Matt Johnson
We’re almost a full month into the 2026 Major League Baseball season, with all 30 clubs having played at least 18 games following the recent weekday slate. The sample size of MLB stats and performances to evaluate these clubs is growing, resulting in plenty of shakeup in this weekend’s rankings.
Let’s dive into our latest MLB power rankings, evaluating all 30 teams entering the weekend of April 17.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previously: 1)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the best team in MLB. In the three-game series sweep over the Mets, the Dodgers pitching staff registered a 1.00 ERA with a .132 batting average allowed, a 0.56 WHIP, and a 28.4 percent strikeout rate. Blake Snell isn’t even back yet. As for the Dodgers lineup without Mookie Betts, it leads MLB in batting average (.283), home runs (33), and OPS (.838) entering play on April 17. Money can buy happiness.
2. Atlanta Braves (4)
The Atlanta Braves keep on rolling. Over the past week, Atlanta has delivered series victories at home over the Guardians and Marlins. During that seven-game run, the Braves lineup collectively put up a .322/.374/.502 triple-slash line with 40 runs scored. Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin and even Mauricio Dubon (.887 OPS) are carrying things right now while Ronald Acuña Jr. rounds into form and Atlanta’s pitching staff tries to overcome a myriad of injuries. The lineup looks dangerous and as the rotation starts to get healthy, the Braves could become even more dangerous.
3. San Diego Padres (19)
Mason Miller is absurd. Since joining the San Diego Padres at the MLB trade deadline last summer, the All-Star closer boasts a 0.55 ERA (2 runs allowed in 32.2 innings) with an insane 60.2 percent strikeout rate, a 0.58 WHIP and just a .078 batting average allowed to opponents. If San Diego has a lead in the ninth inning, just automatically put one in the win column. We also have to highlight Jackson Merrill, who is coming off a week where he had a home-run robbery in the deepest part of Petco Park and delivered a walk-off hit.
Related: San Diego Padres Expected to Sell at Historic Price
4. New York Yankees (3)
After a promising 8-2 start to the 2026 MLB season, the New York Yankees have gone 2-7 from April 8-16. There’s plenty of blame to go around since the Yankees lineup has been abysmal (.192/.284/.354) during this stretch and the pitching staff (4.35 ERA and .269 batting average allowed) hasn’t been any better. The good news for New York is that Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Anthony Volpe have begun rehab assignments. Those reinforcements should help New York remain one of the best MLB teams moving forward.
5. Milwaukee Brewers (2)
Maybe the change at closer will turn things around for the Milwaukee Brewers. The club’s record (10-8) could be a lot better if not for the fact that Megill, a fan favorite, has allowed 9 runs and 12 baserunners in 6 innings of relief this season. We also have to keep in mind that the Brewers lineup is without Christian Yelich, Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio right now. The good news for Milwaukee is that it rebounded from the sweep against the Nationals by taking down Toronto, so the ability to be one of the best teams in baseball remains. For now, the Brewers remain in the top five of our MLB power rankings.
6. Detroit Tigers (15)
Here come the Detroit Tigers. Things started slow in the Motor City, with the club posting a 2-8 record from March 29 through April 9. Returning home fixed everything. During Detroit’s six-game homestand, sweeps over Kansas City and Miami, the pitching staff surrendered the second-lowest batting average (.189) to opponents with a 0.93 WHIP. Meanwhile, the Tigers lineup put up a .273/.340/.455 triple-slash line with 30 runs scored. Plus, it certainly looks like Riley Greene is starting to catch fire and that’ll pair nicely with the run production thus far from Kevin McGonigle, Colt Keith and Dillon Dingler.
Related: Insider Forecast Tarik Skubal’s Future with Detroit Tigers
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (13)
MLB stats tell you everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Pirates right now. Even without No. 2 starter Jared Jones (June return) in the rotation, Pittsburgh’s starting pitchers rank third in ERA (3.03) on the season. That pairs nicely with a Pirates lineup that ranks seventh in runs scored (95) and third in OBP (.342). We grow increasingly confident with each passing week that the Pirates could make the playoffs this year. At the very least, it looks like this summer will finally be the time for Pittsburgh to buy at the MLB trade deadline.
8. Seattle Mariners (7)
Julio Rodriguez being robbed of a home run hit to the deepest part of Petco is the perfect representation of what this start to the 2026 season has been for him. Fortunately for the Seattle Mariners, Cal Raleigh (.294 batting average in last four games) is showing some signs of getting back on track. We’re going to be higher on Seattle in our MLB power rankings than their record might suggest, at least for a little while, because the Mariners rotation (3.35 ERA and 1.06 WHIP) is a force capable of carrying this team at times. So, given the track record of the lineup, we’ll keep buying stock in Seattle’s long-term outlook.
9. Cincinnati Reds (8)
The Cincinnati Reds have cooled off a bit since their scorching-hot 8-3 start to the season, going 3-5 from April 8-16. Don’t blame Elly De La Cruz (.290/.371/.646), Sal Stewart (5 home runs and 11 RBI), Eugenio Suarez (.320/.433/.480) or Spencer Steer (.542 SLG) for that. What has become evident during this run is that the Reds pitching staff needs Nick Lodolo (blister) and eventually Hunter Greene (elbow) back. It might be a while before both are on the mound, but the continued production from the Reds lineup this season certainly suggests Cincinnati’s ceiling in 2026 is much higher than we anticipated.
