MLB Power Rankings as Guardians Enter Top 5, Cubs Slide Continues and Tigers Hit Rock Bottom

We have reached the point in the 2026 MLB season when the debate between body of work versus recent performance starts to take center stage.

A team with a strong foundation of good baseball suddenly stumbling to an eight-game losing streak should not continue to hold a top-tier spot in the rankings simply on the strength of their early success.

At the same time, a team that played .500 baseball for the first month catching fire and going 14-4 in its last 18 games deserves to enter that same top-tier conversation, even if the early returns were less promising.

All of that to say there was some significant shuffling in this week's rankings, and that will likely continue on into the summer as teams weather the hot and cold streaks of a long 162-game season.

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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T.J. Rumfield

30. Detroit Tigers (21-33)

Previous Rank: No. 27
Last Week: 0-4 vs. CLE, 1-2 @ BAL

Since Tarik Skubal was placed on the injured list on May 4, the Tigers are 3-16 and have gone from tied atop the AL Central standings to 10.5 games back and in last place. Pitching might seem like the logical weak spot given Skubal's absence, but the real problem has been an offense with an MLB-worst .592 OPS and just 2.95 runs per game in May.

29. Colorado Rockies (20-34)

Previous Rank: No. 29
Last Week: 1-2 vs. TEX, 1-3 @ ARI

It might not sound like much, but the Rockies have gone six straight series without getting swept. Considering they were 9-45 at this same point in the schedule a year ago, they might be the most improved team in baseball, even if they still have a long way to go. First baseman T.J. Rumfield is hitting .316/.388/.513 over 78 plate appearances in May while settling into a key run production role.

28. Los Angeles Angels (20-34)

Previous Rank: No. 30
Last Week: 1-3 vs. ATH, 3-0 vs. TEX

A three-game sweep of the Rangers is enough to at least temporarily vault the Angels out of the No. 30 spot, though the fact that it came on the heels of a 1-9 stretch of games explains why they were in that bottom spot. With 11 blown saves, 13 losses and a 5.41 ERA, the bullpen continues to be a glaring issue.

Nos. 27-25

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Bo Bichette

27. Boston Red Sox (22-30)

Previous Rank: No. 28
Last Week: 3-0 @ KC, 0-3 vs. MIN

The Red Sox are reportedly scouring the trade market for offensive help, and with a 3.75 ERA that ranks ninth in the majors, it's easy to see why they still view themselves as potential buyers. They have just two series wins in May, both of which were sweeps on the road, with a 4-11 record in their other five matchups this month.

26. New York Mets (22-31)

Previous Rank: No. 24
Last Week: 2-2 @ WAS, 0-3 @ MIA

Just when the Mets were showing some real signs of life with a 6-1 stretch, the bottom has fallen out once again. They have lost five of their last six, and were swept by the Marlins in Miami for the first time since 2019, scoring just two runs in three games. On a positive note, Bo Bichette had perhaps his best week in a Mets uniform last week, going 8-for-30 with three home runs.

25. San Francisco Giants (22-31)

Previous Rank: No. 25
Last Week: 0-3 @ ARI, 2-1 vs. CWS

The 2026 Giants have not had a winning streak longer than three games, and their minus-47 run differential is the second-worst mark in the National League, ahead of only the Rockies (-63). With an .895 OPS and 11 home runs, super-utility man Casey Schmitt has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, and it will be interesting to see if the front office considers flipping him in July.

Nos. 24-22

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Kyle Bradish

24. Kansas City Royals (22-31)

Previous Rank: No. 22
Last Week: 0-3 vs. BOS, 2-1 vs. SEA

The Royals won back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday to snap an ugly 1-10 stretch, plating 13 runs in those two victories to match their scoring output from the previous seven games combined. Salvador Perez had a pair of three-hit games last week, and getting him going at the plate would be a huge boon to the offense.

23. Baltimore Orioles (23-30)

Previous Rank: No. 20
Last Week: 0-3 @ TB, 2-1 vs. DET

The Orioles fell to 3-10 against AL East foes after getting swept by the Rays last week, which means they have played .500 baseball against the rest of the league. Regardless, they have fallen short of expectations, and a starting rotation that ranks 29th in the majors with a 5.04 ERA is the biggest reason their season has simply never gotten off the ground.

22. Houston Astros (23-31)

Previous Rank: No. 26
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIN, 3-0 @ CHC

The Astros are 7-4 in their last 11 games going back to their first walk-off victory of the season against the Mariners on May 13. They took full advantage of a floundering Cubs team with a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field over the weekend, and Christian Walker went 5-for-12 with three home runs and six RBI in the series.

Nos. 21-19

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Colt Emerson

21. Miami Marlins (25-29)

Previous Rank: No. 23
Last Week: 1-3 vs. ATL, 3-0 vs. NYM

The Marlins are 18-15 at LoanDepot Park this season, compared to 7-14 on the road, and right now that split is the difference between wild-card contention and also-ran status. Losing top prospect Robby Snelling to Tommy John surgery after just one MLB start is alarmingly reminiscent of Max Meyer's big league debut, which lasted two starts before he went under the knife.

