MLB Power Rankings as Pirates Surge, Red Sox, Rangers Reel Through 3 Series

Joel ReuterApr 6, 2026

It sometimes makes sense to put guardrails on early-season MLB power rankings to avoid placing too much weight on a small sample size relative to perceived team talent.

Then again, what are we waiting for?

Baseball fans want to discuss the season that's happening, not the season people were predicting or the season that could happen going forward.

Preseason expectations still played a minor role in these rankings, serving as a tie-breaker of sorts for teams that were clustered in the same area of the rankings, but the focus is now on 2026 team performance, with teams rising and falling relative to last week's rankings based specifically on what they've done in the past week.

With that, let the great shuffling begin.

In case you missed it, B/R's MLB Power Rankings from last week and every fresh power rankings throughout the season can be found at the new MLB Power Rankings hub.

Nos. 30-28

1 of 11

Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Wilyer Abreu

30. Boston Red Sox (2-7)

Previous Rank: No. 7, Tier 2
Last Week: 0-3 @ HOU, 1-2 vs. SD

Wilyer Abreu is off to a fantastic start at the plate for the Red Sox. Unfortunately, no one else is hitting:

Abreu: .429 BA, 8 XBH, 7 RBI
Everyone else: .199 BA, 18 XBH, 22 RBI

Meanwhile, the retooled starting rotation ranks 27th in the majors with a 5.19 ERA, as very little has gone right for the Red Sox over their first three series.

29. Washington Nationals (3-6)

Previous Rank: No. 27, Tier 6
Last Week: 1-2 @ PHI, 0-3 vs. LAD

After taking two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field to open the year, the Nationals looked a lot more like the cellar dweller most expected them to be during a 1-5 week against a pair of presumptive NL contenders. They rank last in the majors with a 6.69 ERA from their starting pitchers, and that will likely be a major issue all season.

28. San Francisco Giants (3-7)

Previous Rank: No. 16, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ SD, 1-3 vs. NYM

The Giants have already been shut out three times through their first 10 games, and they rank last in the majors in runs per game (2.6) and team OPS (.561). They did manage to take two of three from the Padres in San Diego, but their negative-25 run differential is the worst in baseball.

Nos. 27-25

2 of 11

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Taj Bradley

27. Minnesota Twins (3-6)

Previous Rank: No. 24, Tier 5
Last Week: 1-2 @ KC, 1-2 vs. TB

The Twins have dropped three straight series, though they have at least avoided getting swept, which is a small victory in what could be a long season. One early positive has been the performance of Taj Bradley (2 GS, 0.87 ERA, 12 K, 10.1 IP), who was acquired in exchange for Griffin Jax as a reclamation project of sorts, and has come out with some added velocity to start the year.

26. Baltimore Orioles (3-6)

Previous Rank: No. 11, Tier 3
Last Week: 1-2 vs. TEX, 0-3 @ PIT

The Orioles made a concerted effort to add more power to the lineup during the offseason, with newcomers Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward slugging 38 and 36 home runs in 2025, respectively. That tandem has just one long ball so far, and the O's rank 28th in the majors with six homers as a team through nine games.

25. Toronto Blue Jays (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 2, Tier 1
Last Week: 1-2 vs. COL, 0-3 @ CWS

If you're a Blue Jays fan trying to rationalize last week, maybe the Rockies and White Sox are not the same laughing stock-level teams they were last year? That's about as half full a glass as a glass can get though, as the defending AL pennant winners were outscored 31-18 by two teams that combined for 221 losses in 2025.

Nos. 24-22

3 of 11

Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Andrew McCutchen

24. Colorado Rockies (3-6)

Previous Rank: No. 29, Tier 6
Last Week: 2-1 @ TOR, 1-2 vs. PHI

There are 15 teams with a worse ERA than the Rockies right now, and the bullpen has been downright stout with a 2.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 43.1 innings, the third highest reliever workload in baseball. This isn't suddenly going to be a playoff team, but they might not lose 100 games for the first time since 2022. That's something!

23. Athletics (3-6)

Previous Rank: No. 26, Tier 5
Last Week: 1-2 @ ATL, 2-1 vs. HOU

Despite a glaring need for upgrades, the Athletics largely ignored the pitching staff during the offseason, and they are paying the price in the early going. They rank near the bottom of the majors in starters' ERA (6.02, 28th) and relievers' ERA (4.99, 23rd), and they have four blown saves in five chances. Expect to see top prospect Gage Jump (No. 40 on B/R Top 100) in the MLB rotation soon after he was sent to Triple-A to open the year.

