MLB Power Rankings as Mets, Blue Jays and More Preseason Contenders Plummet to the Bottom
The tipping point from slow start to legitimate concern is fast approaching for a handful of teams that were viewed as legitimate title contenders when the 2026 MLB season began.
The New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros all ranked among the top 10 in World Series odds at the start of the season, according to FanDuel.
None of them are higher than No. 23 in this week's power rankings.
There's still plenty of time for each of those clubs to right the ship, but with preseason expectations taking a back seat to on-field performance, there's simply no case to rank any of them higher.
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
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30. New York Mets (7-15)
Previous Rank: No. 22
Last Week: 0-3 @ LAD, 0-3 @ CHC
The Mets have been outscored 62-19 during their current 11-game losing streak. Go ahead and read that again, just to make sure it lands. Juan Soto has been sidelined with a calf strain for the entirety of that skid, but one missing star shouldn't mean the wheels fall off and the train derails.
29. Kansas City Royals (7-15)
Previous Rank: No. 23
Last Week: 0-3 @ DET, 0-3 @ NYY
With two blown saves and four losses last week, the Royals bullpen has been front and center during their seven-game losing streak. The relief corps ranks 30th in the majors in ERA (6.18) and WHIP (1.67), and after calling up Mason Black from Triple-A on Sunday, more roster shake-ups could be coming next week.
28. Toronto Blue Jays (8-13)
Previous Rank: No. 28
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIL, 1-2 @ ARI
The Blue Jays have not won a series since sweeping the Athletics to open the year, and right now they are simply trying to tread water with a laundry list of key players on the injured list. Rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage is expected to make his final rehab start on Tuesday before returning to the rotation.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Philadelphia Phillies (8-13)
Previous Rank: No. 27
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CHC, 0-3 vs. ATL
The Phillies were outscored 44-22 last week, and they now have baseball's worst run differential at minus-38 through 21 games. Ace Zack Wheeler could return during the club's weekend series in Atlanta after making his fifth and final rehab start on Sunday, but there are issues beyond his absence at the top of the rotation.
26. Houston Astros (8-15)
Previous Rank: No. 30
Last Week: 0-1 @ SEA, 2-1 vs. COL, 0-3 vs. STL
The Astros snapped an eight-game losing streak last Tuesday, but after a pair of victories over the Rockies, they are again trending in the wrong direction with four straight losses. They got a strong start from Spencer Arrighetti (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 10 K) after he was recalled from Triple-A last week, but they still rank last in the majors with a 6.34 ERA from their starting staff.
25. Chicago White Sox (8-14)
Previous Rank: No. 29
Last Week: 0-3 vs. TB, 2-1 @ ATH
Despite a .208 average and 33.3 percent strikeout rate, Munetaka Murakami sports a .376 on-base percentage, .918 OPS and he is tied for third in the majors with eight home runs. Three different relievers had blown saves last week, and they now have more blown saves (8) than saves (6) on the year.
Nos. 24-22
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24. San Francisco Giants (9-13)
Previous Rank: No. 26
Last Week: 1-2 @ CIN, 2-1 @ WAS
Early inconsistency from Logan Webb, Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser has left the Giants with a middling 4.52 ERA (24th in MLB) from the starting staff. However, Landon Roupp (4 GS, 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, .185 BAA) has quietly been one of baseball's biggest breakout pitchers, and the bullpen has also been solid for a team that leans heavily on its arms.
23. Boston Red Sox (8-13)
Previous Rank: No. 13
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIN, 1-2 vs. DET
The Red Sox are averaging almost a full run less per game than they did last year, dropping from seventh (4.85 RPG) to 24th (3.86) in the majors. It looked like things were starting to click with wins over the Brewers and Cardinals two weeks ago, but they are back in the bottom third of the rankings.
22. Miami Marlins (10-12)
Previous Rank: No. 21
Last Week: 1-2 @ ATL, 1-2 vs. MIL
Outfielder Kyle Stowers went 2-for-3 with a double in his season debut on Sunday after missing the first 21 games with a hamstring strain. In his absence, Marlins left fielders hit .181/.280/.264 with three extra-base hits, so the 2025 All-Star will be a huge addition coming off a tough week.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Washington Nationals (10-12)
Previous Rank: No. 24
Last Week: 2-2 @ PIT, 1-2 vs. SF
Entering the year, the Nationals looked poised to spend the entirety of 2026 on the dreaded first slide, but they have been downright competent through 22 games. It won't be easy to avoid the NL East cellar if the starting rotation doesn't improve on a 6.01 ERA, but this has been a far more competitive team than last year's 96-loss version.
