Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Power Rankings: MLB's Hottest Teams!

Episode Date: May 14, 2025

Get the best 5G coverage in the game at https://T-Mobile.com/MLBStart your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/talkin for your personalized ED treatment options.Go to http://shadyrays.com and use code TALKIN for 35% off polarized sunglasses.DIRECTV delivers the most MLB games, satellite-free. Learn more on https://directv.com/jomboyCoach Trev and Talkin’ Jake shake things up and update their power rankings for the 2025 MLB season!0:00 Intro6:30 Top 3 teams14:00 Rankings 4-1024:15 Rankings 11-2046:00 Rankings 21-3056:10 DK Bet The Cycle  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome to Talking Baseball. Buckle up. It's a power rankings episode. You're going to hear about your team. Me and Trev have never been this far off. Let's talk ball. No. Yon Duran.

Out. Jacob Wilson. You're out. Double down the line. Ground ball to Carlos. Throw it away? Hello and welcome to Talking Baseball. Present you by Seekkeek.

Code Talk in 2025. I am Jake Storelli. At Talking Jake. That is Trevor Plouffe. Number one in your hearts. Number three for the Oakland Athletics. Yes. Number two, four for the twins, Phillies, Texas Rangers.

Rob Chiraco is here. Get ready, people. I'm going to be honest with the people, because we're normally not. It's all just fucking lies. Whoa, Jake's coming in hot today. I'm going to be honest with the people. Power rankings.

These episodes have done well for us. That means you guys like them. I was nervous about how often we should press the button, right? Because, you know, we can't just do it every episode. I think we want to space them out, you know, three, four, five a year. We'll see, we'll see. I am so excited because the early talk we have done, and me and Trev putting our list together,

we have teams 12 rankings apart. Like, this is gnarly. I'm a little in shock. So is Coach Trev. How are you? you big daddy power rankings are tough for me because we do have our saying power is power which i do abide by for the most part but sometimes you got to look at like statistics and standings just a little pop i know that's dork stuff oh standing i don't know man there are just some teams i'm looking at your sheet

you're looking at mine sheet we just think differently on that's this we're going to get into that i don't even know how we're going to navigate this episode because yeah if you look at our previous power rankings, which we have up on the screen right now. Like, we were pretty aligned. Yes. That was after one month and there wasn't a ton of info out there, I guess you could say. And now I think we have teams that are like 10 spots apart. It's an interesting episode.

Can't wait to hear your logic. Yeah, not my strength, right? Avoid a bit. No, I think it is funny that with the previous power rankings, we were pretty close. There was a couple gaps and a couple good talking points. These ones are all over, and I think, I guess what we're finding out in the middle of May, we've got a sample size, but it's also you got to go with what you believe in a little bit. And, you know, sure, we have some records, and there's a lot of teams near that 500 mark that,

okay, so what do you actually believe in? Who do you think's going to kick into gear? Who do you think is just winning games just as part of the baseball season? And there's a few teams that you and I are not there with. So let me just quick, you know, towards the top of last year's list, or last year's, last month's list. You and I were both lockstep, Padres, Dodgers, one and two. We both had the Mets pretty high.

You were higher on the Mets. We both had the Phillies at four. The Giants, they're an interesting one on this one. We both had them top five. Cubs, Diamondbacks, Yankees, you know, the dominant national league. And then I think some really interesting teams. The Texas Rangers, the Detroit Tigers, both of us kind of in a Milwaukee, which they're a tough one in this exercise.

And then as you go down the list, I'm trying to see who else. The Bustin' Red Sox are a fun one. The Atlanta Braves, who were off to that slow start, their big climbers on this list. Your Minnesota Twins are big climbers on this. than some than others. Rockies, Marlins, white socks, pirates,

Nats, still down. Still down. Still down on the bottom. Although, okay, okay. I got one team that's really creeping towards the bottom. Okay. Yeah, I think people might know who that is. Yeah.

All right. Let's get into the current power is power rankings and speaking of power, It's brought to you by HIMS. Fellas, if ED is getting you down, get some Hymns going on. Get your confidence in other things back up. HIMS provides access to treatments

that can help you stay hard and last longer. Bang! So when the mood strikes, you are ready. Hems is changing the men's health care game by providing you with access to affordable sexual health treatments from the comfort of your own couch. Process is 100% online. Start your free online.

online visit today at Hymns.com slash talking. That's HIMS.com slash talking for your personalized ED treatment. The products mentioned are chewable, compounded products, which are not approved by or verified for safety or effectiveness by the FDA. Prescriptions require an online consultation with a health care provider who will determine if appropriate restrictions apply, see website for details and important safety information. Subscription required. Prices vary based on product and subscription plan.

Coach Trev. We have different teams at. the top. There's a one, two, three, that we have the same teams and fourth, excuse me, the fourth we have in the same spot. That's the Padres. Little teaser. There you go, San Diego. One to four. I think Padre fans might understand why they were undefeated at home early on. Essentially, they've had a couple slips up. One team has jumped them in their division that I think everyone's familiar with. Treve, why don't you give your top three? my top three and this is kind of hilarious because you know we're only we're two months in two and a half

months in so i can still remember my offseason takes and what i people i put into the postseason my top two teams i have missing the postseason wow wow yeah but like i had questions about them and they've answered the fucking questions jake so that's how you do it that's how you do well in school as well. I have the Mets. That's my number one team in these power rankings. They're 19 and 11 in their last 30. They're 17 and 11 against teams with a winning record.

And Jake, if you just go across every split on the standings, they don't have a losing split. They are above 500 in every single category. You know, my question mark was the pitching staff. obviously that has not been a problem for them. They figured it out. I mean, they still have Sean Minaya waiting in the wings. He's like, I think, you know, current rotation, great.

Do I love like them in the playoffs? I'm not so sure. I do think they need Manaya and a guy that can really, well, I mean, like, Sanga can do it too. But Manaya can dominate a game. We saw last playoffs as well. But they are just, I mean, everything is Mets right now. What do you want to talk about?