22. Texas Rangers (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 18, Tier 4
Last Week: 2-1 @ BAL, 0-3 vs. CIN

The Rangers plated just four runs in three games while getting swept by the Reds at home over the weekend. Andrew McCutchen (6-for-17, 2 2B, HR) is swinging it well, and he could start to steal some playing time from Joc Pederson (1-for-17) at designated hitter as the club looks for a spark.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report6h

Red Sox' Garrett Crochet wins pitching duel with the Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski

Bleacher Report18h

Garrett Crochet's rough stretch continues in Red Sox' loss to Tigers

Bleacher Report3h

Nos. 21-19

4 of 11

John Fisher/Getty Images

Yandy Díaz

21. Chicago White Sox (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 30, Tier 6
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIA, 3-0 vs. TOR

Rebuilding is all about incremental progress. It took until July 20 for the White Sox to complete their first three-game sweep of the 2025 season, and they didn't pick up their fourth win until their 14th game of the year, so Sunday marked two positive steps in the right direction.

20. Kansas City Royals (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 20, Tier 4
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN, 1-2 vs. MIL

Considering Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino have combined for one extra-base hit so far this season, things could certainly be worse for the Royals, especially on the offensive side of things. A strong 3.30 ERA from the starting rotation has helped prop them up, while a 6.27 ERA from the bullpen has dragged them down.

19. Tampa Bay Rays (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 19, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIL, 2-1 @ MIN

If the Rays fall out of playoff contention early, Yandy Díaz might end up being the prize of the 2026 trade deadline. The free-agent-to-be is hitting .405/.488/.649 over 43 plate appearances, and his 15 hits are tied for the AL lead with Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu. If a bullpen that has logged an MLB-worst 7.98 ERA in 29.1 innings doesn't improve, they will be deadline sellers.

Nos. 18-16

5 of 11

Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images

Jo Adell

18. Seattle Mariners (4-6)

Previous Rank: No. 5, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 vs. NYY, 1-2 @ LAA

There's a case to be made that the Mariners deserved to fall even further after a pair of series losses last week, but their elite starting pitching keeps them in the middle of the pack for at least one more week. They are tied for the MLB lead with six quality starts, and their starters rank sixth with a 2.95 ERA. Now if only they weren't hitting .198 as a team.

17. Los Angeles Angels (5-5)

Previous Rank: No. 22, Tier 5
Last Week: 1-2 @ CHC, 2-1 vs. SEA

The Angels are hitting .204 and averaging 10.8 strikeouts per game, but they have also run into 11 home runs and plated 4.1 runs per contest during a .500 start to the year. Tip of the cap to Jo Adell on his trio of home run robberies on Saturday. If you haven't watched the highlight reel yet, go check it out.

16. St. Louis Cardinals (5-4)

Previous Rank: No. 28, Tier 6
Last Week: 2-1 vs. NYM, 1-2 @ DET

As you can tell from the No. 28 ranking and Tier 6 placement to start the year, expectations were low for a Cardinals team in the early stages of a rebuild that should have started a year ago. Beleaguered former top prospect Jordan Walker is hitting .300/.382/.567 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI to kick off what could be a make-or-break season in St. Louis.

Nos. 15-13

6 of 11

Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Mason Miller

15. San Diego Padres (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 15, Tier 3
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SF, 2-1 @ BOS

Closer Mason Miller has struck out 11 of the 15 batters he has faced so far this season, and 56 of 98 since joining the Padres last summer, as he is the most overpowering pitcher in baseball right now. The rest of the San Diego bullpen has not lived up to expectations in the early going with four blown saves and a 3.82 ERA, and that group will need to be a major strength for them to contend.

14. Detroit Tigers (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 10, Tier 3
Last Week: 0-3 @ ARI, 2-1 vs. STL

If the early returns are any indication, Tarik Skubal (2 GS, 0.69 ERA, 13.0 IP) and Framber Valdez (2 GS, 0.75 ERA, 12.0 IP) are shaping up to be the best one-two punch in baseball. They ran into some good pitching early last week when they were swept by the D-backs in Arizona, but have a pair of series wins sandwiched around that three-game sweep.

13. Chicago Cubs (4-5)

Previous Rank: No. 6, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAA, 1-2 @ CLE

The Cubs were dealt a blow when Cade Horton exited his second start with forearm discomfort, which can often be a precursor to Tommy John surgery. Swingman Colin Rea will bridge the gap for the time being, but Horton has legitimate ace-caliber upside and will be missed. That makes the 11.2 innings of scoreless ball that Edward Cabrera has twirled even more important.

Nos. 12-10

7 of 11

Houston Astros/Getty Images

Yordan Alvarez

12. Arizona Diamondbacks (5-5)

Previous Rank: No. 25, Tier 5
Last Week: 3-0 vs. DET, 2-2 vs. ATL

After getting swept by the Dodgers to open the season, the D-backs rallied nicely with a sweep of their own against the Tigers. Starters Michael Soroka (5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 10 K) and Zac Gallen (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 K) both threw the ball well, with Gallen outdueling Tarik Skubal to close out the sweep. Can they survive a bullpen that has three blown saves and a 6.50 ERA through 10 games?

11. Miami Marlins (6-3)

Previous Rank: No. 21, Tier 5
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CWS, 1-2 @ NYY

The Marlins ranked 20th in the majors in slugging percentage (.393) last season, and finding enough offensive thump to support a quality pitching staff has been an issue for years. It's no coincidence that they have climbed to fourth on that leaderboard (.441 SLG) so far this season, and are now knocking on the door for a spot inside the top 10 as a result.