10. Texas Rangers (5)
We praised the Texas Rangers pitching staff and it followed that up by laying an egg. In the last two games against the Athletics, Texas allowed 12 runs and 20 hits. MacKenzie Gore should rebound immediately, but perhaps it’s fair to question if Jack Leiter can be that high-end No. 4 starter. We’d also argue that Texas could do better than Kumar Rocker in the fifth spot. Even if the Rangers rotation is great moving forward, this lineup now ranks 23rd in OBP and 20th in batting average (.231). If they can get on base more, even the league-average situational hitting (.253 BA with runners on) should lead to more runs.
11. Cleveland Guardians (10)
The Cleveland Guardians pitching factory has done it again. Parker Messick, coming off 8 hitless innings, now boasts a career 2.07 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP in his first 11 major-league starts dating back to last season. Meanwhile, Joey Cantillo (29.6 percent strikeout rate and .222 batting average allowed) looks like a mid-rotation starter and Gavin Williams (.137 BAA) has been outstanding outside of the walks (18 percent walk rate). We also, presumably, haven’t seen Tanner Bibee return to his top form yet. All of that’s to say we love the Guardians rotation. Cleveland’s lineup, which entered play on Friday ranked 18th in runs scored (79), remains the one thing that prevents this team from being a tier higher in our MLB power rankings.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (14)
Entering play on Friday, the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation ranked ninth in ERA (3.48). That was with Brandon Pfaadt (5.94 ERA) dragging the group’s numbers down. He’s since been replaced by Merrill Kelly and Arizona still will get Corbin Burnes back on the mound this summer. So, you have a potentially very good rotation complemented by a lineup that can at least hit for power (.396 SLG, 8th in MLB) and drive in runs fairly consistently. That’s how you get a team turning an 0-3 start into an 11-5 record since.
13. New York Mets (6)
Since his MLB debut, from March 28 through April 15, rookie Carson Benge has a .140/.204/.160 triple-slash line with a 24.1 percent strikeout rate and just one extra-base hit in 54 plate appearances. In related news, the New York Mets lineup has the fourth-lowest batting average (.214), the lowest OBP (.274) and the fewest runs scored (54) during that span. We’re not suggesting Benge is entirely to blame nor does this diminish his long-term outlook, but a demotion might be the right call for the team when Juan Soto comes off the IL. Well, that and relegating Mark Vientos (0-for-24 in last seven games) to a reserve role.
14. Chicago Cubs (12)
Since placing Matthew Boyd (biceps) and Cade Horton (elbow surgery) on the injured list, the Chicago Cubs rotation has a 4.62 ERA (20th) in its last eight starts. The good news for the Cubbies is there are some underlying numbers—3.56 expected ERA and .214 batting average allowed—that suggest bad luck plays a part in that. Unfortunately for Chicago, its margin for error is just thinner than it used to be. When Boyd and Justin Steele are back in this rotation, we’ll feel a lot better about the Cubs’ outlook.
15. Baltimore Orioles (16)
Samuel Basallo has at least shown a little life at the plate, posting a .955 OPS with 2 home runs and 3 RBI in the last four games. The bad news for the Baltimore Orioles is that Jackson Holliday experienced a minor setback during his return from a wrist injury, Pete Alonso (.682 OPS) is making more impressive plays at first than he is delivering with the bat and this club is getting nothing from the likes of Coby Mayo (.455 OPS), Dylan Beavers (.632 OPS) or Colton Cowser (.548 OPS). We don’t want to raise too many alarm bells, but at some point you have to worry if the Orioles’ issue is truly getting top prospects ready for MLB pitching.
16. Philadelphia Phillies (11)
At some point, the on-field results must matter in MLB power rankings. That’s what puts the Philadelphia Phillies, a consensus top-five team entering Opening Day, into the 16th spot right now. Through 18 games this season, Philadelphia’s only series victories have come against the Nationals and Rockies. Outside of that, there’s been a lot of abysmal baseball played. Even to get back to being league-average, either the Phillies lineup (24th in runs scored) or pitching staff (4.92 ERA, 26th in MLB) must get back on track quickly. Maybe Zack Wheeler’s return will help out the latter; fans will only hope.
17. Tampa Bay Rays (22)
Maybe there is hope for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2026. On the one hand, a 0 run differential suggests that 11-7 record is a bit deceiving. With that said, Junior Caminero is getting back on track and this club is riding a six-game win streak into the weekend. These next two sets against the Pirates and Reds will provide a great litmus test for both Tampa Bay’s pitching staff and lineup. For now, the club moves up a few spots in our MLB power rankings.
