It has been a while since we released our MLB power rankings. The last time we made the list, the Cincinnati Reds were in the top five, while the Seattle Mariners ranked 25th. But obviously, a lot has changed since then! With the NBA season and the NHL season both coming to a close over the next two weeks, we can start shifting our attention more towards baseball. With that in mind, let's take a look at how each MLB team stacks up so far during the 2026 campaign.
1. Atlanta Braves (45-22)
The Braves got off to a somewhat mediocre start, going 6-5 in their first 11 games. Since then, though, Atlanta has the best record in baseball (39-17), with four more wins than the next closest team. They excel at scoring on both offense and defense. The Braves are second in the league in ERA (3.22), second in RBIs (341), and second in home runs (92). They have a stacked lineup that boasts two of the best hitters in the MLB: Matt Olson (third in RBIs, 50) and Drake Baldwin (ninth in slugging, .543).
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (43-24)
The back-to-back World Series champions once again look like one of the best teams in the Majors with a commanding 8.5-game lead in the NL West. The Dodgers have the best ERA in baseball (3.17), with two pitchers ranking in the top 12 in earned run average (Justin Wrobleski and Yosinobu Yamamoto). The best player on the team, though, is once again Shohei Ohtani, who looks like a Cy Young favorite with a 0.74 ERA and six wins this season.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (41-24)
They might not have gone on a run like they did last season, but the Brew Crew are one of the MLB's best teams thanks to consistent hitting and a top-notch pitching rotation. They're second in on-base percentage (.340) and fifth in team batting average (.253). Milwaukee's pitchers also lead the league in strikeouts (634) behind the emergence of Jacob Misiorowski, who tops the MLB in ERA (1.50) and strikeouts (116).
4. New York Yankees (40-26)
New York is currently in second place in the AL East standings, but they are playing better than the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays right now, which is why they take the fourth spot on our list. They might have the best starting rotation in the majors with Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, and Cam Schlittler. In fact, Schlittler leads the group statistically with a 1.87 ERA. And - as usual - the Yankees are also the best home run-hitting team in the Majors with 97 this season.
5. Tampa Bay Rays (39-25)
After two straight disappointing seasons, the Rays have put themselves squarely in the American League playoff picture with a slight edge over the Yankees in the AL East divisional race. Even if the Yanks overtake them, the Rays would firmly control one of the three AL Wild Card spots. Though they're technically ahead of the Yanks in the standings, their recent struggles (11-11 since the middle of May) put them one spot below the Pinstripes. Thankfully, they have the best bullpen in baseball, with an MLB-leading 27 saves.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (36-31)
If they hadn't gotten off to such a terrible start, then Philadelphia would actually be threatening the Braves for the top spot in the NL East. After opening the season with a 9-19 record, the Phillies have the second-best record in baseball at 27-12. It makes sense that they have managed to turn things around. DH Kyle Schwarber has the most home runs in baseball (23), while ace pitcher Cristopher Sanchez is playing at a Cy Young level with a 1.54 ERA.
7. St. Louis Cardinals (36-28)
The Cards have been consistently good throughout the season. They have had an above .500 record since April 14th and currently hold a three-game lead in the race for the top wild card spot in the National League. Their bullpen has been phenomenal with the third-most saves in the MLB (22). Over the last 30 days, they rank in the top ten in ERA (ninth), on-base percentage (seventh), and team batting average (eighth).
8. Cleveland Guardians (37-32)
Cleveland has made the playoffs each of the last two seasons, and this year probably won't be any different. Even if they were to be leapfrogged by the Chicago White Sox, they would still be a Wild Card team. The Guardians have an elite pitching staff that ranks seventh in ERA (3.77), second in strikeouts (631), and second in saves (24). Their pitchers are so good that the Guards have a winning record even though they rank 26th in on-base percentage plus slugging, also known as OPS (.688).
9. Seattle Mariners (36-32)
You could argue that the Mariners are the hottest team in baseball right now. On May 24th, Seattle was 25-29. Since then, they have the best record in the Majors at 11-3, giving them complete control of first place in the AL West. During this stretch, the Mariners have demonstrated incredible balance. Over the last 15 days, Seattle ranks in the top three in the MLB in walks plus hits per inning pitched (second), ERA (first), home runs (tied for second), batting average (third), and slugging percentage (third).
10. Chicago White Sox (35-31)
Just two years after one of the worst seasons in Major League Baseball history, the Chicago White Sox not only have a winning record, but they are in the thick of the American League playoff race! They have the ninth-best winning percentage in the Majors (.530). If the season ended today, they would be the second Wild Card team in the AL. The White Sox's offense leads the charge with 316 runs scored, good for eighth in the MLB. They're also tied for third in homers (91) thanks in part to first baseman Munetaka Murakami, who has the third-most home runs in the league (20) despite last playing on May 29th.