10. Houston Astros (6-4)

Previous Rank: No. 14, Tier 3
Last Week: 3-0 vs. BOS, 1-2 @ ATH

The Astros pitching staff ranks 26th in baseball with a 5.14 ERA, but they still have a winning record thanks to a red-hot start from their offense. They are hitting .282/.396/.484 as a team and have an elite 14.6 percent walk rate, and they have made the opposition pay for those free passes with 7.0 runs per game. A healthy Yordan Alvarez (.400/.578/.900, 4 HR, 10 RBI) is once again playing like an MVP candidate.

Nos. 9-7

8 of 11

Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Chase Burns

9. Cincinnati Reds (6-3)

Previous Rank: No. 17, Tier 4
Last Week: 1-2 vs. PIT, 3-0 @ TEX

With ace Hunter Greene sidelined, Chase Burns (2 GS, 0.82 ERA, 16 K, 11.0 IP) and Rhett Lowder (2 GS, 1.64 ERA, 9 K, 11.0 IP) have both stepped up in the Reds rotation. The pitching staff has allowed three or fewer runs in six of their nine games, and while that has propped up a lineup that is hitting .209 and averaging 2.9 runs per game so far, they need to start hitting to avoid a steady slide down the rankings.

8. Philadelphia Phillies (5-4)

Previous Rank: No. 8, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. WAS, 2-1 @ COL

Say what you will about the teams the Phillies played during a 4-2 showing last week, but the Blue Jays had a similarly "easy" week and it ended up burying them in the bottom tier. After years of instability at the back of the bullpen, it's refreshing to see Jhoan Duran come in and blow hitters away, as he is now 19 of 22 on save chances since he was acquired last summer.

7. Cleveland Guardians (6-4)

Previous Rank: No. 13, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ LAD, 2-1 vs. CHC

The Guardians had arguably the toughest schedule of any team last week, but they came away with a pair of series wins, and they have yet to suffer a series loss after splitting a four-game set to open the year. They have earned their spot inside the top 10, but it might be wise to temper expectations until they show they can do better than a .198/.290/.335 batting line as a team.

Nos. 6-4

9 of 11

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Juan Soto

6. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-3)

Previous Rank: No. 23, Tier 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ CIN, 3-0 vs. BAL

A quick look at how the new and improved Pirates offense is faring compared to last season:

2025: .231 BA (28th), .655 OPS (30th), 117 HR (30th)
2026: .240 BA (12th), .736 OPS (7th), 12 HR (4th)

A solid second start (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) from Paul Skenes also helped alleviate some concerns after he was shellacked on Opening Day, and that improved offense is backed by a 3.33 ERA from the pitching staff that checks in sixth in the majors.

5. Atlanta Braves (6-4)

Previous Rank: No. 12, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. ATH, 2-2 @ ARI

It didn't take a baseball savant to think starting pitching might be an issue for a Braves team that is without Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep. Instead, they lead the NL with a 2.26 starters' ERA and six quality starts, and the bullpen has been even better with an MLB-best 1.08 ERA in 33.1 innings. They're going to hit, but if they keep pitching like this, look out.

4. New York Mets (6-4)

Previous Rank: No. 4, Tier 2
Last Week: 1-2 @ STL, 3-1 @ SF

After all the offseason wheeling and dealing, incumbents Juan Soto, Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez have been the Mets three best hitters to start the year. It's not surprising that it's taking some time for all the new pieces to fit together offensively, but a strong 2.53 ERA from the pitching staff is giving them time to find their footing.

Nos. 3-1

10 of 11

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Cam Schlittler

3. Milwaukee Brewers (7-2)

Previous Rank: No. 9, Tier 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. TB, 2-1 @ KC

The Brewers lead the majors with 20 steals, and only two other teams across baseball have reached double digits, with the Yankees checking in second with 12. The impact of taking 20 extra bases over nine games is staggering, and it's been a total team effort as eight different players have at least one steal. That has been their "secret sauce" during this strong start to the year.

2. New York Yankees (7-2)

Previous Rank: No. 3, Tier 2
Last Week: 2-1 @ SEA, 2-1 vs. MIA

No Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, no problem for a Yankees pitching staff that sits second in the majors with a 2.35 ERA. Cam Schlittler (11.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 15 K) has been as dominant as any pitcher in baseball and Max Fried (3 GS, 2-0, 1.35 ERA, 20.0 IP) is pitching like an ace, potentially giving them four frontline arms once everyone is healthy.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (7-2)

Previous Rank: No. 1, Tier 1
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CLE, 3-0 @ WAS

If the season ended today, Andy Pages might be the NL MVP. File that under things you didn't expect to read in 2026. The 25-year-old leads the NL in batting average (.471), OPS (1.294) and hits (16) with three home runs and 10 RBI, successfully putting a rough October in the rearview. One more dangerous weapon for the most loaded roster in baseball.