The MLB season is about a month old and we’re starting to get an idea of who the contenders and pretenders are. Through a few weeks of the season, here is how every team stacks up compared to one another.
30. Atlanta Braves (4-14)
Getty ImagesThe Braves can best be described as a work in progress at this point in the season. With the Red Sox, Cubs, and Mets coming up, it doesn't look like they're going to make progress any time soon.
Previous ranking: 30
The Braves can best be described as a work in progress at this point in the season. With the Red Sox, Cubs, and Mets coming up, it doesn't look like they're going to make progress any time soon.
29. Minnesota Twins (5-14)
Brad Mills, USA Today SportsThe Twins are in an opposite position from last year. Instead of exceeding expectations, they're falling short of them. A lot of that has to do with their lack of pitching depth.
Previous ranking: 29
The Twins are in an opposite position from last year. Instead of exceeding expectations, they're falling short of them. A lot of that has to do with their lack of pitching depth.
28. Miami Marlins (6-11)
Getty ImagesEven with Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton healthy, the Marlins are majorly struggling. Until they address their lack of arms, they're going to be near the bottom of the NL East standings.
Previous ranking: 27
Even with Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton healthy, the Marlins are majorly struggling. Until they address their lack of arms, they're going to be near the bottom of the NL East standings.
27. San Diego Padres (7-12)
Getty ImagesThe Padres aren't even rebuilding yet, but they're as bad as a rebuilding team. They have very few pieces that will factor into their future, which makes their current predicament even worse than it already is.
Previous ranking: 28
The Padres aren't even rebuilding yet, but they're as bad as a rebuilding team. They have very few pieces that will factor into their future, which makes their current predicament even worse than it already is.
26. Milwaukee Brewers (8-11)
Getty ImagesWith the promising arms of Jimmy Nelson and Taylor Jungmann, the Brewers were relying on having a solid rotation. However, they've been among the worst in baseball, which explains their struggles.
Previous ranking: 24
With the promising arms of Jimmy Nelson and Taylor Jungmann, the Brewers were relying on having a solid rotation. However, they've been among the worst in baseball, which explains their struggles.
25. Philadelphia Phillies (9-10)
Reinhold Matay, USA Today SportsWhen a team is rebuilding, it needs to look at bright spots during the season. Starter Vincent Velasquez has certainly been one, which can give Phillies fans hope that they have their ace of the future.
Previous ranking: 26
When a team is rebuilding, it needs to look at bright spots during the season. Starter Vincent Velasquez has certainly been one, which can give Phillies fans hope that they have their ace of the future.
24. Cincinnati Reds (9-10)
Getty ImagesAfter a relatively hot start, the Reds have come back down to earth. They've played some divisional teams and have struggled, which doesn't bode well for the rest of the season.
Previous ranking: 22
After a relatively hot start, the Reds have come back down to earth. They've played some divisional teams and have struggled, which doesn't bode well for the rest of the season.
23. Oakland Athletics (10-9)
Getty ImagesThe A's continue to overachieve, which is impressive, but in a tough AL West, they're not going to be able to survive without consistent hitting. It just doesn't seem like they can sustain this performance all year.
Previous ranking: 25
The A's continue to overachieve, which is impressive, but in a tough AL West, they're not going to be able to survive without consistent hitting. It just doesn't seem like they can sustain this performance all year.
22. Tampa Bay Rays (8-10)
Kim Klement, USA Today SportsThe AL East is looking more and more like it's going to be a mediocre division and the Rays are a perfect example of that mediocrity. The rotation has some nice pieces, but the lineup doesn't have enough firepower.
Previous ranking: 18
The AL East is looking more and more like it's going to be a mediocre division and the Rays are a perfect example of that mediocrity. The rotation has some nice pieces, but the lineup doesn't have enough firepower.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (10-10)
Joe Camporeale, USA Today SportsThere are many reasons the D-backs have struggled to this point, but the main reason is that Paul Goldschmidt has been bad. He figured to be an MVP contender entering this year, but he's been below average to this point.
