It’s a little pointless for opponents to worry about Juan Soto getting hot.
Fewer things are as inevitable as arguably the game’s greatest hitter reaching MVP-level production – and his new team has ascended to first place even as he finds his Queens sea legs.
The Mets have come out of the gate winning 15 of 22 games and, just in time for the rival Philadelphia Phillies to visit Citi Field, soared to No. 3 in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
New York swept four games from St. Louis this weekend and established a two-game lead over Philly in the NL East. All of this comes with mere human contributions from Soto, whose .240 average and three home runs belies his .374 OBP and a 128 adjusted OPS.
Oh, those numbers won’t light up a marquee like a $765 million superstar might be expected to do, but they’re plenty good with Pete Alonso off to a red-hot start. And Soto, 26, is the game’s great inevitability. Perhaps that time will arrive with their No. 1 rivals in town.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
Shut out for 23 of 27 innings in Texas – and nearly sweep series.
2. San Diego Padres (-)
Injury-stricken club loses Luis Arráez to unsettling collision.
3. New York Mets (+1)
Luisangel Acuña playing his way into quasi-regular status.
4. New York Yankees (+1)
3-1 as Steinbrenner Field road warriors.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (-2)
Jordan Romano’s woes (15.26 ERA) hamstring an inconsistent bullpen.
6. San Francisco Giants (+1)
Justin Verlander still seeking first win as Giant.
7. Texas Rangers (-1)
Tyler Mahle has a 0.68 ERA through five starts.
8. Chicago Cubs (+1)
A 16-run inning? Gonna be a wild summer at Wrigley.
9. Detroit Tigers (-1)
Kerry Carpenter comes up with a bum hamstring.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
No rest in the West: 13-9 = fourth place.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (-)
Wild debut for Paxton Schultz: Eight relief strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
12. Boston Red Sox (+1)
At long last: Reliever Liam Hendriks pitches for first time since June 9, 2023.
13. Houston Astros (+2)
Rookie Cam Smith enjoys a two-homer game.
14. Seattle Mariners (+4)
Cal Raleigh, major league home run leader? Sure, why not.
15. Milwaukee Brewers (+5)
Better remember this name: Logan Henderson, who struck out nine in big league debut.
16. Cleveland Guardians (+6)
Cleveland pitching is so back: Rotation spins a 2.77 ERA in past 12 games.
17. Cincinnati Reds (+4)
The bats are getting hot, but who had Austin Wynns, six-hit game on their bingo card?
18. Baltimore Orioles (-4)
Until proven otherwise, they have the worst rotation in the majors.
19. Kansas City Royals (-7)
Have lost seven of 11 against Guardians, Tigers.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-4)
They might be mediocre but with Chandler Simpson up, they’ll be a lot more interesting.
21. Los Angeles Angels (-4)
Zach Neto is back and already making things happen.
22. St. Louis Cardinals (-2)
1-9 on the road.
23. Atlanta Braves (-)
So they’re definitely not as bad as the Twins.
24. Washington Nationals (+1)
Dylan Crews enjoys first career multi-homer game.
25. Miami Marlins (+1)
Griffin Conine’s shoulder injury gives Javier Sanoja a shot he’s already taking advantage of.
26. Minnesota Twins (-2)
If not for the White Sox, they’d have the AL’s worst record.
27. Athletics (+1)
8-5 on the road but just 2-7 in their friendly Yolo County confines.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
Rabid crowd stuffs stadium for Paul Skenes bobblehead and start – and home team manages zero runs.
29. Colorado Rockies (-)
3-17, Kris Bryant might need back surgery, please look away.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
Top catching prospect Edgar Quero edges Kyle Teel with big league call-up.
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