11. Washington Nationals (35-33)
Speaking of offense, we have to recognize the Nationals, who are arguably the most exciting team in the MLB. They lead the league in runs scored (362) and RBIs (342). Though their pitching has not been good this season (23rd in ERA, 4.56), their rotation has actually stepped up over the last 15 days with the 10th-best ERA in the Majors during that stretch (3.82). As long as the Nationals get slightly competent starts from their pitchers, then they'll be competitive in almost every game they play. That’s how good their offense is!
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (34-32)
Things have turned ugly for the D-backs recently. After getting a win over the Giants to improve to 31-24 on May 27th, they're 3-8 in their last 11 games. They currently find themselves in a three-way tie for the last Wild Card spot in the National League with the Nationals and the San Diego Padres. They've been bad offensively and defensively over the last 15 days, ranking 29th in runs scored (37) and 23rd in team ERA (5.06). Despite those shortcomings, they would still be a playoff team if the season ended today.
13. San Diego Padres (34-32)
Similar to the Diamondbacks, the Padres are in the middle of an untimely slump. On May 23rd, San Diego had a 2.5-game lead for the number-one Wild Card spot in the National League. Since then, the Padres have the worst record in baseball (3-12). They have been a disaster offensively during that stretch with only 41 runs scored, easily the fewest in the MLB. Their 250 runs this season are the fewest in the Majors. Regardless of their offensive struggles, the Padres are still above .500... for now.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (34-33)
They would probably have a better record if they didn't play in the highly competitive NL Central, but the Pirates are above .500 and could realistically make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. They're only a half-game back out of the last Wild Card spot in the NL. For once, they're actually getting decent hitting, which would explain their +21 run differential, good for sixth in the MLB. Interestingly, their pitching has been the cause of recent struggles since they’re 23rd in team ERA over the last 30 days (4.72).
15. Chicago Cubs (34-33)
This is undoubtedly the streakiest team in baseball. The Cubs had two different winning streaks of 10 games before losing 10 in a row. They were at one point 27-12, but they have had the worst record in baseball since then, having gone 7-21. Their bats are cold right now, with the second-fewest runs scored in the Majors during that stretch (91). Simultaneously, their pitching staff has been unreliable with 141 earned runs allowed since May 9th (fourth-most in baseball). For a team that had playoff aspirations coming into this year, this has been a very rocky campaign for the Cubs.
16. Texas Rangers (32-34)
Before the loss they suffered against the Kansas City Royals yesterday, the Rangers were 8-4 in their last 12 games. Though Texas is tied with the Toronto Blue Jays in winning percentage, the Jays would make the playoffs as a Wild Card team if the season ended today because they have a better record against divisional opponents. The Rangers' pitching has been their bread and butter with the sixth-best ERA in the Majors (3.69). Their problem is on offense, where they're tied with the New York Mets for 26th in runs scored this season (265). The good news is that things are trending upwards because they're 18th in offense over the last 15 days (54 runs scored).
17. Miami Marlins (32-35)
Nobody is breaking down their doors to attend a Marlins game, but Miami has been decent this season and is only 2.5 games back from the NL Wild Card. They're 6-4 in their last 10 outings and are in the middle of a three-game win streak. They're also 6-1 in their last seven contests. They may be offensively inept, but the Marlins have also only given up 82 hits over the last 15 days, which is tied with the Mariners for the third-fewest in baseball. If their bats can heat up a little bit, then they could be competitive down the stretch.
18. Toronto Blue Jays (33-35)
Following their impressive showing in the 2025 Playoffs, this team has failed to meet the expectations placed on them heading into this season. Just when it looks like they're about to turn the corner, they go on an unexpected losing streak. It has already happened twice in May and twice in April. Thankfully, Toronto is 4-2 in its last six contests with wins over the Phillies and the Braves. However, their offense needs to improve. The 277 runs the Blue Jays have scored this season rank 23rd in the MLB. If they can be better at the plate, then they'll be a lock for a Wild Card berth, since they currently control the AL's WC3.
19. Athletics (32-35)
On May 21st, the Athletics were in first place in the AL West with a 26-24 record. Since then, unfortunately, the A's are 6-11, which gives them the fourth-lowest winning percentage in baseball. Their defense has been atrocious during this stretch after giving up 108 runs, which is the third-most in the MLB. Over the last 15 days alone, the Athletics have a team ERA of 6.07. Only the Twins and Rockies have had worse pitching performances during this stretch.
20. Houston Astros (31-38)
For as good as this team is at hitting - and they're one of the best groups in the MLB - they're that much worse at pitching. They have scored the ninth-most runs in baseball this season (317), but they're 24th in run differential (-37). With a 4.90 ERA, only the Colorado Rockies’ pitching staff has been worse this season. It's a shame that they’re so bad because this group is littered with offensive talent. Yordan Alvarez is tied for fourth in the league in hits (77) and ranks second in homers (22). Christian Walker is tied for 11th in home runs with 16 balls hit out of the park. However, Houston's pitching deficiencies have made the team's offense an afterthought.
