What is the best lineup in baseball? While batting orders fluctuate across a 162-game season, there’s a level of consistency with the best MLB lineups. From the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Yankees, there is stockpiled talent among the best teams.
Stars drive in the most runs, but the most productive lineups aren’t always filled with perennial All-Star selections.
Let’s dive back into our rankings for the best MLB lineups entering May. Bookmark this page for monthly updates throughout the regular season.
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10. Atlanta Braves (Previously: 8)
The Atlanta Braves are slowly starting to snap out of their funk. Call it the World Series hangover or the influence of cold temperatures and a dejuiced baseball, it took time for the Braves lineup to get going. Austin Riley still isn’t hitting for the higher average we saw last year, Matt Olson is underperforming and Ronald Acuña Jr. is still trying to find his power stroke. Yet each passing week shows this team is moving closer toward normalcy and when you combine that with the hitting of Travis d’Arnaud and Dansby Swanson, Atlanta snags the 10th spot in our top-10 MLB lineups.
9. San Francisco Giants (Previously: Unranked)
The San Francisco Giants lineup is unconventional, with platoons playing a huge role in how its put together on a daily basis. While some fans might not love it, the approach works. San Francisco entered June with the third-most runs scored (244) the third-best OBP (.329) and ranked seventh in wRC+ (111). A lack of elite talent pushes the Giants down behind some others, but this is still a lineup that pitchers should worry about when they take the mound
8. Toronto Blue Jays (Previously: 3)
The MLB stats certainly aren’t favorable for the Toronto Blue Jays right now. Entering June, Toronto ranked 15th in wRC+ (100), 14th in slugging (.391) and 23rd in runs scored (191). However, there are signs of life. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rediscovered his MVP form recently and Teoscar Hernandez finally looks healthy. When the MLB lineups are ranked in July, the Blue Jays should be a lot higher.
7. Houston Astros (Previously: Unranked)
The Houston Astros lineup is so dangerous. Leading off, Jose Altuve (10 home runs, 157 wRC+) is one of the most impactful No. 1 hitters in the game. Behind him, Michael Braltye (.356 OBP) keeps getting on base to set the table for Yordan Alvarez (178 wRC+, 33 RBI) and Kyle Tucker (29 RBI, 126 wRC+). We haven’t even mentioned rookie Jeremy Pena (.280/.330/.484) perfectly filling the void left by Carlos Correa. The Astros are one of the best teams in baseball and the lineup plays a huge part.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (Previously: Unranked)
Paul Goldschmidt not only vaulted into the MLB MVP race, he jumped ahead of Manny Machado in the National League. It’s all a credit to a 251 wRC+, 33 RBI and a .404/.471/.817 slash line in May. Of course, he isn’t the only one producing. Tommy Edman (.353 OBP, 14 steals) thrives in the leadoff role, Nolan Arenado (37 RBI, 143 wRC+) remains an elite hitter and now Harrison Bader (14 steals, 97 wRC+) is producing. Talent and production make this one of the best MLB lineups right now.
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5. Boston Red Sox (Previously: Unranked)
The Boston Red Sox ranked 21st in batting average (.225), 24th in runs scored (76) and 28th in wRC+ (70) after April. A frigid lineup held a lot of the blame for the team’s woes. Fast forward to June, Boston is coming off a month with a .282 batting average, 159 runs scored and a 134 wRC+. This is the version of the Red Sox lineup we expected before Opening Day. If it sticks, this team can still compete for an AL Wild Card spot.
4. Los Angeles Angels (Previously: 4)
It’s no longer just the Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani show. WHile both MVP candidates are dominating and combined for 15 home runs with 40 runs scored in May, there is another potential All-Star bat in this lineup. Jared Walsh hit eight home runs in May, slugging .549 with a 141 wRC+ and Anthony Rendon (118 wRC+, .330 OBP) remains a steady contributor. Los Angeles might want to add another middle-of-the-order bat in July, but this is still an outstanding lineup.
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3. New York Mets (Previously: 5)
If evaluating MLB lineups based purely on stats, the New York Mets arguably deserve the No.1 spot. New York entered June with the second-highest FanGraphs Offensive Rating (40.5) with an elite 116 wRC+ as a team and the second-most runs scored (266). It’s really a group effort with Pete Alonso (14 HR, 145 wRC+), Jeff McNeil (.315 BA, .360 wOBA), Francisco Lindor (122 wRC+, 43 RBI) and Starling Marte (.434 SLG, 117 wRC+) leading the charge. The only thing that prevents New York from being higher is the .322 BABIP that seems ripe for regression.
2. New York Yankees (Previously: 2)
When the New York Yankees lineup is healthy, there’s a case this is the best MLB lineup in 2022. It’s certainly being carried right now by Aaron Judge (201 wRC+), but don’t let that take away from Giancarlo Stanton (11 home runs, .146 wRC+) and Anthony Rizzo (127 wRC+). The unheralded player is a resurgent Gleyber Torres, who posted a strong .799 OPS with 15 RBI in May. If the Yankees can add another bat at the trade deadline, watch out.
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1. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 1)
There’s no question the Los Angeles Dodgers belong at the top for the best MLB lineups in 2022. Freddie Freeman (.362 wOBA, 134 wRC+). isn’t hitting for as much power as he used to, but he still drives in plenty of runs and gets on base. Mookie Betts is in his MVP-caliber form, Trea Turner is the perfect leadoff hitter and even Chris Taylor (129 wRC+) is getting in on the action. It should come as no surprise Los Angeles entered June with the most runs scored (270) and the highest walk rate (11%) in MLB.
Stats for MLB lineups courtesy FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference