We are a little over three weeks removed from the start of the 2026 MLB season, and every team in the league has played at least ten games. Some squads, like the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, have exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, other organizations, like the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, have struggled to find their footing early in the season. Let's run down the list and give a brief evaluation of how each team has performed thus far.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (9-3)
LA is at or near the top of the league in all major batting statistics. They rank first or second in batting average (first, .287), home runs (first, 21), RBIs (second, 74), and hits (second, 119). The Dodgers have also been an elite defensive team. They're tied for third in fielding percentage (.993) and have the ninth-best ERA in the Majors (3.36).
2. New York Yankees (8-3)
We have incredibly high expectations when it comes to the Yanks' offensive prowess, and rightfully so, but their pitching is the reason they look like one of the best teams in baseball right now. The Pinstripes rank second in ERA (2.47). More importantly, New York has allowed the fewest runs (28) and hits (74) in the MLB so far this season.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (8-4)
Just when it looked like the Brew Crew would take a step back, they won six of their first seven games. Their bats have been red hot to start the year. Milwaukee is fourth in runs scored (70) and eighth in hits (97). The team's .751 OPS is tied for fourth in the league. If this group could stop giving up home runs (14, tied for the sixth-most in the Majors), then they'll really be in business.
4. Cincinnati Reds (8-4)
I predicted the Reds would be a playoff team, but I don't think anybody expected them to get off to this hot a start. They're tied with the Brewers for the third-best winning percentage in the league this season (.667). They may be struggling offensively, but the pitching staff has more than made up for Cincy's deficiencies. They're sixth in ERA (3.11) and tenth in WHIP (1.23). If they want this hot streak to continue, then the Reds will need to see some offensive improvement since they're currently tied for 26th in OPS (.618).
5. Atlanta Braves (8-5)
Right now, the Braves look like the most balanced team in the Majors. Not only are they fifth in the league in batting average (.254), but they are far and away the best pitching team in baseball. Atlanta has the lowest ERA in baseball (2.03). They also have the best WHIP (0.91) and opponent batting average (.186) in the league. Couple that with the fact that the Braves have hit the second-most homers in the MLB, and it gives us one of the best teams in baseball.
6. New York Mets (7-5)
It's not easy to do power rankings when five teams have a 7-5 record while another seven are 6-6. The Mets are very well-rounded. Offensively, they're sixth in hits (105) and tied for tenth in runs (55). When it comes to pitching, New York is fourth in team ERA (2.90), ninth in WHIP (1.20), and fifth in earned runs allowed (36). The problem is they're averaging an error every other game, which is not what you want to see, but those numbers will balance out as the season goes on. This team is a force to be reckoned with.
7. Miami Marlins (7-5)
The Marlins are arguably the most positively surprising team in the Majors through the first three weeks of the season. After finishing last year with their second consecutive losing campaign, they have come out guns blazing to open 2026. Offense has been their forte. They're fourth in batting average (.262), tied for sixth in runs (59), and are tied for fourth in OPS (.751). It's also helpful that their pitching staff is ranked eighth in WHIP (1.17) and second in opponents' batting average (.195).
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (7-5)
One would think that if Cy Young winner Paul Skenes has a 5.25 ERA, the Pirates would be a trainwreck, but that's actually not the case. Pittsburgh's offense has been its driving force thus far. They're ninth in batting average (.247) and hits (100), while ranking eighth in RBIs (54). For as rough as Skenes' start has been, the Pirates are still eighth in the league in ERA (3.33). The squad's ERA will improve as the season progresses. They just need to make sure they can maintain these hitting numbers.
9. Cleveland Guardians (8-5)
They're not that great at anything, but the Guardians aren't also bad in any major statistical category. They're middle of the road offensively (18th in OPS, tied for eighth in home runs, tied for 16th in hits, and tied for 17th in runs). Cleveland's bread and butter, like last season, is pitching. They have the seventh-best team ERA in the majors (3.13). They also rank seventh in WHIP (1.15) and third in opponent batting average (.198). If the offense can take a few steps forward, then this team will once again reach the playoffs for a third consecutive year.
