After a turbulent first half of the season, the Detroit Tigers officially asserted their No. 1 position in the MLB Team Power Rankings on July 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs rose dramatically to No. 2, and the Los Angeles Dodgers maintained their quiet strength at No. 3. Behind them are a series of rising forces, making this season’s MLB situation an “unprecedentedly fierce battle.”
Detroit Tigers: The Return of the Forgotten
The Detroit Tigers are no longer the obscure team of the post-2014 years. Under the sharp leadership of Coach A.J. Hinch, the Tigers have had a spectacular season of transformation. With a winning percentage of nearly 72% over their last 30 games, they lead not only the standings but also in ERA and OBP (on-base percentage).
The brightest star: Riley Greene, who hit 20 HR and 60 RBI just before the All-Star break. He and Spencer Torkelson form the most powerful offensive duo in the AL Central.
The expert’s opinion: According to MLB Network, “The Tigers are the most complete team in the league right now – from pitching rotation to defense and hitting. They are truly a formidable championship candidate.”
Chicago Cubs: The quiet challenger becomes a dragon
The Cubs’ strong comeback is not a fluke. Under the leadership of David Ross, their young and motivated lineup is making the entire NL wary. Cody Bellinger, Christopher Morel and Pete Crow-Armstrong are putting a lot of pressure on every opposing pitching staff.
Impressive Stats: The Cubs have led MLB in OPS for the past three weeks and are on an eight-game winning streak away from home.
ESPN’s take: “The Cubs aren’t just playing well — they’re scaring the league. They’re the team no one wants to play against in October.”
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Silent Empire Remains
Without Ohtani, the Dodgers aren’t falling apart. They have an incredibly solid lineup with Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Tyler Glasnow as their pillars.
Tactical Strengths: The Dodgers lead MLB in double play turns and RISP efficiency.
FanGraphs: Despite a slight dip in overall efficiency, the Dodgers still have a 96% playoff probability, the most solid foundation in the NL West.
Houston Astros: Never Tired
Altuve is still the soul of the Astros, and Yordan Alvarez is having an MVP-caliber season. With a super-stable bullpen and a powerful batting order, the Astros are back stronger than ever.
Notable absentees
The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves have both dropped significantly. The Braves are facing a bullpen crisis, while the Cardinals are in serious doubt about their ability to recover from a terrible losing streak in mid-June.
Who can hold on to the top until October?
The Detroit Tigers are doing the unexpected – taking over MLB with real force. But in a season with so many variables, will they be able to hold on to the throne? Or will the Cubs rewrite history after eight years without a title? Or will the Dodgers quietly avenge last year’s debacle?
The 2025 season is still long, and the MLB crown awaits the most deserving – or the most stubborn?