They're 17 to 4 at home. One run games are 10 and 8 against right handers, there's 23 and 13. Like just every stat you want to go into, they are above 500. They are my number one team. My tigers are my number two team, 15 and, excuse me, 20 and 10 in the last 30.

So they're on a heater. 15 and 12 against teams about 500. They don't really, I mean, they have surprises all over that lineup, which kind of has me scared. because it's a long season and how many times have we seen two months of banging the ball around

and then things disappear. I'm looking at you, Tork, I'm looking at you, Hobby Baez. McKinstri has already started to take a nosedive in May. So, like, I do still have questions about their offense, although I believe I think they're leading the league and runs per game. I don't think they are, actually.

But they're up there. I still have questions. marks about both these teams, but the way they're playing right now, I think they're an undeniable one, two. I have the Dodgers three, and there is a ton of question marks for me on them right now. Calling them the best roster that's ever been assembled. That's if everyone's healthy and playing to their potential. There have been guys that have not played to their potential, and now we have Snell on the IL, Sasaki on the IL, Glassnow on the IL. Like they are, Yama mode, excuse me, Otani now, they're saying isn't going to pitch until after the All-Star break.

So we thought they had nine starters. Turns out they needed all nine of those guys because they're facing injuries. So Metz, Tigers, Dodgers, my one, two, three. Great stuff, Treve. I went Dodgers, Mets, Tigers, Padres, as we mentioned at the start. Trev, where power is power guys, you mentioned all the injuries for the Dodgers. The athletics gave them the business last night. They don't care. They're a half-game back for the best record in the National League, and their power is power. For all the reasons people know about the Dodgers. Let's see how thin the pitching gets.

But again, they also, they still have Yamamoto, who has an argument to be the Cy Young winner in the NL so far this year. Their bullpen is disgusting. And like, okay, you mentioned their stud potential Cy Young winners that are hurt. It's May, Gonsolin, your boy landed Nack. I just think they are still the, it felt like they have not kicked into gear yet and somehow they're a half game back of the Mets. I have.

Is that a red flag to you though? No, I have. Because I still, I feel the same way. Like they haven't played great baseball, but it were two and a half months into the season. But I think, and they have the second. Is that a good thing? They have this going, if they went back a day, I think they'd have the best record in baseball. So like, I know.

I have that as a fantastic. thing. Like, imagine if they click. And that's actually the same argument I have for the Mets, but it's starting to happen. Juan Soto, his first month of the season, is traditionally his worst month of the year. He is one dotting this month. He gone. Pete was carrying that offense for a while. Lindora is kicking in a gear.

Viantos is kicking in a gear. And they're pitching, we talked about it a lot at this point, but when you can tap on a Griffin canning and make them a high-level starting pitcher. Again, I know it's weird. I want to see them add something to their bullpen. I believe in what the Mets are doing. I think there's more in them. I don't think they've played their best brand of baseball,

and they have the best record. That I still think the N.O is so much better than the American League. I do believe in that. That for me it was Dodgers, Mets. And then when I jumped to the American League, I was like, hey, do my Yankees have a fight for the Tigers? Like, if we're throwing records out the window, you know, the Yankees, the offense has been number one in baseball. It's a lot of blowout games, but you also can't hold that against them. Like, that's the goal.

Dude, the Tiger stats are unreal. And I know what you're saying, and you look at the name, like, if you look at the names on the Mets lineup, and you look at the names on the Tigers lineup, Padres, Yankees, wherever you want to, jump, and then you look at Detroit, you're like, this doesn't feel right. Treve, I don't care. They're third in runs. They're fifth in average. Their fifth and on-base percentage.

And with the way they roll, the way they throw the ball. Man, I know one of my Red Sox buddies was tweeting last night, the Bias game. My goodness. Oh, gosh. But he tweeted last night, and he uses Twitter, shout out with my guy, Shidi. He uses Twitter like the old 20-teens days where you just tweet stuff. and he's like, really, every guy that pitches for the Tigers throws 98? Yes.

Except for Tommy Canely. Well, change up. I think he can throw 90. He just throws that change up. I'm full respect for what Detroit is doing. The Glaber signing is going swimmingly. What has Javi Baez turned into? And that's before you get to like the stars of the team.

so I'm in on Detroit. I just think the Dodgers and Mets should still be treated at a different level. Okay. Yeah, the one thing I have with the Tigers, I think they are going to have to, well, they have starters. But if we're talking about,

hey guys, like, we're not the little darling anymore for the best team in the American league and we want to win the World Series. Okay, Scoobes is going to be your guy. Casey Meyes has been incredible, Do you know how they acquired Reese Olson, by the way? He of a 3-3. I don't know.

In 2021, they traded him. They got him from the Brewers. And this is no slide on this guy. He's actually a really nice guy. I actually buy his merch because he shapes surfboards now. Daniel Norris in 2021 went for the Tigers to the Brewers, and they gave a freaking Reese Olson dude, who's been really good for them.

They're searching for the back end of the rotation. We've seen flashes of Jackson Joe. Flaherty's had a couple of bad games that have inflated his numbers a little bit. I'm wondering what their move is at the deadline. Like is it a starter? Like they don't really need bullpen help. Is a bat available? I'm not sure.

I like the Tigers right now, man. And like I mentioned, the Mets and Tigers are a huge miss on me for the offices. Maybe not a miss, but they've answered the questions I had. This is a little dumb because everyone needs something come the trade deadline, every team can get better. If the Tigers stood pat, I would also just be like, okay, like, there's a lot in their lineup I like. There's a lot in their pitching.

