MLB Power Rankings as Phillies Return to Relevance and Tigers Tumble
With 27 of the league's 30 teams within five games of a playoff spot entering play on Monday, the first 40 or so games of the 2026 MLB season have done remarkably little to even sketch a line between contenders and non-contenders.
That will inevitably change as the sample sizes grow larger and the pretenders are exposed, but for now the leaguewide picture reads as one giant cluster with a few standout teams at the top, a few struggling clubs at the bottom and everyone bunched in the middle.
To that point, if your favorite team is disappointingly low in this week's MLB power rankings, they might be just one hot week from climbing double-digit spots in the rankings thanks to the current landscape.
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. Colorado Rockies (16-25)
Previous Rank: No. 26
Last Week: 1-2 vs. NYM, 1-2 @ PHI
After a respectable 13-14 showing in April, the Rockies have stumbled to a 2-7 record to begin May while suffering their fourth straight series loss when they fell to the Phillies on Sunday. On a positive note, it looks like Chase Dollander (3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 47 K, 43.0 IP) is the real deal on the mound.
29. New York Mets (15-25)
Previous Rank: No. 30
Last Week: 2-1 @ COL, 1-2 @ ARI
With a 5-4 record on their recent nine-game road trip, the Mets are showing some modest signs of life. They still rank dead last in the majors in OPS (.628), and Juan Soto is batting .217 with six extra-base hits in 73 plate appearances since returning from a right calf strain that cost him 16 games in April.
28. Houston Astros (16-25)
Previous Rank: No. 25
Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAD, 1-2 @ CIN
The Astros were shut out on Sunday, marking the sixth time in the last seven games they have been limited to three or fewer runs. They also sit at the bottom of the ERA leaderboard with a 5.57 mark that is more than half a run higher than the next worst team.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Los Angeles Angels (16-25)
Previous Rank: No. 29
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CWS, 1-2 @ TOR
Aside from a resurgent season from Mike Trout and a breakthrough performance from José Soriano, it's been the same old story for an Angels team that has not put together a winning season since 2015. They have had a winning streak longer than two games just once all season, winning three straight from April 4-6.
26. San Francisco Giants (16-24)
Previous Rank: No. 28
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SD, 2-1 vs. PIT
It was a busy week for the Giants in the transaction department, with catcher Patrick Bailey traded to Cleveland, ace Logan Webb placed on the injured list and former closer Ryan Walker optioned to the minors. With a 3-9 record in their last 12 games, it was time for a shakeup.
25. Boston Red Sox (17-23)
Previous Rank: No. 27
Last Week: 3-0 @ DET, 1-2 vs. TB
With a three-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit, the Red Sox improved to 10-11 with a plus-five run differential on the road, but they are 7-12 with a minus-17 run differential at Fenway Park. Outfielder Roman Anthony landed on the injured list last week with a sprained wrist, which should mean more playing time for Masataka Yoshida, who has a .388 on-base percentage in 80 plate appearances.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Baltimore Orioles (18-23)
Previous Rank: No. 18
Last Week: 0-1 @ NYY, 2-1 @ MIA, 1-2 vs. ATH
The Orioles have the worst run differential (-41) in the AL, and second-worst in baseball behind only the Giants (-48). After a 9-7 start to the year, they are 9-16 in their last 25 games and trending down. Interestingly, Jackson Holliday is playing some third base during his rehab assignment as he works his way back from a broken hamate.
23. Minnesota Twins (18-23)
Previous Rank: No. 24
Last Week: 1-2 @ WAS, 2-1 @ CLE
The Twins fell to 2-7 in interleague play after dropping two of three to the Nationals last week, and while they are five games below .500, they are just 2.5 games back in a wide open AL Central. Unfortunately, breakout starter Taj Bradley was placed on the injured list over the weekend with a pectoral strain.
22. Detroit Tigers (19-22)
Previous Rank: No. 12
Last Week: 0-3 vs. BOS, 1-2 @ KC
The Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the Royals on Sunday night, using six different pitchers in a classic A.J. Hinch bullpen game. After ace Tarik Skubal underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow on Wednesday, sidelining him for the foreseeable future, more nine innings by committee games are likely coming.
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Nos. 21-19
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21. Washington Nationals (19-22)
Previous Rank: No. 20
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN, 1-2 @ MIA
The Nationals have two of the most productive hitters in baseball in James Wood (.918 OPS, 22 XBH, 11 HR) and CJ Abrams (.916 OPS, 16 XBH, 36 RBI), and their 217 runs scored are the second-most in baseball. They are off to a better-than-expected start, though 12 blown saves in 22 chances has undercut some of that success.
