MLB Power Rankings as Ohtani's Dodgers Lose Top Spot Amid Slump, Cubs and Rangers Rise

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the talk of baseball at the trade deadline with their acquisition of Tarik Skubal, but a seven-game losing streak that was finally snapped on Saturday quickly became a significant story in its own right.

With that stumble, the gap has closed between the Dodgers and the field, at least for the purposes of our weekly power rankings.

As always, the goal is to rank all 30 teams on where they currently stand, not on who has the best chance of winning the World Series.

As such, we have a new No. 1 team for the first time in nine weeks.

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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Mickey Moniak

30. Los Angeles Angels (45-73)

Previous Rank: No. 29
Last Week: 1-2 @ BAL, 1-2 @ MIA

With five consecutive series losses, the Angels have cratered to a .385 winning percentage, putting them on pace to be the worst team in the 66-year history of the franchise. Will they keep selling this winter by moving Zach Neto and Reid Detmers?

29. Colorado Rockies (46-72)

Previous Rank: No. 27
Last Week: 0-3 vs. TB, 1-2 @ STL

The Rockies quietly locked up outfielder Mickey Moniak with a two-year, $16.25 million extension last week that will buy out his final year of arbitration and first year of free agency. Meanwhile, fellow outfielder Jake McCarthy went 14-for-27 with three doubles, two home runs and three steals in six games.

28. Kansas City Royals (49-70)

Previous Rank: No. 28
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN, 1-2 vs. CHC

The remainder of the season will be about player development for a Royals team currently residing in the AL Central cellar, but talented enough to potentially turn things around next year. Young slugger Jac Caglianone has a .859 OPS with six doubles, five home runs and 14 RBI in 20 games since the All-Star break.

Nos. 27-25

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Osleivis Basabe

27. Athletics (47-71)

Previous Rank: No. 30
Last Week: 0-3 @ CIN, 2-1 @ BOS

The Athletics snapped a nine-game losing streak on Saturday, then secured a series win over the red-hot Red Sox on Sunday thanks to a game-winning, RBI double by Max Muncy off Aroldis Chapman. An ugly 7-25 record since the beginning of July made the series win in Boston all the more unlikely, but it's enough to get them off the first page for at least one week.

26. San Francisco Giants (49-69)

Previous Rank: No. 26
Last Week: 1-2 @ TEX, 1-2 vs. DET

The Giants have been shut out three times in their last nine games, and the final two months could be a slog. That said, former Rays top prospect Osleivis Basabe is one to watch. The 25-year-old has taken over as the primary second baseman following the Luis Arraez trade, and he has an .854 OPS with three home runs in 10 games.

25. New York Mets (52-67)

Previous Rank: No. 25
Last Week: 3-0 @ CLE, 2-1 @ PIT

It has been a disappointing year for the Mets, and there could be changes coming this winter if they decide to shop Francisco Lindor and others, but for now they are well-positioned to play spoiler. There's enough talent on the roster for them to be a thorn in the side of contenders, and a pair of series wins on the road against playoff hopefuls was a prime example.

Nos. 24-22

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Chase Burns

24. Cincinnati Reds (56-61)

Previous Rank: No. 23
Last Week: 3-0 vs. ATH, 0-3 @ WAS

Simply through departing free agents, the Reds are headed for significant roster turnover during the offseason, and they will also likely be without Hunter Greene for part of 2027 as he is headed for season-ending surgery around the ligament in his right elbow. The clock is ticking on Elly De La Cruz's free agency following the 2029 season, and outside of Chase Burns and Sal Stewart they are lacking in clear long-term pieces.

23. Seattle Mariners (56-63)

Previous Rank: No. 16
Last Week: 1-2 vs. DET, 0-3 vs. TB

According to the postseason odds at FanGraphs, the Mariners dropped from a 50.5 percent chance of reaching the playoffs on deadline day to a 29.1 percent chance as of Sunday. Deadline addition Taylor Ward went 4-for-23 with zero walks in his first week in Seattle after walking an AL-leading 87 times in 111 games with the Orioles.

22. Baltimore Orioles (57-61)

Previous Rank: No. 20
Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAA, 1-2 @ TEX

Can Trevor Rogers pitch his way to a qualifying offer? Will Jackson Holliday trade rumblings resume during the offseason? Could Gunnar Henderson talks start if no progress is made toward an extension? The Orioles are at a crossroads on the other side of the Adley Rutschman trade, and a fascinating offseason awaits.

Nos. 21-19

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Alec Burleson

21. Toronto Blue Jays (56-63)

Previous Rank: No. 21
Last Week: 2-1 @ HOU, 0-1 @ CHC, 2-1 @ PHI

The Blue Jays' next 13 games are against the Red Sox, Yankees, Rays and Yankees again. They played some of their best baseball of the year on the road last week with a pair of series wins over contenders, and if they can weather the next two weeks, they have one of the easiest schedules in baseball the rest of the way. Could they still sneak into the wild-card conversation?

