3. Los Angeles Dodgers (33-20)
Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ SD, 2-1 @ MIL
Between injuries to the pitching staff and slow starts offensively from Mookie Betts and Will Smith, it still doesn’t feel like we’ve seen the Dodgers at full strength. Yet here they are, fresh off a pair of road series wins against two of the top teams in the National League, and perched atop the NL West standings with an MLB-best plus-106 run differential.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (34-16)
Previous Rank: No. 2
Last Week: 3-0 vs. BAL, 1-1 @ NYY
The Rays starting rotation has a 2.88 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a .218 opponents’ batting average on the season, while the relief corps leads the majors with 23 saves in 31 chances behind breakout closer Bryan Baker (23 G, 14/17 SV, 2.53 ERA). The bigger surprise has been an offense that ranks in the top 10 in OPS (.723, 8th) and runs scored (236, 10th).
1. Atlanta Braves (36-18)
Previous Rank: No. 1
Last Week: 3-1 @ MIA, 1-2 vs. WAS
The gap was closed between the Braves and the field following their series loss to the Nationals, and we could have a new No. 1 next week if they don’t bounce back in convincing fashion. Considering it was just their second series loss of the year, and they are still 14-8 with a plus-36 run differential in May, it would be unwise to bet against them getting right back to looking like baseball’s best team starting Tuesday at Fenway Park.