.png?w=1280 "MLB Power Rankings")
MLB Power Ranking for All 30 Teams After 2026 Opening Weekend
In more than a decade authoring Bleacher Report's weekly MLB power rankings, one of the toughest things to do each year is to decide how to handle small sample size vs. preseason expectations.
This year's Opening Day power rankings featured a new tier system, with the league's 30 teams ranked 1-30, and then broken into six different tiers within those rankings to further differentiate teams.
To prevent overreaction to a small sample size, teams could only move up and down within the tier that they occupied in last week's Opening Day rankings. This keeps a combination of preseason expectations and on-field performance in the equation early in the year.
These rankings will be updated each and every Monday morning for the next six months, so fear not if your favorite team is lower than you hoped.
If a team is winning, it will climb. If a team is losing, it will fall.
In case you missed it, B/R's Opening Day MLB Power Rankings and every fresh power rankings throughout the season can be found at the new MLB Power Rankings hub.
Nos. 30-28
1 of 11
30. Chicago White Sox (0-3)
Previous Rank: No. 27, Tier 6
Last Week: 0-3 @ MIL
The White Sox were outscored by 19 runs in three games against the Brewers, but hyped slugger Munetaka Murakami at least made a memorable first impression, homering in each of his first three games in a White Sox uniform.
29. Colorado Rockies (0-3)
Previous Rank: No. 29, Tier 6
Last Week: 0-3 @ MIA
Despite getting swept in Miami, the Rockies got respectable outings from Kyle Freeland (4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER), Michael Lorenzen (4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER) and Jose Quintana (4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) as they look to field a more competitive starting rotation in 2026.
28. St. Louis Cardinals (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 28, Tier 6
Last Week: 2-1 vs. TB
Rookie JJ Wetherholt homered in his MLB debut on Friday and then delivered the walk-off hit on Saturday, though an even more promising takeaway for the Cardinals was Jordan Walker going 4-for-10 with two doubles, one home run and three RBI as he looks to finally turn a corner.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Washington Nationals (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 30, Tier 6
Last Week: 2-1 @ CHC
The Nationals scored 10 runs on Opening Day against Matthew Boyd and the Cubs, something they accomplished just 12 times over the course of the entire 2025 season. The offense slugged six home runs in three games, with Joey Wiemer contributing a pair of long balls.
26. Athletics (0-3)
Previous Rank: No. 23, Tier 5
Last Week: 0-3 @ TOR
A shaky start from Luis Morales (4.1 IP, 5 ER) and a pair of blown saves from the bullpen does nothing to ease concerns that the Athletics don't have the pitching to back their stellar offense. Catcher Shea Langeliers went 6-for-12 with three home runs to open the year with a bang.
25. Arizona Diamondbacks (0-3)
Previous Rank: No. 22, Tier 5
Last Week: 0-3 @ LAD
The D-backs went 6-7 head-to-head against the Dodgers in 2025, but they were turned away in a three-game sweep to start the new season. Veteran Nolan Arenado went 1-for-11 with five strikeouts to begin his D-backs career, and he will need to provide more in a run production role.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Minnesota Twins (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 25, Tier 5
Last Week: 1-2 @ BAL
The Twins got a gem from Joe Ryan (5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 7 K) on Opening Day and a solid start from Taj Bradley (4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 9 K), providing some hope the rotation could still be a strength. Oft-injured Royce Lewis homered twice in three games as he once again teases star potential.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 21, Tier 5
Last Week: 1-2 @ NYM
An awful start from Paul Skenes (0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER) was the big headline of the weekend for the Pirates, but the offense deserves some attention. Newcomers Ryan O'Hearn (6-for-14, HR, 3 RBI) and Brandon Lowe (5-for-12, 3 HR, 4 RBI) both made their presence felt immediately in the middle of the lineup.
22. Los Angeles Angels (2-2)
Previous Rank: No. 26, Tier 5
Last Week: 2-2 @ HOU
The Angels slugged nine home runs in four games, including two each from Mike Trout, Nolan Schanuel and Zach Neto, and they managed to split a four-game series with the Astros. Can a healthy Trout turn in a resurgent season after going 6-for-13 with seven walks to start the year?
