Matt Johnson
We’re a month into the 2026 Major League Baseball season, with each club having played at least 25 games heading into Saturday’s action. While that might be a small sample size in a 162-game season, it does provide plenty of MLB stats to evaluate the worst and best MLB teams right now.
Let’s dive into our latest MLB power rankings, evaluating all 30 teams entering the weekend.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previously:1)
A road trip against some NL West competition didn’t go well for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who posted a 3-4 record and produced just 4 runs in the series against the Giants. With that said, Los Angeles still entered Friday tied for the second-most wins in MLB (17) with the second-highest run differential (+55). One thing that remains so impressive about the Dodgers lineup is they are tied for first in batting average (.279) and slugging (.473), even with Mookie Betts out and Kyle Tucker (.245/.327/.372) struggling.
2. Atlanta Braves (2)
Spencer Strider (oblique) and Sean Murphy (hip) are closing in on a return, reinforcements for one of the best MLB teams in 2026. The club’s play as of late is particularly impressive, with a stretch from April 7-23 with a 12-3 record (tied for first in MLB) and a +39 run differential. That’s still with Ronald Acuña Jr. (.672 OPS) and Austin Riley (.676 OPS) underperforming, but Michael Harris (.429 BA and 1.312 OPS in last 46 plate appearances) is on a tear right now.
3. San Diego Padres (3)
The San Diego Padres have done it again. Already without Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta, 27-year-old Randy Vasquez (28.3% K-rate and .221 batting average allowed) seems to be breaking out as a front-line starter. Pitching depth also isn’t quite as glaring of a concern anymore following the signing of Lucas Giolito, even if he’s a few weeks away from his Padres’ debut. It is worth noting, however, that San Diego’s 17-8 record comes with just 3 games (2-1) against teams with a winning record this season.
4. New York Yankees (4)
Cam Schlittler returned home and completed the sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park, pushing the New York Yankees to a six-game win streak. While the Yankees lineup still isn’t consistent—.223 batting average (28th) and .408 slugging (seventh)—we expect an offensive explosion against Houston’s pitching staff. If New York can handle its business against the Astros, there’s a golden opportunity to create some distance between two fellow contenders in the AL (Rangers and Orioles) in head-to-head matchups over the next 10 games.
5. Detroit Tigers (6)
Kevin McGonigle already looks like an All-Star in his first season, and he’s been crucial in the Detroit Tigers lineup’s production (12th in batting average and 13th in runs scored) while Gleyber Torres (.653 OPS) and Spencer Torkelson (.637 OPS) try to get back on track. One thing we would really like to see is Colt Keith getting more chances against left-handed pitchers, because there’s no sound argument for Jahmai Jones and Wenceel Perez getting those at-bats. One odd statistic for Detroit this season, per ESPN, is that it’s 5-9 in night games this year with a 9-3 record in day games.
6. Chicago Cubs (14)
The Chicago Cubs are streaking. It feels even better because this winning streak came against the Phillies and Mets, which just makes it a little sweeter to push top competition in the National League when they are down. We were skeptical of the Cubs in recent weeks because of all the pitching injuries, which now include the bullpen. However, Matthew Boyd is back, and a rotation of Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea is functional when you have a lineup that has produced 98 runs with a .306 batting average in the last 15 games. The Cubs vs. Dodgers series is must-see TV this weekend.
7. Cincinnati Reds (8)
The Cincinnati Reds rotation (4.35 ERA) hasn’t been great this season, but the results are acceptable considering Nick Lodolo (blister) and Hunter Greene (elbow) remain sidelined. What’s most remarkable is how much heavy lifting Elly De La Cruz (21 runs scored and .549 SLG) and Sal Stewart (1.004 OPS) are doing for this Reds lineup right now, because Cincinnati is getting absolutely nothing from the bottom of the order. A fall-off is coming from the Reds—there’s just too much resting on the shoulders of Stewart and De La Cruz—but this team does deserve credit for how it’s managed to go 6-0 in one-run games thus far.
8. Texas Rangers (10)
How quickly things unraveled after a promising start to the season for the Texas Rangers rotation. Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi are still performing like front-line starters, but Jack Leiter (5.06 ERA) and MacKenzie Gore (6.52 ERA) have combined to allowed 22 hits with 12 walks in their last two starts apiece. If they can get on track, we’re looking at a bonafide top-seven rotation and you just need the Ranges lineup to produce league-average production (ninth in slugging and 19th in runs scored) for Texas to stay atop the AL West.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (5)
Following an 8-2 start to the season, the Milwaukee Brewers entered play on Friday with a 5-9 record in their last 14 games. It’s been a stretch that has season both the bullpen (5.59 ERA in 56.1 innings) and the Brewers lineup (.630 OPS, 26th in MLB) both fall short in some big spots. Fortunately for Milwaukee, Jackson Chourio is getting close to beginning a rehab assignment and Quinn Priester will soon be activated to fortify the pitching staff.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates (7)
Through 25 games this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup ranks ninth in runs scored (123) and OBP (.332). Those are the benefits of investing in the roster, as seen with the success of Brandon Lowe (.898 OPS) and Ryan O’Hearn (.929 OPS). As for the pitching staff, we haven’t even seen anything close to the best version of this rotation yet with Jared Jones working his way back and Bubba Chandler (1.50 WHIP and 4.88 ERA) still working out his command issues. Losing series to the Rays and Rangers certainly shows the levels of volatility with this young team, but we remain of the view that the Pirates are a dark horse playoff threat.