18. Minnesota Twins (27)
We’re always going to be higher on teams that have very good pitching. The Minnesota Twins might be entering that territory. Joe Ryan is a very good front-line starter, and it now appears he may be joined by both Taj Bradley (1.25 ERA) and Mick Abel. The Twins are probably performing a bit over their heads right now, but the vibes are great in Minnesota and that, plus quality pitching with some timely hits, can deliver wins.
19. Sacramento Athletics (24)
From 0-4 to 10-9, quite a nice April turnaround for the Sacramento Athletics. You can’t knock the competition either, since the A’s have taken down the Astros, Yankees, and Mets with a four-game split against Texas. We fully anticipate that the pitching will regress, but there’s also reason to think that Nick Kurtz, Lawrence Butler, and Jacob Wilson will produce a lot more for the Athletics lineup in the months to come.
20. Toronto Blue Jays (9)
The good news for the Toronto Blue Jays is that Trey Yesavage is coming off the injured list next week. That’s a desperately needed reinforcement for a pitching staff that entered play on Friday ranked 24th in ERA (4.48). Even with that addition, the reigning American League Champions are 4-11 since sweeping the A’s in March.
21. Miami Marlins (18)
Following a 5-1 start to the campaign, the Miami Marlins have fallen to 4-9 since April 1. The lineup has been adequate, putting up a .245/.317/.362 line, but there’s minimal power, and the pitching staff (4.78 ERA) has really fallen back to earth. The early signs were promising, but it once again feels like Miami is heading back toward being one of the worst MLB teams in 2026.
22. Boston Red Sox (20)
For the glass-half-full perspective for the Boston Red Sox, William Contreras (1.150 OPS), Wilyer Abreu (.807 OPS) and Roman Anthony (.839 OPS) are all delivering at the plate this month. However, starting pitcher Sonny Gray is struggling, Garrett Crochet just had an abysmal start and the timely hits haven’t been there consistently for the entire club. For now, we still do believe Boston has hit its floor and there should be better days ahead.
23. Kansas City Royals (21)
Why has the Kansas City Royals lineup produced the fourth-fewest runs scored (65) through 19 games? One can certainly point to a 17.3 percent infield fly ball rate (second-highest in MLB) as one primary source of the problem. The good news is that Kansas City’s hitters are hitting the ball harder than they did last season, so that offers hope for a turnaround.
24. Houston Astros (17)
The Houston Astros are dead in the water without pitching. One way to highlight that is the fact that Mike Burrows, who leads the team in innings pitched, has a 6.55 ERA with a 1.82 WHIP. Lance McCullers Jr. hasn’t been any better in his last two starts (9 earned runs allowed in 8.1 innings). We love the Astros lineup, but it simply doesn’t matter when you make every opponent look like the Dodgers’ hitters.
25. St. Louis Cardinals (23)
Since the St. Louis Cardinals aren’t going to be playoff contenders in 2026, our focus this season is on finding the positives for this young team. Jordan Walker is rightfully getting all the attention, but rookie JJ Wetherholt deserves some love this week. He’s shown remarkable patience at the plate, but it hadn’t been rewarded during a seven-game stretch where he went 4-for-27 (.148 batting average). The well-earned breakout game came against Cleveland with his first multi-homer performance.
26. Los Angeles Angels (26)
Mike Trout and Jose Soriano, ladies and gentlemen. Ownage at Yankee Stadium (5 home runs in four games) pushed Trout’s totals to 7 home runs with 16 RBI and a 1.010 OPS on the season. Meanwhile Soriano (0.33 ERA and 0.67 WHIP) looks like the early favorite to win the AL Cy Young. Will injuries and regression come? Sure, but Los Angeles Angels fans deserve the fun as long as it lasts.
27. Colorado Rockies (28)
The Colorado Rockies have a new minority ownership group to inject money into the club, and the front office is revolutionizing how this team handles its pitching staff. While the early returns aren’t spectacular, they are a lot better than we’ve come to expect from a club that spends so much time at Coors Field. Are the Rockies one of the worst MLB teams right now? Yes, but they also aren’t the worst team, and that is an improvement.
28. Washington Nationals (29)
All that matters for the Washington Nationals in 2026 is a young core establishing itself for the future. James Wood (.902 OPS) and CJ Abrams (1.190 OPS) represent two of those bright spots, so now Washington just has to hope it clicks for one of Daylen Lile, Jacob Young or Brady House. As for the Nationals’ pitching staff, let’s just focus on the aforementioned positives.
29. San Francisco Giants (25)
Rafael Devers has a .232 batting average and .766 OPS since being traded to the San Francisco Giants. Not exactly what they signed up for. Meanwhile, staff ace Logan Webb (5.25 ERA and 20 percent strikeout rate) sure seems to be the biggest loser of the new ABS system. Things are not looking promising for Buster Posey and the Giants.
30. Chicago White Sox (30)
The Chicago White Sox are the worst team in MLB. Rookie Munetaka Murakami’s bat (35 percent strikeout rate and .130/.317/.261 triple-slash line since March 21) has been exposed for its flaws and Opening Day starter Shane Smith (6.75 ERA) has struggled since being demoted to Triple-A Charlotte. But hey, at least Noah Schultz and Sam Antonacci have arrived.