20. Texas Rangers (24-28)

Previous Rank: No. 17
Last Week: 2-1 @ COL, 0-3 @ LAA

A 3-7 road trip for the Rangers ended in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Angels, though they are still just 2.5 games back in a wide-open AL West race. They now play 10 of their next 13 games at home, where they are 11-10 with a plus-four run differential on the year, and that will be an important stretch in determining what direction this club is headed entering June.

19. Seattle Mariners (25-29)

Previous Rank: No. 16
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CWS, 1-2 @ KC

The Mariners have won back-to-back series just once all season, and the search continues for offensive consistency. Top prospect Colt Emerson went 4-for-4 with three doubles on Sunday following a 2-for-17 start over his first six games, and his 65-grade hit tool gives him the potential to be a legitimate difference maker.

Nos. 18-16

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Dylan Cease

18. Toronto Blue Jays (25-28)

Previous Rank: No. 19
Last Week: 2-2 @ NYY, 2-1 vs. PIT

The Blue Jays lost 4-1 on Sunday, but the much bigger story was Dylan Cease (sore left hamstring) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hit by pitch on right elbow) both exiting the game early with injuries. They had a season-high four-game winning streak prior to Sunday's loss, and will have a good chance to keep building momentum against the Marlins and Orioles this week.

17. Chicago White Sox (26-26)

Previous Rank: No. 12
Last Week: 1-2 @ SEA, 1-2 @ SF

The White Sox were trending up with three straight series wins heading into last week, but their struggles on the road continued with a pair of series losses to drop them to 12-16 away from Rate Field. Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery have combined for 42 home runs, which is more than the Rays (41), Red Sox (38) and Brewers (34) entire rosters have hit.

16. Athletics (27-26)

Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 3-1 @ LAA, 1-2 @ SD

One of only four teams in the American League with a winning record, the Athletics hold a 2.5-game lead atop the AL West standings, despite playing sub-.500 baseball in May. There has been no sophomore slump for Nick Kurtz, who is hitting .290/.448/.489 for a .937 OPS that ranks sixth among all qualified hitters.

Nos. 15-13

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Kyle Schwarber

15. Chicago Cubs (29-24)

Previous Rank: No. 5
Last Week: 0-3 vs. MIL, 0-3 vs. HOU

The Cubs are 2-12 in their last 14 games, and they have been held to three or fewer runs a whopping 11 times during that stretch, including four shutouts. They had won 15 straight at Wrigley Field prior to Monday's loss to the Brewers, but this looks like a completely different team than the one that was 27-12 just a few short weeks ago. Can they steer out of the skid?

14. Philadelphia Phillies (26-27)

Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CIN, 1-2 vs. CLE

After several weeks of upward momentum to dig out of an early-season hole, the Phillies stumbled last week with a pair of series losses at home. Kyle Schwarber is 2-for-17 with 11 strikeouts in his last four games, and he also missed three games with a gastrointestinal illness, so getting him swinging it well again will be key to righting the ship.

13. Minnesota Twins (26-27)

Previous Rank: No. 21
Last Week: 2-1 vs. HOU, 3-0 @ BOS

The Twins have won four of their last five series, and they improved to 12-9 in May while also completing a three-game sweep of the Red Sox with a 6-5 victory on Sunday. Third baseman Royce Lewis was optioned to the minors last week after hitting .163/.261/.279 through his first 119 plate appearances, and that will open up more playing time for Ryan Kreidler (45 PA, .906 OPS, 3 HR).

Nos. 12-10

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Chase Burns

12. Cincinnati Reds (27-25)

Previous Rank: No. 15
Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI, 1-1 vs. STL

Where would the Reds be without Chase Burns? The 23-year-old twirled his fifth straight quality start last Tuesday, and he now sports a 1.83 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 59 innings over 10 starts, effectively replacing the injured Hunter Greene as the ace of the staff.

11. Washington Nationals (27-27)

Previous Rank: No. 13
Last Week: 2-2 vs. NYM, 2-1 @ ATL

With a series win over the first-place Braves in Atlanta, the Nationals have gone from intriguing upstart to a team legitimately worth monitoring as a potential wild-card contender. It remains to be seen how long they can walk the tightrope of a 4.87 ERA from the starting rotation, which ranks 28th in the majors, but this ranking is about present success and not future projection.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (28-24)

Previous Rank: No. 18
Last Week: 3-0 vs. SF, 3-1 vs. COL

Since a rocky 1-6 start to May, the D-backs have gone 11-4 in their last 15 games while winning four of their last five series. Former first-round pick Tommy Troy made his MLB debut on Sunday and went 2-for-4 with two doubles as the club continues to look for answers in the outfield.