20. Toronto Blue Jays (18-22)
Previous Rank: No. 16
Last Week: 0-3 @ TB, 2-1 vs. LAA
After going 7-13 in their first 20 games, the Blue Jays went 11-9 over their next 20 while looking a bit more like the team that came one win away from a World Series title in 2025. This roster is still far from fully healthy, so continuing to tread water and hang around the .500 mark will be key until they get some of the key guys back in action.
19. Chicago White Sox (19-21)
Previous Rank: No. 21
Last Week: 1-2 @ LAA, 2-1 vs. SEA
It took the White Sox 61 games before they reached 19 wins last season, so this has not only been a more entertaining team to watch, but a more successful one by a wide margin. With two more long balls last week, Munetaka Murakami is up to 15 home runs on the year, one behind Aaron Judge for the AL lead.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Miami Marlins (19-22)
Previous Rank: No. 19
Last Week: 0-1 vs. PHI, 1-2 vs. BAL, 2-1 vs. WAS
The Marlins snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday, then picked up their first series win in May when they took two of three at home against the Nationals over the weekend. Is there a more unheralded trio in baseball right now than Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards and Liam Hicks?
17. Kansas City Royals (19-22)
Previous Rank: No. 22
Last Week: 2-2 vs. CLE, 2-1 vs. DET
With a 3.90 ERA from the starting staff that ranks eighth in the majors, the Royals don't need to be an offensive juggernaut to hang around in the playoff picture. However, they still need to find a way to generate more offense, with their 4.12 runs per game landing in the bottom third of the league.
16. Seattle Mariners (19-22)
Previous Rank: No. 17
Last Week: 2-1 vs. ATL, 1-2 @ CWS
The Mariners went 6-1 to close out April, but they are just 3-6 since the calendar flipped to May. With Bryce Miller set to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday, the Mariners are expected to eventually piggyback Miller and Luis Castillo now that Emerson Hancock has staked his claim to a full-time rotation spot.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Arizona Diamondbacks (19-20)
Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 1-2 vs. PIT, 2-1 vs. NYM
The D-backs made a big move over the weekend, DFA-ing Alek Thomas and promoting top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. Meanwhile, one of the most surprising resurgences of the year belongs to Eduardo Rodriguez, who put together excellent starts against the Pirates (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) and Mets (8.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) last week to lower his ERA to 2.25 in 48 innings.
14. Texas Rangers (19-21)
Previous Rank: No. 15
Last Week: 1-2 @ NYY, 2-1 vs. CHC
A series win over a red-hot Cubs team is enough to move the Rangers to the head of the massive group of teams clustered together in the standings at a few games below .500. After a rocky start to the year, veteran Nathan Eovaldi has allowed seven hits and one earned run in 15 innings over his last two starts.
13. Philadelphia Phillies (19-22)
Previous Rank: No. 23
Last Week: 1-0 @ MIA, 2-1 vs. ATH, 2-1 vs. COL
Following a brutal 10-16 month of April where they were outscored by 31 runs, the Phillies have seemingly rescued their season from the brink with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. Kyle Schwarber has slugged five home runs already this month, and his 16 homers overall are tied for the MLB lead with Aaron Judge as he has picked up right where he left off last season.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Cleveland Guardians (21-21)
Previous Rank: No. 13
Last Week: 2-2 @ KC, 1-2 vs. MIN
Despite a .500 record, the Guardians enter play on Monday perched atop the AL Central standings thanks in part to a rough stretch from the Tigers. The move to acquire two-time Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey should be a boon to the pitching staff, while top prospect Travis Bazzana has seven hits and seven steals in 11 games since making his MLB debut.
11. Cincinnati Reds (22-19)
Previous Rank: No. 9
Last Week: 0-4 @ CHC, 2-1 vs. HOU
The Reds returned home on Friday after a nightmare 0-7 road trip against the Pirates and Cubs, which included three straight walk-off losses at Wrigley Field. Props to the team for rebounding from that rough patch to take two of three from the Astros, and if nothing else that's a promising sign for this group's ability to handle adversity.
10. Athletics (21-19)
Previous Rank: No. 11
Last Week: 1-2 @ PHI, 2-1 @ BAL
The Athletics have held at least a share of the AL West lead every day since April 18, and their two-game edge over the Rangers is actually the largest division lead in the AL right now. Shea Langeliers is hitting .336/.394/.617 with 11 home runs and making a strong case for the title of best catcher in baseball right now.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Pittsburgh Pirates (22-19)
Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 2-1 @ ARI, 1-2 @ SF
The Pirates are one of six teams in baseball that has scored 200 runs on the year, and that's a major accomplishment considering this was the worst offense in baseball last year by almost any significant measure. Brandon Lowe (.924 OPS, 10 HR) is shaping up to be one of the best pickups of the winter, and the only real holes in the lineup have been catcher and designated hitter.
