MLB Power Rankings: Best & Worst Teams for 2025 Season

The 2025 MLB season has arrived.

The Los Angeles Dodgers begin as MLB World Series odds favorites after winning the 2024 Fall Classic over the New York Yankees. As a result, the Dodgers find themselves atop my initial MLB power rankings for this season.

Where does the rest of the league stack up? Read on for my full list of 30 teams and where they stand this season:

MLB Power Rankings 2025

Best & Worst MLB Teams, 2025

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The defending champions got off to a 2-0 start in the Tokyo Series and might be better in 2025 after winning last year’s World Series with a depleted rotation.

2. Atlanta Braves

It’s easy to envision a bounce-back showing for a Braves team that still won 89 games in an injury-riddled campaign. I believe they begin as the biggest challengers to the Dodgers.

3. New York Mets

Coming off a surprise run to the NLCS, the Mets added Juan Soto as their franchise player. This team can win its first division title since 2015.

4. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies won 95 games in 2024, only to lose in the NLDS after deeper runs with a worse roster in 2023 and 2022. Has their window closed? I don’t know, but they enter as the third-best team in their division.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks missed the playoffs with a better team than the one that went to the World Series in 2023. I expect them to be back in 2025.

6. New York Yankees

The Yankees start as the default AL favorite, but I could easily see them falling down these rankings if they continue to suffer more injuries. New York’s +200 value to miss the postseason is a ticket in my futures portfolio.

7. Baltimore Orioles

After consecutive postseason appearances without a playoff victory, the Orioles have a lineup capable of changing that. However, their rotation is a huge question mark after losing Corbin Burnes, particularly with Grayson Rodriguez sidelined to start the year.

8. Texas Rangers

The Rangers couldn’t defend their crown after winning the 2023 World Series, but a rebound campaign could be in store if the rotation is healthier. PECOTA projects Texas as the best team in the AL (by two wins).

9. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox were my favorite World Series long-shot prediction at +4000 entering the offseason. Since then, they have traded for Garrett Crochet to be their ace and added Alex Bregman.

Consider Alex Cora in the AL Manager of the Year odds market as an alternate way to back this team.

10. Houston Astros

The Astros failed to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2016, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt with a top 10 ranking this spring.

11. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs dropped both games in the Tokyo Series, but after trading for Kyle Tucker in the offseason, they remain the favorites in a weak division.

12. Minnesota Twins

The Twins failed to make the playoffs after being minus-odds favorites to win the AL Central last preseason. They are still my pick to win a weak division, but their odds (+220) at least bake in more injury risk.

13. San Diego Padres

The Padres had two opportunities to eliminate the Dodgers in the NLDS, proving they have a roster capable of winning it all. The problem is, they didn’t act like it during a quiet offseason.

14. Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee won its division by double-digit games, but the NL Central should be more formidable in 2025

15. Detroit Tigers

Detroit went from sellers at the trade deadline to knocking off the Astros in the postseason. But which version of the Tigers will we get this season?

16. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners narrowly missed the playoffs last year. They certainly have a pitching staff built for October baseball, but can the lineup finally do its part?

17. Kansas City Royals

There is a path to the Royals winning this division if they can stay remarkably healthy for the second year in a row. However, I question whether they have the depth to overcome any setbacks in what should be a tight race this season.

18. Cleveland Guardians

Betting against the Guardians isn’t usually a savvy move. Still, I have difficulty seeing how they replicate a 92-win season, which was primarily influenced by having one of the best bullpens ever.

19. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have no choice but to go for it in 2025, and their offseason approach reflected that. This team must get off to a hot start, or the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trade rumors will get loud.

20. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays hope to reload after selling at last year’s deadline, though they will play their home games in George M. Steinbrenner Field (the Yankees’ spring training home) this season.

21. San Francisco Giants

Buster Posey, the new president of baseball operations, landed shortstop Willy Adames this offseason. The Giants hope to change their culture after consecutive fourth-place finishes in the NL West.

22. Cincinnati Reds

Terry Francona came out of retirement to become Cincinnati’s manager. The Reds are hoping for a turnaround in a wide-open division.

23. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals will likely be underrated in the market until they trade off some veterans. This team has too many talented players not to be competitive.

24. Washington Nationals

Washington’s young players showed plenty of promise in 2024, an essential step in the team’s rebuild.

25. The Athletics

The Athletics will play in a Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento this year, and it will be interesting to see how much that impacts their performance.

26. Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Skenes might already be the best pitcher in baseball, but this lineup isn’t good enough to contend unless Oneil Cruz takes a massive leap.

27. Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout is back (in a corner outfield spot this time), but the Angels are a long way from making the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

28. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies have lost 100-plus games in back-to-back seasons. At least the ballpark is nice.

29. Miami Marlins

Miami brings back Sandy Alcántara after missing 2024 to recover from Tommy John surgery. Still, this team is my favorite value pick to finish with the most losses at +650.

30. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox set a modern record by losing 121 games, meaning things can only go up from here. Right?

Who is the best MLB team this season?

According to these power rankings, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best MLB team in 2025. The Braves are No. 2, while the Mets are No. 3

Who is the worst MLB team this season?

Based on these updated power rankings, the Chicago White Sox are still the worst MLB team in 2025 after a historically bad campaign.