26.) Royals (22-35)
Bobby Witt Jr. is showing potential that could liken him to Mike Trout. (Last week: 24th)
27.) Giants (22-35)
After years of pretending to be title contenders, there are now calls for a genuine rebuild within the team. (Last week: 27th)
28.) Angels (22-36)
Thanks to the Angels, and notably their infamous owner Arte Moreno, for providing plenty of material for our stories recently. (Last week: 30th)
29.) Tigers (22-36)
After their recent series loss to the Angels, it might be fair to say the Tigers deserve a less fierce mascot at this point. (Last week: 28th)
30.) Rockies (21-37)
The Rockies have returned to the bottom of the standings with a dismal record of 6-19 in May. (Last week: 29th)
Award Tracker: National League Cy Young
1.) Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (5 wins, 2 losses, ERA 0.82)
Ohtani holds one of the lowest ERAs among starting pitchers, but he needs to keep this level to qualify for the ERA title given his limited innings. His situation is likely to be a focal point as the Cy Young race unfolds.
2.) Christopher Sanchez, Phillies (6-2, 1.47 ERA)
Sanchez has been exceptional in May, delivering several shutouts and leading games with a passionate performance that’s hard to beat.
3.) Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (5-2, 1.83 ERA)
Misiorowski’s remarkable skills and consistency bolster his standing in the Cy Young discussion, showing impressive performance across multiple games recently.
