John McGrath’s Major League Baseball rankings

1. New York Mets (6): Mets last week became first team since 1991 Twins to go unbeaten through a homestand of a least 10 games.

2. Kansas City Royals (2): Right or wrong, victims of circumstance or antagonistic troublemakers, Royals might want to dial down the drama.

3. Detroit Tigers (1): With closer Joe Nathan out for season, Tigers treading water before inevitable trade to shore up weak bullpen.

4. St. Louis Cardinals (9): Michael Wacha, 23, emerging as frontrunner for NL Cy Young Award.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (4): In first 19 at-bats, part-time outfielder Alex Guerrero hit four homers, with 12 RBI.

6. Boston Red Sox (4): Heading into weekend, Xander Bogaerts (.302) was only Sox hitter batting over .265.

7. San Diego Padres (6): Weekend series against Dodgers bringing some early season buzz to Petco Park.

8. Colorado Rockies (5): Call reliever John Axford relieved: his young son is finally out of the hospital after spring training rattlesnake bite.

9. New York Yankees (26): Subway Series vs. surging Mets most electric interleague matchup of young season.

10. Washington Nationals (8): Nats’ slow, not-everything-is-clicking-at-once April is mirroring that of M’s.

11. Oakland A’s (10): If there’s a dust storm someplace, it’s likely Brett Lawrie is in the middle of it.

12. Chicago Cubs (13): Kris Bryant’s start in center field underscores fact Cubs have never had an All-Star player whose primary position was center.

13. Los Angeles Angels (11): Outfielder Matt Joyce, acquired in trade with Tampa Bay, is major disappointment for a team familiar with outfielders turning out as major disappointments.

14. Baltimore Orioles (14): O’s won’t repeat as AL East champs if starters can’t get past sixth inning.

15. Atlanta Braves (12): Bullpen responsible for skid that has made 6-1 start a memory.

16. San Francisco Giants (21): Dodgers manager Don Mattingly on suffering sweep at hands of struggling rivals: “These guys have won three championships in the past five years. I don’t think they need us to give them life.”

17. Toronto Blue Jays (16): New turf at Rogers Centre has been a bad-hop disaster.

18. Tampa Bay Rays (16): Manager Kevin Cash’s decision to use closer Brad Boxberger in seventh inning last week was a cool example of thinking outside the box.

19. Cincinnati Reds: (17): Will it appease manager Bryan Price if Cincy beat reporters refer to him as “Dear Leader”?

20: Seattle Mariners (18): Key to success is simple: Starters must get deeper into starts.

21. Pittsburgh Pirates (20): Scary moment at PNC Park when foul ball slipped through the behind-the-plate protective net that didn’t protect.

22. Houston Astros (22): Marine layer? What marine layer? Slugger Chris Carter has hit eight of his 86 career homers at Safeco Field.

23. Arizona Diambondbacks (25): Rookie Archie Bradley, 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA, has outpitched three opening day starters.

24. Miami Marlins (22): Cuban-born ace Jose Fernandez, recovering from Tommy John surgery, became a U.S. citizen Friday in stirring ceremony.

25. Texas Rangers (24): Top third-base prospect Joey Gallo, healed from ankle surgery, making 2015 debut this weekend at Double-A.

26. Chicago White Sox (27): Sox hoping recent brawl vs. Royals will serve as team-bonding event.

27. Minnesota Twins (29): Torii Hunter was ruled out last week attempting the Twins’ first successful straight steal of home since 1997.

28. Cleveland Indians (19): Tribe to test 6:10 p.m starting times for five weeknight home games.

29. Philadelphia Phillies (30): Phils played their first game in seven years Thursday without a player from the 2008 World Series roster in their lineup.

30. Milwaukee Brewers (28): General manager Doug Melvin on Crew’s awful start: “There’s a point when you have to reset, retool.”

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 4:12 PM with the headline "John McGrath’s Major League Baseball rankings."