Matt Johnson
The arrival of June in the 2026 Major League Baseball season means that all 30 clubs are now more than a third of the way through their schedule. While surprises happen every summer, we are starting to get a clear idea of what clubs are contenders this year.
Let’s dive into our latest MLB power rankings entering the weekend. Of note, all MLB stats are as of Friday, June 5,
1. Atlanta Braves (1)
The Atlanta Braves were the first team in baseball to reach 40 wins. It does not matter that Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy and numerous starting pitchers are on the injured list, this club just finds ways to win. Ronald Acuña Jr. is heating up at the plate and he was instrumental in the series victories over the Red Sox, Reds and Blue Jays. Given the upcoming Braves schedule—Pirates, White Sox, Mets and Giants—50 wins before the middle of June feels doable.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (2)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are not necessarily an unstoppable force right now, but they continue to find a way to come out on top of nearly every series. Since a four-game losing streak in early May, Los Angeles boasts a 16-5 record (best in MLB) since May 13 with the pitching staff compiling a 2.28 ERA and a lineup producing an MLB-best .815 OPS. Just imagine how good things can be when Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Edwin Diaz and Teoscar Hernandez return.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (3)
The Milwaukee Brewers are one of the best Major League Baseball teams for the second consecutive year. Jackson Chourio boasts an .878 OPS with 4 home runs and 9 doubles since rejoining the Brewers lineup in May. Since he rejoined the club on May 4, Milwaukee ranks 12th in OPS (.725) and that paired with a phenomenal pitching staff (2.90 ERA) explains the 19-8 record in that span. We are very curious to see how the Brewers approach the trade deadline because they have the assets to acquire anyone they want.
Related: Brewers Named Potential Suitor for Star Player
4. Philadelphia Phillies (8)
The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the best Major League Baseball teams in the last month. From May 1 to June 5, the club is tied with the Brewers for the most wins (21) in baseball. Unsurprisingly, Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler lead the way with the Phillies rotation registering a 2.93 ERA in its last 31 starts (184 innings). If Philadelphia could just bolster its lineup with some better right-handed hitters, we might be looking at a World Series contender.
5. Cleveland Guardians (5)
Among the best MLB teams in 2026, the Cleveland Guardians have the worst run differential (+6) through 64 games. However, as they showed versus the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, quality pitching and timely hitting can go a long way. This upcoming stretch—at Texas and versus the Yankees—feels critical to truly gauging the Guardians’ consistency and where they rank in the AL.
6. Tampa Bay Rays (7)
That is twice now that the Tampa Bay Rays have been swept in the last week-plus and they have come against two of the worst MLB teams right now (Angels and Orioles). Production from the Rays lineup has been the issue as of late, but there is a great opportunity coming up to turn things around. What matters is coming out of these next nine games—Marlins, Red Sox and Angels—with a winning record and taking advantage of the AL East when it is starting to spiral.
7. New York Yankees (4)
There’s no concern about rough, outlier performances this week from Cam Schlittler and Gerrit Cole. Our worry with the New York Yankees, dropping them in our MLB power rankings, is the Yankees lineup without Aaron Judge. June swoons are also pretty common with this club. One thing is for certain, the Yankees rotation will need to carry this club in this nine-game stretch against the Red Sox, Guardians and Blue Jays. If the starting pitching falters, New York could fall dangerously close to .500 by July.
Related: New York Yankees Trade Targets
8. Seattle Mariners (11)
Prior to Wednesday’s loss to the Mets, created by another poor showing from George Kirby, the Seattle Mariners were on an eight-game win streak. It was the first time in weeks that we have seen Seattle perform like a club capable of winning the American League. Now back over .500, Seattle is now in a spot where it can create a little breathing room up top in the AL West. The upcoming Mariners schedule—Tigers, Orioles, Nationals—also offers a chance to approach being 10 games above .500 by July.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (13)
One step back and one step forward for the Pittsburgh Pirates. From May 8 through May 23, they dropped from 21-17 to 26-26. Now, Pittsburgh is riding a 7-3 record in its last 10 games with the lineup (.871 OPS) erupting during that time. Even above-average run production with the current iteration of the Pirates rotation makes this a Wild Card team.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (6)
The Arizona Diamondbacks salvaged a split in their four-game series at home against the Dodgers, it was much-needed after getting swept by Seattle. The Diamondbacks clearly don’t have the pitching to be one of the best MLB teams in 2026 and the fact that Corbin Burnes suffered a setback that’ll keep him out until September only makes things worse. On the bright side, after this weekend set in Washington, the D-Backs have a 12-game stretch versus three of the worst MLB teams.
