MLB Power Rankings — Week 3

Last week’s rankings had the Dodgers at #1, followed by the Blue Jays, Yankees, Brewers, Mets, Rangers, Astros, Guardians, Marlins, and Mariners. Two weeks into the season, we said we were starting to separate real contenders from early noise — now heading into Week 3, that separation is getting much clearer.

The biggest storyline right now is simple: the Dodgers look like the best team in baseball by a wide margin. They’ve jumped out to a 14–4 start with a +46 run differential, dominating both sides of the ball.

Right behind them, the Padres are red-hot, riding an 8-game winning streak and sitting at 13–6, proving the NL West might be the best division in baseball early on.

Elsewhere, we’re seeing some early surprises:

• The Pirates are off to a strong start and hanging near the top of the NL Central.

• The Mets have completely fallen off, currently on a long losing streak and well under .500.

• The Astros and Mariners, who were in last week’s rankings, are both struggling to stay consistent early.

This is where early-season rankings get fun — some teams are proving they’re real, while others are already trending in the wrong direction.

Week 3 Power Rankings (10–1)

10. Miami Marlins (Week 2: #9)

Miami hangs onto a spot in the top 10, hovering around .500 and staying competitive. They’re not dominating, but they’re not beating themselves either — and that’s enough to stay in the mix right now.

9. Cleveland Guardians (Week 2: #8)

Cleveland continues to win with pitching and timely hitting. They’ve been steady, and performances like their near no-hitter this week show just how dangerous their staff can be.

8. Chicago Cubs (NEW – Not Ranked Week 2)

The Cubs enter the rankings this week thanks to strong run differential and balanced play. They’ve quietly put together a solid start and are beginning to look like a legitimate contender in the NL.

7. Texas Rangers (Week 2: #6)

The Rangers remain dangerous offensively, but inconsistency is keeping them from climbing. They’re still very much in the contender tier — just not as sharp as the teams above them right now.

6. Milwaukee Brewers (Week 2: #4)

Milwaukee is still one of the better all-around teams in baseball, sitting above .500 with a strong run differential. The pitching remains their backbone, but they haven’t quite kept pace with the top tier.

5. Atlanta Braves (NEW – Not Ranked Week 2)

Atlanta jumps into the top 5 with one of the best run differentials in baseball (+41) and a strong start overall. They’re starting to look like a complete team again — dangerous lineup, reliable pitching, and winning games convincingly.

4. New York Yankees (Week 2: #3)

The Yankees remain one of the most talented teams in baseball. Strong pitching performances, however their shaky offense keep them firmly in the top tier, even if they haven’t been perfect.

3. San Diego Padres (NEW – Not Ranked Week 2)

The hottest team in baseball right now outside of the Dodgers. An 8-game win streak and elite run differential push them into the top 3. Everything is clicking — pitching, offense, momentum — and they look like a serious threat in the NL.

2. Toronto Blue Jays (Week 2: #2)

Toronto stays near the top, continuing to play strong baseball overall. They haven’t dominated the way the Dodgers have, but they remain one of the most complete teams in the league.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (Week 2: #1)

No debate anymore. The Dodgers are the clear best team in baseball right now. A 14–4 record, elite run differential, and consistent dominance on both sides of the ball separate them from everyone else. They’re not just winning — they’re controlling games.

Who’s In & Out (Week 2 → Week 3)

Still in Top 10:

• Dodgers

• Blue Jays

• Yankees

• Brewers

• Rangers

• Guardians

• Marlins

New Additions:

• Padres

• Braves

• Cubs

Dropped Out:

• Mets (major collapse)

• Astros (inconsistent start)

• Mariners (cooled off)

Falling Out of the Top 10 — What Went Wrong

While three new teams surged into this week’s rankings, it came at the expense of some notable names from Week 2. Early in the season, these shifts can happen fast — but the reasons behind them are already starting to tell a story.

New York Mets (Week 2: #5 → OUT)

The Mets didn’t just slip — they fell off a cliff. After looking like a top-tier team through the first couple weeks, they’ve hit a brutal stretch defined by a prolonged losing streak (9 games) and inconsistent play across the board. The offense has gone cold at the worst possible time, and the pitching hasn’t been able to stop the bleeding. Right now, they look nothing like the balanced contender we saw in Week 1 and Week 2.

Houston Astros (Week 2: #7 → OUT)

Houston dropping out isn’t about panic — it’s about inconsistency. The Astros have shown flashes of being a top-10 team, but they haven’t been able to string together complete series wins. The offense has been streaky, and the pitching staff hasn’t been as dominant as we’re used to seeing. This feels temporary, but in a crowded early-season field, inconsistency will push you out quickly.

Seattle Mariners (Week 2: #10 → OUT)

Seattle’s stay in the top 10 was short-lived after cooling off in Week 3. The pitching, which carried them into the rankings, hasn’t been quite as sharp, and the offense has struggled to keep pace. They’re still a solid team, but right now they look more like a fringe top-10 club rather than a lock.

The Reality of Early Season Rankings

This is exactly what makes April baseball so volatile — teams can jump in or fall out week-to-week based on just a handful of games. But even in a small sample size, trends are forming:

• The Mets’ collapse raises early red flags

• The Astros are good — just not sharp yet

• The Mariners need more offensive consistency

All three of these teams have the talent to be back in the top 10 soon. But for now, they’ve been overtaken by hotter, more complete teams.