I like. They have pitchers on the aisle that can come back at different points this season that I, you know, Parker Meadows is supposed to be a guy for them. Your guy, Matt Veerling, like, they haven't been involved. So, like, Nate, I'm curious about those two guys as well. Like, when they come back, Hobby is, he's out of. center field, right? Do they put him at third base and get... Do you put him

back at shortstop? You know, that's kind of, no offense to Trey Sweeney, but that's one of the weaker spots on their team. Can Javi just do everything again? I think third base is their weak spot in their line of right now. Can Javi just do everything again? Because it looks like it.

It looks like it. The call on that home run last night. Benetti, our guy. We should have a man. I mean, it's magic. in Detroit right now. It's magic in Detroit. Jason Benetti giving me and Corey Provost

a ride home right after the Tigers' twin series. Just like he understands how to get in and out of the stadium so fast. That's such a good play-by play. You watch your guy Michael K. Leaving a Yankee game. Like he knows. He's out. Oh, God. He's home. He's going like this to people on the way out. Just like, just

chucking the deuce is up to everybody. You can't stop him. Oh, El Mago. that was that was awesome that was a fun one to catch on my couch late last night um trev i mentioned the padres i'd no offense to our padre is faithful i i think they understand the conversation they they still have their power the tatis walk off night last night my goodness walk off night all around baseball tautice is a menace yeah i look i i i think the podgers are very very good i do the bullpen has shown some leaks as of late but that's going to happen throughout a season. I think they are one of the most complete teams

in all of baseball. I think C's is better than his numbers. Darvish is on his way back. This is a team that could jump right back up to the number one spot. I have no, I have no issues with the Padres whatsoever. Even Louisa Rise is raking now. Give me the Padres, man. They're a fun team to watch. So putting them down four is not really a slight at them. I just think some other teams maybe are playing a little better right now. They've deserved it. Treve, I didn't realize this, but We have another group of three that we have two teams flipped. I'll introduce it a little bit.

I do have, I'll puff my chest. I put my Yankees at five. I think there's a little bit of, I don't want to say anti-Yanky, but I'll say it. No, this team went to the World Series last year. Their offense is number one in like every category, every category. And there are question marks about the rotation. It hasn't been hurting them as much as you'd think. They're winning a lot of ball games.

They're first in the east. I think they're clearly the second best team in the American League. That I went Yankees, Phillies, Cubbies. And you went Cubbies, Phillies, Yankees, which, again, these are power rankings, and we're still splitting hairs a little bit. But I guess for me, we have the Phillies in the same. spot again. Look at that. I guess

give me your Cubby's argument. I think the Cubs, and I've said this a bunch about them, they can just beat you in so many different ways. They can beat you with their defense. They can beat you with their power. They can beat you with their speed. I think the starting pitching obviously is interesting to me. I think they could

use an upgrade there, especially after, you know, Justin Steele going out early in the season. And the bullpen has been shaky, but I think those are two areas where they're going to improve. 17 and 13 in the last 30, they're 19 and 16 against teams above 500. I don't know. I just,

when I watch them, I think this is one of the best teams in baseball. So it was those groups of teams, Cubs, Phillies, Yankees, I think they are a good group as far as, you know, each team has a hole, if you will.

But I don't have them so far above the Yankees. I mean, I have them two spots above the Yankees. I don't think there's a huge difference between those clubs. Yeah, and the Cubbies, I think, where I can be proven wrong in the next week or so, Trev. I didn't realize this. They had one more with Miami tonight, White Sox, Miami, and then Cincinnati. So for the Cubbies, our guy Ian, Hap on the aisle, but they called up your guy, Moises by Asteroos. Watch out.

Yeah, that pitching, I know the starting rotation has been fine. If you, if I just read you the names for the Cubs. Yeah, the names are interesting. But so are the names of the Mets and they're the number one team of my rankings. Right. But I think they're, they've kind of proven themselves as a pitching factory where the Cubs have been around it. But I guess that was more so in defense of my Yankees where, sure, you can point to young Hill Warren in the rotation, hopefully finding his way. You know, you were like, before the show, you're like, it's, you know, Freed, Rodon, and then it, you know, becomes a lot more questioning.

If you put them side by side with the Cubbies, it's kind of like, I think people would pick the Yankees a little bit on name reputation. I think they're pretty damn close. I agree with you, but I think a lot of... I mean, Shoda and Freed are awash. I mean, I know Freed's been better this year, and he's been incredible. He's the A.L. I'm the A.L. Sa Young frontrunner right now, I'd assume, I think.

I guess I don't really haven't looked that up. Yeah. It's really good. Whoops. And then, yeah, Rodon and Matthew Boyd, I'd probably take Rodon. Although Matthew Boyd's been excellent. Colin Ray has been great. Ben Brown can be good, I think.

Yeah. Just needs to kind of figure it out. He's got that young. He's got that young pitcher when the ugly and, comes, it's still fight or flight. Limiting the damage is not something that he's been able to do. Back on the rotation is what it is. I think the Yankees bullpen is better than the Cubs.

The Cubs bullpen has been atrocious. I think if it was both these pitching on paper, I think people would pick the Yankees right now, especially showed us hurt, but he comes back. And I know the Yankees are number one in everything in offense. I still think the Cubs are a more well-rounded baseball team. I agree. I agree.

I mean, their defense is special. And, again, this, maybe this surprises people. The Yankees, it's a lot of big blowouts, which, again, I shouldn't penalize them for that. But also, if there were numbers that were like, okay, if you take away team stats when they're up six, I don't think the Yankees would be the best offense in baseball, which maybe that's dumb. Maybe it's not. Treve, give me 30 seconds on the Phillies, because I don't really know what you're. What else you say besides there's still that Phillies team we like know and love?

Yeah, I mean, look, I think they do everything well. Like bullpen is an issue for them as well. I mean, kind of like who doesn't have an issue with their bullpen? That's like a running joke on our show. You know, Hoffman, although I think Hoffman's been getting touched up a little bit lately up in Toronto. Romano was getting hit around early. he's been better as of late. I think that's one area they can improve,

but the rotation is great for them. Nola really hasn't came into form, but as, you know, Swares comes back. I mean, they're deep, man. They kick Taiwan Walker, who, you know, he doesn't have the best career stats, but he has having a good start to the season. They kicked him to the bullpen.