8. St. Louis Cardinals (23-17)
Previous Rank: No. 7
Last Week: 1-1 vs. MIL, 2-2 @ SD
The "rebuilding" Cardinals are looking more and more like a viable contender with each passing week. Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson are as potent as any middle-of-the-order tandem in baseball, the retooled starting staff has a sub-4.00 ERA and Riley O'Brien has been one of the best closers in baseball.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (22-16)
Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 1-1 @ STL, 3-0 vs. NYY
The Brewers are 9-3 in their last 12 games, and trending up in a major way following their three-game weekend sweep of the Yankees. If the season ended today, Jacob Misiorowski (8 GS, 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 70 K, 44.0 IP) would have a strong case for NL Cy Young honors, and the pitching staff as a whole has really come together nicely even with Brandon Woodruff sidelined.
Nos. 6-4
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6. San Diego Padres (24-16)
Previous Rank: No. 6
Last Week: 2-1 @ SF, 2-2 vs. STL
The Padres have successfully navigated a cobbled-together starting rotation that ranks 23rd in the majors with a 4.55 ERA to be one of the few teams comfortably above the .500 mark so far. They improved to 10-5 against the rest of the NL West with their series victory over the Giants, and their first head-to-head clash with the rival Dodgers is on the horizon from May 18-20.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (24-16)
Previous Rank: No. 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ HOU, 1-2 vs. ATL
The Dodgers will welcome back Mookie Betts on Monday, and they could use a boost after scoring just seven runs in three games against the Braves over the weekend. Center fielder Andy Pages is hitting .371/.405/.743 with four home runs and 10 RBI over nine games in May and showing no signs of slowing down from his scorching start to the year.
4. New York Yankees (26-15)
Previous Rank: No. 2
Last Week: 1-0 vs. BAL, 2-1 vs. TEX, 0-3 @ MIL
Even after getting swept by the Brewers over the weekend, the Yankees still have a plus-73 run differential and a 28-13 expected win-loss record that are both tops in the AL. Left-hander Carlos Rodón made his season debut on Sunday, allowing two hits, five walks and three runs in 4.1 innings, and he will look to take another step toward shaking off the rust on Saturday against the Mets.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Chicago Cubs (27-14)
Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 4-0 vs. CIN, 1-2 @ TEX
The Cubs are riding a 15-game winning streak at Wrigley Field following their four-game sweep of the Reds last week, and have already ripped off a pair of 10-game winning streaks overall through their first 41 games. Veteran Michael Conforto is 7-for-14 with three doubles and two home runs in May.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (26-13)
Previous Rank: No. 4
Last Week: 3-0 vs. TOR, 2-1 @ BOS
The Rays pitching staff has a pristine 1.33 ERA during their 8-1 start to May, with a pair of shutouts and a perfect 5-for-5 showing on save opportunities. Griffin Jax went four innings on Thursday in his first start without a bulk reliever behind him, and he will continue to be stretched out as a potential replacement for Ryan Pepiot.
1. Atlanta Braves (28-13)
Previous Rank: No. 1
Last Week: 1-2 @ SEA, 2-1 @ LAD
The Braves flexed their muscles with a series win at Dodger Stadium, and they currently have the rare distinction of leading the majors in both batting average (.270) and batting average allowed (.210). They are the best all-around team in baseball right now, and will have a chance to make another statement when they welcome the Cubs to town starting on Tuesday.
Complete Tier Rankings
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Tier 1
1. Atlanta Braves
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Chicago Cubs
4. New York Yankees
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
Tier 2
6. San Diego Padres
7. Milwaukee Brewers
8. St. Louis Cardinals
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
Tier 3
10. Athletics
11. Cincinnati Reds
12. Cleveland Guardians
13. Philadelphia Phillies
Tier 4
14. Texas Rangers
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
16. Seattle Mariners
17. Kansas City Royals
18. Miami Marlins
19. Chicago White Sox
Tier 5
20. Toronto Blue Jays
21. Washington Nationals
22. Detroit Tigers
23. Minnesota Twins
24. Baltimore Orioles
25. Boston Red Sox
Tier 6
26. San Francisco Giants
27. Los Angeles Angels
28. Houston Astros
29. New York Mets
30. Colorado Rockies
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