11. Chicago White Sox (15)
The Chicago White Sox remain the biggest surprise in baseball this season. Losing Munetaka Murakami for weeks is a blow, but Miguel Vargas, Andrew Benintendi and Chase Meidroth keep producing for Chicago. It is going to take a team-wide effort, though, for the White Sox to come out on top in any of the upcoming sets against the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers and Yankees.
12. Chicago Cubs (10)
It was less than a month ago that the Chicago Cubs sat 12 games above .500 and seemed to be staying afloat despite a myriad of pitching injuries. Then came a 10-game losing streak followed by a three-game slide earlier this week. There’s still plenty of time for Chicago to turn things around, but the front office can’t wait until late July to acquire starting pitching.
Related: MLB Trades We’d Love to See This Month
13. Toronto Blue Jays (12)
It seemed late last week that the Toronto Blue Jays had steadied the ship and were charting a course back to a winning record. Then came a four-game losing streak with Dylan Cease the latest starter to hit the injured list. The reigning American League champions still have a high ceiling, which is partially responsible for sitting 13th in our latest MLB power rankings despite the 30-33 mark. Unfortunately, Toronto’s chances of recapturing its former glory are dwindling by the week.
14. San Diego Padres (9)
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his first home run of the season and it didn’t stop a skid by the San Diego Padres. After jumping out to a 31-20 record in late May, San Diego has lost three consecutive series with a combined 1-9 record against the Phillies and Nationals. Considering the Padres lineup ranks last in batting average (.216), OBP (.291) and runs scored (235) and they don’t have great pitching, we’re not ruling out San Diego dropping below the .500 line.
15. Cincinnati Reds (14)
The ups-and-downs continue for the Cincinnati Reds. This past week, they lost sets at home to both the Braves and Royals. Things don’t get any easier with a nine-game stretch coming against the Cardinals, Padres and Diamondbacks. Cincinnati’s lineup and bullpen just aren’t good enough to truly believe that this club can remain in contention for The Chase and maintain a winning record.
16. St. Louis Cardinals (16)
It was fun while it lasted. The young St. Louis Cardinals showed immense promise early in the season, jumping out to a 27-18 record. Since May 17, however, the Cardinals lineup (.655 OPS) has stopped producing at a high level and the pitching (4.02 ERA) has been just adequate. That’s how you get a 5-10 record in the last few weeks. The playoffs just aren’t on the table.
17. Baltimore Orioles (23)
Signs of life from the Baltimore Orioles? Facing their AL East foes might’ve helped out in a big way. After sweeping the Rays, Baltimore split a four-game series versus Toronto and then took two of three at Fenway Park. We’re not quite ready to buy stock again in Baltimore, but a winning record in the next two weeks—Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres and Dodgers—would go a long way toward Baltimore proving it can get back into contention for The Chase.
18. Washington Nationals (17)
The Washington Nationals face a fascinating decision this summer. CJ Abrams is providing All-Star production at the plate, but his defense leaves a lot to be desired and the Nationals’ development pipeline has no shortage of infielders on the way. If Washington can find a club with starting pitching depth, there could be a win-win trade for both sides that allows the Nationals to fortify the worst rotation in baseball.
19. Texas Rangers (22)
Maybe getting Corey Seager back will turn things around for the Texas Rangers. Entering MLB games today, the Rangers lineup ranks 20th or worse in every major category. Texas’ rotation (18th in quality starts) hasn’t been phenomenal, but it’s doing more than enough to compete. If the Rangers can even put up competitive run production in the next week-plus, we’ll be ready to believe Texas is back in the thick of contention for The Chase.