11. Cleveland Guardians (11)
The Cleveland Guardians rotation has the eighth-lowest ERA in baseball (3.45) this season, even with Slade Cecconi (6.20 ERA and 1.58 WHIP) looking very replaceable. Unfortunately for Cleveland, Chase DeLauter (.220 batting average) has cooled off a bit in April and this club ranks bottom 10 in runs scored (105), batting average (.228) and slugging (.374). The Guardians are also an example, however, of how good pitching can keep you treading water. The AL Central isn’t exactly a banner division right now, so this iteration of the Guardians seems good enough to at least challenge the Tigers.
12. Seattle Mariners (8)
The good news for the Seattle Mariners is that Cal Raleigh (.820 OPS), Julio Rodriguez (.350 batting average), and Josh Naylor (.936 OPS) have all gotten back on track at the plate in the last 11 games. Sadly for Seattle, the end result is still just a 5-6 record. The Mariners bullpen (5.40 ERA with a .319 batting average allowed) is the big culprit. We’re not too panicked about Seattle’s situation right now, but this doesn’t currently look like a team that is poised to make a World Series run later this year.
13. Tampa Bay Rays (17)
We were extremely skeptical of the Tampa Bay Rays coming into the season. That feeling would’ve been even stronger if you told us that Ryan Pepiot (hip) would spend months on the injured list and Shane McClanahan (5.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP) showed no signs of recapturing his former glory. Clearly we forgot Tampa Bay’s magic. Nick Martinez (2.10 ERA) is thriving and Drew Rasmussen (2.75 ERA and 0.66 WHIP) has become the new Rays’ ace. Pair that with Junior Caminero rounding into form and the lineup tandem of Chandler Simpson (.323 BA) and Yandy Diaz (.426 OBP) serving as the perfect table-setters in this Rays lineup, and maybe a Wild Card spot is on the table.
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (12)
Geraldo Perdomo’s bat (.382 batting average) and Ketel Marte (.314/.368/.514) have returned to form in the last nine games, adding further support for Corbin Carroll in the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup. However, pitching let the D-Backs down big time in their dropped four-game series against the White Sox. We’re not too worried, given the series victories in recent weeks over the Mets, Phillies, Orioles and Blue Jays, but it would certainly be great for Arizona’s outlook for Merrill Kelly to iron some things out.
15. Baltimore Orioles (15)
Maybe the last two games can be a turning point for Coby Mayo. Before homering in consecutive contests, the former Baltimore Orioles top prospect had a .158 batting average with a 27.7 percent strikeout rate in his first 65 plate appearances. Baltimore would certainly love it if this sparked something for Mayo, because it now seems evident that Jackson Holliday (wrist) won’t be returning to the lineup anytime soon. One thing is for certain: the Orioles lineup will be tested in the next week-plus with matchups against Boston and New York sandwiched around a cupcake series versus the Astros’ pitching staff.
16. Toronto Blue Jays (20)
Trey Yesavage will be rejoining the Toronto Blue Jays next week, and Addison Barger isn’t far behind. That’s the good news. However, on the other side of the coin is an 11-15 record after a 3-1 start to the season. We saw enough from the Blue Jays last year to believe they can turn things around when everyone is healthy, but that turnaround is going to also require strong showings in these upcoming sets against the White Sox and Mets.
17. St. Louis Cardinals (25)
Maybe the St. Louis Cardinals can remain ahead of schedule. The young core of Ivan Herrera (.767 OPS), JJ Wetherholt (.364 OBP), Jordan Walker (.964 OPS) and Alec Burleson (.444 SLG) are all producing right now. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that St. Louis is getting effective starting pitching. We still tend to believe the starters will regress as the temperatures heat up and hitters become more aggressive, but a 14-10 record is far better than we expected from St. Louis coming into the season.
18. Sacramento Athletics (19)
Hovering around this spot in the MLB power rankings feels like where the Sacramento Athletics will be for the majority of the season. On the plus side, Nick Kurtz (.306 BA and 1.037 OPS since April 2) is back to his 2025 form. Sadly, the Athletics pitching staff just isn’t remotely good enough to overcome pitching in a minor-league ballpark. Sacramento can be competitive, but its shortcomings take playoff contention off the table.
19. Philadelphia Phillies (16)
Let’s check in on the Philadelphia Phillies through 25 games. Entering Friday, they ranked last in Defensive Runs Saved (-14) with the second-worst batting average (.219) and the fourth-fewest runs scored (89). Releasing Taijuan Walker addresses all of that how, exactly? That’s not to say that Walker shouldn’t have been shown the door, but it is to say that there are far bigger problems in Philadelphia right now. There has to be accountability at some point.
