The eighth week of our MLB Power Rankings brings about a number of moves we haven't seen in years.
For the first time since Week 3 of last year's Power Rankings, the Rockies are not the last team on our list.
Colorado moves up one spot to 29th for the first time in over a year because of the new low the Angels have reached, as they now sit at No. 30 with the worst record in MLB.
Meanwhile, at the top of the list, the Rays continue their rise, peaking at No. 3 this week -- their highest ranking of the season.
In fact, this ranking is their highest since the 2023 season, when they started off 13-0 and held the No. 1 spot for 11 weeks before slipping to second in Week 16 and dropping below third every week after that .. until now.
Also new in the top 15: The White Sox, who set the record for most losses in a single season in 2024, have moved up to No. 14.
The last time they were ranked that high was Sept. 15, 2022.
Who else cracked the top half of our list -- or fell out of it -- in Week 8?
Our expert panel has ranked every team based on a combination of what we've seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season.
We also asked ESPN MLB experts Jorge Castillo, Bradford Doolittle and Jesse Rogers to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.
Week 7 | Preseason rankings
Record: 34-16 Previous ranking: 1
The Braves continue to roll this season but received yet more tough injury news this week when standout DH/catcher Drake Baldwin landed on the injured list with an oblique injury .
Baldwin has built on his Rookie of the Year 2025 debut to become one of the NL's top players, boosting his slash line to .303/.389/.543 with 38 RBIs.
The news comes at a time when MVP candidate Matt Olson has seen a little bit of a drop over the last week or so.
With a huge lead in the NL East, the Braves should be fine, but it might be a good time to catch them if you're an opposing pitcher. -- Doolittle
Record: 31-19 Previous ranking: 2
Mookie Betts is back but with some mixed reviews.
That's understandable after he missed five weeks with an oblique strain, but the Dodgers could use the dangerous version of him, as their offense has stalled a bit lately -- minus a good night or two against the Angels recently.
Since returning, Betts has hits in five of eight games, including a couple of home runs and a double, but he stranded a few baserunners in key spots -- he's 3-for-18 with RISP this season -- and isn't completely locked in.
If and when he goes on a run, the Dodgers might, too. -- Rogers
Record: 33-15 Previous ranking: 5
There's no place like The Trop. After a year as the Yankees' tenants at George M.
Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Rays are back at Tropicana Field and thriving in their natural domed habitat.
Their 19-5 home record is tops in the majors.
They've completed four series sweeps at home, including a three-game sweep of the Yankees, and have outscored opponents 119-85 in St. Petersburg.
Their brand of baseball -- a dynamic offense with a dangerous blend of contact, speed and thump -- applies constant pressure on opponents.
Then, as always with good Rays teams, there's the top-notch pitching staff.
Home sweet home. -- Castillo
Record: 30-20 Previous ranking: 3
The Yankees were recently reminded that you can never have too much starting pitching.
For weeks, it was assumed New York would have a surplus of quality starters when Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole returned from the IL.
That quickly changed.
In late April, Luis Gil was ineffective and optioned to the minor leagues before landing on the IL.
And, last week, Max Fried was placed on the IL with a bone bruise that will sideline him for an unknown number of weeks.
Rodon returned days before Fried's injury and Cole will make his season debut Friday against the Rays.
The Yankees' rotation is still one of the best in the majors.
Cam Schlittler is the early AL Cy Young front-runner.
Will Warren and Ryan Weathers can dominate any given night.
If Cole and Rodon can approach their previous forms -- and that's not a given -- the Yankees' rotation won't skip a beat. -- Castillo
Record: 29-18 Previous ranking: 6
Could The Miz win the Cy Young Award?
It's looking more and more like Jacob Misiorowski will be in the running after another stellar outing Tuesday against the Cubs.
This time he βonlyβ struck out eight without giving up one run over six innings, adding to his magnificent start to this year.
Overall, he has struck out 88 hitters in just 57 innings while compiling a minuscule 1.89 ERA.
And he has thrown 24β consecutive scoreless innings, the second-longest active streak by a starter in MLB right now.
And then there's this: Misiorowski's streak of five straight starts of eight-plus strikeouts and no extra-base hits allowed is the longest such streak since 1893.
The Miz is The Man. -- Rogers
Record: 29-20 Previous ranking: 7
The Padres are the magic act that just keeps tricking the rest of the league -- or maybe they're just that good.
Despite down numbers by Fernando Tatis Jr . and Manny Machado , they keep scoring enough to win.
But can that continue?
They are far and away the best hitting team in the clutch -- a number so exaggerated it's bound to see regression.
On the mound, they got a boost from Lucas Giolito , who threw well in his Padres debut Sunday.
Overcoming pitching injuries will be a key for San Diego, but if it keeps hitting in the clutch, the team will have staying power. -- Rogers