They are getting amazing starting pitching and production up and down their lineup. They have been the hottest team in the National League.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
Aug 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third base Addison Barger (47) celebrates hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
They have been playing great baseball lately and have taken over top spot in the AL East.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Jun 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Dodgers are once again a top team in the league. They have dealt with a lot of pitching injuries, but have managed to figure it out. Expect them to be busy at the trade deadline.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) scores a run during the tenth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
They have a terrific lineup, great starting pitching, and plenty of arms in the pen. They will be in a battle with the Mets for stop spot in the NL East for the rest of the season.
5. New York Mets
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Their starting pitching has been one of the best in baseball until recently, and their lineup is great. Edwin Diaz is one of the best closers in baseball as well.
6. Chicago Cubs
Jul 13, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The offense is amazing, the starting pitching has been solid, and the bullpen has settled in nicely thanks to Daniel Palencia locking things down at the end of games.
7. Detroit Tigers
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; American League pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the first inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Great rotation and getting production from young hitters. They have struggled for a couple weeks now.
8. Boston Red Sox
Jul 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) throws during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Lack of pitching depth might be a problem, but they are dangerous offensively and can make some serious noise.
9. San Diego Padres
David Frerker-Imagn Images
Have been playing solid baseball all year, just play in a tough division. Their bullpen is their biggest asset.
10. Houston Astros
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Their starting pitching has been great, their bullpen has been great and their lineup has exceeded expectations, even with all the inuries they have suffered.
11. Seattle Mariners
Jun 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Their starting pitching is solid and getting healthy, and their lineup is much better than last year.
12. New York Yankees
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Their pitching has let them down over the past couple of weeks, but they still remain a contender.
13. Texas Rangers
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching, especially the starting pitching, has been excellent. They are playing well lately and are making a run toward an AL wild card spot.
14. Cincinnati Reds
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) of the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
They have good SP and a fun young lineup. They could surprise some people the rest of the way.
15. Cleveland Guardians
Jul 4, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) advances to third on a hit by right fielder Nolan Jones (not pictured) during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
They are playing inconsistent baseball, but they always seem to be in the race at the end.
16. Tampa Bay Rays
Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero (13) during the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
They have slipped a bit recently and likely will not make the postseason.
17. San Francisco Giants
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League pitcher Logan Webb (62) of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the third inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
They are playing much better than anyone expected. The pitching is dominant, but they still don’t look like they will make the playoffs.
18. Miami Marlins
Jul 1, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera (27) pitches in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
They have been one of the best teams in the league over the past 7 or 8 weeks.
19. St. Louis Cardinals
May 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
They were contending for a wild card spot a month ago, but have sold off pieces and will go into the offseason looking to rebuild.
20. Arizona Diamondbacks
Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Great lineup, but limited by pitching issues. They sold off pieces.
21. Kansas City Royals
Oct 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) fields a ball against the New York Yankees during game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Their pitching is good, but the offense is letting them down. They are not close to what they were a year ago.
22. Minnesota Twins
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Twins are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league, and could become sellers.
23. Baltimore Orioles
Jul 2, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (32) walks to the on deck circle during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Although still in last place, they have been playing better lately.
24. Los Angeles Angels
Jul 9, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (3) hits a two RBI single in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Angels bats have been great lately, but overall they aren’t very good.
25. Atlanta Braves
Sep 30, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) runs out an infield single against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Braves are still playing well below expectations. Injuries have played a big role, but they also have a number of important hitters struggling.
26. Washington Nationals
Jul 12, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) singles during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
This is a very young and talented team, but they lack depth and experience to compete with the top teams in the league.
27. Athletics
Jun 20, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws the ball to first base for an out during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The offense is good, the pitching isn’t.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
Sep 28, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Skenes, Oneil Cruz and not much else to speak of. The Pirates are one of the worst teams in the league.
29. Chicago White Sox
Apr 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
They have the worst record in the American League for the second year in a row.
30. Colorado Rockies
Jul 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (15) runs off a solo home run in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
They are the worst team in the National League and could end the season as one of the worst teams in history.
By Louis Friedl 
Angel Atienza-Romero