20. Sacramento Athletics (18)
The Sacramento Athletics held a winning record entering the final week of May and they’ve been slowly stumbling backward ever since. Unsurprisingly, it’s been the pitching staff that continues to let this club down. We don’t envision any quality additions being made this summer, but the A’s can at least hang their hat on the pitching pipeline having youngsters either MLB-ready or close to it.
21. Miami Marlins (25)
The Miami Marlins are getting more of the same. Max Meyer is consistently showing the stuff and command to be a front-line starter. Eury Perez was also starting to put things together before he hit the injured list. Sadly for Miami, outside of Otto Lopez, Liam Hicks and Xavier Edwards, they aren’t getting enough from their lineup to make the full climb back above .500.
22. Houston Astros (21)
Yordan Alvarez is certainly producing like an AL MVP candidate, but the rest of the Houston Astros roster is dragging this club down to a 28-36 record. For those looking for something to feel optimistic about, Cristian Javier and Hunter Brown have begun rehab assignments. Getting both starters back could mean the Astros’ rotation is slightly above-average. That could provide the turnaround this team needs.
23. New York Mets (20)
The New York Mets swept the Marlins and then immediately hit the West Coast and dropped a set against the Mariners. This has the makings of a road trip that pushes the front office further towards being conservative sellers at the trade deadline.
24. Minnesota Twins (19)
Good news for the Minnesota Twins, Mick Abel is progressing towards beginning a rehab assignment and that could be a huge boost for the rotation. There’s also some reasons for hope at the Triple-A level, where Royce Lewis (1.393 OPS) has handled his demotion well and Kaelen Culpepper (.858 OPS) is working his way towards a call-up. We like to see the positives for Minnesota since competing for a spot in The Chase in 2026 was never really on the table for the club.
25. Boston Red Sox (24)
There was a glimpse of hope for the Boston Red Sox after they swept the Royals. It turns out that was just a mediocre club beating one of the worst MLB teams in 2026. Boston is 4-8 since May 22 and given it faces top AL East clubs in the next two weeks, falling even further into the sub-.500 hole feels inevitable for Boston.
26. Detroit Tigers (29)
The Detroit Tigers entered play on Friday 13 games below the .500 mark and they still have to face the Mariners, Guardians, White Sox and Yankees later this month. It’s the worst-case outcome Detroit could’ve had this year and it’s made even worse because Skubal’s contract and injury greatly diminish what the club could’ve gotten for him if he was moved last summer.
27. San Francisco Giants (27)
The San Francisco Giants need to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Contracts make Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee unmovable, but that still leaves Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle and Luis Arraez as trade chips. For Buster Posey, the smart move is to sell what he can and then let the young infielders and pitching in the farm system keep developing. The biggest positive for San Francisco this year is how the international scouting has paid off in the past year-plus.
28. Colorado Rockies (30)
Well, at least the Colorado Rockies can win a series against the Angels and Giants. Even with consecutive series victories, Colorado has dropped from 13-16 (April 28) to 24-39 over the last month-plus. The real sign of hope is ownership investing more money into player development, particularly on the pitching side. The rewards just won’t come for a year-plus.
29. Kansas City Royals (28)
The Kansas City Royals are in a fascinating spot. They obviously need to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, but that also means committing further to a rebuild and making Bobby Witt Jr. wait even longer to play for a contender. It also doesn’t help that Maikel Garcia has regressed and Jac Caglianone now has a .620 OPS through 445 career plate appearances, raising significant questions about just how much of a “core” there really is in Kansas City.
30. Los Angeles Angels (26)
The Los Angeles Angels are the worst team in MLB. Jose Soriano has regressed after looking like a Cy Young Award winner in the first month of the season and it seems the organization refuses to entertain the idea of a Mike Trout trade. Living in the cellar is going to be a thing for Los Angeles for years to come and it won’t change until ownership sells the club.
