As the calendar is set to flip to May, the National League East hasn’t lived up to the hype after the first month of the 2025 Major League Baseball season. The division was expected to be a powerhouse after three teams made the playoffs a season ago, and the NL East regaining a familiar face with Juan Soto joining the New York Mets during the offseason.
The NL East owns a collective 72-69 record through April 28. Three teams are under .500. Only the Mets have a positive run differential.
NL East Power Rankings: Phillies can’t top Mets after first month of 2025 season
The Philadelphia Phillies started the season hot with a 7-2 record, including a series win against the daunting Los Angeles Dodgers. Recently coming off a sweep at the hands of the Mets, the Phillies have more questions than answers after the first month of the season.
No. 1: New York Mets
The Mets got hot at the perfect time in 2024 and went on a Cinderella run. After taking care of the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Round and then sending the Phillies home early in the NLDS, the Mets’ luck ran out after losing to the Dodgers in six games in the NLCS.
The Mets went all in during the offseason, signing Soto to a massive 15-year, $765 million contract. The organization also brought back first baseman Pete Alonso on a two-year deal after speculation that he may not return.
Soto has underperformed to start his Mets career, batting just .257 with three home runs, but the team is rolling even without his production. The Mets have the best record in the majors (20-9) and a plus-50 run differential, fifth-best in baseball.
Despite a loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday, the Mets have won eight of their last 10 games and are 6-3 against teams above .500.
No. 2: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies finished with the second-best record a season ago and won the NL East for the first time since 2011. Unfortunately, the offense went cold and the bullpen couldn’t hold up against the Mets during the NLDS, leading to an early exit in the playoffs.
After a disappointing end to the season, the Phillies didn’t do much to improve their roster during the offseason. The team was linked to multiple high-profile free agents and trade targets, but came away with Jesús Luzardo, Max Kepler and Jordan Romano as the notable additions.
The Phillies’ starting rotation has been a strength, as expected. They have the sixth-best ERA (3.42), fifth-most innings pitched (157 2/3) and the most strikeouts (181). Taijuan Walker has even impressed as Ranger Suárez continues to return from injury, owning a 2.78 ERA in 22 2/3 innings across five starts.
The downfall for the Phillies through the first month has been the bullpen woes and consistently coming through at the plate with runners in scoring position. The bullpen has the second-worst ERA (5.28) in the fewest innings pitched (92). The team’s top offseason bullpen acquisition, Romano, has a 12.19 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP in 12 appearances.
No. 3: Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals finished in the bottom half of the standings in 2024 and have one of the youngest rosters in baseball in 2025. With that, they have some exciting young players such as starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore and outfielder Dylan Crews.
The Nationals aren’t expected to compete for a championship this season, but they’re hanging around through the first month. They’re seven games back of the Mets in the NL East and own a 7-6 record against teams above .500.
Much like the Phillies, the Nationals’ starting rotation has been a strength but has been hindered by a lackluster bullpen. They have the worst bullpen ERA (7.30) and WHIP (1.78) in the majors, and teams are hitting MLB-high .289 against them.
The Nationals aren’t ready to compete with the elite teams, but the 2025 season could be a fun one for Dave Martinez’s ball club.
No. 4: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are at the bottom of the division with a 13-15 record, leading to uncharted territory as No. 4 in these power rankings.
The Braves have a talented roster, but are still trying to get healthy as the season goes on. One of the best starting pitchers in baseball, Spencer Strider, and superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. are making their way back from season-ending injuries suffered last year.
Strider made his first start of the 2025 season on April 16, allowing five hits and two earned runs in five innings, but suffered a hamstring injury on April 21 while playing catch, landing him on the 15-day IL.
The Braves are slugging baseballs with the seventh-most home runs (35) in the majors and will get a much-needed boost when Acuña Jr. returns. The team is too talented to remain at the bottom of the division much longer.
No. 5: Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are in last place in the NL East, and their spot in the power rankings reflect it through the first month of the season. The Marlins have the fourth-worst run differential in baseball and are just 5-12 against teams above .500.
Coming off a 62-win season and the third-worst record a season ago, the Marlins’ fate in 2025 will likely be much of the same.
The Marlins have the fifth-fewest home runs this season and have struck out the ninth-most times. They have the worst team ERA and third-worst WHIP in the majors.
With a 12-16 record, the Marlins don’t have enough firepower to compete this season.