A funny thing happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend: They trotted out starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow for a three-game series against the American League’s best team.
The results looked a lot like what the Dodgers expected out of this 2025 season.
Their vaunted rotation is almost entirely healthy – rookie Rōki Sasaki is taking the cautious route back from a shoulder impingement – and the results were evident against the dangerous Toronto Blue Jays. Kershaw and Snell picked up wins – Kershaw besting fellow generational star Max Scherzer – while Glasnow left with a lead before the Blue Jays salvaged the final game of the three-game set.
But after many false starts, it’s starting to feel like go time for the Dodgers – who moved up four spots to No. 2 in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
Perhaps the biggest boost came from Snell, who signed a $182 million contract yet made just two starts before shoulder inflammation shelved him for four months. Well, he’s two starts into his return and on Friday struck out 10 Blue Jays in five innings – inspiring visions of his epic second half with San Francisco last year that inspired the Dodgers to open their checkbook for him.
Snell and Glasnow’s next starts? That would be next weekend at San Diego, when the West rivals begin a stretch of six games in 10 days against each other; they won’t meet again after that.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
Neither rain – tons of it, flooding the ballpark area – nor their Mets-related demons could stop a weekend sweep capped by a walk-off.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (+4)
Shohei Ohtani has 95 homers as a Dodger, and should join Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez and Roger Maris as the only players with at least 100 in their first two seasons with a club.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (+2)
Their NL East lead is now 5 ½ games, but Zack Wheeler’s shoulder a moderate concern.
4. Chicago Cubs (-2)
Kyle Tucker with just three extra-base hits since All-Star break, but insists bothersome finger is fine.
5. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)
Likely just one more rehab start for Shane Bieber, and then it’s … a six-man rotation?
6. Detroit Tigers (-2)
Had lost six of seven series before eking out two of three against Angels.
7. San Diego Padres (+1)
Michael King is back, and turbo-charged bullpen keys series win over Red Sox.
8. Houston Astros (+1)
Jose Altuve’s 250th home run puts him in some (almost entirely Hall of Fame) rare air among second basemen.
9. Boston Red Sox (+1)
Congrats to Roman Anthony on his $130 million extension. The Red Sox now have eight years to prove they don’t foul all the relationships with their foundational players.
10. Seattle Mariners (+1)
That’s 45 homers now for Cal Raleigh – just three away from tying Sal Perez’s record for longballs as a catcher.
11. New York Mets (-4)
Seven losses in a row, and getting swept at Milwaukee revealed how far they have to go to re-join NL’s elite.
12. New York Yankees (-)
It is getting harder to imagine Aaron Boone managing this team in 2026.
13. Cincinnati Reds (-)
Hunter Greene back once again, to start against Phillies Wednesday.
14. Cleveland Guardians (+3)
Making a bid to become The Tigers of 2025.
15. Texas Rangers (-1)
Outclassed by Phillies, and division-title hopes look like a longshot.
16. San Francisco Giants (-1)
Justin Verlander records 3,500th strikeout – but drops to 1-9.
17. Miami Marlins (-1)
Joyride finally ends with five losses in seven games.
18. St. Louis Cardinals (-)
Jordan Walker taking another step forward would be a productive end of the season.
19. Kansas City Royals (-)
Rookie Noah Cameron has a 1.03 WHIP and 2.52 ERA in 16 starts.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
A sweep at Seattle more or less extinguishes playoff hopes.
21. Minnesota Twins (+2)
They’re 7-5 in games Luke Keaschall plays, 49-56 when he doesn’t.
22. Los Angeles Angels (-1)
Seeing Shohei Ohtani atop the Angel Stadium mound might sting a little.
23. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
New first baseman Tyler Locklear off to a 5-for-32 start since trade from Seattle.
24. Baltimore Orioles (-)
2023 ace Kyle Bradish not far away from big league return after elbow surgery.
25. Athletics (+1)
Yolo County magic: Carlos Cortes plays outfield left-handed, infield right-handed in same game.
26. Atlanta Braves (-1)
Earnings report says profit is up, payroll is down. Standings reflect the same thing.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
Machine: Paul Skenes has 1.94 ERA – and it’s now 1.95 for his career.
28. Washington Nationals (-)
They’ve lost series to the Nos. 25, 26, 27 and 30 in these power rankings. Season-ending series vs. White Sox gonna be tense.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
Kind of a shock: Rookie Colson Montgomery with eight homers in barely 100 at-bats.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
Kyle Karros arrives, singles in first major league at-bat.