Overview
- The latest rankings elevate Atlanta to No. 1 with the Dodgers at No. 2 and the Padres at No. 3, marking a clear early-season reshuffle.
- Preseason favorites have cratered, with the Mets at No. 30 during an 11-game skid in which they were outscored 62-19, and the Phillies, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Astros also in the bottom tier.
- San Diego vaulted into the top group after a 13-2 surge over 15 games that included five straight series wins.
- Injuries and thin rotations are central to Toronto and Houston’s slides, as the Blue Jays await rookie starter Trey Yesavage’s return and the Astros’ starters carry an MLB-worst 6.34 ERA.
- Unexpected risers feature the Reds, who lead the NL Central behind the league’s best bullpen despite the lowest team OPS, with steady starts also coming from the Rays, Guardians, Twins, Rangers, Athletics and Cardinals.