MLB Opening Day: Ranking baseball’s 10 most dangerous lineups

The day baseball fans circle on their calendars has arrived — MLB Opening Day is finally here! All 30 clubs begin with identical records and the same championship vision. But when October baseball rolls around, only the teams with legitimate offensive firepower tend to survive. Let’s break down the top 10 lineups across baseball as the new season dawns.

**Projected lineups from FanGraphs**

Top 10 MLB Lineups

10. Houston Astros

Despite losing Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, the Houston Astros maintain a formidable batting order. They’ve added first baseman Christian Walker, third baseman Isaac Paredes, and prospect Cam Smith to the mix. Yordan Alvarez anchors the middle with Jose Altuve setting the table up top. Yainer Diaz has developed into one of baseball’s premier hitting catchers, while Jeremy Pena looks ready for his next developmental leap.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Jose Altuve
2. Isaac Paredes
3. Yordan Alvarez
4. Christian Walker
5. Yainer Diaz
6. Jeremy Pena
7. Cam Smith
8. Mauricio Dubon
9. Jake Meyers

9. Baltimore Orioles

Gunnar Henderson begins the season on the injured list with an intercostal strain, but his absence appears temporary. Henderson comes off a breakout 2024 campaign with 37 home runs, .893 OPS, and 159 OPS+. Colten Cowser aims to build on his 24-homer rookie season, while Jordan Westburg seeks to advance from his first-year showing (18 home runs, 129 OPS+). The Baltimore Orioles expect offensive growth from Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday. Though they lost Anthony Santander’s 44 homers, Baltimore added outfielder Tyler O’Neill to help fill the power void.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Colten Cowser
2. Adley Rutschman
3. Jordan Westburg
4. Ryan O’Hearn
5. Tyler O’Neill
6. Ryan Mountcastle
7. Cedric Mullins
8. Ramon Urias
9. Jackson Holliday

8. San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres will rely on their trio of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill to drive the offense. They lost Jurickson Profar and his 24 home runs to Atlanta without securing a replacement during free agency. San Diego needs Xander Bogaerts to deliver on his contract with a bounce-back campaign. The table-setting abilities of Luis Arraez at the top of the order must create opportunities for the power bats to capitalize.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Luis Arraez
2. Fernando Tatis Jr.
3. Jackson Merrill
4. Manny Machado
5. Jake Cronenworth
6. Xander Bogaerts
7. Gavin Sheets
8. Jason Heyward
9. Elias Diaz

7. Texas Rangers

Injuries decimated the Texas Rangers last season, causing them to slip to 78-84 following their 2023 World Series championship. Corey Seager missed the final month with a sports hernia, Josh Jung sat out four months with wrist fractures, and Evan Carter — later optioned to Triple-A — battled back issues throughout the year. Texas added Jake Burger and Joc Pederson — who combined for 52 home runs last season — while banking on resurgent performances from Adolis Garcia and Marcus Semien. With Wyatt Langford in the mix, the Rangers’ lineup presents legitimate threats throughout the order in 2025.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Marcus Semien
2. Corey Seager
3. Wyatt Langford
4. Joc Pederson
5. Adolis Garcia
6. Josh Jung
7. Leody Taveras
8. Jake Burger
9. Jonah Heim

6. Boston Red Sox

For the first time in years, the Boston Red Sox have emerged as contenders. They added third baseman Alex Bregman and his consistent 25-homer potential. Rafael Devers shifting to designated hitter from third for Bregman allows top prospect Kristian Campbell to slot in at second base. Jarren Duran emerged as a multi-dimensional threat in 2024, leading MLB in doubles (48) and triples (14) while adding 21 home runs and posting a 129 OPS+. First baseman Triston Casas returns healthy, and a breakout from center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela could elevate this lineup to another tier.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Jarren Duran
2. Rafael Devers
3. Alex Bregman
4. Triston Casas
5. Trevor Story
6. Kristian Campbell
7. Wilyer Abreu
8. Connor Wong
9. Ceddanne Rafaela

5. Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies enter their third consecutive season with virtually the same lineup, adding only Max Kepler to the mix. Their order features established run-producers in Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, yet despite finishing fifth in runs scored last season, they experienced prolonged scoring droughts. Philadelphia banks on its core of Harper, Schwarber, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos to power another October run — this time hoping to capture that championship banner that’s eluded them.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Kyle Schwarber
2. Trea Turner
3. Bryce Harper
4. Alec Bohm
5. Max Kepler
6. J.T. Realmuto
7. Nick Castellanos
8. Bryson Stott
9. Brandon Marsh

4. Atlanta Braves

Injuries ravaged the Atlanta Braves lineup last season: Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL, Austin Riley broke his hand, Ozzie Albies fractured his wrist, Michael Harris II strained his hamstring, and Sean Murphy strained his oblique. Yet they still reached October baseball and have added outfielder Jurickson Profar to strengthen the roster. Acuña projects to return in May, while Murphy begins the season on the injured list with cracked ribs. When fully assembled, this lineup features few soft spots, anchored by Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna in the heart of the order.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Jurickson Profar
2. Austin Riley
3. Matt Olson
4. Marcell Ozuna
5. Michael Harris II
6. Ozzie Albies
7. Drake Baldwin
8. Jarred Kelenic
9. Orlando Arcia

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

Despite Corbin Carroll’s difficult first half of 2024, the Diamondbacks led MLB with 886 runs scored. Ketel Marte established himself among baseball’s elite, finishing third in NL MVP voting with 36 home runs, a .932 OPS, and 155 OPS+. Eugenio Suárez contributed 30 homers, while Carroll recovered to lead MLB with 14 triples alongside 22 home runs. Arizona lost Joc Pederson and Christian Walker in free agency but acquired Josh Naylor from Cleveland. This lineup remains positioned to push offensive boundaries again this season.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Corbin Carroll
2. Ketel Marte
3. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
4. Josh Naylor
5. Eugenio Suarez
6. Jack McCarthy
7. Gabriel Moreno
8. Pavin Smith
9. Geraldo Perdomo

2. New York Mets

The New York Mets made the offseason’s signature move, landing Juan Soto and his 201 career home runs on a $765 million contract. They retained first baseman Pete Alonso on a two-year deal. Francisco Lindor finished as NL MVP runner-up after belting 33 home runs with an .844 OPS and 138 OPS+. Third baseman Mark Vientos broke through with 27 homers in 2024. Catcher Francisco Alvarez is starting the season on the injured list with a broken hamate bone, but he will bring his powerful bat back upon his return. This lineup features remarkable depth and must compensate for a rotation without a true ace.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor
2. Juan Soto
3. Pete Alonso
4. Brandon Nimmo
5. Mark Vientos
6. Jesse Winker
7. Jose Siri
8. Brett Baty
9. Luis Torrens

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

When your lineup showcases reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman at the top, your ranking atop baseball’s offensive hierarchy feels inevitable. Beyond this trio, LA features four additional former All-Stars: Teoscar Hernández, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Michael Conforto. The depth throughout this order appears unmatched across the league. The championship question for the Los Angeles Dodgers likely comes down to health rather than talent.

Projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Mookie Betts
3. Freddie Freeman
4. Teoscar Hernandez
5. Max Muncy
6. Will Smith
7. Michael Conforto
8. Tommy Edman
9. Andy Pages