Nos. 21-19
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21. Miami Marlins (3-0)
Previous Rank: No. 24, Tier 5
Last Week: 3-0 vs. COL
Granted it was against the Rockies, but the Marlins had a successful opening weekend with no shortage of positive takeaways. Sandy Alcantara tossed a gem, Pete Fairbanks nailed down his first two save chances and rookie Owen Caissie went 5-for-10 with two doubles and one home run.
20. Kansas City Royals (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 20, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 @ ATL
The Royals batted .179 and scored just six runs in three games against the Braves, so escaping without getting swept was a small victory to start their season, though a light was immediately shined on whether they did enough to improve offensively.
19. Tampa Bay Rays (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 19, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 @ STL
Despite going 1-2 to start the year, the Rays lead the majors with a .339 batting average after racking up 41 hits in three games against the Cardinals pitching staff. Yandy Díaz (9-for-16, 2B, 5 RBI) and Jonathan Aranda (6-for-13, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) led the way, and eight different players recorded multiple hits.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Texas Rangers (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 18, Tier 4
Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI
If Jake Burger (6-for-13, 2 HR, 4 RBI) returns to being a 30-homer threat and Brandon Nimmo (4-for-12, HR, 3 R) is a standout setting the table, the Rangers lineup could be significantly improved this season. On the pitching side, MacKenzie Gore (5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 7 K) threw the ball well in his Rangers debut.
17. Cincinnati Reds (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 17, Tier 4
Last Week: 2-1 vs. BOS
Rookies Sal Stewart (7-for-10, 3 2B, HR, 2 RBI) and Rhett Lowder (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K) both made their mark on the Reds opening series. They could end up being dark-horse contenders in the NL Rookie of the Year race, and key contributors for a Reds team eyeing a repeat trip to the playoffs.
16. San Francisco Giants (0-3)
Previous Rank: No. 13, Tier 3
Last Week: 0-3 vs. NYY
Nothing takes the wind out of a team's sails faster than getting shut out in back-to-back games to start the season. The Giants did manage to finally plate a run on Saturday, but they were outscored 13-1 in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees. The Padres are up next as they look to right the ship.
Nos. 15-13
6 of 11
15. San Diego Padres (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 15, Tier 3
Last Week: 1-2 vs. DET
A terrific start from Randy Vasquez (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 8 K) is a step toward the Padres rotation looking like less of a question mark, though the real stress test comes this week when Germán Márquez and Walker Buehler make their Padres debuts. Scoring more than seven runs in three games would take some pressure off those starters.
14. Houston Astros (2-2)
Previous Rank: No. 14, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-2 vs. LAA
The Astros have issued an MLB-high 28 walks through four games, and their starting rotation ranks last in the majors with a 7.64 ERA, so it's no small feat that they were able to salvage a split in their four games with the Angels. Offensively, eight different players have at least one RBI, so the entire lineup has been contributing.
13. Cleveland Guardians (2-2)
Previous Rank: No. 16, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-2 @ SEA
Rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter had one of the loudest opening weekends of any player, going 6-for-17 with four home runs over his first four regular season games after debuting in the postseason last year. The 24-year-old has transformative upside for a Guardians team that has struggled to find consistent offensive production in recent years.
Nos. 12-10
7 of 11
12. Atlanta Braves (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 11, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC
A 2.12 ERA over 17 innings from the starting rotation was a great way for the Braves to start the season following a spring where their pitching staff was hit hard by injuries. A good first series from Michael Harris II (4-for-11, HR, 3 RBI) also provides some optimism that he might avoid the slow start that plagued him in 2025.
11. Baltimore Orioles (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 10, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN
The Orioles hit .438/.524/.750 over 21 plate appearances with runners in scoring position to open the season, but managed just three runs in their first two games before an 8-6 victory on Sunday. Left-hander Trevor Rogers (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) picked up right where he left off last season.
10. Detroit Tigers (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 9, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ SD
Rookie Kevin McGonigle went 4-for-5 with two doubles in his MLB debut, and he has already started games at both shortstop and third base as he could be a game-changing in-house addition to the Detroit lineup. Workhorses Tarik Skubal (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) and Framber Valdez (6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER) back-to-back in the rotation will give the bullpen a lot of easy days.