Previous ranking: 23
There are many reasons the D-backs have struggled to this point, but the main reason is that Paul Goldschmidt has been bad. He figured to be an MVP contender entering this year, but he's been below average to this point.
20. New York Yankees (7-10)
Getty ImagesWe should all get used to the Yankees being an average team these next few years. While the team saves up for Bryce Harper in 2018, the product on the field is going to suffer.
Previous ranking: 17
We should all get used to the Yankees being an average team these next few years. While the team saves up for Bryce Harper in 2018, the product on the field is going to suffer.
19. Colorado Rockies (9-9)
Getty ImagesThe Rockies have continued on their torrid offensive pace and have a decent rotation option in Tyler Chatwood, but they don't have enough arms to sustain success. They won't be able to compete with L.A. and San Fran.
Previous ranking: 19
The Rockies have continued on their torrid offensive pace and have a decent rotation option in Tyler Chatwood, but they don't have enough arms to sustain success. They won't be able to compete with L.A. and San Fran.
18. Los Angeles Angels (8-11)
Getty ImagesEven having the second-best hitter on the planet isn't enough to make the Angels a legitimate contender. Of course, L.A.'s biggest problem is a lack of pitching, which will plague them all season.
Previous ranking: 21
Even having the second-best hitter on the planet isn't enough to make the Angels a legitimate contender. Of course, L.A.'s biggest problem is a lack of pitching, which will plague them all season.
17. Seattle Mariners (9-9)
Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today SportsSeattle has righted the ship to a degree, but is still not playing up to its potential. Robinson Cano continues on his great pace, but more players are going to have to start picking up the slack.
Previous ranking: 16
Seattle has righted the ship to a degree, but is still not playing up to its potential. Robinson Cano continues on his great pace, but more players are going to have to start picking up the slack.
16. Detroit Tigers (8-9)
Getty ImagesWith an improved lineup, the Tigers figure to be more competitive than last year, but that hasn't been the case so far this year. Jordan Zimmermann has been excellent, but Justin Verlander needs to return to form quickly.
Previous ranking: 15
With an improved lineup, the Tigers figure to be more competitive than last year, but that hasn't been the case so far this year. Jordan Zimmermann has been excellent, but Justin Verlander needs to return to form quickly.
15. Cleveland Indians (9-7)
Bruce Kluckhohn, USA Today SportsCleveland got rough news with Carlos Carrasco going to the disabled list with a strained hamstring, which will force him to miss two weeks. However, the team also activated Michael Brantley, their best offensive player.
Previous ranking: 20
Cleveland got rough news with Carlos Carrasco going to the disabled list with a strained hamstring, which will force him to miss two weeks. However, the team also activated Michael Brantley, their best offensive player.
14. Boston Red Sox (9-9)
Getty ImagesOn paper, the Red Sox still look like the strongest team in the AL East, but they're still not playing like it yet. Sometimes, it takes time for teams to gel and fans in Boston better hope the gelling takes place soon.
Previous ranking: 12
On paper, the Red Sox still look like the strongest team in the AL East, but they're still not playing like it yet. Sometimes, it takes time for teams to gel and fans in Boston better hope the gelling takes place soon.
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (10-9)
Charles LeClaire, USA Today SportsPittsburgh is still a team ready to compete for a playoff spot, but it is not as strong as it has been in recent years. Without an above average pitching staff, the offense is going to have to be even better in 2016.
Previous ranking: 9
Pittsburgh is still a team ready to compete for a playoff spot, but it is not as strong as it has been in recent years. Without an above average pitching staff, the offense is going to have to be even better in 2016.
12. Toronto Blue Jays (10-10)
Getty ImagesToronto has one of the best offenses in baseball, but pitching is a concern. Marcus Stroman has been a bright spot, but the Blue Jays should be worried about their lack of pitching depth.
Previous ranking: 14
Toronto has one of the best offenses in baseball, but pitching is a concern. Marcus Stroman has been a bright spot, but the Blue Jays should be worried about their lack of pitching depth.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (10-8)
Getty ImagesSt. Louis has been one of baseball's model franchises for years, but it has gotten off to a slow start by its standards. If history has taught us anything, though, it's that it will rebound by late summer.