20. St. Louis Cardinals (59-59)

Previous Rank: No. 22
Last Week: 2-1 @ NYY, 2-1 vs. COL

The Cardinals scored 13 runs on deadline day against the Yankees, then got shut out the following day. That could be the type of roller coaster performance we see the rest of the way from a St. Louis squad that has exceeded expectations, but never quite looked the part of a bona fide contender. Is Alec Burleson (.827 OPS, 48 XBH, 19 HR, 78 RBI) the best offensive player no one talks about on a national level?

19. Detroit Tigers (58-60)

Previous Rank: No. 24
Last Week: 2-1 @ SEA, 2-1 @ SF

The Tigers responded to trading away ace Tarik Skubal and fellow rotation mate Casey Mize with a pair of series wins, and despite the decision to cash in their most valuable trade chip, they are just 3.5 games back in the AL Central standings and one game out of a wild-card spot. It will be up to the young duo of Troy Melton and Jackson Jobe to step up in the rotation.

Nos. 18-16

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Angel Genao

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (58-62)

Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 1-3 @ MIL, 1-2 vs. NYM

The Pirates offense failed to score more than two runs in four of their seven games last week, and they took the loss in all four of those games. The lineup is hitting .211/.309/.312 in August for a .621 OPS that ranks 28th in the majors, and the improved bullpen will be a non-factor if they can't get back on track at the plate.

17. Minnesota Twins (58-61)

Previous Rank: No. 12
Last Week: 1-2 @ KC, 1-2 @ MIL

After a pair of series losses last week and with ace Joe Ryan now sidelined with a glute strain, the Twins' season feels a bit like it's teetering on the brink. A nine-game homestand and a wide-open AL Central help keep their hopes alive, but they are trending in the wrong direction right now.

16. Cleveland Guardians (58-61)

Previous Rank: No. 11
Last Week: 0-3 vs. NYM, 1-2 @ CWS

With a starting staff that ranks seventh in the majors with a 3.73 ERA on the year, the Guardians have the arms to win the AL Central if the offense pulls its weight. Top prospect Angel Genao (No. 34 on B/R Top 100) went 7-for-19 with a home run over his first five games in the majors last week, and he has a chance to provide a nice spark at the bottom of the lineup.

Nos. 15-13

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15. Washington Nationals (59-61)

Previous Rank: No. 19
Last Week: 1-3 @ PHI, 3-0 vs. CIN

Following their three-game sweep of the Reds, the Nationals remain part of the "within five games of a playoff spot" crowd at 4.5 back with four teams to overtake for the third NL wild-card spot. It's an uphill battle ahead after they traded away Foster Griffin and Luis García Jr. at the deadline, but regardless they've come a long way from last year's 96-loss finish.

14. Miami Marlins (60-59)

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

It's been Jekyll and Hyde all year for the Marlins when it comes to playing at home (36-24) compared to on the road (24-35), but that's been enough to keep them alive in the wild-card picture. Shortstop Otto Lopez currently sits second in the NL batting title race with a .318 average, behind only Luis Arraez (.320).

13. Houston Astros (60-59)

Previous Rank: No. 15
Last Week: 1-2 vs. TOR, 1-2 @ SD

The Astros rode an 11-1 stretch of games into deadline day, but suffered a pair of series losses on the other side, and what was a season-high 2.5-game lead in the AL West standings is now a mere half-game advantage. With their next 12 games against the Giants, Mariners, Angels and Athletics, they have a golden opportunity to seize control of the division race.

Nos. 12-10

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Hagen Smith

12. Texas Rangers (59-59)

Previous Rank: No. 18
Last Week: 2-1 vs. SF, 2-1 vs. BAL

The Rangers have moved to the head of a pack of teams hovering within a few games of .500, and they enter the week half a game back in the AL West and one game up for the third AL wild card. Utility man Ezequiel Duran is having one of the best under-the-radar seasons of 2026, hitting .272/.327/.451 with 22 doubles, 13 home runs and 64 RBI while starting at least seven games at five different positions.

11. Chicago White Sox (61-56)

Previous Rank: No. 9
Last Week: 0-3 @ BOS, 2-1 vs. CLE

The White Sox promoted top pitching prospects Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal over the weekend, with Smith picking up the win on Sunday with two scoreless innings of relief coming out of a rain delay. Their 3.5-game lead atop the AL Central standings entering play on Monday is a season-high, despite the fact that they have held at least a share of the division lead since July 4.

10. San Diego Padres (62-57)

Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 2-2 @ ARI, 2-1 vs. HOU

Things moved quickly from Mason Miller being discussed as a possible blockbuster trade target for the second year in a row to the Padres gutting a thin farm system to acquire Casey Mize and Robbie Ray. With their electric back of the bullpen and star power on offense, a rotation of Michael King, Mize and Ray in October could make things interesting.