I think rotation's great. I think I still, like, really believe in this offense, although sometimes they freaking sputter, man, and these guys, like, they haven't really gotten in sync yet. They're going to be there at the end. of the year. Yeah, and don't, don't be surprised if it changes. I haven't done a ton of schedule watch. They got Pittsburgh and Colorado coming up, which that, uh, it helps teams. It helps teams.

Get me a Phillies, Met series, baby. Really 16 and 14 in the last 30. Here's the thing, they're 12 and 14 against teams above 500. That's kind of, you know, I look at that. It's interesting to me. Yeah. But they still have, they still have the squad. Oh, yeah. I think, I think this kind of stops a first tier, and as we go into our power rankings, the rest of it is brought to you by T-Mobile. Today's episode of Talking Baseball is brought to you by T-Mobile, the network we trust, whether we're at home, the ballpark, or the road, whether you're watching the fathers put up 21 runs. Yikes. Maybe you're traveling for Mother's Day and you keep, you know, one eye on your team all season long

on America's largest 5G network with T-Mobile. Thanks to Magenta status. You got a bunch of perks, a discounted tickets to MLB games, hotel deals, free in-flight Wi-Fi, perfect for trips like heading to the derby. We've started to do some All-Star game planning. Giddy up!

T-Mobile, the best 5G coverage in the game. Learn more at T-Mobile.com slash MLB. Big thanks to T-Mobile as we go through this baseball season with them. Trev, this is where things start to get a little more hostile. I'm going to bring one team to the table, and it's the Atlanta Braves. I went Giants, which I don't know how much Giants talk we have to do. You did slide them down a little deeper than I thought. I think people may understand that conversation.

N.L. West, the hot starts slowed down just a little bit, swept by your twins. I have the Atlanta Braves at 9. And this was my first one that I was, you know, you have to respect the standings a little bit, right? Because, you know, you got to win ball games. For me, we've come so far from the Braves should be this dominant Braves team. And they haven't shown a ton of that. But they also started off 0.7. That if you took that off, where would the Braves be in these power rankings?

And they haven't gotten Ronnie back yet. And it hasn't been perfect. but they've been chipping away better than I think it's felt. They just got back to 500. I guess for me in the power is power world, I'm not ready to punt on my Braves. No, they're 18 and 12 in the last 30. If you take the 0 and 7 away and just gave them a 3 and 4,

that would put them at what? Math guy. They're 21 and 21 right now, so it'd be 24 and whatever. You got it. You got it. Quick math. Stanford. 24 and 18, if that's, that's three and three.

Right. So I have them at 12. You have it at what, nine? I put them at nine. So yeah, I guess that's not crazy apart. But coming from our first power rankings, they moved up 11 spots for you and eight spots for me. I can't wait until Ron the Cooney comes back.

I want to see him and Schnitt in the dugout if you what happens. Right. I think they're going to be boys. I think sometimes, you know, a couple alphas get together and just talk a little shit to each other. All of a sudden they start hugging. Yeah. have a handshake or something. I don't know.

Yeah. I'm excited to see that. Some good. I bought stock at 0 and 7. I'm buying stock now. I just think there's more to go. They got to keep going for me. That's fair.

I guess your team that I have at 11 and 8. So this is kind of the same tradeoff is the Seattle Mariners. They've won a lot of series. Again, if they had won nine in a row series, so maybe that's a little in my head. If we had done this a week ago, would I have just been a little bit higher the Mariners.

Again, the 8 to 11 gap isn't as big as it is, but tell me why you're in. I mean, you mentioned the 19 and 11 last 30. They've been winning a ton of series. Logan Gilbert is still not even there. So they're getting a couple of starting pitchers back. The offense has showed up. And I like when there are like tangible things you can attach to the offense. You know, the strikeouts are down.

New hitting coaches are there. Randy Rosarano, huge on base streak right now like things are that's like not his game either right getting on base like so he like the approach is is working jp's been great he had a walk off last night against those against your yanks um so i i also think we shit on hulio Rodriguez a little too much like maybe he hasn't been the superstar yet that we thought he would be after his rookie year, but he's been a damn good player. He plays a hell of a center field.

The offensive statistics, like, I think are going to get better. It's always a slow starter, but they're a pretty complete team, Jake, and we've been waiting for this. We've been saying this for years now. Like, give us a little bit of offense. We're going to see a great Mariners team,

and I just wanted to give them credit. I've been eight. I think they deserve it. 15 and 12 against teams above 500. I'm in. Okay. Okay. Yeah. It leaped back into the bullpen. Like, okay.

What's not to like right now? I agree with you. Senor Smoke last night. Always a fun watch. Let's see. Who else do we have in here? Trev. You go Mariners, Diamondbacks, Guardians,

which Guardians were a tough one for me. Giants and then the Braves. Look at the Guardians record. I know. They're 25 and 17th. They have the fifth best record in baseball. their run differentials, not good, it's minus. But they are, I don't understand it.

And Cleveland and Guardians fans laugh me all the time. So I just don't get it, dude. Okay, this is what you can say about them. They win close ball games because they play in a ton of them. Right. So they know how to win those games. Good bullpen. They have a good bullpen.

Like, the starting pitching hasn't really been there. It's, they're just an edigma, dude. They just win baseball games. They're one of the fan bases that you, be mad at me. I put them at 15. If I'm being honest with the people, I probably should have had them a couple slots higher. The way I was writing my list, I was putting the numbers, and then I had to delete them, and I just had to move the Guardians just a little bit. But also, if I'm being real with my heart, if it wasn't the Guardian's reputation of this team just kind of wins, I wouldn't

be in love with this team. I would have them. I put them at 15. And like, I think the follow-up to this conversation, and we actually have these teams flip-flop. This is beautiful, Trev. I have the Royals at 10. You have the Guardians at 10. You have the Royals at 15. I have the Guardians at 15.