Previous ranking: 6
St. Louis has been one of baseball's model franchises for years, but it has gotten off to a slow start by its standards. If history has taught us anything, though, it's that it will rebound by late summer.
10. Texas Rangers (10-9)
Joe Camporeale, USA Today SportsWith Yu Darvish set to come back soon, the Rangers are in good position. They haven't been all that solid, but the struggles of the rest of the division bode well for them going forward.
Previous ranking: 7
With Yu Darvish set to come back soon, the Rangers are in good position. They haven't been all that solid, but the struggles of the rest of the division bode well for them going forward.
9. Houston Astros (6-13)
Getty ImagesHouston has one of the worst records in baseball, but it is still one of the most talented squads in the game. Now, it's time for role players (like Carlos Gomez) to start picking up their games.
Previous ranking: 8
Houston has one of the worst records in baseball, but it is still one of the most talented squads in the game. Now, it's time for role players (like Carlos Gomez) to start picking up their games.
8. New York Mets (10-7)
Getty ImagesThe Mets are going to face a big challenge in the division with the Nationals owning baseball's best record. New York has the arms to get it done, but to this point, it can't be said they have the bats to win the division.
Previous ranking: 10
The Mets are going to face a big challenge in the division with the Nationals owning baseball's best record. New York has the arms to get it done, but to this point, it can't be said they have the bats to win the division.
7. San Francisco Giants (9-11)
Getty ImagesThe Giants have one of the deepest teams in baseball, but they haven't been able to consistently get it done this season. With the championship pedigree on this team, though, you have to think they'll turn it around.
Previous ranking: 2
The Giants have one of the deepest teams in baseball, but they haven't been able to consistently get it done this season. With the championship pedigree on this team, though, you have to think they'll turn it around.
6. Chicago White Sox (13-6)
Getty ImagesOver the last several years, the White Sox have underachieved, but they're finally playing to their potential this year. Adam Eaton has taken a big step offensively and if they add another arm, they're in business.
Previous ranking: 13
Over the last several years, the White Sox have underachieved, but they're finally playing to their potential this year. Adam Eaton has taken a big step offensively and if they add another arm, they're in business.
5. Kansas City Royals (12-6)
Getty ImagesKansas City still looks like one of the best teams in the AL, but the team's starting pitching could be a problem. Not having an ace could come back to bite the Royals by September or October.
Previous ranking: 3
Kansas City still looks like one of the best teams in the AL, but the team's starting pitching could be a problem. Not having an ace could come back to bite the Royals by September or October.
4. Baltimore Orioles (11-6)
Tommy Gilligan, USA Today SportsWith one of the most impressive lineups in baseball, the Orioles have been one of the best teams in the league to this point. With Yovani Gallardo on the DL, though, they could be in trouble going forward.
Previous ranking: 11
With one of the most impressive lineups in baseball, the Orioles have been one of the best teams in the league to this point. With Yovani Gallardo on the DL, though, they could be in trouble going forward.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (12-7)
Jake Roth, USA Today SportsThe Dodgers have taken advantage of the Giants' early-season struggles and they need to continue building on that. If Kenta Maeda stays this good, the division is as good as theirs.
Previous ranking: 4
The Dodgers have taken advantage of the Giants' early-season struggles and they need to continue building on that. If Kenta Maeda stays this good, the division is as good as theirs.
2. Washington Nationals (14-4)
Getty ImagesThe Nationals have the best record in baseball on the backs of the best hitter on the planet and the best starting pitching in the league to this point. However, they've beaten up on easy opponents and haven't been tested.
Previous ranking: 5
The Nationals have the best record in baseball on the backs of the best hitter on the planet and the best starting pitching in the league to this point. However, they've beaten up on easy opponents and haven't been tested.
1. Chicago Cubs (14-5)
Getty ImagesChicago continues to look like a 100-win team with Jake Arrieta tossing his second career no hitter and the offense producing at a high level. The scary thing is Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo can still improve.
Previous ranking: 1
Chicago continues to look like a 100-win team with Jake Arrieta tossing his second career no hitter and the offense producing at a high level. The scary thing is Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo can still improve.
Share 