Nos. 9-7
8 of 11
9. Milwaukee Brewers (3-0)
Previous Rank: No. 12, Tier 3
Last Week: 3-0 vs. CWS
The Brewers offense scored 29 runs in three games against the White Sox, including a 14-2 rout on Opening Day. Christian Yelich (6-for-10, HR, 5 RBI) and Brice Turang (6-for-14, 3 2B) are both swinging it well, while a healthy Garrett Mitchell (2-for-5, 3 BB, 3 RBI) once again looks like a potential X-factor.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 8, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 vs. TEX
If not for a gem from Cristopher Sánchez (W, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K), the Phillies would have been awfully thin on highlights and wins during the season's opening weekend. On a positive note, Zack Wheeler threw three innings on Saturday in a rehab start at Triple-A, and he remains on track for an April return.
7. Boston Red Sox (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 7, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 @ CIN
While the Red Sox offense is just 5-for-29 with runners in scoring position, outfielders Wilyer Abreu (6-for-13, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI) and Roman Anthony (4-for-13, 3 BB) both looked good at the plate following solid WBC runs. Rookie Connelly Early (5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K) has sleeper AL Rookie of the Year upside in the rotation.
Nos. 6-4
9 of 11
6. Chicago Cubs (1-2)
Previous Rank: No. 5, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 vs. WAS
A series loss to a Nationals team most expect to take up residence in the NL East cellar is a less-than-ideal way for the Cubs to start the season, but they did look sharp in a 10-2 victory on Saturday. It was a much more successful week for the front office, as they hammered out extensions for Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner.
5. Seattle Mariners (2-2)
Previous Rank: No. 4, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-2 vs. CLE
Mariners starting pitchers posted a 2.31 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and a terrific 31-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four games against the Guardians, and that included a brilliant outing from Emerson Hancock (6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 9 K) on Sunday night. Offensively, newcomer Brendan Donovan (6-for-14, 2B, 2 HR) looks right at home atop the lineup.
4. New York Mets (2-1)
Previous Rank: No. 3, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. PIT
Crushing Paul Skenes on Opening Day was the perfect way for the Mets to start a season that will come with lofty expectations once again. Luis Robert Jr. (5-for-11, HR, 5 RBI) is the early standout among 10 newcomers on the 26-man roster to start the season, and it will be interesting to see how all those pieces ultimately fit together.
Nos. 3-1
10 of 11
3. New York Yankees (3-0)
Previous Rank: No. 6, Tier 2
Last Week: 3-0 @ SF
The Yankees pitching staff allowed just one run in three games against the Giants, with Max Fried (6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K), Cam Schlittler (5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 8 K) and David Bednar (2/2 SV, 2.0 IP, 0 ER) among the early standouts. If the pitching staff can be a strength while Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are sidelined, look out once they return.
2. Toronto Blue Jays (3-0)
Previous Rank: No. 2, Tier 1
Last Week: 3-0 vs. ATH
Facing off against an Athletics offense that received plenty of hype entering the new season, the Blue Jays pitching staff allowed 11 runs and a .157 opponents' batting average in a three-game sweep. Now the offense has a golden opportunity to build some momentum with a three-game series against the Rockies to kick off the week.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (3-0)
Previous Rank: No. 1, Tier 1
Last Week: 3-0 vs. ARI
The Dodgers had a chance to deploy their shiny, new ninth-inning weapon Edwin Díaz twice over the weekend, and he allowed just one walk over two scoreless innings while nailing down a pair of saves. A shaky back end of the bullpen looked like the team's one clear weakness in 2025, and now it's a strength. Scary stuff for the rest of the league as they try to chase down the back-to-back champs.
Complete Rankings
11 of 11
Tier 1
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Toronto Blue Jays
Tier 2
3. New York Yankees
4. New York Mets
5. Seattle Mariners
6. Chicago Cubs
7. Boston Red Sox
8. Philadelphia Phillies
Tier 3
9. Milwaukee Brewers
10. Detroit Tigers
11. Baltimore Orioles
12. Atlanta Braves
13. Cleveland Guardians
14. Houston Astros
15. San Diego Padres
16. San Francisco Giants
Tier 4
17. Cincinnati Reds
18. Texas Rangers
19. Tampa Bay Rays
20. Kansas City Royals
Tier 5
21. Miami Marlins
22. Los Angeles Angels
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
24. Minnesota Twins
25. Arizona Diamondbacks
26. Athletics
Tier 6
27. Washington Nationals
28. St. Louis Cardinals
29. Colorado Rockies
30. Chicago White Sox