I still like the Royals over the Guardians. I think their best product is better than the Guardians. AL Central Trev checking in. Yeah, okay, I have Royals at 15. I guess I like the Royal starting pitching better and that's about it I think I like everything else

about the Guardians better than the Royals I think they have a deeper lineup although that's not really either team's strength if you're going top player obviously Bobby Witt takes the kick but you know Taylor is right there on slouch

so I do think with Kwan, between Kwan, Manzardo, and Jose Ramirez, those are guys that can win you a game. And then we have some other guys that might show up from time to time. That's kind of like the Guardians call. Is it going to be freaking Daniel Schneeman out there in center field? I always make fun of Rosie.

I'm like, dude, you just have these random dudes just showing up for your team. I get jealous. It's going to be Arias. It could be anybody. I think I like the bullpen in Cleveland. better, I do. I don't know if I do. Okay, well then that's how we disagree.

Either way, it's a discussion, right? Like the Kansas City's bullpen is numerically better. I understand the guardians, but I mean what Estevez and what's as an Erseg have been on the back end for them is lights out. God, the ALE Central always gets us. I'm curious to see where you have the twins because I don't have the sheet up in front of me.

I don't have them as high as I thought I would have them. We will get to the twins. We're not as far off as you'd probably hope. Let's see. Who else in this range? Okay, I guess I have my next kind of hot take. Well, let's go out west, young man, because these are two...

Let's go to the Bay Area. These are two teams... Well, okay. If you have any John... science thoughts, I guess let them out. They're in that puddle that again isn't super separated. I think they're going to... Where do you have them? I have them higher than you. I have them at eight. I think where the records stand. You just saw the twins give them the business. So I think you're a little lower on them. And that's okay. That's fine. The twins played

really well against them. No fault of the Giants. Like Chris Paddock came out of nowhere in a game against them. Joe Ryan out-duled Logan Webb and then they walked him off. And they're all like one-run game, so I guess I didn't penalize them for that, the red-hot twins. Trev, the teams I wanted to jump to the Texas Rangers and the athletics,

I have the Texas Rangers at 12. That probably is my spiciest one. That's spicy, bro. They don't deserve it. I will be honest. They do not deserve it. But for me, this is still, this is middle of May. This is, I, I should still have some of my thoughts from the beginning of the season and I should not be fully flipped yet. I thought Texas' offense was going to be

electric. I was telling myself, Jake Berger's going to hit 30 from the eight hole. He got sent down, just got 30 in the eight hole. He just got, just got called back up. Um, Treve, I can't believe how good the rotation is. Um, it's, he neither. Evaldi, he's making a push for that A.L. Cy Young. De Grom looks de Grom-ish. Tyler Molly, Jack Lider at times. Your guy Patrick Corbin has been fighting. That they're starting pitching third in ERA, first in whip. That if you told me the Texas Rangers were going to do that, I would tell you they'd be the first to 30 wins this year or something like that. They are not. They're 22 and 21, but with how bad their offense has been, I'm currently taking that as a win. I understand how that could be taken as a loss because,

God, this offense at times has looked lost. I'm not ready to get off of my Rangers. I mean, look, dude, we've been making excuses for the Rangers now for what, eight and a half months. Oh, World Series Hangover, okay. Now, oh, they're just, offenses slow to get going.

Okay, like, dude, like, they're a half game back of the A's. I understand that. When I look at the A's play baseball, and then I look at the Rangers play baseball. The A's are just having more fun. Like they look like they kind of like want to be out there. There are times where I watch the Rangers,

I don't get that feeling. And look, I'm not going to penalize them. Like, their staff has been incredible. You know I love Nathan Yvaldi, but Tyler Malley doing what he's doing is awesome. Seeing Jacob de Grasn back out there doing what he's doing is awesome.

The two young guys lighter and Kumar, like I think better days are ahead. I do. Kumars, they both need to, figure out a fastball, which is crazy because that was kind of like their calling car was like, man, these guys throw 100 miles an hour. But like, it's straight. And like, they get banged out. Like, they need to figure it. Can I, can I ask you something though? Trevin, I, again, I don't know if this was a clerical error. Do you know where you had the Texas Rangers?

Last, last, last time, yeah. This time. 23. I haven't now. Having 23, yeah. You have them below Tampa. You have them below Cincinnati. a natty they're 13 and 17 in their last 30 Jake I thought these are power rankings bro not not like hey they won the world series in 2023 rankings well I guess here's the flip I in the a is are 17 and 13 in their last 30 so that's they're I mean I have the power ranking I have the A's at 21 uh you have the A's at 13 Trev which that means that's a playoff team they're fun I I told people I said this A's team is in the playoff, it's in the playoff hunt,

come to the deadline, don't be surprised. A lot of young guys, their issue, Jake, right now, has just been their starting pitching at home. Their starting pitching gets crushed at home. So does everyone's. Everyone's. You take them out, like they actually have done well.

Obviously, I do think that is kind of where I, you know, 13 might be a little high, considering what I see in the rotation, I honestly don't think they go and make huge deadline acquisitions, which kind of puts them down. But I think the way they're playing right now, like I don't know, I wanted to give them a little bump up there,

it just makes sense for me. And yes, they just put the hurt on the Dodgers last day, and maybe that influenced me a little bit. But the way they've been playing lately, it's been a lot of fun to watch. Jacob Wilson, two homers. Just hope it doesn't get too bright for the athletics.

And if it does, I hope they've got their shady rays on, Shady rays, and they're better than ever. Shady rays will be friends forever. Shady rays. Shady rays. They have you covered with premium polarized sunglasses that will not break the bank. They've been a huge part of our warehouse games,

which go check it out. We had the Blitzball championship game last night. I won't spoil it if you haven't watched yet. One of us, one of me and Trevor, is in that game. Anyways. If your shades go missing or take an unexpected hit, don't sweat it. They have the most insane protection in all of it. I wear.

