It’s hard to believe but we are nearly halfway done with the 2026 MLB season. So, with that mark in sight, it’s time for our monthly power rankings edition. Several teams have made major gains over the last month, while others have not, to say the least.
The Bottom
- Rockies
- Giants (-1)
- Red Sox (-4)
- Angels (-2)
- Royals (-8)
- Tigers (-2)
- Orioles (-4)
- Mets (+2)
- Reds (-7)
- Twins (-7)
Statistically, four of the 10 best offenses in terms of runs scored (Rockies, Angels, Orioles, Twins) over the last month are in the bottom portion. However, the circumstances of why those four teams are here are simple: wins have been tough to come by.
The Twins have conceded 42 home runs and an ERA over 5.60 over the last month, a recipe for trouble. Joe Ryan has been effective as the staff ace but even he has had his own hiccups. Finding depth alongside hasn’t been easy, as Taj Bradley and Zebby Matthews have been among the pitchers who’ve been hit hard.
Los Angeles’ pitching staff hasn’t been bad, overall, across the last month. However, the Angels have three notable starters on the IL (Jack Kochanowicz, Grayson Rodriguez, and Yusei Kikuchi). And, the Angels have played .500 ball over the last 30 days, making it tough to dig out of the AL West cellar.
Baltimore, like the Angels, has received good pitching overall, as well. Plus, Pete Alonso (.898 OPS since 5/15) and Gunnar Henderson (.810 OPS) have played their best baseball of the season in recent weeks. But 11.5 games out of first in the AL East race, the Wild Card is their true big bet.
Then, there are the Rockies. Chase Dollander is hurt, and the veterans signed over the winter haven’t given life to the rotation.
There’s also the Red Sox question to contend with. At 8-16 across the last four & a half weeks, the Red Sox are firmly in sell mode, or at least appear to be given how things have gone thus far in 2026. But aside from Sonny Gray, the Red Sox have a lot of young, controllable players who are unlikely to be traded.
The Middle
- Rangers (-3)
- Astros (+8)
- Marlins (+8)
- Diamondbacks (-5)
- Athletics (-5)
- Cubs (-11)
- Pirates (-6)
- Nationals (+6)
- Padres (-7)
- Guardians (-2)
My, oh my, how things look topsy-turvy in the NL East. With the Mets only playing .500 ball over the last month after a very difficult start, the Marlins and Nationals have both risen to potential playoff contenders.
The Nationals are 15-11 over the last 30 days, and have received solid, all-around pitching. Right now, the Nats are in a playoff spot. Miami, meanwhile, is also 15-11 in that span. And thanks to a 1-2 punch of Sandy Alcantara & Max Meyer atop the rotation, it’s not crazy to think that the Fish, just two games out of a playoff spot as of June 18, can make it.
Now, it will depend on several factors, including what happens outside the NL East. Both the Padres and Diamondbacks have hung around despite flaws on each team’s roster. For the D-Backs, it’s been trying to receive consistent pitching. And for the Padres, it’s trying to get Xander Bogaerts & Manny Machado going.
The Pirates have been up and down throughout the year. And with Oneil Cruz hurt, the onus will be on Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Lowe, and Ryan O’Hearn to drive in runs.
As for the Cubs, there may not be a hotter hitter in the league right now than Pete Crow-Armstrong. His 11 home runs since May 15 are tied for first in the Majors, and his 20 extra-base hits are, as well. However, the pitching staff is banged up & bruised. That list of injured pitchers grew this week when Daniel Palencia hit the injured list.
Moving to the American League for a moment, the AL West & Wild Card races will be fascinating to watch. The Athletics and Rangers have treaded water, while Yordan Alvarez‘s resurgence has helped propel Houston back into the playoff race.
It will, however, be tough to catch the Mariners.
The Top
- White Sox (+3)
- Blue Jays (+12)
- Cardinals (+2)
- Rays (-4)
- Phillies (+7)
- Mariners (+11)
- Braves (-3)
- Yankees (+3)
- Brewers (+5)
- Dodgers (+1)
No American League team has won more games over the last 30 days than the Mariners, as Seattle’s 16-10 run pushed the AL runner-ups back into first place of the American League West.
Julio Rodriguez has been fine for the most part, although the offense hasn’t been the real story here. Yes, the Mariners have received help from the likes of Dominic Canzone and rookie Colt Emerson over the last month. It has been the pitching. Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, and Luis Castillo have all been spectacular this past month.
Toronto, the team that defeated the Mariners in the ALCS last fall, has dealt with its own adversity. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. only has four home runs this season, the last of which came on June 18 and ended a month-long drought. But timely hitting from the likes of George Springer, Andres Gimenez, and even Brandon Valenzuela has kept the Jays in the playoff race.
Even though Toronto is 37-38, the Jays would be in a playoff race today if the season ended.
Before moving on to the NL, the top of the AL East race has shifted. A 9-15 run for the Rays opened the door for the Yankees to take charge of the division.
As for the National League, the Phillies have surged but still have questions on the roster. Namely, will the team add more outfield depth after the pickup of Derek Hill, and will the team add pitching?
The Cardinals have maintained a vigorous pace, while the Braves have quieted and are now down Spencer Strider & Ronald Acuna Jr. The Brewers and Dodgers, meanwhile, continue to push towards playoff spots and perhaps another playoff series against one another.
Movement from May is shown in parentheses.
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