Nos. 9-7

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George Lombard Jr.

9. Arizona Diamondbacks (63-56)

Previous Rank: No. 13
Last Week: 2-2 vs. SD, 2-1 vs. LAD

The D-backs are now 25-14 against the rest of the NL West following their weekend series win over the Dodgers, which stands as the second-best inter-division record in baseball behind the Braves (25-12). Rookie Mitch Bratt tossed seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Padres last week as he settles into a regular spot in the rotation.

8. Philadelphia Phillies (63-56)

Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 3-1 vs. WAS, 1-2 vs. TOR

With two losses and a blown save last week, the Phillies bullpen remains a question mark getting the ball to Jhoan Duran in the ninth inning, and newcomers Brooks Raley and Caleb Kilian were both hit hard in their first week with the team. They still have a 6-3 record in August and a one-game cushion in the wild-card standings, but they need the pieces to fall into place in the 'pen.

7. New York Yankees (66-52)

Previous Rank: No. 7
Last Week: 1-2 vs. STL, 2-1 vs. ATL

The Yankees offense has posted a .198/.285/.384 line in August, yet they have managed a 4-4 record so far this month and are fresh off a series win over a good Braves team. Top prospect George Lombard Jr. went 5-for-17 with two home runs in his first five games as the team's starting shortstop, surpassing the one home run Anthony Volpe hit in 194 plate appearances.

Nos. 6-4

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Tyler Mahle

6. Atlanta Braves (71-47)

Previous Rank: No. 5
Last Week: 3-0 vs. MIA, 1-2 @ NYY

There was no shortage of questions about whether the Braves did enough to address their starting rotation at the deadline with veteran Tyler Mahle as the only addition to the staff. Those concerns quieted a bit after he tossed six shutout innings with nine strikeouts in his Atlanta debut on Friday, and his next start will come on Wednesday against the Mets.

5. Boston Red Sox (64-53)

Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 3-0 vs. CWS, 1-2 vs. ATH

The Red Sox were riding an absurd 26-3 stretch that included a 15-game winning streak entering their weekend series at home against the Athletics, yet they ended up dropping two of three. Adley Rutschman began a rehab assignment on Saturday for the wrist injury that has sidelined him since July 18, and he could make his Red Sox debut during their upcoming road trip.

4. Tampa Bay Rays (71-46)

Previous Rank: No. 6
Last Week: 3-0 @ COL, 3-0 @ SEA

The Rays six-game winning streak is the longest in baseball after they swept the Rockies and Mariners on the road last week, and that also moved them above the .500 mark on the road to 30-28 on the year. The counterpoint to that, of course, is that their 41-18 home record is the best in baseball. New catcher Liam Hicks (5-for-17, 2 2B, HR) has slotted nicely into the middle of the lineup.

Nos. 3-1

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Pete Crow-Armstrong

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (70-48)

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

The Dodgers finally snapped a season-high seven-game losing streak on Saturday, but promptly dropped their third consecutive series with a loss on Sunday. This is where I remind you that last year's team had a seven-game losing streak and 2-10 stretch overall in July en route to repeating as World Series champs. But for now, the Dodgers have to drop.

2. Chicago Cubs (69-50)

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

The idea that Pete Crow-Armstrong might unseat Shohei Ohtani as NL MVP gets less and less far-fetched with every passing week, especially when PCA's week consists of him going 10-for-29 with two home runs, four steals and 11 runs scored. Kevin Gausman (7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) looked the part in his Cubs debut, while Clay Holmes (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER) shook off the rust in his first MLB appearance since May 15 when he suffered a fractured fibula.

1. Milwaukee Brewers (74-44)

Previous Rank: No. 2
Last Week: 3-1 vs. PIT, 2-1 vs. MIN

This is not simply a case of the Dodgers falling. The Brewers have the fifth-highest scoring offense in the majors and the second-lowest team ERA, which speaks as much to the balance of the roster as it does their individual star power. A four-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles this weekend will likely determine next week's No. 1 team.

Complete Tier Rankings

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Jacob Misiorowski

Tier 1

1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Tampa Bay Rays

Tier 2

5. Boston Red Sox
6. Atlanta Braves
7. New York Yankees
8. Philadelphia Phillies
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
10. San Diego Padres

Tier 3

11. Chicago White Sox
12. Texas Rangers
13. Houston Astros

Tier 4

14. Miami Marlins
15. Washington Nationals
16. Cleveland Guardians
17. Minnesota Twins
18. Pittsburgh Pirates

Tier 5

19. Detroit Tigers
20. St. Louis Cardinals
21. Toronto Blue Jays
22. Baltimore Orioles
23. Seattle Mariners
24. Cincinnati Reds

Tier 6

25. New York Mets
26. San Francisco Giants
27. Athletics
28. Kansas City Royals
29. Colorado Rockies
30. Los Angeles Angels