10. Chicago Cubs (6-6)
This probably isn't the start that the Cubbies were hoping for, but they're still one of the most talented teams in the Majors. When they're at the plate, Chicago is ninth in runs scored (56). They also have a good pitching staff that is tied for seventh in earned runs allowed (40) and fifth in WHIP (1.12). Losing starting pitcher Cade Horton for the season will definitely hurt their campaign, but I still believe the Cubs can be a dangerous group.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (7-5)
This group obviously has pitching staff issues when you realize they have the sixth-highest team ERA in the MLB (4.95). Thankfully for the Cards, their offense has helped neutralize their defensive woes. They're tied for sixth in runs scored this season (59). St. Louis has also been efficient at the plate. They're tied for sixth in RBIs (58) and home runs (13), while having just 99 strikeouts, the sixth-fewest in major league baseball. If this team wants to be any kind of threat when the Fall rolls around, they need to get their pitching under control.
12. Houston Astros (6-7)
It's surprising that a team with a losing record cracked the top-12, but we have to give the Astros credit, at least on the offensive side of things. They have scored the most runs in the Majors this season (79), while having the second-best OPS in the league (.824). Houston doesn't come in higher on our power rankings because they're a defensive atrocity. They have the second-highest ERA in baseball (6.05) and the third-worst WHIP (1.63). I would not be shocked to see this team make a big swing for an elite starting pitcher in the near future because they have the bats to make some noise in the postseason.
13. Texas Rangers (7-5)
The Rangers are like the bizarro Astros, which is kind of funny because they play in the same state. Led by 2025 All-Star MacKenzie Gore, Texas is near the top of the league in several pitching categories, including team ERA (fifth, 2.94), earned runs allowed (fourth, 35), strikeouts (eighth, 119), WHIP (fourth, 1.08), and opponent batting average (eighth, .213). Their problems show up when they step up to the plate. The Rangers are tied with the Red Sox for the seventh-fewest runs scored in the league (44). Meanwhile, they're tied for the 11th-lowest OPS in baseball (.666).
14. Toronto Blue Jays (5-7)
As weird as it sounds, this team is already decimated by injuries. Since April began, nine of Toronto's 26 rostered players have gotten injured and been relegated to the IL, including two starting pitchers, their starting catcher, and their starting right fielder! Getting swept by the Chicago White Sox is unacceptable, but they didn't even have an easy bounce-back series since they had to go against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Once this team gets healthier and more consistent in the starting lineup, it will probably see an offensive improvement because the Blue Jays should not be tied for 26th in runs scored (41).
15. Philadelphia Phillies (6-6)
For the talent that is on this team and the opponents that they have faced, you would expect the Phillies to be above .500. When this team is winning, they're as good as any squad in the Majors. The problem is that they don't just lose games; they get CRUSHED! In their losses, Philadelphia has been outscored 41-10. They need to right the ship offensively. Their 4.21 ERA will even out eventually, but their 21st-ranked OPS (.658) is a problem considering this team was fourth in that category last season (.760). Still, it's too early for fans to hit the panic button.
16. Kansas City Royals (5-7)
They're not going to make the playoffs or anything like that, but the Royals also aren't going to roll over and die whenever they face a good team. They already have wins over top-notch squads like the Brewers, Braves, and Guardians. Their record should also improve with a four-game series against the lowly Chicago White Sox. Their bullpen has been pretty good so far, with five saves on the season (tied for the third most in baseball).
17. Baltimore Orioles (6-6)
Considering they opened the season facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox, the O's should be better than 6-6. The good news is that they swept the White Sox to improve to .500 after starting the year 3-6. With their next series coming against the San Francisco Giants, they should finally have a winning record. Baltimore is lucky it has the best bullpen in the majors right now (tied for first in saves with six). Otherwise, they would be screwed.
18. San Diego Padres (6-6)
They just won their series against the Pirates to get them back to .500, so things are trending in the right direction after the Padres started the season 0-2. Their pitching has been solid after only allowing 45 earned runs so far this season (tied for 13th in the MLB). Unfortunately for the San Diego faithful, their team is tied for 17th in runs scored (45) and tied for 27th in OPS (.618), which would explain their negative run differential.
19. Colorado Rockies (6-6)
The Rockies, easily the worst team in baseball last season with an abysmal 43-119 record, are .500 and currently hold the longest winning streak in the MLB at four games. They rank 11th in the league in ERA (3.66) and OPS (.693), so they've been a well-balanced team thus far. We also have to highlight first baseman TJ Rumfield, who's 11th in the league in OPS (1.037) and seventh in batting average (.368). This good start won't last, but we have to respect what Colorado has done so far.