20. Miami Marlins (21)
It was a bit odd to see skipper Clayton McCullough pull Janson Junk after he threw 5 shutout innings with just 2 baserunners allowed on 56 pitches. What’s even more questionable is how this team is so bad on the base paths and that it ranks 29th in Defensive Runs Saved (-14). So, even with improved pitching and the return of Kyle Stowers to the Marlins lineup, it’s the little things that are holding the Marlins back from being better.
21. Minnesota Twins (18)
Excitement for the potential ascension of Mick Abel suddenly got ripped away by his elbow injury. Fortunately for the Minnesota Twins, it seems like he might only miss just over a month of action. It is providing some opportunities to get early looks at some of the Twins’ pitching prospects, and the early returns with Taj Bradley bode well for the long-term outlook of this rotation. What can’t be ignored are the recent results, with this club falling from 11-7 to 12-13 in just over a week. At the very least, there should be quite a few more positives from Minnesota than we expected in another down year.
22. Los Angeles Angels (26)
Is this sustainable for Jose Soriano? Probably not. What matters is that Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mike Maddux is delivering phenomenal results for Soriano (0.24 ERA), Reid Detmers (1.08 WHIP) and Jack Kochanowicz (3.10 ERA). Los Angeles can finally start maximizing its pitchers, and that’s great news for a farm system that is top-heavy with future starters (Tyler Bremner, Johnny Slawinski, George Klassen and Chase Shores) who could all be pitching for Los Angeles in the next year-plus.
23. Boston Red Sox (22)
You know things are bad for the Boston Red Sox when a Massachusetts native comes back home and brings out the broom against them. Regarding the Red Sox lineup, it entered the weekend with the sixth-worst batting average (.227) and the second-worst OPS (.638) in baseball this month. The Caleb Durbin trade has already been a bust, and given how things are shaking out with Trevor Story (.514 OPS) and Jarren Duran (.568 OPS), there may be too many holes to fill at the deadline. On the bright side, top prospect Franklin Arias is looking like a future star, with developing power just adding to his game.
24. San Francisco Giants (29)
A little bit of momentum for the San Francisco Giants, and it came at home against the Dodgers. San Francisco still isn’t getting great results from ace Logan Webb, but Landon Roupp (28.2 percent K-rate and .167 BAA) is emerging as one of MLB’s breakout stars thus far. If Webb rebounds and Tyler Mahle seizes on his late success, San Francisco’s pitching staff could put them in position to be a bit more like the Guardians. Granted, that’s also going to require Rafael Devers to live up to his contract.
25. New York Mets (13)
The New York Mets snap their 12-game losing streak and immediately lose Francisco Lindor to an injury that could sideline him for two months. There are some glimmers of hope. Carson Benge finally went deep for the first time since Opening Day and Juan Soto, who will now be talking to his teammates again, is back in the Mets lineup. It’s going to take some real time for New York to dig itself out of this hole.
26. Washington Nationals (28)
It’s amazing what modern coaching can do for a young team. James Wood (1.009 OPS), CJ Abrams (.975 OPS) and Daylen Lile (.295/.351/.448) have embraced what the new staff is teaching, and the Washington Nationals are reaping the benefits of it. Core players are emerging in this Nationals lineup. Washington’s pitching staff—well, it leaves so much to be desired.
27. Houston Astros (24)
The good news for the Houston Astros is that Yordan Alvarez (.347 BA, 11 home runs and 1.245 OPS) is healthy and back to producing like an AL MVP candidate. Unfortunately, he’ll have no shot at winning the honor with the way the Astros (10-16) are performing. There’s just no hope in sight for Houston’s pitching staff; it’s too big of a problem.
28. Colorado Rockies (27)
Even if this is the role the Colorado Rockies keep Chase Dollander in for the foreseeable future, it’s clearly working. The 24-year-old hurler has been incredible this month out of the bullpen, registering a 1.71 ERA with a .169 batting average allowed and a 31.8 percent strikeout rate in his last 21 innings. Plus, he’s walked just 5.9 percent of the 85 batters he’s faced. Between that and the developments going on behind the scenes, the future of baseball in Colorado finally looks promising.
29. Chicago White Sox (30)
In the last 10 games, Munetaka Murakami has produced 6 home runs with 12 RBI, 10 walks and a 1.310 OPS. There are going to be hot-and-cold streaks with the Chicago White Sox rookie, but kudos to the front office because the two-year, $34 million contract looks like a bargain. Between that and what Sam Antonacci and Noah Schultz are flashing, there are finally reasons for hope in Chicago.
30. Kansas City Royals (23)
The Kansas City Royals have been the worst team in MLB for weeks now. In April, Kansas City is tied with the Phillies for the most losses (17). One glaring cause of Kansas City’s woes is the lineup, which is responsible for a lowly .229 batting average (21st in MLB) and .362 SLG (26th in MLB). Evidently moving the walls in at Kauffman Stadium didn’t make a difference. We thought a few weeks ago that quality pitching and more lineup depth could make the Royals a challenger for a .500 record. Right now, it looks like Kansas City should be one of the biggest sellers this summer.