Every pair is backed by their lost or broken replacement guarantee. If you don't love your shades, exchange for a new pair, a return worry-free within 30 days. And they've got their best deal of the year. Code talking, 35% off your next pair of polarized sunglasses. That's code talking at shady rays.com. Summer's coming, people.

You need some sunglasses. Go to shadyrays.com. Code talking 35% off. Let's see, Trevor, in this middle area where, again, it's the middle of May. There's a lot of teams kind of around 500. On your list, like I mentioned, you went 10 to 20. Cleveland, San Francisco, Atlanta, the A's. Here's the Boston Red Sox, the Royals that were mentioned, Houston,

your Minnesota Twins and the Cardinals, the two of the hottest teams in baseball, the Brewers and the Reds. I guess amongst that, I'd love to hear the thoughts on the Red Sox and the Astros because they're a very similar case study right now of we believe in it, but we haven't fully seen it. I guess I'll start with the Astros. There's been some really, really good things happening down there in Houston. You know, what we've seen at a Hunter Brown's been incredible.

Framber has just kind of like been his normal self. So I think rotation-wise, they've been okay. Ronell has had some really good starts for them. Hater in the bullpen have been lights out. It's kind of like it's the offense that needs to wake up a little bit. Yordaun, you know, being hurt and then also performing the way he's performed is really tough for them. He's their guy. That's their North Star.

Okay. He is. I mean, offensively, like he's the Cal-Uve. The Milky Way? He's their North Star. Okay. And then Yordon's the sun. Or is Al-Tuvae the sun?

I think Yordaun's the sun. The son's a star. Oh, boy. Here we go. I just went on a tangent. Yeah, I mean, look, Christian Walker really hasn't lived up to what he can be. Jose Al-Tuvae has also struggled. Again, I mean, those three guys, if I'm coming into the season,

and who are going to be the three best hitters on the Astros? I'm probably going Yorda, Christian Walker, and Jose Al-Tuvei. you know, and they just really haven't showed up for them. So, I don't know, they're 16 and 14 last 30, 12 and 14 against teams above 500. I think right in the middle of the pack right now is kind of where they belong. Is there a chance they end up moving up in the rankings towards the end of the season? Sure, we've seen that almost every single year over the last 10. But right now I think I haven't accurately rated.

Know who might have just found another gear. Young Jeremy Pena has been going nuts. OPS in the 8s now. Two war on the year. Already up to a sneaky 15 war career. Like his shine went, I mean his shine was as bright as it could possibly be. The shine went away a little bit. Even World Series MVP.

Yeah, dude. Last night, Paredes, another part of the walkoff brigade, right into the Crawford Boxes, baby. I think are all of his homers in the Crawford boxes, Bobby, could you check that out for me? I know they were for a certain point. I don't know if he snuck in a roadie. For myself, I'll do that 10 through 20 range.

I had the Royals, the Mariners, the Rangers, Astros, Diamondbacks, who you had at 9, I slid them down. That bullpen is scaring me. That bullpen is scaring me. It's the only thing, though. If they remedy that, they're one of the best teams in all of this. The rotation, a little too. I know we believe in it, but it's got to get better.

I think they've been snake bit. Nice. A few games here and there that have inflated the numbers. But I'm not out on them. I guess I'm also just scared of the division that it's, there's always going to be someone ahead of them playing good the rest of the season. Guard dogs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Brewers, Blue Jays, your Minnesota Twins. And then the athletics I mentioned at 21. So I guess for me, Houston and Boston can be a coin flip. I guess for me, Boston's felt a little more clunky that I don't know if they should be penalized for that.

Where Houston, there's a lot of numbers that it's like, okay, they're starting pitching is second in whip, but 15th in ERA. Like, their pitching on the whole could reflect a lot better. And I think, like you said, with a lot of their offensive guys, it hasn't gone yet. I guess in that back half of the 20s, is there a team, like we both have a lot of NL Central there?

Brewer's Cardinals is an interesting case study. Is there a team you believe in, or maybe next time you're like, I think one of these teams is going to be sitting at 11 next time? Let me look at what I got here. It's going to be sitting at 11? Um, not really to be honest i don't know what's going on with the brewers i think that's an interesting

conversation tobias myers got sent down uh 3-8-6 looks nice but you know he's walked a lot of people i guess and like he there was like he got yanked from a game early uh pat murphy's kind of like had an interesting year there like why is tobias miars in the minor league if the brewers fan can tell me that besides i guess i guess it's the walks and that it's just not allowed if you're a brewer. Right. But someone that could make the leap, I don't really have a team like that.

Look, the twins and the Cardinals, I have at 17 and 18. There are two of the hotter teams in baseball. We know they, you know, on these winning streaks right now, 18 and 12 for both of them in their last 30 games.

The twins, okay, people are going to hate on me. I do think the twins have a, like, a good roster. Hey, can they be a top 10 team in baseball?

I don't know. I don't think so. But go ahead and look at what they got, guys. Like their rotation and the bullpen have been great. They've been some of the best in baseball. In their lineup, go check it out. They got guys that have done it, man. Right.

Like, if Royce Lewis starts to be Royce Lewis again, which he just needs a little bit of time. He just hasn't seen a lot of pitching lately. You know, he has got one hit on the year. I understand that, or two hits on the year, excuse me. And Carlos Correa, if he finds himself offensively, like they could move up and people are going to hate on that but i i truly do believe that the cardinals to me are like a fun story um their bullpen has just been incredible even the starting

rotation the same they've been riding their pitching some of their younger hitters have showed up um you know we talked about brenna donovan a ton and and and wilson contraris is starting to go as well like there those are both fun teams i think could move i believe in the twins a little bit more Interesting stretch for St. Louis coming up. Philly, Kansas City, and Detroit. So we'll find out a little more about them. When I look at their roster, it feels sustainable that they can be solid. Like I look at their rotation and I'm like, yeah, why not?