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (6-6)
Oh, look. Another 6-6 team. How exciting! The D-Backs are average to below average in the most important statistical categories. On defense, they're 16th in team ERA (3.89) and 15th in opponent batting average (.236). Offensively, Arizona is tied for 20th in runs scored (45) and 24th in hits (85). Though they only have eight home runs this year, they're a good power-hitting team with the 13th-highest slugging percentage in the majors (.367).
21. Minnesota Twins (6-6)
Just when it looked like the Twins would be a complete joke this season, they managed to rip off three straight wins against a divisional rival. After starting the year 1-4, they've gone 5-2. They're not terrible statistically. Minnesota is 17th in OPS (.675) and 19th in team ERA (4.11). Plus, their bullpen is 4/4 in save opportunities this season.
22. Tampa Bay Rays (5-7)
The Rays are a solid offensive team, but they struggle on defense. They might be tied for tenth in the league in runs (55), but that feels like a moot point when your pitchers are 26th in team ERA (4.96) and 27th in runs allowed (69). Since starting the season 2-2, they're 3-5 and have proven to be very streaky with back-to-back losses to the Cubs after rattling off three straight wins.
23. Los Angeles Angels (6-7)
You'll be hard-pressed to find a team that has been more entertaining through the first three weeks of the season than the Angels. Between the game in which Jo Adell robbed three home runs and the benches-clearing brawl LA had with Atlanta, the Angels have been a sight to behold. On top of that, they're fifth in the league in home runs hit (15). Too bad they have the second-worst batting average in baseball.
24. San Francisco Giants (5-8)
They have clearly had a tough schedule to open the season with matchups against the Yankees, Mets, and Phillies. But, they have a losing record because they have a run differential of -16, which is the third-worst mark in the league. They might have the third-lowest OPS in the league (.618), but that could change with the introduction of rookie catcher Daniel Susac to the lineup, who has six hits in his first seven MLB at-bats.
25. Seattle Mariners (4-9)
It's no doubt discouraging that a team with World Series aspirations currently has the worst winning percentage in baseball (.308). With that being said, this team is just in a slump right now. Regardless, we need to see more from them offensively. The Mariners have the second-most strikeouts in the MLB (133) and the second-fewest runs scored (40). Catcher Cal Raleigh has also failed to live up to expectations, with just one homer after knocking 60 out of the park last season. I'm not giving up on this team yet, but we should all be a little concerned.
26. Athletics (4-7)
This team has its fair share of issues. They don't have a hometown, so they play in front of 14,000 fans in Sacramento, California. They have the fourth-highest ERA in baseball (5.20). Their offense is mediocre with 84 hits on the season, tied for the fourth-fewest in the MLB. Even young All-Star Jacob Wilson has been underwhelming thus far with a -0.4 WAR, the lowest mark on the team. They're not ranked lower because they have faced some very formidable opponents this season, but that doesn't mean the Athletics will be any good this year.
27. Washington Nationals (4-8)
This team has undoubtedly been bad. However, we can't deny that their games have been entertaining. The Nats have scored the third-most runs in baseball (71) while ranking third in slugging (.431) and OPS (.770). Their pitching staff is the worst in the MLB, though, with an ERA of 6.06 and 24 home runs given up so far this season, four more than the next closest team. At least when you go to a Nationals game, you can expect to see a lot of scoring!
28. Boston Red Sox (4-8)
The vibes in Beantown are awful. The Red Sox's best young player, Roman Anthony, is being clowned for his inability to throw a baseball well, which is a problem for a guy who plays in the outfield. Their pitching staff is ranked 20th in team ERA (4.19). They also have had issues scoring with just 44 runs this season, tied for the seventh-fewest in baseball. Boston's 3-7 record over its last ten games is tied for the second-worst mark in baseball.
29. Detroit Tigers (4-8)
I feel pretty silly for predicting the Tigers would win the AL Central. Then again, it's still very early in the campaign, and we're not even 10% through the 2026 season. Detroit has the longest active losing streak in baseball at four games. Star pitcher Tarik Skubal has been good with a 2.55 ERA, but the team has the ninth-highest ERA in the majors (4.40). Pair that with a somewhat weak offense (tied for 14th in runs, 53), and it's no wonder why this team is struggling. After all, the Tigers have the worst record in baseball in their last ten games (2-8).
30. Chicago White Sox (4-8)
The ineptitude of the White Sox knows no bounds! There really isn't one thing this team does well. They are tied for the third-fewest runs scored in the Majors (41). They have the third-highest team ERA in baseball (5.45). The lone bright spots on the team this far have been shortstops Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth. The two of them have accounted for over a fifth of the squad's runs so far this season.
