1 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 22
Atlanta and Tampa Bay topped Sports Illustrated’s quarter-pole report cards with A+ grades, reflecting the Braves’ MLB-best start and the Rays’ surprise rise to the AL lead.
Atlanta built a nine-game NL East cushion behind 70 homers, a .771 OPS and a +98 run differential, while Tampa reached 33 wins with a 19-5 home record, an AL-best .261 average and 53 steals.
The Dodgers ranked third but drew only a B despite leading the NL West, with SI citing a $410 million payroll, injuries and underperformance from stars as reasons they still look short of full stride.
Several clubs earned strong marks for beating expectations, including the Brewers, Guardians, Cardinals, White Sox and Athletics, while the Phillies climbed to ninth after going 16-6 under new manager Don Mattingly.
At the bottom, SI handed F grades to the Mets, Tigers, Astros and Angels, pointing to New York’s MLB-worst .655 OPS, Detroit’s 14 losses in 16 games and Houston’s injury-ravaged 5.34 ERA.
Why do the Yankees excel on the mound while experts rank their pitching development among the league's worst?
As high-payroll teams like the Mets fail, is the Rays' low-cost success a replicable blueprint for victory?