I look at the lineup. Yeah, why not? Man, your twins, Trev, that pitching, it really is impressive that you're right. Like I think before the season, if we said what's, if you had to pick the twins' offense or pitching, I think we would have went offense, that if that light bulb does come on, could be interesting with Minnesota.

It's, they're always, like the computers love the twins pitching. And they are a very analytically driven team. I'll tell you that right now. Almost to a fault, I think. And I agree with you. Like,

I look at names and I'm like, okay, the back end of the bullpen, I understand because those guys are nasty. I do think the twins have a kind of a bunch of like, number two starters, which is a good, like it's fine. But yeah, the offense, I think, has a little bit more in it, and they haven't gone yet.

Trev, at this bottom 10 of the power rankings, you have the Reds at 20, Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Nationals, Angels, Orioles, White Sox, Pirates, Marlins, Rockies. I was Twins at 20, the A's, the Cincinnati Reds, my biggest dropper at minus 11, the Reyes, the Nationals, the Orioles, the Angels, the Pirates, the White Sox, Marlins, Rockies. Within this, I think the team that jumps out to everyone is still Baltimore,

the fact that they are there, we have them and the Angels together, one spot apart, which have you told Orioles fans that before the year, I think they'd be horrified. Is there anything to be said about the Orioles? Would we just say the same stuff? Like everything has to click and it hasn't. Yeah, look, Sugano's been great. And a lot of the times it comes down,

we talk about pitching on this show. Eflin, I believe, is, did he come back? He'd just come back? Or is he on his quotes? I think he was, let me see. activated on 511 so yeah yeah you made a start there maybe that helps

maybe that gets them sparked but it's just been lackluster to watch almost in every facet of the game so I don't I mean look 11 and 19 in their last 30 Jake they're sitting at 15 and 24

they have the 20 they're 26th in baseball and record I don't think we can continue to just say they're going to be better they're going to figure it out like that's it just hasn't happened 8 and 16 against teams above 500 like they don't really have a good stat

they need Ryan O'Hern has been very good for them their lineup is getting covered up by their pitching right now because their offense has been if they were pitching middle of the pack we'd be saying what's wrong with the Orioles offense?

Instead, we're just pointing at the pitching. Their offense has not been good. Adley, 203-298. Like, what are his last 162? Geez. This is supposed to be one of the best players in baseball. Like, if you're making a top 50 list and Adley wasn't on it last year,

people would be like, what are you doing, man? I don't know what you say about him right now. Gunners, I think you can saw it with the positives. Like Gunner's looking, more like himself day after day Jackson Hollidays figured some things out

he's had a couple different swing adjustments throughout the year last year was like getting the foot down like Otani this year his dad like opened up his stance a little bit to give him a little bit more clearance I love that Matt Holliday's like his hitting coach as well because I'm going to do that with Teddy one day you're right about O'Heruns Mollins like those guys have like done okay

but like all in all the lineup isn't very deep and then yeah the pitching just hasn't been there as well I think they deserve they deserve to be ranked 26 dude yeah it's where they're at in the rankings. They haven't done anything to to get better or to prove me otherwise. Yeah, I think we'll get into some final thoughts with this

and then a little bit the cycle on Wednesdays. Final thoughts brought to you by Direct TV. Today's episode is sponsored by DirecTV, the ultimate destination for baseball fans. That's you. Bring you right into the heart of America's favorite pastime with DirecTV. Base is loaded, bottom of the ninth. your team star steps up.

And with DirecTV's MLB coverage, you can watch all those moments. And people, you don't need the roof satellite dish anymore. Take the roof off. That's DirecTV. I mean, that's going back in time now. You don't need the dish. You just need DirecTV.

Watch your favorite team score big with nothing on your roof. Direct TV. The most MLB games, no satellite dish required. Visit directtv.com slash John Boy to stream. Live MLB games from the comfort of your room. your couch or on the go. Trev, I think one of my final soliloquies that I'd like to give over this, I think I'm tapping out on my Reds until they make me come back.

How about this? You mentioned the Texas Rangers and how you said it's been eight months, a year and a half, World Series hangover, and now another two months, and it just hasn't felt right. when was the last time the Reds felt right? Like two years ago when they had that hot summer and all these guys were hitting? Because since then it just, it hasn't really happened.

It's T.J. Friedel and Ellie this year, otherwise no one's really excelling. The pitching has been pretty good. And I, this is a team I've wanted to believe in for a while. Some of the people that we know in baseball have, I don't want to say, rolled their eyes at the Reds, but they make it seem like the Reds have ignored some stuff, positionally, defensive-wise, that it feels like they don't keep up with the Joneses that way. They're 20 and 23 in an NL Central that, again, the Cardinals are 23 and 19.

The Brewers are slipping up this year. the pirates are buns that I'm sorry for the Cincinnati Reds to get me back in they need to get me back in I can't keep saying like oh my dirty little secret and oh I like these reds because I don't right now I don't shout out Emilio Pagan for like closing out games for them a ton this year is that not out of nowhere you had to be a minor league deal right coming in the spring training no man I think he actually Pagan was good got paid became a bad bullpen contract, and now he's like pitching well again. Oh, he's on a deal. He's on $16 million. He's a reliever who got paid. Actually, I enjoyed him.

He was on the Twins for a little bit. Marty Fish used to text me every single time he'd come in the game and not be happy about it. You're right, though. You got me there. Shout out, Emilio. I think a lot of the guys who we were counting on in the Reds offense to, like, really step up or take the next leap or like, you know, they showed us something young and

and they just haven't gone. I mean, Spencer Steer fits that mold. And Carnacio Strand fits that mold. Matt McLean, who I thought might be like the spark plug, the savior this year. He's got a 600 OPS. So like, yeah, like they just haven't really clicked. Gavin Lux, who started off the year pretty dang hot. Like he's cooled down a little bit, 751 OPS. Like, it, it, it just haven't gone yet. Yeah, and I... Or, like, can't go. I don't, I don't know.