20. Colorado Rockies (9-13)
Previous Rank: No. 25
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 2-1 vs. LAD
According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the Rockies victory on Sunday marked the first time since October 2022 that they have won back-to-back games against the Dodgers. It took them 51 games to get to nine wins in 2025, so they are miles ahead of last year's pace and on track to avoid a fourth straight 100-loss campaign.
19. Seattle Mariners (10-13)
Previous Rank: No. 19
Last Week: 1-0 vs. HOU, 0-3 @ SD, 2-1 vs. TEX
The Mariners have gotten virtually nothing from Josh Naylor (.146 BA, .451 OPS), Cal Raleigh (.159 BA, .511 OPS) and Julio Rodríguez (.209 BA, .592 OPS) offensively, and they are still hovering around the .500 mark with a plus-6 run differential. No assumptions will be made on those three figuring things out at the plate, but as long as they keep pitching well there's a good chance things will stabilize.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Los Angeles Angels (11-12)
Previous Rank: No. 20
Last Week: 2-2 @ NYY, 1-2 vs. SD
A five-homer week from Mike Trout grabbed headlines and rightfully so, but the biggest storyline for the Angels is the emergence of José Soriano as a bona fide ace. The 27-year-old is 5-0 with a 0.28 ERA and 0.73 WHIP, allowing just 11 hits in 32.2 innings over his first five starts.
17. Baltimore Orioles (10-12)
Previous Rank: No. 6
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ARI, 1-3 @ CLE
The Orioles have lost five of six after winning six of seven, and with almost an entire lineup and bullpen worth of injured players, it's not surprising they are struggling to find consistency. Props to Jeremiah Jackson (69 PA, .303/.319/.561, 5 HR) and Leody Taveras (49 PA, .359/.479/.513, 7 R) for producing well as injury fill-ins.
16. Athletics (11-11)
Previous Rank: No. 5
Last Week: 2-2 vs. TEX, 1-2 vs. CWS
The Athletics signed 31-year-old journeyman Joel Kuhnel to a minor league deal in December, and he was not even part of the Opening Day roster, but he has quickly pitched his way into a high-leverage role and filled a major void at the back of the bullpen. Pitching is going to be the deciding factor in how this season goes for a rebuilding club on the rise, so any surprise contributions are huge.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Texas Rangers (11-11)
Previous Rank: No. 16
Last Week: 2-2 @ ATH, 1-2 @ SEA
Strong weeks from Josh Jung (10-for-28, 6 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI) and Jake Burger (8-for-27, 3 HR, 10 RBI) were a welcome sign for a Rangers team with a middle-of-the-pack offense. Even more importantly, Wyatt Langford (10-for-26, 2B) seems to be coming out of his early funk. The pitching staff has been better than expected, but the bats need to pull their weight for them to contend.
14. Minnesota Twins (11-11)
Previous Rank: No. 7
Last Week: 2-1 vs. BOS, 0-3 vs. CIN
After winning eight of nine, the Twins crashed back to earth over the weekend when they were swept by the Reds, and they enter the week riding a season-long four-game losing streak. Few pitchers in baseball have outperformed expectations more than Taj Bradley (5 GS, 3-0, 1.63 ERA, 34 K, 27.2 IP), and he logged his third quality start on Saturday.
13. Tampa Bay Rays (12-9)
Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 3-0 @ CWS, 1-2 @ PIT
With a 4.47 team ERA that ranks 22nd in the majors and just five quality starts in 21 games, the Rays have been carried by their offense to this point. The question is whether the offense will regress before the pitching improves, and that will be put to the test this week as they face a red-hot Reds team starting Monday.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Cleveland Guardians (13-10)
Previous Rank: No. 9
Last Week: 1-2 @ STL, 3-1 vs. BAL
If not for a starting rotation that ranks fourth in the majors with a 3.10 ERA, the Guardians might be a dozen spots lower in these rankings. The hunt for offensive support around superstar José Ramírez continues now that rookie Chase DeLauter has cooled off, while the usually excellent bullpen has been shaky and tallied three losses and two blown saves last week.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (13-8)
Previous Rank: No. 18
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CLE, 3-0 @ HOU
The Cardinals were No. 28 in B/R's Opening Day power rankings following an offseason where they fully committed to an overdue rebuild. However, a breakout season from Jordan Walker (1.013 OPS, 8 HR, 16 RBI) and a knack for coming out on top in close games (5-0 in extra innings, 5-0 in one-run games) has them on the doorstep of the top 10.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (12-9)
Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 2-1 vs. TOR, 2-1 @ MIA
The Brewers have won four of five since stumbling through a six-game losing streak. The offense has some holes and the pieces are still falling into place in the bullpen after four different pitchers recorded a save last week, but they have managed to win five of seven series on the year and sit right in the thick of an ultra-competitive NL Central.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Pittsburgh Pirates (13-9)
Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 2-2 vs. WAS, 2-1 vs. TB
The Pirates have not lost consecutive games since starting the season 0-2, and that's a testament to a starting rotation that ranks second in baseball with a 2.81 ERA. Meanwhile, getting Marcell Ozuna (10-for-26, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI) going at the plate is huge for the offense, and fellow newcomers Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn continue to look like two of the better pickups of the offseason.
