We’ve finally reached the end, my friends. As the regular season comes to a close, this is the final edition of MLB Power Rankings for the 2026 season. And just like we did for the very first edition back in April, we’re putting these teams into different tiers as we wrap the season up for some teams and look ahead to the postseason for the rest.
Thanks for reading all season long. I truly hope we can start on time for the 2027 season. For now, enjoy the drama of the playoffs.
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Let’s get to it!
▶ A Cut Above
1) Milwaukee Brewers
Last week: 1
2) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬆️
Last week: 3
3) Tampa Bay Rays ⬇️
Last week: 2
The three best teams in baseball for the great majority of the season. The Brewers just set a franchise record for wins while the Dodgers remain a threat to three-peat even with the questions about Shohei Ohtani‘s health. The Rays were a legitimate surprise this season, but they have as a good of a chance (or better) as anyone in a wide-open American League.
▶ Very Good But Have Questions
4) Atlanta Braves
Last week: 4
5) New York Yankees
Last week: 5
6) Philadelphia Phillies ⬆️
Last week: 7
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7) Chicago Cubs ⬇️
Last week: 6
8) Boston Red Sox
Last week: 8
9) San Diego Padres
Last week: 9
If anyone in the top three is toppled in the postseason, here are the teams to watch. None of them are perfect. The Braves lack quality rotation depth, while the Padres have some “if’s” of their own beyond Michael King. Aaron Judge, Jesús Luzardo, Garrett Crochet, and Alex Bregman are all question marks for their respective teams.
▶ How Good Are They, Really?
10) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️
Last week: 12
11) Chicago White Sox
Last week: 11
12) Texas Rangers ⬆️
Last week: 16
13) Houston Astros
Last week: 13
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To answer my own question: Probably not that good, though at this point all that matters is the ability to get hot for a few weeks. You just have to make the dance. The Guardians’ pitching gives them a shot, while the White Sox will probably need their sluggers to lead the way. The Rangers and Astros each boast postseason experience, but will they show up when it matters?
▶ Maybe Next Year?
14) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬇️
Last week: 10
15) Pittsburgh Pirates
Last week: 15
16) Toronto Blue Jays ⬇️
Last week: 14
17) St. Louis Cardinals ⬆️
Last week: 18
18) Miami Marlins ⬇️
Last week: 17
19) Washington Nationals ⬆️
Last week: 24
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Aside from the Blue Jays, who turned things around too late, we have five teams that were all relevant in the National League. Imagine where the Pirates could have been with a more consistent Paul Skenes and a healthy Konnor Griffin? Jordan Walker‘s emergence this year has been a game-changer for St. Louis. If the Nationals can add some pitching, both in the rotation and the bullpen, they could be a real threat next season.
▶ The Disappointments
20) Baltimore Orioles ⬇️
Last week: 19
21) Detroit Tigers
Last week: 21
22) Minnesota Twins ⬇️
Last week: 20
23) Seattle Mariners
Last week: 23
24) Cincinnati Reds ⬇️
Last week: 22
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25) New York Mets
Last week: 25
26) San Francisco Giants ⬆️
Last week: 27
With the Mariners, Mets, and Tigers, you have a grouping of teams who viewed themselves as World Series contenders coming into the season. Hopes were high with the Orioles after the moves they made this past offseason. The first year of Tony Vitello didn’t work out, and the Twins and Reds both fell off down the stretch.
▶ A Cut Below
27) Kansas City Royals ⬇️
Last week: 26
28) Athletics
Last week: 28
29) Los Angeles Angels
Last week: 29
30) Colorado Rockies
Last week: 30
The Royals have the easiest bounce-back appeal from this group and you could argue the same for the Athletics given all the injuries they’ve had to deal with this year. The Angels and Rockies are essentially at the ground floor as they attempt to turn their organizations around. There’s some hope for the Angels with Stan Kroenke purchasing the team.