Nos. 9-7

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Lucas Giolito

9. St. Louis Cardinals (29-22)

Previous Rank: No. 7
Last Week: 1-2 vs. PIT, 1-1 @ CIN

With a 19-11 showing so far against teams with a winning record, the Cardinals are more than just a plucky upstart outperforming expectations. Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson and Iván Herrera are a legitimately dangerous trio anchoring the offense, while a starting rotation that looked cobbled together on Opening Day has pitched to a rock solid 4.07 ERA.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (27-26)

Previous Rank: No. 11
Last Week: 2-1 @ STL, 1-2 @ TOR

With a series win over the Cardinals in St. Louis, the Pirates improved to 11-8 against the rest of the NL Central, which represents a massive step forward relative to last year's 19-33 divisional record. Prospect Esmerlyn Valdez is getting a look at a potential answer in right field, and his first career hit was a home run in his third career game on Sunday.

7. San Diego Padres (31-21)

Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAD, 2-1 vs. ATH

The Padres dropped two of three in their first meeting of the year with the rival Dodgers, and they will have to wait until June 26-28 for another shot at the NL West leaders. A strong start from Lucas Giolito (5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER) in his second appearance of the year has him looking more and more like a massive pickup, though he did walk five batters as he continues to shake off some rust.

Nos. 6-4

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Jacob Misiorowski

6. New York Yankees (31-22)

Previous Rank: No. 6
Last Week: 2-2 vs. TOR, 1-1 vs. TB

The Yankees beat the Rays for the first time this season on Sunday after an 0-4 start head-to-head, though Saturday's postponement left the series without a winner and set up a Sept. 22 doubleheader that could prove hugely important. With a 6-11 record in their last 17 games, there is some danger they could start sliding in the rankings if they don't pick up the pace.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (30-20)

Previous Rank: No. 4
Last Week: 3-0 @ CHC, 1-2 vs. LAD

After sweeping the division rival Cubs at Wrigley Field as part of a 12-2 stretch of games, the Brewers were outscored 16-4 by the Dodgers on Saturday and Sunday to throw some water on that momentum. With a 1.89 ERA, 2.13 FIP and a strikeout rate near 40 percent, Jacob Misiorowski is quickly emerging as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

4. Cleveland Guardians (32-23)

Previous Rank: No. 9
Last Week: 4-0 @ DET, 2-1 @ PHI

The Guardians are 16-7 overall in May, including 11-2 in their last 13 games, and they are getting just enough offense to support one of baseball's best pitching staffs. They rank sixth in the majors with a 3.46 ERA from the starting staff, and the five pitchers that opened the year in the rotation have made all 55 starts so far. That durability has helped put them in the driver's seat in the AL Central race.

Nos. 3-1

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Bryan Baker

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (33-20)

Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 2-1 @ SD, 2-1 @ MIL

Between injuries to the pitching staff and slow starts offensively from Mookie Betts and Will Smith, it still doesn't feel like we've seen the Dodgers at full strength. Yet here they are, fresh off a pair of road series wins against two of the top teams in the National League, and perched atop the NL West standings with an MLB-best plus-106 run differential.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (34-16)

Previous Rank: No. 2
Last Week: 3-0 vs. BAL, 1-1 @ NYY

The Rays starting rotation has a 2.88 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a .218 opponents' batting average on the season, while the relief corps leads the majors with 23 saves in 31 chances behind breakout closer Bryan Baker (23 G, 14/17 SV, 2.53 ERA). The bigger surprise has been an offense that ranks in the top 10 in OPS (.723, 8th) and runs scored (236, 10th).

1. Atlanta Braves (36-18)

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

The gap was closed between the Braves and the field following their series loss to the Nationals, and we could have a new No. 1 next week if they don't bounce back in convincing fashion. Considering it was just their second series loss of the year, and they are still 14-8 with a plus-36 run differential in May, it would be unwise to bet against them getting right back to looking like baseball's best team starting Tuesday at Fenway Park.

Complete Tier Rankings

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Tier 1

1. Atlanta Braves
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Los Angeles Dodgers

Tier 2

4. Cleveland Guardians
5. Milwaukee Brewers
6. New York Yankees
7. San Diego Padres

Tier 3

8. Pittsburgh Pirates
9. St. Louis Cardinals
10. Arizona Diamondbacks
11. Washington Nationals
12. Cincinnati Reds
13. Minnesota Twins

Tier 4

14. Philadelphia Phillies
15. Chicago Cubs
16. Athletics
17. Chicago White Sox

Tier 5

18. Toronto Blue Jays
19. Seattle Mariners
20. Texas Rangers
21. Miami Marlins
22. Houston Astros
23. Baltimore Orioles
24. Kansas City Royals
25. San Francisco Giants

Tier 6

26. New York Mets
27. Boston Red Sox
28. Los Angeles Angels
29. Colorado Rockies
30. Detroit Tigers