8. Detroit Tigers (12-10)
Previous Rank: No. 17
Last Week: 3-0 vs. KC, 2-1 @ BOS
With three saves last week, Kenley Jansen overtook Hall of Famer Lee Smith and moved into sole possession of third on the all-time list with 481 saves as he continues his quest for 500. The entire Detroit pitching staff has rounded into form nicely with a 3.27 ERA on the year, and with an 8-1 record in their last nine games, this is once again looking like the team to beat in the AL Central.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (13-9)
Previous Rank: No. 4
Last Week: 2-1 @ BAL, 2-1 vs. TOR
The D-backs have not lost a series since getting swept by the Dodgers to start the season, and that consistency has been impressive considering the injuries they have been forced to navigate. They did welcome back Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the injured list on Saturday, and he went 1-for-8 while hitting cleanup in his first two games back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Chicago Cubs (12-9)
Previous Rank: No. 15
Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI, 3-0 vs. NYM
The Cubs have won five straight after sweeping the Mets. They scored 33 runs in three games to kick off that streak before strong performances on the mound from Jameson Taillon (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER) and Javier Assad (5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) over the weekend. Losing Cade Horton for the year to Tommy John surgery is a major blow, but they just played their best baseball of the season last week.
5. Cincinnati Reds (14-8)
Previous Rank: No. 12
Last Week: 2-1 vs. SF, 3-0 @ MIN
The Reds have a half-game lead atop the NL Central standings, which is saying something considering all five teams in the division have a winning record. They have the best bullpen in baseball with a 2.31 ERA and 10 saves in 13 chances, and that has helped prop up a rotation that is without Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo.
4. New York Yankees (13-9)
Previous Rank: No. 11
Last Week: 2-2 vs. LAA, 3-0 vs. KC
The Yankees entered last week riding a five-game losing streak, but after slugging 18 home runs in seven games and closing out a three-game sweep of the Royals, they are back inside the top five. The trio of Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice combined for 11 long balls and 18 RBI, and when those three are all swinging it well, this offense stacks up to any in baseball.
Nos. 3-1
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3. San Diego Padres (15-7)
Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 3-0 vs. SEA, 2-1 @ LAA
The Padres are 13-2 in their last 15 games since stumbling out of the gates, and they enter the week working on five straight series victories. They have only faced one team with a winning record, taking two of three from the Pirates in Pittsburgh, so there could be some regression in the future. For now, they have performed like a top-tier team and their spot in the rankings reflects it.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (15-6)
Previous Rank: No. 1
Last Week: 3-0 vs. NYM, 1-2 @ COL
The Dodgers went 11-2 against the Rockies last year and 10-3 against them in 2024, but it was Colorado who came out on top in the first matchup this year. It was the first series loss of the season for the defending champions, and it closes the gap between them and the rest of the field for the time being. This is still the team to beat, though they cede the No. 1 spot to a hotter ball club for the time being.
1. Atlanta Braves (15-7)
Previous Rank: No. 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIA, 3-0 @ PHI
Despite all the injuries to their rotation, the Braves lead the majors with a 2.65 ERA from the starting staff, and that has helped them post an MLB-leading plus-57 run differential. The offense also leads the majors with 122 runs scored, while the bullpen is a perfect 9-for-9 on save chances. They have a five-game lead in the NL East standings, by far the biggest division lead in baseball with every other division separated by a half-game at the top.
Complete Tier Rankings
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Tier 1
1. Atlanta Braves
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. San Diego Padres
Tier 2
4. New York Yankees
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Chicago Cubs
7. Arizona Diamondbacks
8. Detroit Tigers
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
Tier 3
10. Milwaukee Brewers
11. St. Louis Cardinals
12. Cleveland Guardians
13. Tampa Bay Rays
Tier 4
14. Minnesota Twins
15. Texas Rangers
16. Athletics
17. Baltimore Orioles
18. Los Angeles Angels
19. Seattle Mariners
Tier 5
20. Colorado Rockies
21. Washington Nationals
22. Miami Marlins
23. Boston Red Sox
24. San Francisco Giants
25. Chicago White Sox
Tier 6
26. Houston Astros
27. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Toronto Blue Jays
29. Kansas City Royals
30. New York Mets
