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25. Miami Marlins (4-7)
Previous Rank: 29
The Marlins survived a scare when Jazz Chisholm Jr. suffered only a stinger while sliding into second base after it looked like a potentially serious injury. He remains the biggest X-factor for a team that still lacks offense. Left-hander Jesús Luzardo has a 0.71 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 12.2 innings as he looks to build on last season’s success.
24. Philadelphia Phillies (4-6)
Previous Rank: 30
The Phillies stumbled to a 1-5 start before taking two of three from the Reds over the weekend, and it has been an ugly beginning. With Darick Hall (torn thumb ligament) joining Rhys Hoskins (torn ACL) on the injured list, Philadelphia shifted Alec Bohm to first base with Edmundo Sosa starting the last two games at the hot corner.
23. Colorado Rockies (5-6)
Previous Rank: 21
Left-hander Kyle Freeland is off to a brilliant start for the Rockies with 12.2 scoreless innings and a 0.79 WHIP, but Colorado is just 2-6 with a minus-18 run differential when anyone else starts on the mound. Offseason addition Pierce Johnson is 3-for-3 in save chances while filling in for Daniel Bard in the closer’s role.
22. Chicago White Sox (5-6)
Previous Rank: 20
Is this finally the year Luis Robert Jr. delivers on the hype? The 25-year-old is hitting .366 with a 201 OPS+ and four home runs in 42 plate appearances, and while he has yet to draw a walk, his aggressiveness is paying off. An MLB-worst 8.31 ERA from the bullpen and a shaky starting rotation behind Dylan Cease and Mike Clevinger are the big question marks on the South Side.
21. Seattle Mariners (4-7)
Previous Rank: 28
Despite a 1-4 start and a series loss to the Angels last week, the Mariners still have a plus-one run differential and closed the week by taking two of three from the Guardians on the road. Ace Luis Castillo has twirled 11.2 scoreless innings through his first two starts, but Seattle leads the majors with four blown saves and will be without Andres Muñoz, who was placed on the injured list with a strained shoulder.