21. Cincinnati Reds (32-34)
On April 30th, the Reds were 20-11 and in first place in the NL Central. Since then, this team has fallen off a cliff. Cincy is tied for the second-worst record in all of baseball since the beginning of May (12-23). The only team that has fewer wins than them during that stretch is the Colorado Rockies, who are just a joke. This year, the Reds have the second-worst run differential in the MLB (-53). Cincy's pitching has been dreadful with a 4.78 ERA, which is the third-worst mark in the league. When your offense is 20th in scoring, that's a recipe for disaster.
22. Detroit Tigers (28-39)
How can a team with fewer than 30 wins be ranked 22nd? Well, the Tigers are 6-4 in their last 10 games and just won two straight against the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners. Unfortunately, that doesn't negate the fact that they have one of the worst offenses in the MLB with only 270 runs scored (24th in the Majors). The absence of Tarik Skubal has also hurt this team, but he wasn't looking that good before his elbow injury. Though it's not a lost season just yet, it might end up being one, which will give Detroit even more of a reason to move on from Skubal at the trade deadline.
23. Kansas City Royals (28-39)
The Royals are also 6-4 in their last 10 matchups and actually find themselves in the middle of a three-game winning streak. The problem is they have the fourth-worst run differential in the MLB (-46). KC is 27th in the Majors in offense (263 runs scored), while ranking 20th in runs allowed (309). Factor in a 12-22 road record (fourth worst in baseball), and it's no surprise this is one of the worst teams in the MLB.
24. Baltimore Orioles (31-37)
Considering I predicted the Orioles would be one of the three teams in the American League to earn a Wild Card spot, they have been incredibly disappointing. They're only two games out of a Wild Card spot because the AL is particularly weak this year. Baltimore is in the middle of a four-game slide, which is tied with the Pirates for the longest active losing streak in the Majors. Despite having the seventh-best offense in baseball (317 runs scored), their abysmal pitching staff has allowed 352 runs this season, which is the third-most in the MLB.
25. New York Mets (29-37)
This has been a disastrous season for the Mets, who were expected to be a playoff team before the year began. New York has a losing record at home (15-16) and is even worse on the road (14-21). Offense has been the Mets' downfall with only 265 runs scored this year, which is tied for 26th in the league. It doesn't help that their best player, Juan Soto, has gotten worse and worse as the season progressed. Each month of the campaign, his batting average has fallen, going from .381 in March to .111 through the first 10 days of June.
26. Minnesota Twins (30-38)
Not that long ago, the Twins were in the middle of the AL Wild Card race even though they were 27-28. However, they have the worst record in the league since then, going 3-10. Nobody has allowed more hits (135) or runs scored (94) than Minnesota over the last 15 days. Overall, their offense is pedestrian with an OPS of .706 (tied for 17th in the Majors). But when your team's ERA is 7.19, like it has been for the Twins over the last two weeks, there's no chance that you will field a competitive squad.
27. San Francisco Giants (27-41)
The Giants might have three fewer losses than the Boston Red Sox, but Boston has a worse record in its last 10 games and is on a longer losing streak, so San Fran is one spot above them in our power rankings. That just means they stink slightly less than the Red Sox. The Giants are terrible. They have been below .500 since the season started. San Francisco isn't particularly awful at one thing, but it is bad across the board. They rank in the bottom 10 in the Majors in runs scored (ninth), OPS (tied for 10th), ERA (ninth), batting average allowed (tied for seventh), and hits allowed (seventh).
28. Boston Red Sox (27-38)
The Red Sox's campaign was basically over after the first week of the season, when they went 1-5 in their first six games. Boston has the second-worst offense in the Majors, with 253 runs scored. Only the San Diego Padres have been worse at reaching home plate. The crazy part is the Red Sox actually have a good pitching staff that ranks ninth in the league in team ERA (3.88). Unfortunately, they've just been so bad at scoring that it has completely neutralized good pitching performances.
29. Los Angeles Angels (26-42)
They're 16 games below .500 and 10 games back from first place in their division. After opening the season with an 11-10 record, the Angels have been the worst team in baseball. During that stretch, they have the lowest winning percentage in the Majors by a wide margin (.319). They have the opposite problem of the Red Sox. LA is actually a good offensive team, ranking 12th in runs scored this season (305). The problem is the pitching staff, which has allowed the third-most earned runs in the Majors (315).
30. Colorado Rockies (25-42)
One year after finishing with the third-lowest winning percentage in a single season since 1960, the Rockies are on track to surpass their win total from last season, but they're still the worst team in baseball. They have a horrendous pitching staff with an ERA of 5.56. To put that into perspective, the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics, who had the lowest single-season winning percentage since 1901, had a team ERA of 3.92. This is the worst team in baseball by far. Over the last 30 days, their ERA is a preposterous 6.71.