I'm, again, I'm not going to defend them. I just, I think it's interesting. I asked you, and I didn't prep you on it, and I'm sorry. I was like, hey, those teams in the 15 to 20 range. Like, who could you see flying up the charts? No, it's funny. Like, I'm with you. I'm not bought into a lot of those teams,

but like, it's funny that I think the Reds, if the offense clicked, it could win me back over. I think even the Orioles, you know, we, even as a Yankees fan I want to see the Orioles play like the Orioles we were promised at one point but they've shown none of that. Like if there's one team that you

in the raise to me I think... Yeah, you like the raise a little bit. I do like the raise. Again, like I like teams that could beat you in a bunch of different ways but they just kind of, they've hit a little soft spot. 14 and 16 last 30, 11 and 17 against teams the record of 500 or better.

I don't know. I don't really believe in any of the teams. Even the Orioles. Okay, hey, the Orioles, everyone's going to start a hitting again and say,

okay, are they going to go out and acquire some starters? Probably not. Because there's a bunch of teams in front of them, they're going to look for starters as well. So are they willing to give things up?

Like, I don't know. I guess at the end of this, Trev, I'll try to end on a peaceful front. I would have slid my athletics up a couple spots. Thank you.

deserve it. They play a good fun brand of baseball. They've got a little bit of the we believe, and they can do a little bit of everything. They can have days where they pitch the ball. They can have days where they put up big runs, and they've got

a back end of the bullpen. So I, yeah, maybe I should have been a little more respectful to them. The offense has been very good. Yeah. 7th and OPS, six in home runs. Hey, I, you know, I probably should have said at the start and you guys are already letting us know.

But if you're in the comments section, let us know. What do we get wrong? What do you think is the most pissed off team or fan base? Let's see. From my list, the most pissed off fan base should be the Guardians. Like they have an argument to be a top five, six, seven team, and I have them at 15 just because the math doesn't make sense to me. What about you?

I think the Royals fans would be pissed. Yeah. I haven't at 15. They've just been playing really good ball as of late, but I don't know. I think there's some holes there. Yeah. Let us know people.

Again, I'm really happy with where this exercise has turned out because it's a great way to talk about a lot of the teams in a fun fashion. And, God, I can't be in Trev normally. We're in lockstep. I mean, God, Legolas and Gimley normally, but not today. How about that? Trev. Let's send the people out with the Draft Kings bet the cycle.

Try to get the people a little extra weekend, keesh, if we do it right. Every week with Draft Kings, we're giving you guys one. Bet a single should be the easy one, a double, triple, home run. It gets a little harder every step of the way. Last week, we got the double.

The tiger sweeping the Rockies on that double-header day. Doesn't seem hard, but win two games in one day is a tough one. Trev, do you want to bat first or second? I will. I will. We're going to go with a single here. And it's the Dodgers to beat. The Angels in the Freeway Series on Saturday,

Clinton Kirchall will be back off the IL. The Dodgers are 19 and 5 against the Angels since 2020. Kirshaw is 10 and 2 with a 1-9. 99 ERA and 16 starts against the Angels in his career. So we'll just say Dodgers to win on Saturday. Like that, and I like this. Jose Ramirez, we mentioned him before. And, you know, one of the Guardian secret recipes is top five player in the league every year.

J. Ram to get two plus total bases versus the Reds on Friday. So I'll keep going there. J-Ram, 444 batting average, three doubles and two homers. versus Friday's probable starter for the Rets. Yeah, Brady Singer. Yeah. Trev, give me that triple. This is Corbyn Carroll territory, baby.

I'm going with two things that have to happen. A.J. Smishevr to record 6Ks or more versus the Nationals, and the Braves need to win that game. Smithshaver has been great since being recalled. A 4-2 ERA in three games. That's 19-nings pitch. He's averaged right around that 6Ks per start. And the Braves, Jake, I don't know if you saw this.

they're now sitting at 500. Yep. Entering Wednesday, they started 0. and 7 people, so they're playing better ball. Man, that's a little triple parley. Well, I've got the home run of parlay. So you mentioned Corby and Carroll Triples, leading baseball in home runs. Yo.

The home run is an NL West edition. The NL West is playing all other West Coast teams. and we've labeled them the core four of the NL West. Dangerous territory here. On Friday night, Dodgers play the Angels. Giants are playing the ace. Padres are playing the Mariners. D-backs are playing the Rockies.

We're taking the four horses of the NL West all to win on Friday night. I am in on that one. A little West Coast rivalry weekend, the four powers of the NLST. to win. Love that. What kind of animal would you be? Excuse me? What kind of animal would I be?

Like a little baby bear, a little cub. In the dog world, I'm a corgi. Of all animals, yeah, I could see a little, a little bear cub or something like that. It's like a version of an intimidating animal that's been shrunk down. That's kind of my sweet spot there. Like a Wolverine. Wolverines are scary.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'll take that all day. I can see that. And this is, now we'll jump from animals to cars. My first car was a 94 Jeep Wrangler, which it was kind of like a smaller Jeep, and that embodied me pretty good. Like, yeah, this could tow some would.

Big body. But not a ton. Coach Trev. Wow. I'm an eagle. Wow. Yeah, you are. Hell yeah.

Thank you, everyone. let us know what we got right and wrong. Go check out the warehouse games. Go check out everything. I stink. Esoc Pradis. Every homer in the Crawford boxes. Yep.

A little more value in Houston. Jake sucks? Sure. That's fine. No qualms with that. I don't know. Are the Orioles dead? I don't know, Jake.

It's a fine line. A dying. A fine line.